Welcome to my blog, music lovers! 🎵 I’m so excited to share with you my list of 10 iconic music videos that go beyond just visual appeal. These videos are not only visually stunning, but they also tell a story, convey a message, or capture an emotion that enhances the music. So, put on your headphones 🎧, sit back, and enjoy this musical journey!

1. “Thriller” by Michael Jackson 👴🏽👻

“Thriller” is not only one of the most iconic music videos of all time, but also a masterpiece of horror cinema. Directed by John Landis, the music video is a 14-minute short film that features Jackson and a group of zombies dancing and singing in a graveyard. The video had a monumental impact on the music industry and popular culture, with its groundbreaking special effects, choreography, and storytelling.

Michael Jackson in a red jacket and fedora leaning against a wall with fog and lightning in the background

2. “Take on Me” by A-ha 🕺🏻🌄

“Take on Me” is a prime example of how animation and live-action can blend in a music video. Directed by Steve Barron, the video features a mix of pencil-sketch animation and rotoscoped live-action footage, creating a dreamlike fantasy world. The music video was a commercial success, winning six MTV Video Music Awards, including Best New Artist in a Video.

A hand reaches out from a pencil-sketch animation towards a live-action woman in front of a sunset

3. “Sabotage” by Beastie Boys 🧑🏻🎭

The music video for “Sabotage” is a tribute to 1970s crime drama TV shows, with the members of Beastie Boys playing different police characters with hilarious names like Cochese and Bunny. Directed by Spike Jonze, the video is a high-octane, action-packed ride that parodies the cliches of the genre. The video was a commercial and critical success, winning Best Art Direction and Best Editing at the MTV Video Music Awards.

The three members of Beastie Boys dressed as police officers with guns and sunglasses

4. “Virtual Insanity” by Jamiroquai 🕺🏾🪐

“Virtual Insanity” takes place in a room with moving floors and furniture, creating the illusion of a world in constant motion. Directed by Jonathan Glazer, the video explores themes such as isolation, technology, and mental illness, while showcasing Jamiroquai’s funky music. The video won four MTV Video Music Awards, including Video of the Year.

Jay Kay, the lead singer of Jamiroquai, dancing on a moving floor in a white room

5. “November Rain” by Guns N’ Roses 🎸👰🏼

At almost ten minutes long, “November Rain” is a powerful epic that tells the story of a doomed love affair between Axl Rose and Stephanie Seymour, with Slash’s guitar solos as the soundtrack. Directed by Andy Morahan, the video features a wedding, a funeral, and a concert, and is considered one of the most expensive music videos ever made.

Axl Rose standing alone in the rain next to a white piano

6. “Everybody Hurts” by R.E.M. 🌈☄️

“Everybody Hurts” is a poignant masterpiece that delivers a message of hope and empathy to anyone going through tough times. Directed by Jake Scott (son of Ridley Scott), the video shows people stuck in a traffic jam, with a voiceover encouraging them to hold on and reach out for help. The video has become an anthem for mental health awareness and suicide prevention.

A series of cars on a highway, with some people crying or looking sad behind the wheel

7. “Sledgehammer” by Peter Gabriel 🎭👁

“Sledgehammer” is a surreal and imaginative work of art that combines stop-motion animation, claymation, and live-action footage. Directed by Stephen R. Johnson, the video features Gabriel performing with bizarre props and costumes, while being surrounded by an array of fruit, animals, and insects. The video won nine MTV Video Music Awards, setting a record that still stands.

Peter Gabriel in front of a wall made of flowers, with fruit and flowers floating around him

8. “California Love” by Tupac ft. Dr. Dre 🌴🔫

“California Love” is a celebration of West Coast hip-hop culture and a tribute to the legacy of 2Pac. Directed by Hype Williams, the video takes place in a post-apocalyptic version of Los Angeles, with Tupac and Dr. Dre leading a gang of rebels on motorcycles. The video includes references to Mad Max and George Clinton, and features some of the most iconic cars and outfits in hip-hop history.

Tupac sitting on a throne made of car parts in a wasteland, with Dr. Dre behind him

9. “Wuthering Heights” by Kate Bush 💃🏼🌨️

“Wuthering Heights” was Kate Bush’s debut single and remains one of her most memorable works. The music video, directed by Keef, features Bush dancing on a misty moor, donning a flowing red dress and wild hair. The video captures the Gothic and romantic themes of the novel “Wuthering Heights” by Emily Bronte and showcases Bush’s unique voice and style.

Kate Bush spinning on a hill with a cloudy sky behind her

10. “This Is America” by Childish Gambino 🇺🇸🔫

“This Is America” is a powerful social commentary on the state of race relations and violence in the United States. Directed by Hiro Murai and choreographed by Sherrie Silver, the video features Childish Gambino (a.k.a. Donald Glover) dancing and singing while chaos erupts around him. The video addresses issues such as police brutality, mass shootings, and cultural appropriation, and has sparked a lot of discussion and debate.

Childish Gambino dancing in front of chaos, with a man falling to his death and a choir being shot in the background

That’s it for my list of 10 iconic music videos that transcend visual aesthetics! 🥳 I hope you enjoyed it and discovered some new favorites. Let me know in the comments what you think and what music videos you would add to the list. 👇🏻

A montage of all the music videos mentioned in the blog