# What are the best music videos ever? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [August 3, 2006, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-best-music-videos-ever/367107 "2006-08-03T00:22:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2006, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-best-music-videos-ever/367107/1 "2006-08-03T00:22:54Z")
There are some good music videos, and there’s lots of bad ones. Since the inception of the music video I guess most videos have been pretty boring advertisements for the band in the form of concert videos, or hackneyed cliche lifestyle ads (e.g. bling-bling videos for gangsta rap; pseudo-artsy montages for singer-songwriters; angry white boy videos for heavy metal groups, etc. etc.) But a recent “Listed” show on the Top 40 videos of all time as well as msmith’s comment in another thread that “Sabotage” was the best video ever made me want to ask you folks: What are the best music videos ever? This could be based on - Originality - Working with the song - Influence on music video as a medium - Just plain coolness Without listing them, I would immediately select: - “Beat it” and “Thriller” by Michael Jackson. Today “Thriller” seems better remembered, but at the time “Beat It” was as much a groundbreaking work, and IMHO it works better. - “Everybody Hurts” by REM. A cool, well-executed concept. - “Praise You” by Fatboy Slim. Most would instead select “Weapon of Choice” but I preferred the former. - The aforementioned “Sabotage.” - “Sledgehammer” by Peter Gabriel, of course. - “Smells Like Teen Spirit” by Nirvana. I’ve always thought they were overrated because Kurt Cobain died, but I gotta hand it to this video. It’s iconic. - “Don’t Come Around Here No More,” Tom Petty. A weird, creepy and yet funny video by a great showman of rock. - “Boys of Summer,” Don Henley. A great masterpeice, perhaps the best of the 80s. - “Justify My Love,” Madonna. Anything that scares MTV is great by me, but it’s a hell of a video besides. What say you? ---
**Author:** ![woodstockbirdybird](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/woodstockbirdybird/32/7905_2.png) [@woodstockbirdybird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/woodstockbirdybird)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2006, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-best-music-videos-ever/367107/2 "2006-08-03T00:27:40Z")
Personally, I thought the video for **The Replacements** ’s “Bastards Of Young” was the best ever. ---
**Author:** ![MovieMogul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f08c70/32.png) [@MovieMogul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MovieMogul)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2006, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-best-music-videos-ever/367107/3 "2006-08-03T00:29:41Z")
[Here](http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/feature/36588/Staff_List_100_Awesome_Music_Videos)’s an interesting list. I haven’t seen or heard of all of them, but the first one listed (in alphabetical order) has to be near the top of any Greatest list: A-ha’s [Take on Me](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=leMzjdb2WVw&search=take%20on%20me). Still remarkable in its execution. Soul Asylum’s [Runaway Train](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wljjTpJHVNg&search=runaway%20train) (with pictures of real runaways) has always been a personal fave. As a movie buff, I’m also obliged to include Madonna’s _Express Yourself_, a very clever riff on Fritz Lang’s **Metropolis**. [Here](http://www.digitaldreamdoor.com/pages/best_videos.html)’s another list of Greatest, if anyone needs more ideas. ---
**Author:** ![Morbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/morbo/32/389_2.png) [@Morbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morbo)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2006, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-best-music-videos-ever/367107/4 "2006-08-03T00:29:46Z")
Which U2 video was it where they staged an impromptu concert on the roof of some building in LA? I pick that one. ---
**Author:** ![Arnold\_Winkelried](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Arnold\_Winkelried](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arnold_Winkelried)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2006, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-best-music-videos-ever/367107/5 "2006-08-03T00:36:04Z")
Wasn’t that the [b]Beatles\*\*? In **London**? (grumble grumble kids nowadays and their newfangled music) ---
**Author:** ![gallows\_fodder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/8c91f0/32.png) [@gallows\_fodder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gallows_fodder)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2006, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-best-music-videos-ever/367107/6 "2006-08-03T00:42:39Z")
I have to mention Tool’s videos, particularly their video for “Prison Sex,” which I’ve always felt hit perfection with its blend of beauty and horror. See it [here.](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2XaNo0qPTfE) This is kind of obscure, but the video for UNKLE’s [“Eye for an Eye”](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IRbrJHUrIqk) is also one of my favorites. ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2006, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-best-music-videos-ever/367107/7 "2006-08-03T00:50:17Z")
