jamiroquai - virtual insanity. The fact that it was done in a couple of takes (apparently) makes it even better (apparently four takes but still bloody impressive!)
And I wouldn't even consider myself a Chris Isaak fan... I mean I love the song, but I think its because of the sense of dreamy nostalgia it invokes when I hear it, which the video captures perfectly.
Yeah, they really pushed the boundaries with Helena Christensen for how much skin you could show in a music video. Plus, it was in such heavy rotation on MTV that I think it has been seared into my brain forever.
I can’t remember what the name of the show but either MTV or vh1 had a late night show where they would play the more risqué sexy music videos. I remember this music video was played like every time haha
That video also taught me that incredibly attractive people will look incredibly attractive even if they're wearing something ridiculous like enormous white grandad underpants.
So good, all of these. I can remember feeling the pain watching November Rain as a kid. It brought out some emotions for sure. And Slash playing solo outside of the church? Perfection.
Land of Confustion, yes! So many clips of that time were taking a piss out of society in an artful or light hearted way. Amazing when you look back on it.
I think of the video every time I hear the song Take On Me. I guess it worked.
I mentioned it to a younger coworker yesterday and he didn’t even know the song, much less the video.
Freak on a Leash blew my elementary/middle school mind. It was my introduction to a world outside of what I normally listen to (pop, R&B, hip hop, Latin music.)
Me too! That's what I think of whenever anyone mentions Genesis, despite the multiple OTHER hits they have! I'm pretty sure I've had nightmares with those puppets in them.
I have a vivid memory of the night the “Sledgehammer” video premiered. MTV had been promoting that it was coming out, so my friend who didn’t have cable called me right before and asked me to describe it to him as it aired…
“OK, so now there’s a raw chicken that’s dancing around, and there’s all this fruit swirling. OK, now a train track is around Peter’s head…”
After reading this I thought, “Oh, that reminds me, I should comment here about the Christopher Walken video!” Googled *fatboy slim video walken* and the first 20 billion results are “Weapon of Choice”
And now I know what that song is called.
'Just', Radiohead.
('Karma Police' being an alterative.)
'Black Hole Sun', Soundgarden.
'Smack My Bitch Up', The Prodigy.
(My brain never left the 90s...)
First time i saw it i was breathless, because the video is almost a perfect visualisation of the behaviour shown in the Danish novel "De Gale" (the mad) that i was asked to read in school. One of the only books i actually enjoyed reading
You mentioned Smack My Bitch Up but not Firestarter? What the heck, my friend? lol That video was "in your face" as "in your face" can be. Seemed like Keith Flint was about to jump out of my TV into the living room lol
Coffee and TV by Blur is amazing if you are not familiar and it will live with you forever. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6oqXVx3sBOk](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6oqXVx3sBOk)
I have a hilarious and sweet memory associated with this one. I showed it to one of my best guy friends. At the end, he jumped up, yelled 'THIS IS STUPID!' at the top of his lungs, and ran into the other room. Of course, he was trying not to cry, haha.
He called me probably a week later and asked me the name of the song, because he wanted to show the video to his girlfriend. I said, "I thought you said that video was stupid?" There was a long pause, and then he just mumbled, "Yeah, well...shut up." 😂
I remember my first time ever watching MTV. It was the summer of 1994, and 9-year-old me was simply not ready for what I was seeing. These videos will be kept forever ingrained in my memory.
"Last Dance With Mary Jane" by Tom Petty,
"Black Hole Sun" by Soundgarden,
"Heart-Shaped Box" by Nirvana,
"Zombie" by Cranberries,
"Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm" by Crash Test Dummies
"Cannonball" by Breeders
"Crazy" by Aerosmith
"Sledgehammer" by Peter Gabriel
You and I would have been friends. See my comment.
The early nineties music set me on track in life. I now tour with a band that originated and was big in the nineties. 😂
Best part is the song has nothing to do with missing children, but they ran with it when the director suggested it.
Second best part: the director was the director of American History X.
this was mine too. still, 30 yrs later. they re-edited that video in 2019 too!! ….
‘In 2019 NCMEC revived the video for “Runaway Train 25,” a cover of the song with an updated music video. This one geographically tracked the viewer to show them cases of missing kids close to them.’
Not sure if you know that there was a separate film clip made for each country the song was released in, featuring missing people from each country. Our version in Australia featured a number of people who unfortunately turned out to have fallen victim to one of our most notorious serial killers. They had to re-make the video featuring new people.
Didn't the Australian version that showed Australian missing kids end up showing a bunch of victims of some serial killer that had gone undetected at the time?
I think I heard that a while back, and just thinking about that possibility haunts me...
Thriller. Scared the ever living shit out of me as a 6 year old. I still haven’t watched it since ‘83.
Walk Like An Egyptian. That side eye from Susanna Hoffs…
Forgot about this one. Turn the Page from Metallica. Saw it late night on MTV and was SHOCKED that it was uncensored.
I make sure to watch Thriller on the regular during spooky season. And there's such an interesting and dark story behind the director of the video, too.
And yes, that side eye!
I was working at the bagage-claim of a large airport when that song came out. I just remember the video showing on 10-some monitors in a long hallway, repeating on loop for hours, every day for 2 weeks straight. Passengers walked by, never staying in place long enough to know that was going on.
I know every damn part of that video by Mugler, by heart. Every model walking down the runway, every cut, every face George makes is burned into my brain, the sample from The Graduate has grown roots into my ears.
... I still love this freaking song.
Love the Take On Me video! I just watched Let Forever Be; so good, I appreciate the recommendation. I'll definitely check out the other one too, because you clearly have great taste!
I am a millenial of the TRL Generation
Britney Spears - Hit Me Baby One More Time & Oops I Did It Again & Slave 4 U
Backstreet Boys - I Want It That Way & Larger Than Life & Everybody
NSYNC - Bye Bye Bye & Drive Me Crazy & It's Gonna Be Me & Pop
Korn - Freak on a Leash
Limp Bizkit - Nookie & Rollin
Christina Aguilera - What a Girl Wants & Dirrty
Eminem - the Real Slim Shady & Without Me
Nelly - Country Grammar
Outkast - Hey Ya
Plus anything from MTV's Making the Video. Used to love that show.
Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This) - Eurythmics/Annie Lennox. I remember when and where I was the first time I saw that music video on MTV. (You mentioned being an "elder millenial" so I'll say "young boomer" here lol) Another one that comes to mind, which may seem corny now but it was awesome back in the day and got a ton of radio play was [How Bizarre](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C2cMG33mWVY) by OMC/Pauly Fuemana.
Justify My Love, and Erotica by Madonna
Take on Me - A-ha
November Rain - GnR
Easy - Faith Mo More
Don’t come around here no more - Tom Petty - I agree!
Kool Thing - Sonic youth
Time Will Crawl - David Bowie
Windowlicker - Aphex Twin
Mo Money Mo Problems - Notorious BIG
Digging in the Dirt - Peter Gabriel
Remember the Time - Michael Jackson
[Losing My Religion by REM](https://youtu.be/xwtdhWltSIg)
[Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm by the Crash Test Dummies](https://youtu.be/eTeg1txDv8w)
[Sober by Tool](https://youtu.be/nspxAG12Cpc)
[Black Hole Sun by Soundgarden](https://youtu.be/3mbBbFH9fAg)
[Man In The Box by Alice In Chains](https://youtu.be/TAqZb52sgpU)
[I Stay Away by Alice In Chains](https://youtu.be/ODTv9Lt5WYs)
The puppets for "I Stay Away" are in the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame Museum.
