250 Greatest Music Videos of All Time
2023 UPDATE: This list of the 250 greatest music videos of all time is ranked through a combination of various different factors. Those include appearances on a critics’ or fans’ list, for winning or being nominated for awards, and for achieving a certain number of views on YouTube. Learn more about the methodology at this link.
# 249
High by the Beach
Artist: Lana Del Rey
Set in a luxurious beachside abode, our sultry songstress takes us on a dreamy journey, complete with sweeping ocean views and sun-drenched interiors.
Read More# 246
Want You Back
Artist: Haim
In the delightfully quirky music video for Want You Back by Haim, we witness an effortlessly cool trio of sisters strutting their stuff down the streets of LA.
Read More# 245
A$AP Forever
Artist: A$AP Rocky
This masterpiece showcases A$AP Rocky’s unparalleled style and artistic prowess, as he navigates through a cityscape that seems to bend and warp with every beat.
Read More# 243
Whack World
Artist: Tierra Whack
This 15-minute masterpiece showcases the artist’s one-of-a-kind creativity, as it takes viewers on a bizarre journey through a series of 1-minute vignettes, each corresponding to a different track on her groundbreaking album.
Read More# 242
Dead End Street
Artist: The Kinks
Set against a bleak, monochromatic backdrop, the video showcases The Kinks navigating their way through dilapidated surroundings while dressed as undertakers, symbolizing the somber undertones of the song
Read More# 241
Lose Yourself
Artist: Eminem
Directed by Eminem himself, alongside Philip G. Atwell, the video skillfully interweaves scenes from the critically acclaimed movie ”
Read More# 240
Love the Way You Lie
Artist: Eminem
In the sizzling and emotionally charged music video for “Love the Way You Lie,” Eminem and Rihanna take us on a rollercoaster ride through the turbulent world of a toxic relationship.
Read More# 238
Need You Tonight / Mediate
Artist: INXS
The video was directed by Richard Lowenstein, who gave it a gritty, edgy feel that helped to make it stand out.
Read More# 237
Rolling in the Deep
Artist: Adele
From a mysterious dancer gracefully expressing her pain through movement, to a room filled with rhythmic vibrations from hundreds of water-filled glasses, Adele’s anguish is palpable.
Read More# 236
Gangsta’s Paradise
Artist: Coolio
The juxtaposition of Coolio’s introspective performance with scenes of violence and despair serves to emphasize the complex layers of vulnerability and strength that define the “gangsta” persona.
Read More# 235
Good Vibrations
Artist: The Beach Boys
With its kaleidoscopic visuals, bell-bottomed outfits, and the band’s legendary harmonies, the video transports viewers back to a time of peace, love, and good vibrations.
Read More# 234
Don’t Let Me Down
Artist: The Beatles
This historic moment is an unforgettable testament to The Beatles’ timeless appeal and unyielding impact on popular culture.
Read More# 233
(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction
Artist: Devo
The video showcases the band’s unique style and aesthetic, featuring their signature futuristic costumes, angular movements, and a stark, minimalistic set design.
Read More# 232
Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough
Artist: Michael Jackson
“Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough” is a great music video that is filled with energy and creativity. The choreography, visuals, and music all combine to create a powerful piece that is sure to stay in viewers’ minds for a long time.
Read More# 231
Atmosphere
Artist: Joy Division
The music video for the track, released in 1988, is a fitting accompaniment to the song, with its use of black and white footage, and the overall bleakness of the imagery.
Read More# 230
Gimmie All Your Lovin’
Artist: ZZ Top
The video is set in a nightclub and features ZZ Top performing the song onstage. The band is seen wearing their iconic sunglasses and Stetson hats. The video also features a number of female dancers and models wearing skimpy outfits, adding to the overall energy of the video.
Read More# 228
I Want to Break Free
Artist: Queen
he four members of the band don hilariously over-the-top drag outfits, with Freddie Mercury stealing the show as the sultry housewife. From vacuuming the living room to dancing with a troupe of ballet dancers, the band members pull out all the stops to convey their desire to break free from societal norms and expectations.
Read More# 227
We’re Not Gonna Take It
Artist: Twisted Sister
The music video for Twisted Sister’s 1984 hit single “We’re Not Gonna Take It” is downright cool.
Read More# 226
Running Up That Hill
Artist: Kate Bush
As the pulsating beat drives the narrative forward, we see the iconic Kate Bush dancing her way through a kaleidoscope of striking visuals, effortlessly blending the lines between reality and fantasy.
