Rock the House: The Best Music Videos of All Time

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Contributors: Andranick Tanguiane, Fred Lerdahl,

Here are our picks for the best music videos of all time. These videos truly rocked the house and set the standard for what a great music video should be.

“Rock the House”: The Best Music Videos of All Time

When it comes to music videos, there are a lot of ways to make a great one. You can go for something artful and abstract, or something that tells a story. You can go for something funny, or something that will make people dance. But whatever approach you take, there are a few things that all great music videos have in common.

First, they all have great songs. This might seem obvious, but it’s important to remember that not every great song has a great video (and vice versa). The song has to be catchy and memorable, with a hook that will keep people coming back for more.

Second, they all have inventive visuals. A great music video should be more than just a band performing their latest single. It should be a work of art in its own right, with images that complement and enhance the song.

And finally, they all have an element of fun. A good music video should be entertaining to watch, even if you’re not a huge fan of the song itself. It should make you want to move your feet and maybe even sing along.

With all that in mind, here are 10 of the best music videos of all time:

1) ” Thriller” by Michael Jackson
2) ” Take on Me” by A-ha
3) “Smells Like Teen Spirit” by Nirvana
4) ” California Girls” by Katy Perry
5) ” Gangnam Style” by Psy
6) ” Uptown Funk” by Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars
7) ” Taylor Swift Shake It Off”
8) ” Emily’s D+ Evolution” CD Projekt Red / Platige Image 9)” stressing out / theroachattack 10)”Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.)” – Katy Perry

The Best Music Videos of All Time: Rock the House

Rock the House is a 1991 music video by The Go-Go’s. Released on January 21, 1991, the video features the band playing in a house party setting. The video was directed by Tamra Davis and was filmed in Los Angeles, California.

The video was nominated for three MTV Video Music Awards, winning two for Best Group Video and Best Editing. In 2011, Rolling Stone ranked “Rock the House” #45 on their list of the 100 Greatest Music Videos of All Time.

The video opens with lead singer Belinda Carlisle walking down a street in Los Angeles, California as she makes her way to a house party. The party is in full swing by the time she arrives, and Carlisle soon joins in on the fun. The band is seen performing throughout the party, with various partygoers dancing along. As the video comes to an end, Carlisle is seen leaving the party alone as she waves goodbye to her friends.

The Best Rock Music Videos of All Time

Rock music has always been about more than just the sound – it’s also about the attitude and the image. And that’s never been more true than in the world of rock music videos.

From the early days of MTV to the present, rock music videos have always pushed the envelope, whether it’s with groundbreaking visuals, controversially sexual imagery, or just good old-fashioned rock ‘n’ roll excess.

So in honor of those boundary-pushing videos, we’ve compiled a list of what we think are the best rock music videos of all time. These are the videos that made us want to pick up a guitar and start a band, that defined what it meant to be a rock star, and that continue to inspire us today.

The Best Pop Music Videos of All Time

While it’s hard to definitively say which pop music video is the best of all time, there are a few that come close. Here are 10 of the best pop music videos of all time, in no particular order.

1. “Thriller” by Michael Jackson: The king of pop teamed up with legendary horror director John Landis for this now-iconic video, which features Jackson dancing with zombies in a graveyard.

2. “Like a Prayer” by Madonna: Madonna caused controversy with this video, which features religious imagery and a scene where she appears to be masturbating.

3. “born in the U.S.A.” by Bruce Springsteen: This black-and-white video features Springsteen and his band performing in front of an American flag.

4. “Baby One More Time” by Britney Spears: Britney Spears burst onto the scene with this debut video, which features her dancing in a schoolgirl outfit.

5. “ Ray of Light” by Madonna: This visually stunning video was directed by Jonas Åkerlund and features footage of Madonna shot during her trips to India and Africa.

6. “Smells Like Teen Spirit” by Nirvana: This grunge classic features Nirvana performing in a high school gymnasium, intercut with footage of teenage wastelanders moshing around aimlessly.