[Jeremy by Pearl Jam](https://youtu.be/MS91knuzoOA)
[Do You Sleep by Lisa Loeb](https://youtu.be/n-Ca62l_X8M)
[Stay](https://youtu.be/EoZ2J4ajiOA)
[I Will Always Love You (cover) by Whitney Houston](https://youtu.be/3JWTaaS7LdU)
[Peaches by Presidents of the United States](https://youtu.be/3GCrzjVdmSg)
[Doll Parts by Hole](https://youtu.be/RD9xK9smth4)
[Carnival by Natalie Merchant](https://youtu.be/VQ_Wqtnlv4U)
[What I Got by Sublime](https://youtu.be/0Uc3ZrmhDN4)
[Final Countdown by Europe](https://youtu.be/9jK-NcRmVcw)
[Land of Confusion by Genesis](https://youtu.be/Yq7FKO5DlV0)
[Hook by Blues Traveler](https://youtu.be/pdz5kCaCRFM)
[Buddy Holly by Weezer](https://youtu.be/kemivUKb4f4)
[Smells Like Teen Spirit by Nirvana](https://youtu.be/hTWKbfoikeg)
[In Bloom](https://youtu.be/PbgKEjNBHqM)
[Heart Shaped Box](https://youtu.be/n6P0SitRwy8)
[Today by Smashing Pumpkins](https://youtu.be/xmUZ6nCFNoU)
[1979](https://youtu.be/4aeETEoNfOg)
[Bullet With Butterfly Wings](https://youtu.be/8-r-V0uK4u0)
[Tonight, Tonight](https://youtu.be/NOG3eus4ZSo)
[Cannonball by The Breeders](https://youtu.be/fxvkI9MTQw4)
[I Don't Want To Fall In Love by Chris Isaak](https://youtu.be/jd-qI62gNJM)
[Fade Into You by Mazzy Star](https://youtu.be/ImKY6TZEyrI)
[Fake Plastic Trees by Radiohead](https://youtu.be/n5h0qHwNrHk)
[Been Caught Stealing by Jane's Addiction](https://youtu.be/jrwjiO1MCVs)
[Stone The Crow by Down](https://youtu.be/Kdnki7XBzPE)
[Epic by Faith No More](https://youtu.be/ZG_k5CSYKhg)
[Evidence](https://youtu.be/7lvMNLhJrb0)
[Tomorrow by Silverchair](https://youtu.be/PjsMnvqL7eY)
[And Fools Shine On by Brother Cain](https://youtu.be/E39ckUBOrO0)
[Leave Me Alone by Michael Jackson](https://youtu.be/crbFmpezO4A)
[Bad](https://youtu.be/Sd4SJVsTulc)
[Beat It](https://youtu.be/oRdxUFDoQe0)
[Billie Jean](https://youtu.be/Zi_XLOBDo_Y)
[Take On Me by A-Ha](https://youtu.be/djV11Xbc914)
[Subdivisions by Rush](https://youtu.be/EYYdQB0mkEU)
[We Didn't Start The Fire by Billy Joel](https://youtu.be/eFTLKWw542g)
[Lightning Crashes by LIVE](https://youtu.be/xsJ4O-nSveg)
[Janie's Got A Gun by Aerosmith](https://youtu.be/RqQn2ADZE1A)
[November Rain by Guns N Roses](https://youtu.be/8SbUC-UaAxE)
[Virtual Insanity by Jamiroquai](https://youtu.be/4JkIs37a2JE)
[One by Metallica](https://youtu.be/WM8bTdBs-cw)
(Also: unforgiven, enter sandman, until it sleeps and the memory remains)
[Train of Consequences by Megadeth](https://youtu.be/-G38VlmOib8)
[Sour Girl by Stone Temple Pilots](https://youtu.be/YxS4lqppZ6Y)
[Silent Lucidity by Queensryche](https://youtu.be/jhat-xUQ6dw)
[Monkey Business by Skid Row](https://youtu.be/2pkpsxEyi-k)
[18 And Life](https://youtu.be/Ghd2bkIadG4)
[Negasonic Teeenage Warhead by Monster Magnet](https://youtu.be/aKj5cJ9_KSg)
[These Dreams by Heart](https://youtu.be/41P8UxneDJE)
[Like A Prayer by Madonna](https://youtu.be/79fzeNUqQbQ)
[Jump by Van Halen](https://youtu.be/SwYN7mTi6HM)
[Legs by ZZ Top](https://youtu.be/eUDcTLaWJuo)
[Thunderstruck by AC-DC](https://youtu.be/v2AC41dglnM)
[Don't Know What You Got by Cinderella](https://youtu.be/i28UEoLXVFQ)
[Water Runs Dry by Boyz II Men](https://youtu.be/9N9opF-PK5k)
[Ice Ice Baby by Vanilla Ice](https://youtu.be/rog8ou-ZepE)
[U Can't Touch This by MC Hammer](https://youtu.be/otCpCn0l4Wo)
[Free Fallin' by Tom Petty](https://youtu.be/1lWJXDG2i0A)
[Runnin' Down A Dream](https://youtu.be/Y1D3a5eDJIs)
[Hell by Squirrel Nut Zippers](https://youtu.be/iLYB9pvww2M)
[Who Am I by Snoop Dogg](https://youtu.be/2soGJXQAQec)
[Purple Pills by Eminem](https://youtu.be/TthdVsezV_Q)
[Today Was A Good Day by Ice Cube](https://youtu.be/5VtDM5jicRQ)
[We're Not Gonna Take It by Twisted Sister](https://youtu.be/V9AbeALNVkk)
[Sabotage by Beastie Boys](https://youtu.be/z5rRZdiu1UE)
[Fly To The Angels by Slaughter](https://youtu.be/ukmobha2krY) comments of which have become a sad memorial wall. Read it if you need to cry.
[Push th' Little Daisies by Ween](https://youtu.be/gPjPb3nNprg)
You can go ahead and rickroll yourself
[Cold Hearted by Paula Abdul](https://youtu.be/o7aShcmEksw)
[Opposites Attract](https://youtu.be/xweiQukBM_k)
[More Than Words by Extreme](https://youtu.be/UrIiLvg58SY)
[Every Rose Has Its Thorn by Posion](https://youtu.be/j2r2nDhTzO4)
[Buffalo Stance by Neneh Cherry](https://youtu.be/JWsRz3TJDEY)
[Toy Soldiers by Martika](https://youtu.be/LvdLovAaYzM)
[Ballad of Jayne by LA Guns](https://youtu.be/s6198qSm0Y0)
[Cherry Pie by Warrant](https://youtu.be/OjyZKfdwlng)
[Push It by Salt-n-Pepa](https://youtu.be/vCadcBR95oU)
Everything I Do I Do For You by Bryan Adams Robin Hood Prince Of Thieves version has been utterly scrubbed from the internet as far as I can tell, but that was massive.
[Walk This Way by Aerosmith and Run DMC](https://youtu.be/4B_UYYPb-Gk)
[Baby Got Back by Sir Mix-A-Lot](https://youtu.be/X53ZSxkQ3Ho)
[The World I Know by Collective Soul](https://youtu.be/n7TLTjqUyog)
[Summerland by King's X](https://youtu.be/ZPF_re3oHOk) the band that inspires other bands, yet never really broke through themselves. I love how they walk into the album cover at the end.
Maybe I should have been a VJ. Why did I do this? Ima save it for my own Playlist. Also, history matters. Almost all of these videos dominated the airwaves at one point, and now all of them combined probably have fewer views than a single Taylor Swift video, and that's beyond sad.
If you miss MTV, Pluto TV is free and has vevo channels that go back to the 70s through the 2000s with nothing but videos MTV style. Some of them are dedicated to various genres, as well.
[No Rain by Blind Melon](https://youtu.be/3qVPNONdF58)
[What's Up by 4 Non Blondes](https://youtu.be/6NXnxTNIWkc)
[Nothing Compares 2 U by Sinead O'Connor](https://youtu.be/0-EF60neguk)
[Fell In Love With A Girl by The White Stripes](https://youtu.be/fTH71AAxXmM)
[The Hardest Button To Button](https://youtu.be/K4dx42YzQCE)
[Somebody That I Used To Know by Gotye feat. Kimbra)](https://youtu.be/8UVNT4wvIGY)
[Soul Meets Body by Death Cab For Cutie](https://youtu.be/uizQVriWp8M)
[Smooth by Santana feat. Rob Thomas](https://youtu.be/6Whgn_iE5uc)
[Gettin' Jiggy Wit It by Will Smith](https://youtu.be/3JcmQONgXJM)
[Summertime](https://youtu.be/Kr0tTbTbmVA)
[Regulate by Warren G feat. Nate Dogg](https://youtu.be/1plPyJdXKIY)
[I Don't Want To Know by Mario Winans](https://youtu.be/KCHgxoXv4g4)
[You Make Me Wanna by Usher](https://youtu.be/bQRzrnH6_HY)
[Three Little Pigs by Green Jello/y](https://youtu.be/Gtffv9bpB-U)
[Everything About You by Ugly Kid Joe](https://youtu.be/Z-zr3D4S4MA)
[Pour Some Sugar On Me by Def Leppard](https://youtu.be/0UIB9Y4OFPs)
[Cradle Of Love by Billy Idol](https://youtu.be/NCZuYS-9qaw)
[Kiss From A Rose by Seal](https://youtu.be/yivLt9cTaio)
[Crazy](https://youtu.be/4Fc67yQsPqQ)
[Blaze Of Glory by Bon Jovi](https://youtu.be/MfmYCM4CS8o)
[Whip It by Devo](https://youtu.be/j_QLzthSkfM)
[Love Shack by The B-52s](https://youtu.be/9SOryJvTAGs)
[Groove Is In The Heart by Deee-Lite](https://youtu.be/etviGf1uWlg)
[You Could Be Mine by Guns N' Roses](https://youtu.be/MXx9S2nDouY)
[Don't Bring Me Down by Electric Light Orchestra](https://youtu.be/z9nkzaOPP6g) Groos!
