Top Rock Music Videos of All Time

Here are the top rock music videos of all time, as chosen by music fans and experts.

Introduction

In recent years, the music video has become an important part of the music industry. Artists and bands use music videos to promote their music and to build a fan base. Music videos can also be used to promote a particular message or cause.

There are many different types of rock music, and each type has its own unique style. Rock music can be divided into four main subgenres: hard rock, punk rock, alternative rock, and indie rock.

Hard rock is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Hard rock is characterized by a heavy sound and a aggressive lyrics. Hard rock bands often use distorted guitars and fast tempos.

Punk rock is a genre of rock music that developed in the mid-1970s. Punk rock is characterized by a DIY aesthetic, simple chords, and fast tempos. Punk rock bands often have political or social commentary in their lyrics.

Alternativerock is a genre ofrockmusicthat developed inthe 1980s. Alternativerockis characterized bya wide range ofstyles, including punk, grunge, indie, and Britpop. Alternativerockbands often deal with personal or social issues in their lyrics.

Indie rock is a genre of rock music that developed in the 1990s and 2000s. Indie rock is characterized by an independent spirit and a DIY aesthetic. Indie rock bands often have experimental or unusual sounds.

The Beatles – “A Day in the Life”

The Beatles – “A Day in the Life” dir. Michael Lindsay-Hogg (1967)
The final product of The Beatles’ creative genius, “A Day in the Life” is a landmark in both rock music and music video. The band employed every studio trick in the book to create the track, and director Michael Lindsay-Hogg shot over seven hours of footage for the video, which was edited down to just four minutes. The result is a trippy, dreamlike journey that captures the spirit of The Beatles at their height.

Pink Floyd – “Another Brick in the Wall, Pt. 2”

Released in late 1979, “Another Brick in the Wall, Pt. 2” was Pink Floyd’s first single from The Wall album. It topped the charts in several countries, including the US and UK, and won a Grammy Award for Best Performance by a Rock Duo or Group. The song’s iconic music video featured a group of schoolchildren rebelling against their teacher, and was directed by Gerald Scarfe, who also designed the animation for Pink Floyd’s live shows.

Nirvana – “Smells Like Teen Spirit”

Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit” needs no introduction – it’s simply one of the most iconic and influential rock songs of all time. The music video, directed by Samuel Bayer, perfectly capture’s the song’s raw energy and grungy aesthetic, and features the band performing in a dimly-lit high school gymnasium as a group of apathetic teenagers look on. The video helped to propel Nirvana into the mainstream, and is still just as powerful and relevant today as it was when it was first released.

Radiohead – “Paranoid Android”

Radiohead – “Paranoid Android”
Released in 1997, “Paranoid Android” was the first single from Radiohead’s third album OK Computer. The song is over six minutes long and includes three different sections, each with its own distinct feeling and sound. The music video was directed by Jamie Thraves and features the band performing in front of a projection of close-up footage of faces. The video was nominated for four MTV Video Music Awards, winning two for Best Art Direction and Best Cinematography.

The Rolling Stones – “Gimme Shelter”

The Rolling Stones – “Gimme Shelter” is widely considered to be one of the greatest rock music videos of all time. It was directed by Michael Lindsay-Hogg and released in 1969. The video features the band performing the song live, intercut with footage of various political and social unrest happening at the time. The video is a powerful statement on the tumultuous state of the world in 1969, and it remains just as relevant today.

David Bowie – “Ashes to Ashes”

Ashes to Ashes” is a song by English musician David Bowie, released in 1980 on his album Scary Monsters (and Super Creeps). The second single from that album, it was also a massive hit, becoming one of Bowie’s most successful songs. The lyrics revisit his character Major Tom from the 1969 song “Space Oddity”, and deal with addiction and rebirth.

The song’s music video was directed by Bowie himself and featured some very impressive special effects for its time. It won the MTV Video Music Award for Best Male Video in 1981.

Michael Jackson – “Thriller”

“Thriller” is a song recorded by American singer Michael Jackson, composed by Rod Temperton, and produced by Quincy Jones. It is the seventh and final single released by Epic Records from his 1982 studio album Thriller. A 14-minute music video for the song was directed by John Landis and premiered on MTV on December 2, 1983. The video, which features Jackson in a zombie-like state, has been credited with transforming the music video from a promotional tool to an art form and a hugely influential factor in the success of Thriller and Jackson’s career. The “Thriller” video is often cited as the most influential music video of all time.

Queen – “Bohemian Rhapsody”

Queen – “Bohemian Rhapsody” (1975)

Arguably one of the greatest rock songs of all time, “Bohemian Rhapsody” is a six-minute tour de force that features some of the most iconic vocal performances and guitar work in rock history. The song reached number one on the UK charts and has been covered by numerous artists over the years. The music video is a mix of live action and animation, and features the band performing the song in front of a live audience.

Led Zeppelin – “Stairway to Heaven”

Led Zeppelin – “Stairway to Heaven” is widely considered to be one of the greatest rock songs of all time. The band’s 1971 classic, “Stairway to Heaven,” has been voted the greatest rock song ever by numerous polls and magazines. The song was not released as a single in the United Kingdom until 1975, but still managed to reach number nine on the UK Singles Chart. In 2003, the song was placed at number 31 on Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Songs of All Time list.