Freelance Hack
Active Member
In honor of MTV's 25th anniversary, what are your Top 25 videos?
There are no rules or guidelines. Feel free to explain your choices.
Here's one hack's opinion:
1. Thriller by Michael Jackson -- say what you want about him now, but he dominated the pop scene in his prime and Jackson's videos really revolutionized the music video industry. This was the standard bearer of his work and the obvious No. 1 pick
2. Video Killed the Radio Star by The Buggles -- the video itself is rather lame, but it's this high because of its historic importance and prophetic lyrics
3. Sledgehammer by Peter Gabriel -- very creative video; you almost wonder what Peter Gabriel's video would have been like if his songs came now
4. In the Air Tonight by Phil Collins -- almost as intense as the song
5. Where the Streets Have No Name by U2 -- the concert from which this video was based nearly caused a riot
6. Cry by Godley & Creme -- Michael Jackson benefitted from advanced technology, but part of his "Black & White" video basically ripped off this clever premise (quick question: whose face is shown next to last at the end of the video?)
7. Weapon of Choice by Fatboy Slim -- bonus points for using Christopher Walken
8. Self Control by Laura Branigan -- this one's for you BYH. The fact that Laura is drop dead gorgeous helps, too
9. Addicted to Love by Robert Palmer -- good song made into a memorable video by Palmer's back-up musicians
10. Walk This Way by Aerosmith and Run DMC -- song and video really helped rap crossover and revived Aerosmith's career
11. Land of Confusion by Genesis -- puppets. C'mon now, who doesn't like puppets?
12. Sabotage by Beastie Boys -- Beastie Boys have had some geat videos. This is my favorite
13. Jeremy by Pearl Jam -- sometimes the song just dictates what the video will be
14. Thunder Rolls by Garth Brooks -- it was edgy by country standards at the time
15. Like A Prayer by Madonna -- very well done; the controversy and the Pepsi tie-in only make it more appealing
16. Cradle of Love by Billy Idol -- Billy Idol doesn't make this a great video. You know what makes this a great video
17. Two Tribes by Frankie Goes to Hollywood -- an underrated song and video; lesser known than "Relax," it packs a much more political punch
18. Money for Nothing by Dire Straits -- well done piece for its time and it helped MTV become accepted by a larger audience
19. Smooth Criminal by Michael Jackson -- as I stated before Jackson really made the video into an art form; I think this is underrated compared to Michael's other videos
20. When Doves Cry by Prince -- I felt obligated to put something by him on the list, and I always thought the keyboard player was cool
21. Smells Like Teen Spirit by Nivana -- I never got the grunge thing, but I'd be remiss if I didn't respect how this song (primarily based on the video) changed music in the early 90s
22. California Love by 2 Pac -- not quite the historical significance of the Run DMC's Walk This Way, but this is perhaps the best concept for a rap video
23. Take On Me by a ha -- this was another song that was really helped by its video
24. Shock the Monkey by Peter Gabriel -- Gabriel probably made the most creative videos in the 80s; that's why he deserves a second video on the list
25. Don't Come Around Here by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers -- debated between this and You Might Think by The Cars; either would have been worthy for this slot
Again, this is just my list and I'm by no means an expert. Feel free to rip my choices or post your own.
There are no rules or guidelines. Feel free to explain your choices.
Here's one hack's opinion:
1. Thriller by Michael Jackson -- say what you want about him now, but he dominated the pop scene in his prime and Jackson's videos really revolutionized the music video industry. This was the standard bearer of his work and the obvious No. 1 pick
2. Video Killed the Radio Star by The Buggles -- the video itself is rather lame, but it's this high because of its historic importance and prophetic lyrics
3. Sledgehammer by Peter Gabriel -- very creative video; you almost wonder what Peter Gabriel's video would have been like if his songs came now
4. In the Air Tonight by Phil Collins -- almost as intense as the song
5. Where the Streets Have No Name by U2 -- the concert from which this video was based nearly caused a riot
6. Cry by Godley & Creme -- Michael Jackson benefitted from advanced technology, but part of his "Black & White" video basically ripped off this clever premise (quick question: whose face is shown next to last at the end of the video?)
7. Weapon of Choice by Fatboy Slim -- bonus points for using Christopher Walken
8. Self Control by Laura Branigan -- this one's for you BYH. The fact that Laura is drop dead gorgeous helps, too
9. Addicted to Love by Robert Palmer -- good song made into a memorable video by Palmer's back-up musicians
10. Walk This Way by Aerosmith and Run DMC -- song and video really helped rap crossover and revived Aerosmith's career
11. Land of Confusion by Genesis -- puppets. C'mon now, who doesn't like puppets?
12. Sabotage by Beastie Boys -- Beastie Boys have had some geat videos. This is my favorite
13. Jeremy by Pearl Jam -- sometimes the song just dictates what the video will be
14. Thunder Rolls by Garth Brooks -- it was edgy by country standards at the time
15. Like A Prayer by Madonna -- very well done; the controversy and the Pepsi tie-in only make it more appealing
16. Cradle of Love by Billy Idol -- Billy Idol doesn't make this a great video. You know what makes this a great video
17. Two Tribes by Frankie Goes to Hollywood -- an underrated song and video; lesser known than "Relax," it packs a much more political punch
18. Money for Nothing by Dire Straits -- well done piece for its time and it helped MTV become accepted by a larger audience
19. Smooth Criminal by Michael Jackson -- as I stated before Jackson really made the video into an art form; I think this is underrated compared to Michael's other videos
20. When Doves Cry by Prince -- I felt obligated to put something by him on the list, and I always thought the keyboard player was cool
21. Smells Like Teen Spirit by Nivana -- I never got the grunge thing, but I'd be remiss if I didn't respect how this song (primarily based on the video) changed music in the early 90s
22. California Love by 2 Pac -- not quite the historical significance of the Run DMC's Walk This Way, but this is perhaps the best concept for a rap video
23. Take On Me by a ha -- this was another song that was really helped by its video
24. Shock the Monkey by Peter Gabriel -- Gabriel probably made the most creative videos in the 80s; that's why he deserves a second video on the list
25. Don't Come Around Here by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers -- debated between this and You Might Think by The Cars; either would have been worthy for this slot
Again, this is just my list and I'm by no means an expert. Feel free to rip my choices or post your own.