Special notice given to [Don’t Answer Me](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bLbUQGNL3Dw&search=don%27t%20answer%20me) by Alan Parson Project which played with the “comics in music video” idea before Ah Ha made their classic. ---
**Author:** ![Revenant\_Threshold](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f1d935/32.png) [@Revenant\_Threshold](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revenant_Threshold)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2006, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-best-music-videos-ever/367107/8 "2006-08-03T01:32:01Z")
A lot of U2’s videos would be up there, I’d think. The one for [The Sweetest Thing](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MqbicRxNQis&search=u2%20the%20sweetest%20thing) is excellent. This isn’t really among the greatest, but I like Feeder’s video for[Just a Day](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6tZHTfFfUGg&search=feeder%20just%20a%20day) (the kids in it are all from the fanclub, who sent in videos) especially the little boy playing a xylophone. “Fuh nee now!!” ---
**Author:** ![pesch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pesch/32/4925_2.png) [@pesch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pesch)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2006, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-best-music-videos-ever/367107/9 "2006-08-03T01:32:03Z")
> [@Dooku](#): > > Which U2 video was it where they staged an impromptu concert on the roof of some building in LA? I pick that one. > [@Arnold Winkelried](#): > > Wasn’t that the **Beatles**? In London? (grumble grumble kids nowadays and their newfangled music) Actually, Arnold, Dooku [was thinking of this:](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Where_the_Streets_Have_No_Name) > [@](#): > > The song (“Where the Streets Have No Name”) was first played on the rooftop of a Los Angeles liquor store March 27, 1987 in an ad hoc concert. The music video was filmed with footage from this event, including the police shutting the surprise concert down due to traffic concerns. The stunt was viewed as an homage to The Beatles when they played their own rooftop show on the roof of Apple Records. As for great videos, I would suggest these (and as you can tell, my video viewing began with the Buggles and ended with Nirvana): - The Kinks “Come Dancing,” a fun, nostalgic song, well-filmed. Especially liked Ray Davies as the moustachioed Lothario “who ends up blowing all his wages for the week / all for a cuddle and a peck on a cheek.” The video ends with him ripping a Kinks Koncert poster off the alley wall. - Weird Al Yankovich “Amish Paradise.” True, it’s a takeoff on Coolio’s “Gangsta’s Paradise”, but it’s a very witty take, and in some ways, very reflective of Amish life and thought. (Such as the line about forgiving the kid for kicking him in the butt because he knows the kid’ll be burning in hell). - Added votes for Peter Gabriel’s “Sledgehammer” and Nirvana’s “Teen Spirit” (fun fact, the members of Nirvana knew they had “made it” when Weird Al parodied this song.) - Madness. “Our House” for sheer goofiness as the band members act like typical members of a British working-class family. - Fatboy Slim: “Weapon of Choice” Who knew Christopher Walken could dance? ---
**Author:** ![JpnDude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/838e76/32.png) [@JpnDude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JpnDude)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2006, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-best-music-videos-ever/367107/10 "2006-08-03T01:38:57Z")
> [@Dooku](#): > > Which U2 video was it where they staged an impromptu concert on the roof of some building in LA? I pick that one. That would be “Where the Streets Have No Name”, which is one of my favorites too. ---
**Author:** ![fisha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/da6949/32.png) [@fisha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fisha)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2006, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-best-music-videos-ever/367107/11 "2006-08-03T02:16:25Z")
Newer ones? Dani California, oh another RDCP, Can’t Stop, great one. For some great T&A any Pussycat dolls. NIN “Deeper” OK GO “Million ways to be cruel” Highly recommend, always makes me laugh like a little kid. “Simply Irresistible,” Robert Palmer INXS “I need you tonight.” “Pump It” Black Eyed Peas Traveling Wilbury’s “End of the line” Just because they looked like they were having a great time. Bonnie Raitt “Let’s give them something to talk about” Ditto for having a great time. Cake “Going the Distance” Weezer “Beverly Hills” Schizo in music selection? I prefer to think of myself as having eclectic taste. ---
**Author:** ![Palooka](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/palooka/32/2902_2.png) [@Palooka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Palooka)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2006, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-best-music-videos-ever/367107/12 "2006-08-03T02:35:18Z")
Jason Forrest’s [War Photographer](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QAFXayH1bpY) is seriously good. Maybe not the best ever, but certainly ahead of everything from the 80s. ---
