Introduction
Music videos have been an important part of popular culture since MTV launched in 1981 and revolutionized the way we consume and experience music. While the way we listen and watch music has changed over the years, the impact of music videos remains significant. From iconic visuals to memorable choreography and powerful storytelling, music videos have the ability to capture our attention and imagination. In this article, we will explore the best music video of all time, analyzing the elements that make a music video great, celebrating the cultural and social impact of music videos, and highlighting some of the most innovative examples from different eras and genres.
Top 10 Music Videos of All Time
Creating a definitive ranking of the best music videos of all time is no easy task, but here are the top 10 that have stood the test of time:
- Michael Jackson – Thriller (1983)
- Beyonce – Formation (2016)
- Madonna – Like a Prayer (1989)
- OK Go – Here It Goes Again (2006)
- A-ha – Take on Me (1985)
- Johnny Cash – Hurt (2003)
- Peter Gabriel – Sledgehammer (1986)
- Bjork – All is Full of Love (1999)
- Radiohead – Paranoid Android (1997)
- Daft Punk – Around the World (1997)
The most iconic music video of all time, Thriller is a masterpiece of horror and dance, blending movie-quality special effects with infectious pop beats. Directed by John Landis, the 14-minute video features MJ as a zombie leading a troupe of dancers through the streets and cemeteries of Los Angeles. With its epic production value and unforgettable choreography, Thriller has become an enduring classic.
A political statement as much as a music video, Formation showcases Beyonce at her most powerful and provocative, addressing issues of police brutality, black pride, and southern heritage. Directed by Melina Matsoukas, the video features stunning visuals of New Orleans and fierce choreography, and sparked controversy and debate upon its release.
A provocative and groundbreaking video that sparked controversy and criticism from religious organizations, Like a Prayer marks one of Madonna’s most enduring and iconic moments. Directed by Mary Lambert, the video features imagery of burning crosses, stigmata, and a gospel choir, as Madonna dances in front of a saintly figure played by actor Leon Robinson. The combination of religious and sexual themes, along with Madonna’s unapologetic attitude, make this a memorable and impactful video.
One of the most viral and creative music videos of all time, Here It Goes Again features the band OK Go performing a synchronized dance routine on treadmills. Directed by Trish Sie, the video is simple yet ingeniously choreographed, and has been praised for its DIY spirit and infectious energy. The video won a Grammy award for Best Short Form Music Video in 2007.
An innovative and groundbreaking video that blended live action and animation, Take on Me remains a classic of the MTV era. Directed by Steve Barron, the video features a comic book-style storyline in which a girl is pulled into a drawing and pursued by a sketchy pencil protagonist. The video’s memorable and stylish imagery, along with its catchy synth-pop hook, make it a standout of the 1980s.
A poignant and haunting video that takes on new meaning in the context of Johnny Cash’s life and legacy, Hurt features images of Cash aging and reflecting on his past, intercut with shots of his younger self and glimpses of his family. Directed by Mark Romanek, the video adds depth and emotion to the already-powerful song by Nine Inch Nails, and showcases Cash’s raw and vulnerable side. The video was released shortly before Cash’s death in 2003.
A groundbreaking and visually stunning video that mixed stop-motion animation and live action, Sledgehammer remains a classic of the MTV era. Directed by Stephen R. Johnson, the video features Gabriel in a surreal and playful environment, with images of stop-motion fruit and vegetables, dancing chickens, and Gabriel’s face morphing into different shapes. The video’s innovative and inventive visuals make it a standout of the 1980s.
A mesmerizing and surreal video that blends machine imagery and human intimacy, All is Full of Love features Bjork as a robot being assembled in a factory, before interacting with another robot in a moment of tender embrace. Directed by Chris Cunningham, the video showcases Cunningham’s signature combination of cutting-edge technology and emotional depth, and remains one of the most striking and memorable videos of the late 1990s.
An unsettling and provocative video that reflects the strange and colliding imagery of the song itself, Paranoid Android features a series of surreal and connected vignettes, from a businessman drinking his own urine to a man being sawed in half. Directed by Magnus Carlsson, the video showcases Radiohead’s avant-garde and experimental approach to music, and solidified their reputation as one of the most daring and innovative bands of the time.
A hypnotic and repetitive video that echoes the minimalist and electronic sound of the song itself, Around the World features a series of synchronized dancers in circular formations, each representing a different instrument or sound. Directed by Michel Gondry, the video showcases Gondry’s playful and imaginative use of repetition and distortion, and remains a memorable and influential music video of the late 1990s.
Elements of a Great Music Video
What makes a music video great? While there are no easy answers, there are certain elements that seem to be present in the most memorable and impactful videos. Here are some of the key elements of a great music video:
Visual Creativity
A great music video should be visually striking and memorable. Whether through creative use of color, lighting, movement, or animation, music videos have the ability to transport us to another world and engage our senses in new and exciting ways. From Michael Jackson’s zombie dance in Thriller to Bjork’s robot embrace in All is Full of Love, the most iconic music videos often feature imaginative and innovative visual effects.
Narrative Storytelling
While not all music videos tell a story, many memorable ones do. Whether through explicit plotlines or subtle symbolism, music videos can be used to convey powerful messages and emotions. From Madonna’s Like a Prayer to OK Go’s Here It Goes Again, music videos can be a powerful form of visual storytelling that complement and enhance the music itself.
