All-Time Greatest Music Videos
In order of release. I've limited it to one video per artist, because otherwise people like Michael Jackson, or Madonna, or Eminem, or Lady Gaga, or The White Stripes, who all have a knack for producing iconic music videos, one after another, would end up taking up half the list.
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- DirectorRussell MulcahyStarsThe BugglesDebi DossGeoff DownesThe video for the Buggles' classic one-shot, about how the rise of television (and, by extension, music videos) hurt the careers of those performers whose looks would not translate well to the new medium.
- DirectorAdam AntMike MansfieldStarsAdam and the AntsAdam AntAmanda DonohoeAdam Ant is a Dick Turpin-style highwayman in a surreal and comedic music video.
- DirectorToni BasilStarsToni BasilThe official music video for her song "Mickey" features Toni Basil dressed in an LVH cheerleader outfit.
- DirectorJulien TempleStarsDexys Midnight RunnersKevin ArcherMáire FaheyThe 1982 music video was filmed in the inner south London suburb of Kennington in the vicinity of the corner of Brook Drive and Hayles Street. The character of "Eileen" in the music video, as well as on the single cover, is played by Máire Fahey, sister of Siobhan Fahey from Bananarama. Archival footage of Johnnie Ray arriving at London Heathrow Airport in 1954 was featured in the video.
- DirectorJohn LandisStarsMichael JacksonOla RayForrest J. AckermanA night at the movies turns into a nightmare when Michael and his date are attacked by a hoard of bloodthirsty zombies - only a "Thriller" can save them now.
- DirectorEdd GrilesStarsEllsworth AusbyLaura BalerLon ChaneyCyndi Lauper's official music video for 'Girls Just Want To Have Fun'.
- DirectorPete AngelusRick FriedbergDavid Lee RothStarsVan HalenYano AnayaMichael AnthonyA music video for Van Halen's song 'Hot for Teacher'.
- DirectorBill FishmanStarsSuicidal TendenciesTom ArayaRocky GeorgeSuicidal Tendencies performs in the music video "Institutionalized" from the album "Suicidal Tendencies" recorded for Frontier Records. The music video features Mike Muir as he walks through an abandoned building in a flannel shirt and headband. He sings while skateboards ride around him.
- DirectorMary LambertStarsMadonnaDeke AndersonKaris K. ChristensenMadonna pays homage to Marilyn Monroe in the music video for the second single from her icon album 'Like A Virgin'.
- DirectorSteve BarronStarsa-haBunty BaileyAlfie CurtisOfficial music video for "Take on Me" by A-Ha.
- DirectorSteve BarronStarsAlan ClarkDire StraitsElso EmeletMusic video for the 1985 Dire Straits single "Money For Nothing". The iconic video mixtures advanced animation technology and footage from the band performing the song, seen by the animated characters such a factory worker and a dog.
- DirectorJon SmallStarsAerosmithJam Master JayRoger LaneThe iconic promotional video for Run DMC's 1985 rap-rock collaboration remake of Aerosmith's early 1975 hit single "Walk This Way" featuring Steven Tyler and Joe Perry from Aerosmith.
- DirectorJohn LloydJames YukichStarsGenesisChris BarriePhil CollinsThe music video to the Genesis top 5 hit, Land Of Confusion. Featuring Spitting Images Puppets.
- DirectorStephen R. JohnsonStarsPeter GabrielAnna-Marie GabrielMelanie GabrielPeter Gabriel's video for his 1986 Billboard Hot 100 number-one single, a collaboration with Aardman Animations which set new standards for the industry and became one of the most awarded videos in history.
- DirectorAdam DubinRic MenelloStarsCey AdamsBeastie BoysNadia DajaniMusic video for Beastie Boys: (You Gotta) Fight for Your Right (To Party!)
- DirectorTim PopeStarsThe CureSimon GallupRobert Smith
- DirectorBill FishmanStarsRamonesOlivia BarashVincent FosterThe band sits sedated in a mental hospital as all mayhem breaks loose around them.
- DirectorSpike LeeStarsPublic EnemyChuck DFlavor FlavPublic Enemy performs in the music video "Fight the Power" from the album "Fear of a Black Planet" recorded for Def Jam Records. The music video opens with a demonstration on the street. Public Enemy performs as they walk down the street and stand on stage surrounded by protesters.
- DirectorAdam BernsteinStarsThe B-52'sKate PiersonTom RubnitzThe B-52's perform in the music video "Love Shack" from the album "Cosmic Thing" recorded for Reprise Records. The band drive through the woods on a dirt road in an open top convertible as they sing. They arrive at the love shack where they sing the song for a highly energetic audience.
- DirectorJohn MayburyStarsSinéad O'ConnorSinéad O'Connor performs in the music video "Nothing Compares 2 U" from the album "I Do Not Want What I Haven't Got" recorded for Chrysalis Records. The music video features a closeup of Sinéad O'Connor's face as she sings and goes through different stages of emotions in tune with the lyrics.
- DirectorCasey NiccoliStarsJane's AddictionEric AveryPerry FarrellJane's Addiction performs in the music video "Been Caught Stealing" from the album "Ritual de lo habitual" recorded for Warner Brothers Records. The video opens with the a man dressed as a pregnant woman who is attempting to shoplift at a grocery store. Video clips feature members of the band and other shoppers dancing at the store.
- DirectorHiroyuki NakanoStarsDeee-LiteDmitry BrillBootsy CollinsDeee-Lite performs in the music video "Groove Is in the Heart" from the album "World Clique" recorded for Elektra Records. The video begins with an introduction from Lady Miss Kier utilizing a French accent. The psychedelic video features the band and dancers against a multi-colored 60's background. Bootsy Collins and Q-Tip provide guest vocals.
- StarsButthole SurfersKing CoffeyGibby HaynesButthole Surfers performs in the music video "Hurdy Gurdy Man" from the EP "Hurdy Gurdy Man" recorded for Rough Trade Records. The music video begins with a man driving a red car while wearing sunglasses. As the song plays, there are additional clips featuring a person grilling steak, a man in a car, and distorted images of people's faces.
- DirectorSamuel BayerStarsNirvanaBurton C. BellAndy BialkA music video for Nirvana's song 'Smells Like Teen Spirit'.
- DirectorStephane SednaouiStarsRed Hot Chili PeppersJohn FruscianteAnthony KiedisA promotional video for the Red Hot Chili Peppers' 1991 hit single "Give It Away."