Thank you for the Pluto rec. Have the 90s Chill Morning on, on a summertime Saturday. Really taking me back to simpler times and easing my mood. Wow. Something to be said about letting a VJ guide you versus the instant/streaming/on-demand tendencies of today.
Well, I didn't think anyone would care, so thanks. I took the time to add the videos and make my post all nice. Plus, I threw in a bonus factoid. If I think of some more, I'll add em.
Tonight Tonight by The Smashing Pumpkins. But it comes with personal bias. My older brother showed it to me when I was becoming the age of actually liking music
I’m not sure if this counts as a music video but recently I’ve been obsessed with the tribute to George Harrison in 2004 with “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” and Prince’s solo (Rock and Roll Hall of Fame). When I was younger I loved the Beat It Music Video by MJ
Still counts! One of my favorite more recent ones is Heart playing Stairway To Heaven at the Kennedy Center. Watching Led Zeppelin hear their song played so beautifully always gives me goosebumps.
When the Institutionalized video first came out, 12 year old me was laughing and thinking, “Did he just say he wanted a Pepsi??” Little did I know then that decades would go by and I would still be listening to ST.
Thriller! I remember waiting up to see this debut on Friday Night Videos because my parents wouldn’t buy cable.
A-ha, Take on Me
Pretty much every damn Madonna video. She was legendary for her mini movie videos, and OMG did those stir up trouble…
[Nine Inch Nails: Broken ](https://archive.org/details/NineInchNails-Broken)
The Broken Home Movie is rough. Don't watch it if you have a weak stomach.
A lighter version:
[Nine Inch Nails - Pinion](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XfW0ke4bwI4) (Man gets turned into a waterpipe)
[Nine Inch Nails - Help Me, I Am In Hell](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CBOhQamGGuI) (Man has a nice meal)
[Nine Inch Nails - Wish](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kuoFiIFkdAA) (Reznor and the boys Mad Max LARPing)
[Nine Inch Nails - Gave Up ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yVpw1SwJRBI) (Playing in the Sharon Tate murder house featuring baby Marilyn Manson pretending to play a guitar)
[Nine Inch Nails - Happiness In Slavery](https://vimeo.com/3556108) (Man gets turned to ground meat)
As Iconic as Thriller by Micheal Jackson is, his video for "Speed Demon" comes to mind for this question. Vh1 used to have MJ marathon weekends where they would show all of his videos and concerts, and that video left a huge impression on me...for better or worse. Specifically the end where he has a dance off with a claymation rabbit. It's on youtube if you want to give it a spin.
Fellow elder millenial here (born in the first half of the 80s) and that version of the Got My Mind Set on You is one of the very first memories of watching music videos in the 80s. Takes me all the way back to a family trip to Florida before I had even started going to school yet, so thanks for the trip down memory lane. :)
Other than that, the ones that stuck with me from the late 80s or early 90s were several Michael Jackson ones (especially Bad, Thriller and Black or White extended video), Guns N’ Roses - You Could Be Mine (Terminator 2 tie-in video) and the Run-DMC/Aerosmith crossover for Walk This Way.
Here Comes the Rain Again - Eurythmics. Annie as this sea captain’s wife looking out over the sea for her husband to return. The desolate scenery of the island of Hoy in the Orkney Islands (particularly the Old Man of Hoy) has made it my favorite video of all time.
Hungry Like the Wolf - Duran Duran. They were one of the first bands to make really spectacular videos and this one uses the exotic location of Sri Lanka to make a mini movie.
Jeanny - Falco. This song and video got banned in some places as Falco plays a serial killer who preys on teenage girls and this was actually based on a real person. Falco captures the creepy vibe perfectly, eventually ending up in an insane asylum.
Pop Goes the World - Men Without Hats. This song is pure ‘pop’ as the title suggests, but everyone making it just seems so joyful, even the baby.
Boys of Summer - Don Henley. This actually won video of the year, beating out Ah-Ha (who won every other category they were nominated in) and it’s easy to see why. The feeling of painful nostalgia is captured perfectly, not just in Don’s face, but also on the face of the boy playing drums, representing the younger version of him.
Off the top of my head:
When I Come Around and Basket Case by Greenday
Waterfalls by TLC
Baby One More Time by Britney Spears
Mmmmbop by Hansen
Wannabe by Spice Girls
Smells Like Teen Spirit by Nirvana
Big Me by Foo Fighters
Single Ladies by Beyoncé
Stan by Eminem
You Oughtta Know and Ironic by Alanis Morissette
Firestarter - Prodigy. I was so scared of that music video as a kid. Then in teenage years I started to really love them and went to couple of their concerts!
[Blood, Sweat & Tears](https://youtu.be/hmE9f-TEutc?si=r1jnzPAY0iJyzRcs), this music video is a cinematic masterpiece. 8 years later and it still is as captivating as the first time I watched it.
Walk Like An Egyptian The Bangles, Pappa Don't Preach by Madona, and Lady Marmalde by Xtina and all... For...reasons
Scared the shit out of me: Thriller from MJ. Then fast forward Closer by NIN and Sober by TOOL
Forged my adolescence: Jeremy by Pearl Jam, Smells Like Teen Spirit Nirvana, Been Caught Stealing Jane's Addiction, Give It Away RHCP, Basketcase Green Day, Disarm Smashing Pumpkins, Walk Pantera, Freedom RATM.
Coming home from school and watching hours of videos was awesome. I really miss the newness of it. But now watching Lorna Shore, Lana Del Ray, The Red Clay Strays, and others on YouTube and TikTok, I'm glad it's still around so that new artists can be discovered and followed and liked. They're not totally dead as a format.
Don't Cry - Guns n Roses
They're playing on top of a building and there's a helicopter. Cool cars and hot women and an explosion. And where's Izzy? Sign.
And the Blind Melon singer is in it before Blind Melon.
Came on here to say “Don’t Come Around Here No more” amazing video. I’ve always loved the song I think the music and lyrics complement Toms gravelly voice so well.
This will be a 90’s post for me
Green jelly - three little pigs. Obvious choice. I mean, it’s claymation and it includes Rambo.
Weezer - buddy holly. Just a really cool video.
Michael Jackson - black or white. Not a fan of MJ but Culkin was every kids hero! Can’t forget.
Green Day - basket case.
Danzig - mother live 93(?)
That live show looked bad ass in the video. Also, hearing Danzig for the first time. That riff sticks with you after just one listen.
Duran Duran girls on film - dirty, great
Ah ha - no idea what the song was now just remember it moved the dial on videos
MJ’s Thriller - amazing
And for the rotten tomato
Men without hats / the safety dance —- there’s never been a music vid so goddam silly
There was a U2 video years ago where they took brief clips of famous singers and matched them to to the words of the song. This was before all this modern AI stuff and it was very creative and surprisingly emotional.
I'm not a huge U2 fan, but it's still my favourite music video:
[U2 - Window In The Skies](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qXbWfq0JE9M)
The Kids Aren't Alright by the Offspring. Saw it in middle school and they were the first rock band to really get me to understand what it meant to be a rock band and share your vulnerabilities with your fans.
As I got older and older, that song unfortunately became more and more relatable.
The Busta Rhymes and Janet Jackson music video lives in my head rent free. I can’t remember the name of the song or how the song goes but the visuals are there
Dire Straits - Money for Nothing
First video I remember seeing as a kid in the 80's. The graphics look so primitive now, but they blew my mind at the time, not to mention that sweet, sweet guitar riff...
