Tuesday, February 19, 2008

Music Videos

According to the Buggles, video killed the radio star, but I blame Jonathan Murray and Mary-Ellis Bunum for killing the video star. In less than one generation, we have seen the meteoric rise and fall of the music video. The ignominious end hastened by the likes of Puck, Pedro, and recently, a long line of undereducated, over served frat dicks, flaming homosexuals and girls with a severe shortage of self respect and strong moral foundation.

Most QLE readers remember (or almost remember) the beginning of the music video era:


And for the next twenty years or so, the music video became the ultimate marketing vehicle. Disturbing, funny, entertaining, or a downright work of art, the music video allowed for a whole new interpretation and experience of the music you loved.


As MTV digressed into programming so shitty you can't even watch it stoned, videos were pushed over to MTV2, and eventually to a small suite of channels that comes with the Digital Deluxe Silver Subscriber Package, hidden in the upper 400s. However, the video has persevered, with the best of the best becoming viral internet phenomenons.


I will include a couple more of my favorites below, but I would like to create a forum in the comments section of this post to try and create a list of the best music videos of all time. Find them on youtube, post them, and let's see what we can put together. Fight back, bring back the music video!








Here are links to more as I remember them:
Pretty sure I am STILL in love with both of these women from this video.

A scary one...

Videos that are short movies

I remember being SHOCKED by the lyrics of this one


So Sick

More Biggie

Something a little newer

11 comments:

Courtney Lovell said...

Simple perfection below:

"Sledgehammer" by Peter Gabriel
http://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=FHRENR6frpw

and

"Thriller" Obvi!!!!Michael Jackson
here is the federal institution version:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hMnk7lh9M3o

then a 90s classic:

"No Rain" by Blind Melon
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qmVn6b7DdpA

Unknown said...

I don't know if it fits in as one of the "BEST OF ALL TIME" but it's definitely my favorite. Where else can milk cartons fall in love and go to heaven but in a music video?? It's Blur's Coffee and TV
http://www.youtube.com/v/kWUil383us4&rel=1

Matt Stringer said...

Do they still make music video's or have they gone the way of the VHS tape?

Dirty Vegas
"Days Go By"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5oqmhVNk3Hg

A few Fatboy Slim
"Weapon of Choice"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0WW8flwpH-Q

"Praise You"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ULVQOneeZE&feature=related

Jamiroquai
"Virtual Insanity"
http://youtube.com/watch?v=gJmX1z1NY2c

Smashing Pumpkins
"Tonight, Tonight"
http://youtube.com/watch?v=EsZYqaSc4cU

Beastie Boys
"Sabotage"
http://youtube.com/watch?v=H4PN7Xbexq4

Jeff Starr said...

Classic:
Robert Palmer: Addicted To Love
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0U5JfGYx4c

B 52's: Love Shack
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vkMy4YWJb7Y

Snoop Dogg: What's My Name? (Who am I?)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tUwnOsTm96A
(he morphs into a dog!!!)

Recent:
Justice: D.A.N.C.E.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fo_QVq2lGMs
moving shirts?!?!!?!?!?

Best Sports Personality as Musician:
Deion Sanders: Must be the Money
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xyNMz_LxEoA
One of the all time classics, just watch it

Best Turmoil Video
Madonna: Justify My Love
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rfw4XCBB-lw

Best Hype Williams Video
Busta Rhymes: Put your hands where my eyes Can See
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1chIpba4yQ4

Best Black Garbage Sack as Clothes in Video, Video
Missy Elliot: The Rain
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZCbvYY9PKRg

Jeff Starr said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Loganius said...

"Ms. Fat Booty" - Mos Def
http://youtube.com/watch?v=yDL0X7xHESE

My intro to Mos and just a well done video.

"Hip Hop" - Dead Prez
http://youtube.com/watch?v=gHVvxbyqZhs

This video has everything...revolutionary slogans, a dude with leggings on his head, martial arts...Honestly, looking back, i'm surprised this made it on TV.

"Testify" - Rage Against the Machine
http://youtube.com/watch?v=1JSBhI_0at0

"Sleep Now in the Fire" - Rage
http://youtube.com/watch?v=Jz8wU9DdbqU

I get chills watching the live performance part. The filming of the video ACTUALLY led to the market shutting down early.

"Everlong" - Foo Fighters
http://youtube.com/watch?v=4H0BMfqFP9c

Dir. Michel Gondry, who clearly has an obsession with dreams and dream worlds.

"16 Military Wives" - The Decemberists
http://youtube.com/watch?v=E7fzUGR8ZH4

Filmed in Portland. Added points for being a blatant Wes Anderson knockoff.

Loganius said...

And for my "cool like a circus is cool" entry:

"The Safety Dance" - Men Without Hats
http://youtube.com/watch?v=5qW0Edq1KqI

Just watch. Oh the 80s.

Loganius said...

I almost forgot.

"Us" - Regina Spektor
http://youtube.com/watch?v=9pKujuTgtL0

Maybe the greatest technical video in the recent past.

Best. Blog topic. Evar.

Loganius said...

I can't stop...

"Nur Ein Wort" - Wir Sind Helden

Twofer...great video and homage to Bob Dylan.

Anonymous said...

YO:
1. SMACK MY BITCH UP BY PRODIGY BECAUSE IT WAS BANNED FROM MTV FOR ITS AWESOMENESS

2. BIG PIMPIN' & 99 PROBLEMS BY JAY-Z BECAUSE JAY-Z IS THE SHIZZL!

3. BEST MUSIC VIDEO EVER W/ UNRELATED MATERIAL UNRELATED:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pv5zWaTEVkI

4. SIDE NOTE: NOVEMBER RAIN WAS ALSO THE MOST EXPENSIVE MUSIC VIDEO OF ALL TIME.

B said...

Actually scratch that.... GnR's video is #9 ($1,500,000 smackeroos) on the most expensive list. SCREAM by Michael Jackson takes the prize at 7 million happy monkeys or pet rats named Ben whatever suits you the best.

http://www.soyouwanna.com/site/toptens/musicvideos/musicvideos.html