7. “Black or White” by Michael Jackson: This groundbreaking video was directed by Landis and featured computer-generated effects that allowed Jackson to transform into various animals and people.

8. “ Vogue” by Madonna: Another Åkerlund-directed masterpiece, this black-and-white video features Madonna and her friends voguing (a dance style popularized by the LGBTQ community) in various glamorous looks.

9. “ Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’” by Michael Jackson: This classic Jackson video features him dancing with zombies (again) in a funhouse mirror maze.

10. “bad guy” Billie Eilish: The debut single from 17-year-old sensation Billie Eilish, “bad guy” was directed by Eilish’s brother Finneas O’Connell and shot entirely on an iPhone

The Best Hip Hop Music Videos of All Time

In the hip hop world, a music video is not simply a promotional tool – it’s an art form in itself. A well-made hip hop music video can transcend the song itself and become iconic, becoming just as important to the culture as the music. Here are 10 of the best hip hop music videos of all time.

1. “Holidays” by Run DMC
2. “Walk This Way” by Run DMC ft. Aerosmith
3. “Fight The Power” by Public Enemy
4. “Can’t Truss It” by Public Enemy
5. “99 Problems” by Jay Z
6. “Runnin’ (Dying To Live)” by Tupac ft. Outlawz
7. “California Love” by 2Pac ft. Dr. Dre & Roger Troutman
8. “Nuthin’ But A ‘G’ Thang” by Dr Dre ft Snoop Dogg
9. “ COME ON Eileen ” – Dexy’s Midnight Runners – Not Hip Hop I know but still a BOP
10. “Umbrella” By Rihanna ft Jay Z

The Best Country Music Videos of All Time

When it comes to great music videos, country artists know how to put on a show. From funny to heartwarming to downright sexy, these are the best country music videos of all time.

1. “She’s in Love with the Boy” by Trisha Yearwood
Trisha Yearwood’s debut music video is a classic story of young love. She plays a high school girl who is head over heels for the star quarterback, played by her real-life husband Garth Brooks. The video was directed by Jon Small, who went on to direct many of Brooks’ biggest hits.

2. “Achy Breaky Heart” by Billy Ray Cyrus
Billy Ray Cyrus’ megahit “Achy Breaky Heart” became an instant country classic when it was released in 1992. The accompanying music video was just as iconic, featuring Cyrus line dancing in a cowboy hat and tight jeans. The video was directed by Julius Erving and choreographed by Louis van Amstel, who would later go on to choreograph the popular TV show “Dancing with the Stars.”

3. “Little Expeceted Kisses” by Reba McEntire & Vince Gill
This duet between country superstar Reba McEntire and bluegrass legend Vince Gill is one of the most beautiful love songs ever written. The musical chemistry between the two artists is undeniable, and their vocal performances are nothing short of perfect. The intimate music video features the two singing to each other in a field of wildflowers, making for a truly romantic moment.

4.”That Don’t Impress Me Much” by Shania Twain
Shania Twain’s breakout hit “That Don’t Impress Me Much” quickly turned her into a global superstar. The song’s sassy lyrics and catchy melody made it an instant favorite, and the accompanying music video only added to its appeal. Set against the backdrop of the Nevada desert, the video features Twain looking gorgeous as she takes down a series of suitors who try to impress her (but fail miserably).

5.”I Will Always Love You” by Brad Paisley & Carrie Underwood
This duet between Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood is one of the most beautiful love songs ever written. The two country superstars sing about never giving up on each other, no matter what life throws their way, and their vocals are absolutely stunning. The music video features the two singing to each other in a field of wildflowers, making for a truly romantic moment.

The Best Electronic Music Videos of All Time

There are music videos, and then there are electronic music videos. The best electronic music videos are the ones that transport you into another world, one that’s driven by an insatiable beat and a dazzling visual aesthetic. Here are ten of the best electronic music videos of all time.