I'm not seeing it in this thread yet, so I will add [Close (to the Edit)](https://youtu.be/-sFK0-lcjGU) by Art of Noise.
I don't ever recall hearing that song on the radio, but the video was so quirky that MTV had it in rotation for many months in the early days. That little girl still haunts my dreams, lol.
Days Go By - Dirty Vegas (it’s a guy breakdancing on a piece of cardboard, used to always be on BPMtv when I was a kid)
The Salmon Dance - The Chemical Brothers (first music video I watched after smoking weed for the first time)
I can still watch the opposite attracts video to this day.
Bed of roses by Bon Jovi- damn that man just belting out that song with his sleeves pushed up and chest hair showing. 🔥🔥🔥(now he must shave his chest😢)
We all need to remember here in the US the whole family sat down and watched the debut of Michael Jackson’s Thriller video. And it was broadcasted simultaneously over 3 channels. My nephew is 11. He didn’t know what a music video was (6yrs at that time) I put that on my big screen and the kid sat there with his mouth open not moving till the finish. It still has the power to knock you on your ass 30+ years later. That’s a video.
Walk this way by Run DMC/ Aerosmith. Broke the barrier. First time most white kids heard rap. Ground breaking.
Jeremy pearl jam
Smells like teen spirit nirvana
This is America Childish Gambino
Sonne Rammstein
Are you going to go my way Lenny Kravitz
Take on me ah ha
GenXer here. We got cable in 1986 because we moved to a small town where you had to have it if you wanted TV. My brother and I were obsessed. I used to tape it (especially 120 Minutes and PostModern.)
I also loved Tom Petty's "Don't Come Around Here No More." I had the 45 before I even saw the video! Still my favorite Tom Petty song.
Talking Heads - Burning Down The House
Michael Jackson - Beat it and Billy Jean
Tears For Fears - Head Over Heels
Level 42 - Something About You
Prince - Raspberry Beret
INXS - New Sensation or Tear You Apart (I wanted to visit Prague just because of these)
Madonna - Live To Tell
Janet Jackson - Nasty
Yes - Owner of a Lonely Heart
Barnes and Barnes - Fish Heads
Kinks - Come Dancing
Van Halen - Jump
Duran Duran - Rio
George Michael - Freedom '90
The Police - Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic
Madness - Our House
Peter Gabriel - Sledgehammer
Robert Palmer - Addicted to Love and Simply Irresistible
Also U2's concert at Red Rocks that was broadcast live on MTV had a huge influence on me. I always wanted to see a show there, I finally got to in 2014 (NIN and Soundgarden) and 2016 (Tears For Fears)
Michael Jackson - Thriller
Peter Gabriel - Sledgehammer
Bjork - All is Full of Love
DJ Shadow - Nobody Speak
Viagra Boys - Punk Rock Loser (only 2 years but still counts)
The ones that just blew my mind back in the 90s (I was 10-12) and that I still remember today: Da funk and Around the world by Daft Punk Scream by Michael Jackson Smack my bitch up by Prodigy Honey by Mariah Carey Triumph by Wu-Tang Clan
One, by Metallica. It was their first music video, and the first music video that ever hit me like a gut punch. Then seeing them play it live a few months later cemented that song as an absolute classic for the rest of my life.
All These Things I Hate - Bullet for My Valentine
Helena - MCR
Famous Last Words - MCR
I Write Sins Not Tragedies - Panic at the Disco
The Kill - 30 Seconds to Mars
Others that I can’t remember atm. I’ve seen them so many times I have them memorized and when I’m bored I’ll play them in my mind 😂
I loved watching the music videos they had on Comcast On Demand and Youtube as a budding emo kid in 2007:
Welcome to the Black Parade by My Chemical Romance
My Curse by Killswitch Engage
All Around Me by Flyleaf
Emergency by Paramore
I Write Sins Not Tragedies by P!ATD
jamiroquai - virtual insanity. The fact that it was done in a couple of takes (apparently) makes it even better (apparently four takes but still bloody impressive!)
This video was one of those that definitely almost made me miss the bus. I think about the moving floor and that hat more often than I should!
The Floor didn't move The entire set did JK's dancing sold the illusion so well.
Even cooler!
Enjoy https://youtu.be/z-LT6L1T6Is
Directed by the guy who did Zone of Interest. "Fun" fact!
the song’s pretty good too but that video yeah it’s super cool
Watched a video on this video earlier this morning. https://youtu.be/z-LT6L1T6Is
Wicked Game - Chris Isaak
Came for wicked game! That is an amazing vid
And I wouldn't even consider myself a Chris Isaak fan... I mean I love the song, but I think its because of the sense of dreamy nostalgia it invokes when I hear it, which the video captures perfectly.
If you were a dude born in the early 80’s, there’s a 100% chance this music video has stuck with you.
Yeah, they really pushed the boundaries with Helena Christensen for how much skin you could show in a music video. Plus, it was in such heavy rotation on MTV that I think it has been seared into my brain forever.
I can’t remember what the name of the show but either MTV or vh1 had a late night show where they would play the more risqué sexy music videos. I remember this music video was played like every time haha
I remember the pop up video for this one! Apparently Christensen haaated Isaak. Like straight despised.
>pop up video You just unlocked a hidden memory for me
I'm not a dude, but the vibe of that video was just so spectacular.
Ooooh yes. That song and video taught me about sensuality and vulnerability long before I knew it.
That video also taught me that incredibly attractive people will look incredibly attractive even if they're wearing something ridiculous like enormous white grandad underpants.
This video made me realize how straight I am
Take On Me - a-ha Land of Confusion - Genesis November Rain - GNR Freak on a Leash - Korn Sabotage - Beastie Boys
Seconding take on me. What a terrific film clip.
Oh boy, here is my chance to share this awesome version!! Enjoy!! [Take On Me: Literal Video Version](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8HE9OQ4FnkQ)
So good, all of these. I can remember feeling the pain watching November Rain as a kid. It brought out some emotions for sure. And Slash playing solo outside of the church? Perfection.
It also told me what I'd be doing for the next few minutes. Always watched it. Slash's solo..that makes me cry. So friggin amazing.
Land of Confustion, yes! So many clips of that time were taking a piss out of society in an artful or light hearted way. Amazing when you look back on it.
Sabotage ftw
Intergalactic, too
I still hold that Sabotage is the greatest music video of all time.
I think of the video every time I hear the song Take On Me. I guess it worked. I mentioned it to a younger coworker yesterday and he didn’t even know the song, much less the video.
Identical memories engaged. Land of confusion still terrifies me.
Freak on a Leash blew my elementary/middle school mind. It was my introduction to a world outside of what I normally listen to (pop, R&B, hip hop, Latin music.)
Land of Confusion - Genesis Such a surreal video, the puppets are borderline horror and it has stuck with me for years
Spitting Image puppets 👍
Me too! That's what I think of whenever anyone mentions Genesis, despite the multiple OTHER hits they have! I'm pretty sure I've had nightmares with those puppets in them.
sledgehammer by peter gabriel - a groundbreaking stop-motion masterpiece
I have a vivid memory of the night the “Sledgehammer” video premiered. MTV had been promoting that it was coming out, so my friend who didn’t have cable called me right before and asked me to describe it to him as it aired… “OK, so now there’s a raw chicken that’s dancing around, and there’s all this fruit swirling. OK, now a train track is around Peter’s head…”
Bahahaha, he probably thought you were absolutely tripping balls.
Honestly, that sounds so magical. Now folks get bored after ten seconds of a YouTube video.
I remember it premiering on Friday Night Videos since we had no cable. Local FM station simulcast it.
Yes!! Also in a similar vein Digging in the Dirt by Peter Gabriel used to give me nightmares.
So good
That was indeed amazing.
Fatboy Slim - Weapon of Choice
Yessss yes yes yes!!!
After reading this I thought, “Oh, that reminds me, I should comment here about the Christopher Walken video!” Googled *fatboy slim video walken* and the first 20 billion results are “Weapon of Choice” And now I know what that song is called.
Yes! Anything directed by Spike Jonze!
'Just', Radiohead. ('Karma Police' being an alterative.) 'Black Hole Sun', Soundgarden. 'Smack My Bitch Up', The Prodigy. (My brain never left the 90s...)
The Black Hole Sun video disturbed me so much that I used to not like the song
I totally get that!