Musical and Emotional Resonance
The best music videos are not just visually and narratively creative, but also emotionally resonant. Whether through powerful vocals, memorable hooks, or stirring instrumentation, music videos have the ability to evoke powerful emotions and connect us to the spirit of the music. From Johnny Cash’s Hurt to Radiohead’s Paranoid Android, the most impactful music videos often complement and amplify the emotional power of the music itself.
The Impact of Music Videos on Popular Culture
Music videos have not just been a form of creative expression, but also a cultural force that has shaped the way we understand and consume music. From iconic dance moves to memorable fashion statements, music videos have had a lasting impact on popular culture. Here are some of the most memorable moments in music video history:
Michael Jackson’s Thriller
Not just a great music video, but a cultural phenomenon, Thriller set the bar for music video production and style. From its groundbreaking special effects to its infectious choreography, Thriller changed the way we understood what a music video could be. It also cemented Michael Jackson’s status as a cultural icon and the King of Pop.
Madonna’s Vogue
A celebration of dance moves, fashion, and queer culture, Vogue marked a milestone in the way we understood popular culture and representation. Directed by David Fincher, the video features glamorous black-and-white imagery and a host of drag queens and dancers performing poses from the ballroom scene. The video helped to popularize voguing and LGBT culture, and remains one of Madonna’s most enduring and iconic moments.
Beyonce’s Single Ladies
A modern classic of the music video form, Single Ladies features Beyonce and two backup dancers performing a synchronised routine in black leotards and high heels. The video’s simple yet effective choreography, along with its catchy hook, sparked countless imitations, parodies, and memes, making it one of the most viral and widely shared music videos of all time.
OK Go’s Treadmill Dance
One of the most creative and DIY music videos of all time, Here It Goes Again showcases the band OK Go performing a synchronized dance routine on treadmills. The video’s simple yet ingenious concept, along with its DIY spirit, helped turn it into a viral sensation and a textbook example of how creativity can trump budget.
Beyonce’s Formation
A political and powerful music video that addresses issues of police brutality, black pride, and southern heritage, Formation marks Beyonce at her most daring and creative. The video’s stunning visuals of New Orleans and fierce choreography, along with its message of empowerment and activism, sparked controversy and debate upon its release, making it a standout in recent music video history.
The Evolution of Music Videos
Music videos have come a long way since the early days of MTV. With the advent of new technology, new genres, and new musical styles, music videos have continued to evolve and experiment, leading to ever-more boundary-pushing and innovative examples of the art form. Here are some of the most notable examples:
Budget-Expanding Epics
As music videos became more popular and more lucrative, some artists and directors began to experiment with ever-more expensive and elaborate productions. Examples include Michael Jackson’s Black or White, which featured a morphing sequence and a pan-global cast of dancers, and Madonna’s Express Yourself, which channeled a Technicolor Hollywood glamour.
Experimental and Artistic
As the underground and alternative scenes had more of an impact on the pop mainstream, some music videos began to experiment with more avant-garde and experimental approaches. Examples include Aphex Twin’s Come to Daddy, which featured disturbing imagery and distorted sound effects, and Radiohead’s No Surprises, which features a stationary shot of Thom Yorke singing while his head is in a full fishbowl.
Interactive and Virtual Reality
With the advent of new technology, some music videos have begun to incorporate interactive elements and virtual reality. Examples include Gorillaz’s Saturnz Barz, which features a 3D virtual tour of a haunted house, and Arcade Fire’s We Used to Wait, which offers a personalized and interactive experience based on the viewer’s input.
Genre-Specific Approach
While some music videos have transcended genre and become cultural touchstones, others are more closely tied to specific musical styles and scenes. Here are some examples of great music videos from different genres:
Rock: Queen – Bohemian Rhapsody
One of the greatest and most iconic rock songs of all time deserves a music video to match, and Bohemian Rhapsody delivers in spades. Directed by Bruce Gowers, the video features the band in full glam mode, singing and performing in front of a black background. The video’s imaginative and surreal production values make it a classic of the 1970s.
Pop: Britney Spears – Oops!… I Did It Again
A quintessential example of the late 1990s teen pop craze, Oops!… I Did It Again features Britney Spears in a red bodysuit writhing on the planet’s surface. Directed by Nigel Dick, the video is a playful and sexy romp that showcases Spears’s star power and irresistibility.
Hip-hop: Wu-Tang Clan – Triumph
One of the most iconic and memorable videos of the 1990s hip-hop scene, Triumph features the Wu-Tang Clan in a moody and intense environment, with flickering lights and dark cinematography. Directed by Brett Ratner, the video showcases the Wu’s raw power and energy, and solidifies their status as one of the defining hip-hop groups of all time.
Electronic: The Chemical Brothers – Setting Sun
An ominous and hypnotic video that echoes the pounding and repetitive beat of the song itself, Setting Sun is a collaboration between the Chemical Brothers and legendary artist Chris Cunningham. Featuring a woman wandering through a barren landscape and pursued by a menacing figure, the video is a masterclass in mood and tension, and showcases Cunningham’s visionary approach to music video production.
The Cultural and Social Impact of Music Videos
Music videos have not just reflected the cultural and social movements of their time, but have also often led those movements and shaped our understanding of them. From fashion to dance to politics, music videos have left an indelible mark on popular culture. Here are some examples of how music videos have impacted the world:
The Birth of MTV
When MTV launched in 1981, it revolutionized the way we consumed and experienced music, creating a new cultural and social force that shaped the 1980s and beyond. From Michael Jackson’s Thriller to Madonna’s Like a Prayer, MTV was the platform for some of the most iconic and defining moments in music video history, and helped to expand the reach and influence of music across the world.
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