Tonight’s post category was inspired by Richard Blade playing one particular song on First Wave on Sirius XM satellite radio. That song brought back memories of its amazing music video and that got me to thinking of the best music videos I’ve ever seen.
As I mentioned in the first post, the plan is for this to be an ongoing off-season series on Saturday nights in which I present to you my five favourite somethings and then you comment and tell me:
- How I’m wrong
- Your Top Five
- Suggestions for the next top five list
I realize that many of you may have been born after the heyday of music videos. However, I think the majority still remember the days when the M in MTV actually meant something.
Without further ado, I present to you my Top Five Music Videos!
1 – “Toxic” by Britney Spears
The first time I saw this video, my mouth was wide open and I couldn’t take my eyes off of it. There is SO MUCH going on! The complexity of the song (it’s actually true, there are YouTube videos that explain how complex the musical structure actually is, for a pop song) is complimented by the complexity of the video.
All I know is that as soon as it finished, I had to watch it again. Even now, I’ll watch it at least twice in a row.
Pros:
That nearly see-through sparkly outfit!
Britney at her peak.
Multiple outfits and hair colors.
Cons:
You have to watch it more than once to capture everything.
Too short.
2 – “Welcome To The Pleasuredome” by Frankie Goes To Hollywood
This 8 minute plus epic was like a short film with a song for a soundtrack. The film’s plot matches nicely with the song’s sexy lyrics. Overall, it’s a very sexy video for something with no nudity.
At the time (1984), it was unconventional and controversial. The length of it alone made it difficult to get airplay. However, the video still made it into heavy rotation.
It probably helped that Michael Jackson’s Thriller clocked in at 14 minutes and was wildly popular.
Pros:
That bass line. Damn.
Awesome visuals.
Cons:
Not many people have seen it. Thank God for YouTube.
3 – “Thriller” by Michael Jackson
I referenced it above for a reason. This video paved the way for long-form videos that followed it. It truly was a mini-movie and it was an event when it was released.
I remember seeing it after all the hype and thinking, “Okay, that actually lived up to the hype.” It was directed by John Landis, who is not only my latest pick in Horatio’s draft, but was also known for The Kentucky Fried Movie, Animal House, The Blues Brothers, An American Werewolf In London, and Trading Places. After Thriller, he went on to direct Spies Like Us, The Three Amigos, Coming To America, and Beverly Hills Cop 3.
Pros:
A classic that changed the music video genre.
Created the iconic Monster Dance that has been copied multiple times.
Cons:
It actually carried a warning that kids might get scared and should probably not watch.
They released a short version, which was bullshit. Long Version or GTFO.
4 – “Do I Wanna Know” by The Arctic Monkeys
This was highly influenced by some trippy 60’s animation. Those older than me can probably pinpoint the references. All I know is that it blew me away when I first saw it.
I truly have no idea how they managed to synch up the animation to the music video. Not only that, but then the forms of the animation goes into all these different places.
It doesn’t hurt that it’s a good song too. However, the video makes the song even better.
Pros:
Nice to see something and say, “How the fuck did they do that?”
The change from black and white to colour and then to figures is pretty cool.
Cons:
I don’t do drugs, but I must imagine this video would be better on drugs.
The video came out after MTV had hit the fan. It deserves a bigger audience.
5 – “Call On Me” by Eric Prydz
Press play and within two seconds you’ll know why it’s in my top five.
You have a hot blonde aerobics instructor wearing an 80s outfit dancing to a 90s electronic dance song and leading her troops in a sweaty workout.
If I was asked as a young teenager what my vision of the perfect music video would be, this would be it.
Pros:
Dat ass.
I like the song.
Cons:
You may not appreciate asses like I do.
I would say it’s too short but the reality is you’re probably finished before the 2:52…
***
What say you in the comments?
UPDATE:
I forgot to mention that AFL starts THIS WEEK! You can join our tipping pool here:
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See you there!
All right, it’s off to bed for me. We’ll see what kind of hangover awaits in the morning; hopefully it won’t be too bad.
You can’t rank Tool videos, because they’re all they’re own horrifically amazing acid trip.
This is very fine bourbon and I’m probably going to drink too much of it tonight.
I don’t think that’s possible, but good luck!
Looks like Mick Cronin has once again left Bruins fans….Mick Groanin’
^banner 4 lyfe
Bluff called.
PAC-12 is going to ride UCLA’s knob until the last penny dribbles in.
Let this conference die.