**Author:** ![FriarTed](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/friarted/32/1052_2.png) [@FriarTed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FriarTed)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2006, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-best-music-videos-ever/367107/13 "2006-08-03T02:52:44Z")
Bonnie Tyler’s TOTAL ECLIPSE OF THE HEART - glowing-eyed choir boys flying around while she’s all windswept and belting out that song… Wow! Two Kate Bush’s - THE MAN WITH THE CHILD IN HIS EYES just because she’s slinking around in a gold lame’ bodysuit; and CLOUDBUSTING where Donald Sutherland & she portray Wilhelm Reich and his son Peter THESE DREAMS - the Wilson sisters looking their best! CRY, I think by Godley and Cream (???), creepy face-morphing that’s always haunted me ---
**Author:** ![Number](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/number/32/242_2.png) [@Number](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Number)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2006, 2:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-best-music-videos-ever/367107/14 "2006-08-03T02:54:59Z")
All of the videos posted so far are very nice, but I’m afraid nothing can compare with the aesthetic spectacle that is [Der Kommissar](http://youtube.com/watch?v=bMvNEPJChYw). ---
**Author:** ![Argent\_Towers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e8c25b/32.png) [@Argent\_Towers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Argent_Towers)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2006, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-best-music-videos-ever/367107/15 "2006-08-03T03:05:10Z")
Weezer’s _Buddy Holly video._ It always struck me as being very creative. Fiona Apple’s _Criminal_ - by Mark Romanek, who would later go on to direct _One Hour Photo._ All of Tom Petty’s videos. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2006, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-best-music-videos-ever/367107/16 "2006-08-03T03:28:08Z")
> [@Argent Towers](#): > > Weezer’s _Buddy Holly video._ It always struck me as being very creative. Oooh, good choice. A few others I thought of: “All Right With Me,” Janet Jackson “Thugs,” Tragically Hip “Virtual Insanity,” Jamiroquai “That Thing,” Lauryn Hill “I Can’t Wait,” Nu Shooz “Right Now,” Van Halen "Wicked Game, Chris Isaak “No Rain,” Blind Melon ---
**Author:** ![PapSett](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ecc23a/32.png) [@PapSett](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PapSett)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2006, 3:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-best-music-videos-ever/367107/17 "2006-08-03T03:34:38Z")
I came in to mention A-Ha’s ‘Take On Me’, and still will even tho it’s already mentioned. I have never seen another that compares to it. ---
**Author:** ![Rufus\_Xavier](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/eada6e/32.png) [@Rufus\_Xavier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rufus_Xavier)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2006, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-best-music-videos-ever/367107/18 "2006-08-03T03:38:36Z")
> [@Argent Towers](#): > > All of Tom Petty’s videos. My favorite of those is [Last Dance With Mary Jane](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pcAhMFUaNtc&search=tom%20petty%20last%20dance%20with%20mary%20jane) with Kim Basinger as the world’s most beautiful corpse. I love Blind Melon’s [No Rain](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n0A18ElDQKM&search=blind%20melon%20no%20rain) . How could you not love the Bee Girl? Also, if Schoolhouse Rock counts, [Naughty Number Nine](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ga6U3TB_VDM&search=schoolhouse%20rock%20number%20nine) is pretty awesome. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2006, 3:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-best-music-videos-ever/367107/19 "2006-08-03T03:54:36Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > What are the best music videos ever? Is somebody else going to say it, or do I have to? Oh, all right, here goes: That would be “Rio” by Duran Duran. > [@](#): > > - “Beat it” … by Michael Jackson. > > - “Smells Like Teen Spirit” by Nirvana. Bonus points for Weird Al Yankovic’s spot-on parodies of both of these videos. > [@pesch](#): > > - The Kinks “Come Dancing,” > > - Madness. “Our House” I’ve thought that the videos for these two bits of English nostalgia that came out at about the same time were remarkably similar, down to the tennis-racket-air-guitar solos. ---
**Author:** ![Greywolf73](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/d9b06d/32.png) [@Greywolf73](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Greywolf73)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2006, 3:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-best-music-videos-ever/367107/20 "2006-08-03T03:57:49Z")
This being the SD I have a feeling that everyone else is going to post all my other favorites eventually so I’ll throw just this one out there: [Hurt](http://youtube.com/watch?v=vln5C8kholg&search=hurt%20johnny%20cash) by Johnny Cash. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-best-music-videos-ever/367107.md?page=2)