Read More# 225
Never Gonna Give You Up
Artist: Rick Astley
The video, a quintessential ’80s gem, features classic visuals of Astley in various settings, from a warehouse to a rooftop. The infectious chorus, paired with his irresistible charm and charisma, has made this masterpiece an unforgettable anthem for both love and internet pranksters alike.
Read More# 224
Sweet Child o’ Mine
Artist: Guns N’ Roses
The video for Sweet Child O’ Mine features some of the band’s most iconic images, such as Rose’s black hat, Slash’s top hat and Duff’s tattoos.
Read More# 221
Mama Said Knock You Out
Artist: LL Cool J
The video perfectly captures LL Cool J’s determination to prove all his haters wrong.
Read More# 220
Remember the Time
Artist: Michael Jackson
The 1992 Remember the Time music video was a tribute to the King of Pop’s past, with a number of references to his childhood and career. It featured an all-star cast, including Magic Johnson and Eddie Murphy.
Read More# 219
Insane in the Brain
Artist: Cypress Hill
This visual extravaganza transports viewers into a zany world of oversized skulls, floating eyeballs, and luminous animations that pulsate in perfect synchrony with the iconic beats.
Read More# 218
Hyperballad
Artist: Bjork
Featuring Björk in a serene, dream-like landscape, the video utilizes a blend of live action and stop-motion animation, creating a mesmerizing and otherworldly atmosphere.
Read More# 217
Ready or Not
Artist: Fugees
This captivating video showcases the trio’s powerful lyrics, soulful harmonies, and infectious beats as they deliver a message of resilience and determination.
Read More# 216
Amish Paradise
Artist: “Weird Al” Yankovic
The video features an array of peculiar Amish activities like churning butter, raising barns, and even a scene of Yankovic plowing the fields with his homies. As the video unfolds, viewers are treated to a hilarious montage of Amish life, complete with old-school fashion and bizarre dance moves.
Read More# 215
Intergalactic
Artist: Beastie Boys
Set in a futuristic metropolis, the video showcases the Beastie Boys’ trademark quirky style and energetic performance as they emerge from a subway station in robot suits, engaging in an epic battle with a giant octopus-like creature.
Read More# 214
No Surprises
Artist: Radiohead
The video showcases lead singer Thom Yorke, encased within a gradually filling water chamber, singing the melancholic tune with an eerie calmness. As the water level rises, Yorke continues his stoic performance, seemingly unfazed by the impending submersion.
Read More# 213
Man! I Feel Like a Woman!
Artist: Shania Twain
With its engaging visuals, energetic choreography, and Twain’s undeniable charisma, the “Man! I Feel Like a Woman!” music video remains a beloved and influential piece of pop culture history.
Read More# 212
Big Pimpin’
Artist: Jay-Z
In the ever-stylish realm of hip-hop, few music videos can hold a candle to the opulent extravaganza that is “Big Pimpin’.”
Read More# 211
Pyramid Song
Artist: Radiohead
In true Radiohead fashion, the video leaves us pondering the mysteries of existence, as our hero transcends the watery depths and soars towards the celestial heavens.
Read More# 210
Rollout (My Business)
Artist: Ludacris
As the music pulses and the performers groove, you’ll find yourself immersed in a world where business and pleasure harmoniously coexist.
Read More# 209
Clint Eastwood
Artist: Gorillaz
The catchy tune, accompanied by the memorable chorus, “I ain’t happy, I’m feeling glad, I got sunshine in a bag,” is contrasted by the eerie backdrop of eerie graveyard scenes, zombie gorilla invasions, and an omnipresent, sinister spirit.
Read More# 208
Seven Nation Army
Artist: The White Stripes
The video plunges us into a world of black, white, and red, as we follow the iconic duo, Jack and Meg White, on a surreal journey through a seemingly endless tunnel of triangles.
Read More# 206
Good Morning
Artist: Kanye West
In the vibrant music video for “Good Morning” by Kanye West, we embark on a whimsical journey alongside our animated protagonist, Dropout Bear.
Read More# 204
Welcome to the Black Parade
Artist: My Chemical Romance
The video expertly blends theatrics, symbolism, and storytelling, giving viewers a front row seat to the band’s extravagant emo-rock parade.
Read More# 203
Never Catch Me
Artist: Kendrick Lamar
Never Catch Me’s powerful imagery and moving choreography highlight the fleeting nature of life, and the way in which death can both unite and divide us.
Read More# 202
Side to Side
Artist: Ariana Grande
In the uber-stylish music video for “Side to Side,” pop powerhouse Ariana Grande and rap queen Nicki Minaj team up to deliver a sultry, sassy, and sweat-inducing performance.
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