As for Brick’s story of the Harbor Room, I can’t confirm or deny anything other than that drinks were consumed and a pipe donation was made.
Did I show up before or after Brick left?
I honestly don’t know. Given the handoff, I might guess after.
This drink is making a repeat appearance tonight
https://www.diffordsguide.com/cocktails/recipe/2551/purgatory#ingredients
“Too many and you’re in it.”
Music videos are contrived. Live concert footage is real, and nothing is realer than the T.A.M.I. Show. Recorded over two nights in 1964, it was a concert film so there were no TV time constraints. Each band was shot, edited, and sound mixed live on the fly with no overdubs or fixes.
This is the whole concert but I cued it to Chuck Berry doing “Nadine” which is great:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8pdZJ7TkJQU&t=950s
Yeah nothing beats a band that puts on a great show and plays real tight while doing it.
You misspelled T.A.T.U.
I should not have cleaned out the cactus planters yesterday without gloves on. I learned nothing from Wyle E Coyote… obviously. Still trying to vigorously rub off mico thorns.
I have a healthy respect for desert flora and fauna. I have a barrel cactus in my yard that did me wrong.
Yeah those dead fallen off parts look benign enough. I’ll never learn.
I don’t yell “you fool” at people that often, but…YOU FOOL!
And apologies for it taking this long to get here, but I’m pretty sure this is my #1.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h0JvF9vpqx8
I love that one!
Honorable mention for basically being the Die Hard of hair metal ballad videos:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=41P8UxneDJE
Cologuard is a special pharmaceutical commercial. Bunch of average American types singing about pooping in a box as a commercial cover of Sinatra’s My Way.
Been drinking a bit. Sup.
Got a top five yet?
Lots of top fives. None as it relates to music videos.
I’m just getting started. Punching it into overdrive, will catch up to you shortly.
Samesies.
Enough to say “samesies”
Are you watching a top level men’s major conference tournament championship game that has, thus far, been quite competitive and entertaining? Then maybe you’d like this ad about Vermont winning the Northeast Womens Conference Championship.
…
Look. I’m for equality. That’s all i have to say.
One of the problems with coverage of every sporting event having become ubiquitous is that it’s impossible to care about local events like that. But when those things were the only game in town, it was probably a pretty fun thing to do on a Saturday night.
Very true.
1 Addicted to Love, Robert Palmer
2 Paradise, City GnR
3 29 Palms, Robert Plant
4 Copperhead Road, Steve Earl
5 Roam, B52’s
Maybe not “all time best” but some fun ones that come to my head.
Fun fact, there’s an official video for Astronomia!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=–cxZbnmmoc
However, I go with this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j9V78UbdzWI
This is how Gumby’s going out.
“When I told you he had a rocket in his pocket, I was being literal.” – Gumbygirl, by way of explanation later
And for shear production values and warpedness alone.
Number 5.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aowSGxim_O8
Faye Dunaway as the jilted fairy godmother is perfect.
quatro.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ps0MfBG5-Uo
Has anyone mentioned Amish?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lOfZLb33uCg
Tres.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jW8UlrtcEac
Jeez, did Nike just forget to make these unis?
https://twitter.com/PointsBetUSA/status/1634740377491247106
TAJ and I were talking about this. My daughters had better softball uniforms from the local little league outfit store here in Pedro.
Certainly phoned that one in.
Look more Primus!
Choice #2.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TOdo7dhvSwg
Going unconventional since this is not an “Official video” but it’s one of the most badass things I’ve ever seen.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BF-10c261Vw
Gumby showed me a mashup of Donna Summer and Ozzy Osbourne today. Weird, but it worked.
Here ’tis
https://youtu.be/YEfIRWf6Zlc
In no particular order since SOS took Van Halen and Beasties:
Mein Land – Rammstein
The Chauffeur (European version) – Duran Duran
19-2000 – Gorillaz
Wynonna’s Big Brown Beaver – Primus
Road to Nowhere – Talking Heads
Road to Nowhere is perfect. And I love me some Primus. Excellent choices.
And not to preview the next month too hard but Duke can go to hell.
Love that i turn on the TV to find my UA/UCLA tip is being pushed to show me a bunch of old white people celebrate Duke.
I’ll be so glad when Boomers are gone. I like many of you… as a generation, go away.
Don’t worry. I’ll be next.
I think we have maybe 2 boomers here. Gen X is very well represented.
There’s a couple of fucking Millennials
Just happy they’re fucking.