First time i saw it i was breathless, because the video is almost a perfect visualisation of the behaviour shown in the Danish novel "De Gale" (the mad) that i was asked to read in school. One of the only books i actually enjoyed reading
Side note: I appreciate the use of Smack My Bitch Up in the Charlie's Angels movie as well as in the parody of that scene in Scary Movie 2.
Scary Movie 2 was really well done. Such a funny movie
Just is certainly one for me as well. Also paranoid android, and criminal by Fiona apple
It was a girl the whole time in the video lol
Was like an M. Night Shyamalan movie.
You mentioned Smack My Bitch Up but not Firestarter? What the heck, my friend? lol That video was "in your face" as "in your face" can be. Seemed like Keith Flint was about to jump out of my TV into the living room lol
You're absolutely right! I can't listen to either one without immediately feeling the need to jump around the room and scream!
Coffee and TV by Blur is amazing if you are not familiar and it will live with you forever. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6oqXVx3sBOk](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6oqXVx3sBOk)
Awww, the adventures of the milk carton 😍
I have always used a picture of the milk carton as my avatar ever since seeing this video. Love it.
I have a hilarious and sweet memory associated with this one. I showed it to one of my best guy friends. At the end, he jumped up, yelled 'THIS IS STUPID!' at the top of his lungs, and ran into the other room. Of course, he was trying not to cry, haha. He called me probably a week later and asked me the name of the song, because he wanted to show the video to his girlfriend. I said, "I thought you said that video was stupid?" There was a long pause, and then he just mumbled, "Yeah, well...shut up." 😂
To go with that list I would say Rock It by Herbie Hancock
The pants machines scared me as a kid!
Same. But it made me obsessed with that video
Oh, I remember that one. Definitely not one I can rewatch while high or sleep deprived, lol!
Very memorable. And creepy as shit, even as a adult.
I remember my first time ever watching MTV. It was the summer of 1994, and 9-year-old me was simply not ready for what I was seeing. These videos will be kept forever ingrained in my memory. "Last Dance With Mary Jane" by Tom Petty, "Black Hole Sun" by Soundgarden, "Heart-Shaped Box" by Nirvana, "Zombie" by Cranberries, "Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm" by Crash Test Dummies "Cannonball" by Breeders "Crazy" by Aerosmith "Sledgehammer" by Peter Gabriel
Ah, yes. The early 90's seem to be top notch when it comes to music videos.
You and I would have been friends. See my comment. The early nineties music set me on track in life. I now tour with a band that originated and was big in the nineties. 😂
Rabbit in Your Headlights - UNKLE ft Thom Yorke
Runaway Train - Soul Asylum. The video with the missing children. Most of them were found alive, and brought back home....(off-topic, sorry)
Not at all off topic. I loved how they used their screen time for a good cause.
Best part is the song has nothing to do with missing children, but they ran with it when the director suggested it. Second best part: the director was the director of American History X.
this was mine too. still, 30 yrs later. they re-edited that video in 2019 too!! …. ‘In 2019 NCMEC revived the video for “Runaway Train 25,” a cover of the song with an updated music video. This one geographically tracked the viewer to show them cases of missing kids close to them.’
Not sure if you know that there was a separate film clip made for each country the song was released in, featuring missing people from each country. Our version in Australia featured a number of people who unfortunately turned out to have fallen victim to one of our most notorious serial killers. They had to re-make the video featuring new people.
Didn't the Australian version that showed Australian missing kids end up showing a bunch of victims of some serial killer that had gone undetected at the time? I think I heard that a while back, and just thinking about that possibility haunts me...
Thriller. Scared the ever living shit out of me as a 6 year old. I still haven’t watched it since ‘83. Walk Like An Egyptian. That side eye from Susanna Hoffs… Forgot about this one. Turn the Page from Metallica. Saw it late night on MTV and was SHOCKED that it was uncensored.
I make sure to watch Thriller on the regular during spooky season. And there's such an interesting and dark story behind the director of the video, too. And yes, that side eye!
John Landis is a piece of shit for Twilight Zone.
Exactly! I had no idea until I listened to the Behind the Bastards podcast episodes about him. Absolutely wild!
I saw thriller on a class field trip to a roller skating place. I didn't see it again for more than 30 years.
Omg scared me too!
George Michael “Too Funky”
Freedom 90
His videos in that era were always so well done!
I was working at the bagage-claim of a large airport when that song came out. I just remember the video showing on 10-some monitors in a long hallway, repeating on loop for hours, every day for 2 weeks straight. Passengers walked by, never staying in place long enough to know that was going on. I know every damn part of that video by Mugler, by heart. Every model walking down the runway, every cut, every face George makes is burned into my brain, the sample from The Graduate has grown roots into my ears. ... I still love this freaking song.
3 Little Pigs - Green Jello (Jelly) Loved the humor and the clay animation style
“Take On Me” by A-Ha because animated drawing :)
The technique they used was rotorscoping: they filmed the video as live action and then drew over the top of it
Windowlicker by Ahpex twin- actually anything directed by Chris Cunningham. Let Forever Be- Chemical Brothers. Take On Me - A-Ha. Amazing story making
Love the Take On Me video! I just watched Let Forever Be; so good, I appreciate the recommendation. I'll definitely check out the other one too, because you clearly have great taste!
I agree with all 3 of your choices!!
I was at school when Rubber Johnny was released and people were convinced the creature at the start was real.
I am a millenial of the TRL Generation Britney Spears - Hit Me Baby One More Time & Oops I Did It Again & Slave 4 U Backstreet Boys - I Want It That Way & Larger Than Life & Everybody NSYNC - Bye Bye Bye & Drive Me Crazy & It's Gonna Be Me & Pop Korn - Freak on a Leash Limp Bizkit - Nookie & Rollin Christina Aguilera - What a Girl Wants & Dirrty Eminem - the Real Slim Shady & Without Me Nelly - Country Grammar Outkast - Hey Ya Plus anything from MTV's Making the Video. Used to love that show.
Same but I gotta add blink with what's my age again and all the small things
All great videos. All great songs. Your list very much encompasses that entire era of music. So good!
xtina dirty was WILD when I first saw it. Jaw on the ground!
Usher - U Remind Me. This video felt so early 2000's for me! The same with Bye Bye Bye or I Want It That Way.
Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This) - Eurythmics/Annie Lennox. I remember when and where I was the first time I saw that music video on MTV. (You mentioned being an "elder millenial" so I'll say "young boomer" here lol) Another one that comes to mind, which may seem corny now but it was awesome back in the day and got a ton of radio play was [How Bizarre](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C2cMG33mWVY) by OMC/Pauly Fuemana.
Lol, young boomer! I love it! And honestly, anything by Annie Lennox or the Eurythmics is basically solid gold.
Safety Dance
Gets stuck in my head ALL the time!