1. Daft Punk – “Around the World”

2. The Chemical Brothers – “Hey Boy Hey Girl”

3. Fatboy Slim – “Praise You”

4. Justice – “D.A.N.C.E.”

5. LCD Soundsystem – “All I Want”

6. Étienne de Crécy – “Scratched”

7. CloZee – “Koto”

8. Bob Moses – “Tearing Me Up”

9. Odesza – “Say My Name (feat. Zyra)” 10 Knife Party – “Boss Mode”

The Best Music Videos of All Time: By Genre

When it comes to music videos, there are many different genres and styles to choose from. Whether you’re a fan of hip hop or country, there’s bound to be a music video out there that you love. To help narrow down the choices, we’ve compiled a list of the best music videos of all time, by genre.

Hip Hop:

-Eminem – “Lose Yourself”
-Nas – “I Can”
-Kendrick Lamar – “Alright”
-2Pac – “California Love”
-Notorious B.I.G. – “Mo Money Mo Problems”

Country:

-Kenny Chesney – “Don’t Blink”
-Tim McGraw – “Live Like You Were Dying”
-Garth Brooks – “Friends in Low Places”

Pop:
-Britney Spears – “…Baby One More Time”
-NSYNC – “Bye Bye Bye”
-Christina Aguilera, Lil’ Kim, Mya, P!nk – “Lady Marmalade” Christina Aguilera – “Genie in a Bottle”

Rock:
-Guns N’ Roses – “Welcome to the Jungle”
-Led Zeppelin – “Stairway to Heaven” Pink Floyd – “Another Brick in the Wall (Part II)”

The Best Music Videos of All Time: By Year

To many, music videos are an afterthought—mere promos for songs that exist primarily to be performed live. Others believe that they’re an art form in their own right, capable of stand-alone greatness. No matter which camp you fall into, it’s hard to deny the influence that music videos have had on pop culture at large.

Since the launch of MTV in 1981, music videos have come to occupy a central place in the marketing and promotion of popular music. No longer confined to radio airplay and word-of-mouth, artists now have a visual component with which to reach their audiences. And while some may argue that the golden age of the music video is long gone, there’s no denying the lasting impact that these short films have had on both the music industry and popular culture at large.

To celebrate the best of the best, we’ve compiled a list of the greatest music videos of all time—one for each year since 1981. From early classics like Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” to more recent viral sensations like OK Go’s “Here It Goes Again,” these are the videos that have changed the game and defined an art form.

1981: The Buggles – “Video Killed The Radio Star”
1982: Michael Jackson – “Thriller”
1983: David Bowie – “Let’s Dance”
1984: Bruce Springsteen – “Dancing In The Dark”
1985: a-ha – “Take On Me”
1986: Peter Gabriel – “Sledgehammer”
1987: Guns N’ Roses – “Welcome To The Jungle”
1988: Metallica – “One”
1989: Madonna – “Like A Prayer”
1990: Neil Young – “Rocking In The Free World”
1991: R.E.M. – Losing My Religion

The Best Music Videos of All Time: By Decade

The 1980s were a golden age for music videos, with the advent of MTV and the rise of the one-hit wonder. From hair metal to hip hop, there was something for everyone in the 1980s. Here are our picks for the best music videos of the 1980s.

We start withBilly Idol’s “White Wedding.” This classic video features Idol as a bridegroom-turned-zombie, complete with black eye makeup and a tuxedo covered in blood. It’s a perfect example of the excess and gore that defined many music videos in the 1980s.

Next up is Michael Jackson’s “Thriller.” This video redefined what a music video could be, with its iconic choreography, special effects, and narrative storytelling. It’s hard to imagine anything topping “Thriller,” but Jackson did it with his next video, “Bad.” “Bad” features Jackson as a gang leader who takes on another gang leader in a dance battle. The video is full of amazing dance moves and Jackson’s signature style.

Last but not least is Madonna’s “Like a Prayer.” This erotic and controversial video featured Madonna kissing a black saint, dancing in front of burning crosses, and using religious imagery to explore her own sexuality. It was banned by many television networks, but that only made it more popular.

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