(Note, this is not in my top 5… if anything it would be Dick in a Box.)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lQlIhraqL7o
I’m a boomer. Get off my lawn. There’s a Karen Ave up the street from me. I should have bought a house up there.
Sign
Good.
I like the Xers.
I’m going away. In 3 and 1/2 years I’ll be Portugals problem.
You show your new hosts proper respect, and you’ll be their lovable novelty.
Hey you’re the LA guy!
Portugal the country or Portugal the man?
like it literally says ‘gal’ in the name what made you think its a guy smh
Duran Duran – Hungry like the Wolf (Official Music Video) – YouTube
Before puberty: “Ah, he’s Indiana Jones.”
After puberty: “Ah, its about sex.”
EDIT: In case YouTube actually embeds, its Duran Duran – Hungry Like the Wolf
To post a YouTube video just copy & paste the URL. You can add text before it but not after it.
That reminds me. Why has no one posted wild boys?
Ah yes, the Ryan Brothers biopic.
The Harbor Room in Playa del Rey tonight on a glorious cool foggy night by the sea. I’m at Mo’s getting a hot turkey sandwich.
This was the site of a famous tWBS-BFC-Brick summit meeting.
Beautiful shot.
Hey! Wasn’t I there for ten minutes?
You must have come after I left. BFC just flew in; tWBS was late because he met a girl at a pot store in Venice and fell in love; I had to catch a flight. A week later we all met at Mo’s, and RTD was there. Was yeah right there then too?
I’m not sure about Yeah Right but I think you are right that I arrived after you left. Either that or I showed up right as you were leaving. That’s why I thought about the ten minutes…
That was the Hollywood crawl. We did do an Alpine Village thing in there too which was great.
And Tam O’Shanter
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Js1Mcu18Zm8
Droppin’ plates on yo ass beeotch
Dishonorable mention:
https://youtu.be/QRmnbo18IR0
Hey Ladies! The vid tries to pack in as many pop culture references as the song and it’s all tongue in cheek.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Naf5uJYGoiU&ab_channel=BeastieBoysVEVO
1) Take On Me
2) Sabotage
3) White and Nerdy
4) Club Tropicana
5) Hot For Teacher
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=djV11Xbc914
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z5rRZdiu1UE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N9qYF9DZPdw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WYX0sjP6Za8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6M4_Ommfvv0&t
Fuck Yeah Van Halen!
And the Beastie Boys!
At some point this tune took on a life of it’s own and was played over and over again. This video, when it first came out was a brain banger.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_3eC35LoF4U&ab_channel=TalkingHeads
One of Lil’ WCS and Lil’er WCS favorites. Duke WCS will feel the same eventually, whether he wants to listen or not.
Submitted for Hippo’s approval: a music video so great you can’t watch it on youtube anymore
https://vimeo.com/280016961
Ascending Order
Smooth Criminal
Estranged
A Little Respect
Fat
Its a Long Way to the Top
Annie, is you wokay?
Need to specify whether MJ or Alien Ant Farm (the remake song is better than the original, so what about the video?)
I mean come on.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h_D3VFfhvs4
Yes, well, he DOES lean over, no denying that.
Dude. He even dances a Dikembe finger wag at the outline of his victim’s body before the dust even settles.
What a badass.
Original. Where he shoots the guy and the dude leaves a body-shaped hole in the wall.
Of note, people have never praised my taste in art.
Such a shame. All the talent in the world, and all of the demons.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kq4OtRsdXls
Presumably this aired on MTVXXX, a channel only available on the most premium of cable packages
Not sure I’ll be able to assemble (or order) a top 5, but this one is definitely in the mix:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=337Sn_rc7PE
Not sure if this one would make the final cut but it certainly came to mind:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xmUZ6nCFNoU
Probably *does* make the cut:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xwtdhWltSIg
And I gotta have at least *one* of the David Fincher ones:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=diYAc7gB-0A
A little surprised this one didn’t make the cut for Balls’ list, and yes, it’s on mine:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hAFuD-S-e_E
Also well up there:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VAtGOESO7W8
And this is my all-time favorite video ending:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QrXrUAN99CI
I’ll see you and raise you
https://youtu.be/2ulU08Se7Qs
Better song but nothing can top the Popular video.
Even during the weekend, the Kraken must be released.
I sent Gumby to the store with a list of five things. He got two of them, went waaaaaaaay overboard on a third, did not get the other two. The things he “forgot” were bread and milk. He bought deviled crabs and crab cakes, not on the list. And then he stopped at the weed store and bought stuff for him, didn’t call to see if I wanted anything. I’m seriously thinking of clubbing hom with a baseball bat, and burying him un the desert.