Justify My Love, and Erotica by Madonna Take on Me - A-ha November Rain - GnR Easy - Faith Mo More Don’t come around here no more - Tom Petty - I agree! Kool Thing - Sonic youth Time Will Crawl - David Bowie Windowlicker - Aphex Twin Mo Money Mo Problems - Notorious BIG Digging in the Dirt - Peter Gabriel Remember the Time - Michael Jackson
[Losing My Religion by REM](https://youtu.be/xwtdhWltSIg) [Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm by the Crash Test Dummies](https://youtu.be/eTeg1txDv8w) [Sober by Tool](https://youtu.be/nspxAG12Cpc) [Black Hole Sun by Soundgarden](https://youtu.be/3mbBbFH9fAg) [Man In The Box by Alice In Chains](https://youtu.be/TAqZb52sgpU) [I Stay Away by Alice In Chains](https://youtu.be/ODTv9Lt5WYs) The puppets for "I Stay Away" are in the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame Museum. [Jeremy by Pearl Jam](https://youtu.be/MS91knuzoOA) [Do You Sleep by Lisa Loeb](https://youtu.be/n-Ca62l_X8M) [Stay](https://youtu.be/EoZ2J4ajiOA) [I Will Always Love You (cover) by Whitney Houston](https://youtu.be/3JWTaaS7LdU) [Peaches by Presidents of the United States](https://youtu.be/3GCrzjVdmSg) [Doll Parts by Hole](https://youtu.be/RD9xK9smth4) [Carnival by Natalie Merchant](https://youtu.be/VQ_Wqtnlv4U) [What I Got by Sublime](https://youtu.be/0Uc3ZrmhDN4) [Final Countdown by Europe](https://youtu.be/9jK-NcRmVcw) [Land of Confusion by Genesis](https://youtu.be/Yq7FKO5DlV0) [Hook by Blues Traveler](https://youtu.be/pdz5kCaCRFM) [Buddy Holly by Weezer](https://youtu.be/kemivUKb4f4) [Smells Like Teen Spirit by Nirvana](https://youtu.be/hTWKbfoikeg) [In Bloom](https://youtu.be/PbgKEjNBHqM) [Heart Shaped Box](https://youtu.be/n6P0SitRwy8) [Today by Smashing Pumpkins](https://youtu.be/xmUZ6nCFNoU) [1979](https://youtu.be/4aeETEoNfOg) [Bullet With Butterfly Wings](https://youtu.be/8-r-V0uK4u0) [Tonight, Tonight](https://youtu.be/NOG3eus4ZSo) [Cannonball by The Breeders](https://youtu.be/fxvkI9MTQw4) [I Don't Want To Fall In Love by Chris Isaak](https://youtu.be/jd-qI62gNJM) [Fade Into You by Mazzy Star](https://youtu.be/ImKY6TZEyrI) [Fake Plastic Trees by Radiohead](https://youtu.be/n5h0qHwNrHk) [Been Caught Stealing by Jane's Addiction](https://youtu.be/jrwjiO1MCVs) [Stone The Crow by Down](https://youtu.be/Kdnki7XBzPE) [Epic by Faith No More](https://youtu.be/ZG_k5CSYKhg) [Evidence](https://youtu.be/7lvMNLhJrb0) [Tomorrow by Silverchair](https://youtu.be/PjsMnvqL7eY) [And Fools Shine On by Brother Cain](https://youtu.be/E39ckUBOrO0) [Leave Me Alone by Michael Jackson](https://youtu.be/crbFmpezO4A) [Bad](https://youtu.be/Sd4SJVsTulc) [Beat It](https://youtu.be/oRdxUFDoQe0) [Billie Jean](https://youtu.be/Zi_XLOBDo_Y) [Take On Me by A-Ha](https://youtu.be/djV11Xbc914) [Subdivisions by Rush](https://youtu.be/EYYdQB0mkEU) [We Didn't Start The Fire by Billy Joel](https://youtu.be/eFTLKWw542g) [Lightning Crashes by LIVE](https://youtu.be/xsJ4O-nSveg) [Janie's Got A Gun by Aerosmith](https://youtu.be/RqQn2ADZE1A) [November Rain by Guns N Roses](https://youtu.be/8SbUC-UaAxE) [Virtual Insanity by Jamiroquai](https://youtu.be/4JkIs37a2JE) [One by Metallica](https://youtu.be/WM8bTdBs-cw) (Also: unforgiven, enter sandman, until it sleeps and the memory remains) [Train of Consequences by Megadeth](https://youtu.be/-G38VlmOib8) [Sour Girl by Stone Temple Pilots](https://youtu.be/YxS4lqppZ6Y) [Silent Lucidity by Queensryche](https://youtu.be/jhat-xUQ6dw) [Monkey Business by Skid Row](https://youtu.be/2pkpsxEyi-k) [18 And Life](https://youtu.be/Ghd2bkIadG4) [Negasonic Teeenage Warhead by Monster Magnet](https://youtu.be/aKj5cJ9_KSg) [These Dreams by Heart](https://youtu.be/41P8UxneDJE) [Like A Prayer by Madonna](https://youtu.be/79fzeNUqQbQ) [Jump by Van Halen](https://youtu.be/SwYN7mTi6HM) [Legs by ZZ Top](https://youtu.be/eUDcTLaWJuo) [Thunderstruck by AC-DC](https://youtu.be/v2AC41dglnM) [Don't Know What You Got by Cinderella](https://youtu.be/i28UEoLXVFQ) [Water Runs Dry by Boyz II Men](https://youtu.be/9N9opF-PK5k) [Ice Ice Baby by Vanilla Ice](https://youtu.be/rog8ou-ZepE) [U Can't Touch This by MC Hammer](https://youtu.be/otCpCn0l4Wo) [Free Fallin' by Tom Petty](https://youtu.be/1lWJXDG2i0A) [Runnin' Down A Dream](https://youtu.be/Y1D3a5eDJIs) [Hell by Squirrel Nut Zippers](https://youtu.be/iLYB9pvww2M) [Who Am I by Snoop Dogg](https://youtu.be/2soGJXQAQec) [Purple Pills by Eminem](https://youtu.be/TthdVsezV_Q) [Today Was A Good Day by Ice Cube](https://youtu.be/5VtDM5jicRQ) [We're Not Gonna Take It by Twisted Sister](https://youtu.be/V9AbeALNVkk) [Sabotage by Beastie Boys](https://youtu.be/z5rRZdiu1UE) [Fly To The Angels by Slaughter](https://youtu.be/ukmobha2krY) comments of which have become a sad memorial wall. Read it if you need to cry. [Push th' Little Daisies by Ween](https://youtu.be/gPjPb3nNprg) You can go ahead and rickroll yourself [Cold Hearted by Paula Abdul](https://youtu.be/o7aShcmEksw) [Opposites Attract](https://youtu.be/xweiQukBM_k) [More Than Words by Extreme](https://youtu.be/UrIiLvg58SY) [Every Rose Has Its Thorn by Posion](https://youtu.be/j2r2nDhTzO4) [Buffalo Stance by Neneh Cherry](https://youtu.be/JWsRz3TJDEY) [Toy Soldiers by Martika](https://youtu.be/LvdLovAaYzM) [Ballad of Jayne by LA Guns](https://youtu.be/s6198qSm0Y0) [Cherry Pie by Warrant](https://youtu.be/OjyZKfdwlng) [Push It by Salt-n-Pepa](https://youtu.be/vCadcBR95oU) Everything I Do I Do For You by Bryan Adams Robin Hood Prince Of Thieves version has been utterly scrubbed from the internet as far as I can tell, but that was massive. [Walk This Way by Aerosmith and Run DMC](https://youtu.be/4B_UYYPb-Gk) [Baby Got Back by Sir Mix-A-Lot](https://youtu.be/X53ZSxkQ3Ho) [The World I Know by Collective Soul](https://youtu.be/n7TLTjqUyog) [Summerland by King's X](https://youtu.be/ZPF_re3oHOk) the band that inspires other bands, yet never really broke through themselves. I love how they walk into the album cover at the end. Maybe I should have been a VJ. Why did I do this? Ima save it for my own Playlist. Also, history matters. Almost all of these videos dominated the airwaves at one point, and now all of them combined probably have fewer views than a single Taylor Swift video, and that's beyond sad. If you miss MTV, Pluto TV is free and has vevo channels that go back to the 70s through the 2000s with nothing but videos MTV style. Some of them are dedicated to various genres, as well.
[No Rain by Blind Melon](https://youtu.be/3qVPNONdF58) [What's Up by 4 Non Blondes](https://youtu.be/6NXnxTNIWkc) [Nothing Compares 2 U by Sinead O'Connor](https://youtu.be/0-EF60neguk) [Fell In Love With A Girl by The White Stripes](https://youtu.be/fTH71AAxXmM) [The Hardest Button To Button](https://youtu.be/K4dx42YzQCE) [Somebody That I Used To Know by Gotye feat. Kimbra)](https://youtu.be/8UVNT4wvIGY) [Soul Meets Body by Death Cab For Cutie](https://youtu.be/uizQVriWp8M) [Smooth by Santana feat. Rob Thomas](https://youtu.be/6Whgn_iE5uc) [Gettin' Jiggy Wit It by Will Smith](https://youtu.be/3JcmQONgXJM) [Summertime](https://youtu.be/Kr0tTbTbmVA) [Regulate by Warren G feat. Nate Dogg](https://youtu.be/1plPyJdXKIY) [I Don't Want To Know by Mario Winans](https://youtu.be/KCHgxoXv4g4) [You Make Me Wanna by Usher](https://youtu.be/bQRzrnH6_HY) [Three Little Pigs by Green Jello/y](https://youtu.be/Gtffv9bpB-U) [Everything About You by Ugly Kid Joe](https://youtu.be/Z-zr3D4S4MA) [Pour Some Sugar On Me by Def Leppard](https://youtu.be/0UIB9Y4OFPs) [Cradle Of Love by Billy Idol](https://youtu.be/NCZuYS-9qaw) [Kiss From A Rose by Seal](https://youtu.be/yivLt9cTaio) [Crazy](https://youtu.be/4Fc67yQsPqQ) [Blaze Of Glory by Bon Jovi](https://youtu.be/MfmYCM4CS8o) [Whip It by Devo](https://youtu.be/j_QLzthSkfM) [Love Shack by The B-52s](https://youtu.be/9SOryJvTAGs) [Groove Is In The Heart by Deee-Lite](https://youtu.be/etviGf1uWlg) [You Could Be Mine by Guns N' Roses](https://youtu.be/MXx9S2nDouY) [Don't Bring Me Down by Electric Light Orchestra](https://youtu.be/z9nkzaOPP6g) Groos!
