The 10 Best Glam Rock Music Videos of All Time

Glam rock was a particularly flamboyant and visually dazzling subgenre of rock music that emerged in the early 1970s. Glam rockers favored outrageous costumes, makeup, and hairstyles, and they often incorporated elements of pop music into their sound.

While glam rock’s popularity was relatively short-lived, the genre left a lasting impression on both the music industry and popular culture at large. In honor of glam rock’s enduring legacy, we’ve compiled a list of the 10 best glam rock music videos of all time. So put on your sequined jumpsuit, turn up the volume, and enjoy!

1. “School’s Out” by Alice Cooper (1972)
2. “All the Young Dudes” by Mott the Hoople (1972)
3. “Raw Power” by Iggy Pop & The Stooges (1973)
4. “Search and Destroy” by The Stooges (1973)
5. “Rock & Roll Part 2” by Gary Glitter (1972)
6. “Suffragette City” by David Bowie (1972)
7. “Ziggy Stardust” by David Bowie (1972)
8. “Bang a Gong (Get It On)” by T. Rex (1971)
9. “Yankee Rose” by David Lee Roth (1986)
10. “C’mon C’mon” by The Darkness (2003)

#1: “Suffragette City” by David Bowie

“Suffragette City” is a song by David Bowie, originally released as a single in 1972. The song was re-released as a single in 1976, reaching number 21 in the UK Singles Chart.

The song is included on the RCA Records reissue of Bowie’s album The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars (1972), as well as on various compilations.

The video for “Suffragette City” was directed by Mick Rock and features Bowie performing the song in a characteristically flamboyant manner, with lots of dry ice and special effects.

#2: “Ziggy Stardust” by David Bowie

2. “Ziggy Stardust” by David Bowie

Bowie’s persona as Ziggy Stardust is one of the most iconic in all of glam rock, and the music video for the title track does not disappoint. The video features Bowie and his band performing the song in a strange, otherworldly setting, with plenty of flashy visuals and special effects to keep viewers entertained.

#3: “The Jean Genie” by David Bowie

“The Jean Genie” is a song by English rock musician David Bowie, released in November 1972. Written partly in tribute to French film star and Bowie icon Alain Delon, and co-produced by Bowie and Ken Scott, the track was one of the last songs recorded for Bowie’s 1972 album The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars.

The song became one of Bowie’s most popular singles, reaching number one in the UK Singles Chart and number two on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in America. It has been described as “Bowie’s first bona fide glam classic” and as “arguably his best single”.

#4: “All the Young Dudes” by Mott the Hoople

Mott the Hoople’s “All the Young Dudes” is a classic glam rock song, and the band’s accompanying music video is just as iconic. The video features the band members dressed in flamboyant costumes and makeup, and performing in front of a glittery backdrop. It’s a fun, flashy visual feast that perfectly captures the spirit of glam rock.

#5: “Raw Power” by Iggy Pop & The Stooges

Iggy Pop & The Stooges’ “Raw Power” is a perfect example of glam rock gone wrong. The over-the-top makeup, the leopard print outfits, the platform heels… it’s all just too much. But that’s what makes it so great. It’s a glorious train wreck of a music video, and it perfectly captures the spirit of glam rock.

#6: “Bang a Gong (Get It On)” by T. Rex

glam rock pioneers T. Rex. The song is one of the band’s most popular, and its distinctive sound made it a radio staple. The video, which was directed by Brian Grant, is a mix of live footage and animation, and features the band performing in a range of wacky outfits. It was groundbreaking at the time, and remains one of the best examples of glam rock style.

#7: “Do It Clean” by Echo & the Bunnymen

“Do It Clean” is a song by the English rock band Echo & the Bunnymen, released as a single in September 1981 on the group’s second album, Crocodiles. The song reached number 34 on the UK Singles Chart.

The music video for “Do It Clean” was directed by Peter Care and released in 1981. The video features the band performing the song in a dimly lit room. Throughout the video, various objects float around the room, including a chandelier, a grandfather clock, and a television set.

#8: “Love My Way” by The Psychedelic Furs

The Psychedelic Furs’ video for “Love My Way” is a perfect example of why the band was one of the most important and influential groups of the ’80s. The video perfectly captures the band’s darkly glamorous aesthetic, with its atmospherically lit shots of singer Richard Butler and his brother/guitarist Tim in various environs (on a rooftop, in an abandoned warehouse, etc.), looking like they just stepped out of a post-punk Fellini film. The clip also features some iconic ’80s fashion, including Judith Butler’s over-the-top hairdo and Richard’s suspenders-and-leather getup.

#9: “People Are Strange” by The Doors

The Doors were one of the most influential bands of the 1960s, and their music continues to be popular today. “People Are Strange” is one of their most iconic songs, and the accompanying music video is a classic example of early glam rock.

The video features the band members dressed in flamboyant costumes, with heavy makeup and big hair. They perform in front of a neon-lit backdrop, giving the whole thing a distinctly otherworldly feel. The whole thing is strangely captivating, and it’s easy to see why it has become one of the most iconic music videos of all time.

#10: “Happy Birthday” by Altered Images

While not as well-known as some of the other videos on this list, Altered Images’ “Happy Birthday” is a perfect example of early-’80s glam. The production values are high, the colors are bright, and Clare Grogan’s performance is perfectly over-the-top.

The 10 Best Glam Rock Music Videos of All Time

Introduction