Him, in. This fucking keyboard on my phone is getting smaller, or my fingers are really getting fat.
Drop an atm on his head.
Peter Gabriel – Shock the Monkey
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CnVf1ZoCJSo
Chevelle – Jars. Just becaue the concept is so cool.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kQeHSC-kwlk
Clutch – Hot Bottom Feeder. Maybe not actually in my top five, but it puts a smile on my face.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SOTrHrGSeNM
Beck – Up All Night. That girl who saved her boyfriend is a keeper.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tj08Ni3tklw
The Sword – Lawless Lands. If they were around when I was 15 I would have thought that they were the awesomest band EVAR! Not sure if these guys are serious or not.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vr3r6Mdci6c
Okay, The Sword isn’t really on my top 5 or top 50 videos. Put David Bowie’s China Girl in there. But I could pick about 100 more videos that I’d like every bit as much.
Here’s a list. Might not be THE list, but these came to mind. Reverse order
5. The Cure: Why Can’t I Be You. Ignore the unfortunate blackface, Robert Smith in a green furry suit makes me giggle. And the dancing!
4. Blind Melon: No Rain. Bee girl, hippies.
3. Cyndi Lauper: Girls Just Wanna Have Fun. Yes. Yes we do!
2. David Bowie: Blue Jean. Bowie in fancy makeup, always a winner.
1. Weird Al: All of them
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FklUAoZ6KxY
I love that they spell “can’t” as “cunt”!
“Ignore black face.”
-Corporate Owned Political Parties Who Already Picked Their Dude
Only video that is really coming to mind is this one by Ok Go
https://youtu.be/dTAAsCNK7RA
How come none of y’all maple folks ain’t tell Hippo about Katherine Ryan? She goddamned hilarious
I may have to recuse here, not sure I have a top 5
I have to give it some thought.
I’m with ya. Didn’t have cable growing up due to cheap parents, so mostly listened to music and didn’t watch many videos so don’t have a top 5 either
I had to beg and plead, but my dad was very happy to have the Braves’ games.
Also we didn’t have MTV, we had Much Music, so extra Canadian content for us
I’m so old, I remember when cable was a bunch of weird local public access channels, WGN, and TBS. And ESPN before they had any real sports.
At 4:00 Eastern, in the 1980’s, ESPN used to show wrestling.
I remember Australian Rules Football on ESPN.
That’s how I got into it!
Speaking of, we have a tipping competition!
https://mobile.footytips.com.au/competitions/afl/ladders/?competitionId=401652
Crossbow Hunting with Ted Nugent
I swear I watched Championship Tiddlywinks.
I can top that! I lived in Beckley WV for a few years as a kid. Since if you’re in a holler you ain’t getting no TV reception, cable was big there. They stuck a big antenna on top of a big hill, and we had programming on every channel! Two NBCs! Two PBS! Some station out of the Tri-Cities Area (Bristol, Kingsport, Johnson City).
I was in Beckley once. My piece of shit Chevette was struggling to get up the mountains, and I had to stop in Beckley to let it cool down, because the tailpipe was glowing red!
Does Beavis and Butthead’s commentary count as videos?
I could do a top 5 of just those. Here’s probably my #1:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A1pRZauWIAo
This one’s up there (apologies for the poor quality):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4PfBJ07tEZE
And this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V8KrTC_o48o
Not on youtube, but Beavis getting roofied and kidnapped by a grief counselor is a great one:
https://www.reddit.com/r/deadmau5/comments/sxcosw/beavis_and_butthead_watch_the_ghosts_n_stuff/
And then of course from the movie…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WX7fuu7DgSs
But if that isn’t allowed:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mM_yM8VOI40
Safety first!
It’s one of my favorite things he’s ever said.
1) True Faith – New Order
2) 99 Luftbalons – Nena (first one I saw when we got cable )
3) Sledgehammer – Peter Gabriel
4) Almost Had to Start a Fight – Parquet Courts
5) Cross-Bones Style – Cat Power
Strong take: any song by Nena or Falco needs to be in the original German or it’s shit.
Alternate take: remove the apostrophe there, and it still works. Germans love weird sex/bodily function stuff, so you could say “needs to be in the original German or its shit.”
100% agreed
Sledgehammer is a GREAT video. Plus, it’s about fucking. Would probably be #6 on my list.
Though 99.9% of songs ever recorded are about sex or drugs.
The remaining 0.1% is strange.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W4vWbuuRGCg