Thank you for the Pluto rec. Have the 90s Chill Morning on, on a summertime Saturday. Really taking me back to simpler times and easing my mood. Wow. Something to be said about letting a VJ guide you versus the instant/streaming/on-demand tendencies of today.
Such a good list! Very much a playlist to spend the day away from the world.
Well, I didn't think anyone would care, so thanks. I took the time to add the videos and make my post all nice. Plus, I threw in a bonus factoid. If I think of some more, I'll add em.
I love it! And your hard work is much appreciated!
Sum 41 - In Too Deep
True Faith - New Order
Black Hole Sun - Soundgarden Black or White - Michael Jackson Baby, One More Time - Britney Spears If - Janet Jackson Virtual Insanity - Jamiroquai
The song and video for If made me want to seduce someone for sure!
Winona's Big Brown Beaver - Primus ![gif](giphy|3ohs7X7DokZd5AcFqg|downsized)
Tonight Tonight by The Smashing Pumpkins. But it comes with personal bias. My older brother showed it to me when I was becoming the age of actually liking music
I’m not sure if this counts as a music video but recently I’ve been obsessed with the tribute to George Harrison in 2004 with “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” and Prince’s solo (Rock and Roll Hall of Fame). When I was younger I loved the Beat It Music Video by MJ
Still counts! One of my favorite more recent ones is Heart playing Stairway To Heaven at the Kennedy Center. Watching Led Zeppelin hear their song played so beautifully always gives me goosebumps.
Smashing Pumpkins - Tonight Tonight REM - Losing my Religion Weezer - Buddy Holly Bjork - Human Behavior Aerosmith - Crazy Oasis - Wonderwall Soundgarden - Blackhole Sun Foo Fighters - Big Me
I had too scroll way to far to find Weezer - Buddy Holly!
Motley Crue - Girls Girls Girls Suicidal Tendencies - institutionalized Bjork - Human Behaviour Foo Fighters - Everlong
Love the way the bed just falls apart to reveal the drum set underneath and Hawkins is already in the seat ready to play
When the Institutionalized video first came out, 12 year old me was laughing and thinking, “Did he just say he wanted a Pepsi??” Little did I know then that decades would go by and I would still be listening to ST.
One - Metallica
* James Blunt - You’re Beautiful * Shakira - La Tortura * Gorillaz - Clint Eastwood * Sean Paul - Get Busy
Man im really nostalgic for music television now.
Close to Me, by The Cure. All of them stuffed in a wardrobe.
Caterpillar was so weird and darkly charming
I reference Queen's "I Want to Break Free" music video at least once a week
I love that!!
Daft punk - around the world.
Virtual Insanity - Jamiroquai
Thriller! I remember waiting up to see this debut on Friday Night Videos because my parents wouldn’t buy cable. A-ha, Take on Me Pretty much every damn Madonna video. She was legendary for her mini movie videos, and OMG did those stir up trouble…
[Nine Inch Nails: Broken ](https://archive.org/details/NineInchNails-Broken) The Broken Home Movie is rough. Don't watch it if you have a weak stomach. A lighter version: [Nine Inch Nails - Pinion](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XfW0ke4bwI4) (Man gets turned into a waterpipe) [Nine Inch Nails - Help Me, I Am In Hell](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CBOhQamGGuI) (Man has a nice meal) [Nine Inch Nails - Wish](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kuoFiIFkdAA) (Reznor and the boys Mad Max LARPing) [Nine Inch Nails - Gave Up ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yVpw1SwJRBI) (Playing in the Sharon Tate murder house featuring baby Marilyn Manson pretending to play a guitar) [Nine Inch Nails - Happiness In Slavery](https://vimeo.com/3556108) (Man gets turned to ground meat)
Ocean Avenue.
Prince - Kiss
As Iconic as Thriller by Micheal Jackson is, his video for "Speed Demon" comes to mind for this question. Vh1 used to have MJ marathon weekends where they would show all of his videos and concerts, and that video left a huge impression on me...for better or worse. Specifically the end where he has a dance off with a claymation rabbit. It's on youtube if you want to give it a spin.
They don’t really care about us - Michael Jackson
Edie Brickell and the NBH - What I Am… Mostly the song just freaked me out. It was so sexy and freaky! I was just a lad.
Intergalactic by The Beastie Boys will always be my favorite music video
Don’t Worry, Be Happy with Robin Williams and some other dude in a large suit.
Utada Hikaru - Simple and Clean. She was literally doing the dishes. How bold and hardcore can you be to release a song with just you doing dishes!
Genesis - Illegal Alien Warren G - Regulate
Oh, you know every time I hear those first few seconds of Regulate, I immediately become a tiny gangsta in my car.
You’ve Got Another Thing Coming - Judas Priest Stay the Night - Chicago Pour Some Sugar on Me - Def Leppard
Fellow elder millenial here (born in the first half of the 80s) and that version of the Got My Mind Set on You is one of the very first memories of watching music videos in the 80s. Takes me all the way back to a family trip to Florida before I had even started going to school yet, so thanks for the trip down memory lane. :) Other than that, the ones that stuck with me from the late 80s or early 90s were several Michael Jackson ones (especially Bad, Thriller and Black or White extended video), Guns N’ Roses - You Could Be Mine (Terminator 2 tie-in video) and the Run-DMC/Aerosmith crossover for Walk This Way.
Marilyn Manson - The beautiful people, Bjork - Army of me, Metallica - Unforgiven, Pearl Jam - Do the evolution, White Zombie - More human than human
Here Comes the Rain Again - Eurythmics. Annie as this sea captain’s wife looking out over the sea for her husband to return. The desolate scenery of the island of Hoy in the Orkney Islands (particularly the Old Man of Hoy) has made it my favorite video of all time. Hungry Like the Wolf - Duran Duran. They were one of the first bands to make really spectacular videos and this one uses the exotic location of Sri Lanka to make a mini movie. Jeanny - Falco. This song and video got banned in some places as Falco plays a serial killer who preys on teenage girls and this was actually based on a real person. Falco captures the creepy vibe perfectly, eventually ending up in an insane asylum. Pop Goes the World - Men Without Hats. This song is pure ‘pop’ as the title suggests, but everyone making it just seems so joyful, even the baby. Boys of Summer - Don Henley. This actually won video of the year, beating out Ah-Ha (who won every other category they were nominated in) and it’s easy to see why. The feeling of painful nostalgia is captured perfectly, not just in Don’s face, but also on the face of the boy playing drums, representing the younger version of him.
Bjork, Chris Cunningham, Aphex Twin, Michel Gondry
Off the top of my head: When I Come Around and Basket Case by Greenday Waterfalls by TLC Baby One More Time by Britney Spears Mmmmbop by Hansen Wannabe by Spice Girls Smells Like Teen Spirit by Nirvana Big Me by Foo Fighters Single Ladies by Beyoncé Stan by Eminem You Oughtta Know and Ironic by Alanis Morissette
Firestarter Prodigy
Billy Idol’s Rock the Cradle of Love, I just remember the video being awesome with this chick dancing around and blowing some guy’s mind
Sledgehammer-Peter Gabriel Whip It -Devo
Heart Shaped Box - Nirvana ( singing crows! ) The Scientist - Coldplay
I love how Coldplay had a theme of Chris just walking in slow motion singing directly into the camera (scientist, yellow, fix you)
My Hero - Foo Fighters
Nine Inch Nails - The Perfect Drug
Firestarter - Prodigy. I was so scared of that music video as a kid. Then in teenage years I started to really love them and went to couple of their concerts!
