The age of music videos rose to widespread popularity in the 1980s through the early years of MTV. Music videos started to combine visual aesthetics, creative storytelling, and catchy tunes.
These mini-movies paired with some of the most popular songs of the times created decades of unique, artistic, funny, and dramatic scenes. Some music videos, such as Michael Jackson’s “Thriller,” have become so iconic that the dance is still widely known and performed years later.
The following list contains some of the most iconic music videos every created, spanning from the 1980s to present day.
a-ha: Take on Me (1984). This early music video pioneered the way for creativity and storytelling in music videos
Fatboy Slim: Weapon of Choice (2000). Featuring the iconic Christopher Walken
Beyonce: Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It) (2008). The video that created the viral dance
Prince: When Doves Cry (1984).
Nirvana: Smells Like Teen Spirit (1992)
Michael Jackson: Thriller (1983). No music video list is complete without one of the most iconic videos of all time
Madonna: Like a Prayer (1989). Started quite a controversy due to the religious elements
Outkast: Hey Ya! (2003).
The Buggles: Video Killed the Radio Star (1979). One of the original music videos that started it all
Queen: I Want to Break Free (1984)
R.E.M: Losing my Religion (1991)
Björk: Human Behavior (1993)
Black Hole Sun: Soundgarden (1994)
Jamiroquai: Virtual Insanity (1996)
OkGo: Here it Goes Again (2005). All done in one take
Britney Spears: Oops I Did it Again (200)
Psy: Gangham Style (2012) The first music video to ever hit 1 billion views
The Cranberries: Zombie (1994)
Beastie Boys: Sabotage (1994)
Peter Gabriel: Sledgehammer (1986)
Missy Elliot: The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly) (1997)
TLC: Waterfalls (1994)
Chumbawamba: Tubthumping (1997)
D’Angelo: Untitled (How Does It Feel) (2000)
N*SYNC: Bye Bye Bye (2000)
Billy Joel: We Didn’t Start the Fire (1989)
Childish Gambino: This is America (2018)
Talking Heads: Once in a Lifetime (1980)
The Chicks: Goodbye Earl (1999)
Robert Palmer: Addicted to Love (1985)
The Avalanches: Frontier Psychiatrist (2000)
Foo Fighters: Everlong (1997)
Meatloaf: I’d Do Anything for Love (But I Won’t Do That) (1993)
Daft Punk: Around the World (1997)
Aqua: Barbie Girl (1997)
Christina Aguilera, Lil’ Kim, Mya, P!nk: Lady Marmalade (2001)
The Pharcyde: Drop (1995)
Alanis Morissette: Ironic (1996)
Paul Simon: You Can Call Me Al (1986)
Destiny’s Child: Say My Name (1999)
Blink 182: All the Small Things (1999)
Devo: Whip It (1980)
Shania Twain: Man! I Feel Like a Woman! (1997)
The Notorious B.I.G.: Hypnotize (1997)
Sinead O’Connor: Nothing Compare 2 U (1990)
The Smashing Pumpkins: Tonight, Tonight (1995)
Aphex Twin: Come to Daddy (1997)
Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance With Somebody (1987)
Korn: Freak on a Leash (1998)
Madonna: Vogue (1990)
Flying Lotus ft. Kendrick Lamar: Never Catch Me (2014)
Eminem: The Real Slim Shady (2000)
George Michael: Freedom! ’90 (1990)
Usher: Confessions (2004)
Britney Spears: I’m a Slave 4 U (2001)
The Prodigy: Breathe (1997)
Blind Melon: No Rain (1997)
Green Day: Basket Case (1994)
Weird Al Yankovic: Amish Paradise (1996)
Beyonce: Lemonade (Full Album) (2016)
Twisted Sister: We’re Not Gonna Take It (1984)
Dirty Vegas: Days Go By (2001)
The White Stripes: Fell in Love With a Girl (2001)
Aaliyah: We Need a Resolution (2001)
Rage Against the Machine: Sleep Now in the Fire (1999)