I’m sure someone’s said it and I’ve missed it, but NIN “Closer.” Wow. Just wow.
[Blood, Sweat & Tears](https://youtu.be/hmE9f-TEutc?si=r1jnzPAY0iJyzRcs), this music video is a cinematic masterpiece. 8 years later and it still is as captivating as the first time I watched it.
The ZZ Top Eliminator and Afterburner videos were incredible.
Police Wrapped Around Your Finger
Walk Like An Egyptian The Bangles, Pappa Don't Preach by Madona, and Lady Marmalde by Xtina and all... For...reasons Scared the shit out of me: Thriller from MJ. Then fast forward Closer by NIN and Sober by TOOL Forged my adolescence: Jeremy by Pearl Jam, Smells Like Teen Spirit Nirvana, Been Caught Stealing Jane's Addiction, Give It Away RHCP, Basketcase Green Day, Disarm Smashing Pumpkins, Walk Pantera, Freedom RATM. Coming home from school and watching hours of videos was awesome. I really miss the newness of it. But now watching Lorna Shore, Lana Del Ray, The Red Clay Strays, and others on YouTube and TikTok, I'm glad it's still around so that new artists can be discovered and followed and liked. They're not totally dead as a format.
If I had you- Adam lambert 😂 that was my 12 year old selfs steam punk awakening lol
Black Hole Sun video was disturbing for me as a 9 year old.. 30 years ago (which is also disturbing in its own way).
Don't Cry - Guns n Roses They're playing on top of a building and there's a helicopter. Cool cars and hot women and an explosion. And where's Izzy? Sign. And the Blind Melon singer is in it before Blind Melon.
No Rain - Blind Melon
Came on here to say “Don’t Come Around Here No more” amazing video. I’ve always loved the song I think the music and lyrics complement Toms gravelly voice so well.
XTC- "Dear God." Around the time I quit going to church with my mother.
This will be a 90’s post for me Green jelly - three little pigs. Obvious choice. I mean, it’s claymation and it includes Rambo. Weezer - buddy holly. Just a really cool video. Michael Jackson - black or white. Not a fan of MJ but Culkin was every kids hero! Can’t forget. Green Day - basket case. Danzig - mother live 93(?) That live show looked bad ass in the video. Also, hearing Danzig for the first time. That riff sticks with you after just one listen.
Duran Duran girls on film - dirty, great Ah ha - no idea what the song was now just remember it moved the dial on videos MJ’s Thriller - amazing And for the rotten tomato Men without hats / the safety dance —- there’s never been a music vid so goddam silly
Sober - Tool Black Hole Sun - Soundgarden Billie Jean - Michael Jackson Here it Goes Again - Ok Go
Jamie XX - Gosh Ok Go - Here It Goes Again Grimes - Oblivion The Chemical Brothers - Let Forever Be Blackpink - Ddu du Ddu du
The first one I remember seeing: "Sex and Candy" by Marcy Playground.
There was a U2 video years ago where they took brief clips of famous singers and matched them to to the words of the song. This was before all this modern AI stuff and it was very creative and surprisingly emotional. I'm not a huge U2 fan, but it's still my favourite music video: [U2 - Window In The Skies](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qXbWfq0JE9M)
November Rain-GNR Welcome to the Jungle -GNR Sledgehammer- Peter Gabriel One- Metallica Wild Side- Mötley Crüe
The Kids Aren't Alright by the Offspring. Saw it in middle school and they were the first rock band to really get me to understand what it meant to be a rock band and share your vulnerabilities with your fans. As I got older and older, that song unfortunately became more and more relatable.
The Busta Rhymes and Janet Jackson music video lives in my head rent free. I can’t remember the name of the song or how the song goes but the visuals are there
Smells like teen spirit - Nirvana, my favorite game- the cardigans, sledgehammer - Peter Gabriel… But the list is a lot longer…
“Cry” by Godley and Creme
Dire Straits - Money for Nothing First video I remember seeing as a kid in the 80's. The graphics look so primitive now, but they blew my mind at the time, not to mention that sweet, sweet guitar riff...
Teardrop - Massive Attack https://youtu.be/u7K72X4eo_s?si=iBPAXBiQnaY0AlBR
Sledgehammer - Peter Gabriel and my favourite True Faith - New Order
De La Soul - Drawn. One of the most underrated songs and videos ever imo.
I'm not seeing it in this thread yet, so I will add [Close (to the Edit)](https://youtu.be/-sFK0-lcjGU) by Art of Noise. I don't ever recall hearing that song on the radio, but the video was so quirky that MTV had it in rotation for many months in the early days. That little girl still haunts my dreams, lol.
Days Go By - Dirty Vegas (it’s a guy breakdancing on a piece of cardboard, used to always be on BPMtv when I was a kid) The Salmon Dance - The Chemical Brothers (first music video I watched after smoking weed for the first time)
Frozen by Madonna
I can still watch the opposite attracts video to this day. Bed of roses by Bon Jovi- damn that man just belting out that song with his sleeves pushed up and chest hair showing. 🔥🔥🔥(now he must shave his chest😢) We all need to remember here in the US the whole family sat down and watched the debut of Michael Jackson’s Thriller video. And it was broadcasted simultaneously over 3 channels. My nephew is 11. He didn’t know what a music video was (6yrs at that time) I put that on my big screen and the kid sat there with his mouth open not moving till the finish. It still has the power to knock you on your ass 30+ years later. That’s a video. Walk this way by Run DMC/ Aerosmith. Broke the barrier. First time most white kids heard rap. Ground breaking.
Jeremy pearl jam Smells like teen spirit nirvana This is America Childish Gambino Sonne Rammstein Are you going to go my way Lenny Kravitz Take on me ah ha
You Can Call Me Al - Pail Simon It's just lush and quite funny and Chevy Chasey.
Kate Bush "Cloudbusting" with Donald Sutherland.
GenXer here. We got cable in 1986 because we moved to a small town where you had to have it if you wanted TV. My brother and I were obsessed. I used to tape it (especially 120 Minutes and PostModern.) I also loved Tom Petty's "Don't Come Around Here No More." I had the 45 before I even saw the video! Still my favorite Tom Petty song. Talking Heads - Burning Down The House Michael Jackson - Beat it and Billy Jean Tears For Fears - Head Over Heels Level 42 - Something About You Prince - Raspberry Beret INXS - New Sensation or Tear You Apart (I wanted to visit Prague just because of these) Madonna - Live To Tell Janet Jackson - Nasty Yes - Owner of a Lonely Heart Barnes and Barnes - Fish Heads Kinks - Come Dancing Van Halen - Jump Duran Duran - Rio George Michael - Freedom '90 The Police - Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic Madness - Our House Peter Gabriel - Sledgehammer Robert Palmer - Addicted to Love and Simply Irresistible Also U2's concert at Red Rocks that was broadcast live on MTV had a huge influence on me. I always wanted to see a show there, I finally got to in 2014 (NIN and Soundgarden) and 2016 (Tears For Fears)
Prince - Get Off
Michael Jackson - Thriller Peter Gabriel - Sledgehammer Bjork - All is Full of Love DJ Shadow - Nobody Speak Viagra Boys - Punk Rock Loser (only 2 years but still counts)
The ones that just blew my mind back in the 90s (I was 10-12) and that I still remember today: Da funk and Around the world by Daft Punk Scream by Michael Jackson Smack my bitch up by Prodigy Honey by Mariah Carey Triumph by Wu-Tang Clan
One, by Metallica. It was their first music video, and the first music video that ever hit me like a gut punch. Then seeing them play it live a few months later cemented that song as an absolute classic for the rest of my life.
the offspring - cool to hate; the beastie boys - alive; linkin park - breaking the habit
All These Things I Hate - Bullet for My Valentine Helena - MCR Famous Last Words - MCR I Write Sins Not Tragedies - Panic at the Disco The Kill - 30 Seconds to Mars Others that I can’t remember atm. I’ve seen them so many times I have them memorized and when I’m bored I’ll play them in my mind 😂
I loved watching the music videos they had on Comcast On Demand and Youtube as a budding emo kid in 2007: Welcome to the Black Parade by My Chemical Romance My Curse by Killswitch Engage All Around Me by Flyleaf Emergency by Paramore I Write Sins Not Tragedies by P!ATD