- # Michael Jackson: Thriller
- # Peter Gabriel: Sledgehammer
- # A-ha: Take on Me
- # Queen: Bohemian Rhapsody
- # Madonna: Like a Prayer
- # Robbie Williams: Rock DJ
- # Michael Jackson: Billie Jean
- # The Verve: Bittersweet Symphony
- # Madonna: Vogue
- # Nirvana: Smells Like Teen Spirit
- # Coldplay: The Scientist
- # Michael & Janet Jackson: Scream
- # Pink Floyd: Another Brick in the Wall
- # Christina Aguilera: Dirty
- # REM: Everybody Hurts
- # Outcast: Hey Ya
- # Blur: Coffee & TV
- # Beyoncé: Crazy in Love
- # Madonna: Material Girl
- # Gorillaz: Clint Eastwood
- # Queen: I Want to Break Free
- # Justin Timberlake: Cry Me a River
- # Britney Spears: ...Baby One More Time
- # Radiohead: No Surprises
- # Madness: Baggy Trousers
- # TLC: Waterfalls
- # David Bowie: Ashes to Ashes
- # Foo Fighters: Learn to Fly
- # Electric Six: Gay Bar
- # Weezer: Buddy Holly
- # Eminem: Stan
- # Chris Isaak: Wicked Game
- # U2: The Sweetest Thing
- # The White Stripes: Fell in Love with a Girl
- # Sinead O'Connor: Nothing Compares 2U
- # Red Hot Chili Peppers: Give It Away
- # Guns N Roses: November Rain
- # Fatboy Slim: Weapon of Choice
- # Pulp: Common People
- # Missy Elliot: Get Ur Freak On
- # The Spice Girls: Wannabe
- # Bjork: It's Oh So Quiet
- # Dire Straits: Money for Nothing
- # Kylie Minogue: Can't Get You Out of My Head
- # Aerosmith: Crazy
- # Adam & the Ants: Prince Charming
- # The Prodigy: Fire starter
- # Johnny Cash: Hurt
- # Jamiroquai: Virtual Insanity
- # Paul Simon: You Can Call Me Al
- # Run DMC & Aerosmith: Walk This Way
- # Massive Attack: Teardrop
- # Wham: Club Tropicana
- # Daft Punk: Around the World
- # Fatboy Slim: Praise You
- # Eminem: Without Me
- # Meatloaf: I'd Do Anything for Love (But I Won't Do That)
- # The Cure: Close to Me
- # Abba: Knowing Me, Knowing You
- # Eurythmics: Sweet Dreams
- # The Prodigy: Smack My Bitch Up
- # Blur: Parklife
- # George Michael: Outside
- # Bjork: Human Behaviour
- # Aphex Twin: Windowlicker
- # Bob Dylan: Subterranean Homesick Blues
- # The Beastie Boys: Sabotage
- # Madonna: Ray of Light
- # Frankie Goes to Hollywood: Two Tribes
- # The Police: Every Breath You Take
- # Bjork: All Is Full of Love
- # Robert Palmer: Addicted to Love
- # Basement Jaxx: Where's Your Head At?
- # Wu-Tang Clan: Gravel Pit
- # Duran Duran: Rio
- # The Beatles: Strawberry Fields
- # MC Hammer: U Can't Touch This
- # Godley and Creme: Cry
- # New Order: True Faith
- # Radiohead: Just
- # Ultravox: Vienna
- # 50 Cent: In Da Club
- # Shakespear's Sister: Stay
- # The Boomtown Rats: I Don't Like Mondays
- # Sid Vicious: My Way
- # The Streets: Fit But You Know It
- # Talking Heads: Once in a Lifetime
- # Elton John: I Want Love
- # Smashing Pumpkins: Tonight Tonight
- # The Pet Shop Boys: Go West
- # The Specials: Ghost Town
- # Herbie Hancock: Rockit
- # The Rolling Stones: We Love You
- # Bonnie Tyler: Total Eclipse of the Heart
- # The Cardigans: My Favourite Game
- # So Solid Crew: 21 Seconds
- # Cornershop: Brimful of Asha
- # Bronski Beat: Smalltown Boy
- # Supergrass: Pumping on Your Stereo
- # Musical Youth: Pass the Dutchie
At number 96 is another boy band called So Solid Crew- 21 seconds which was made in 2001. This was the bands first record and proved to be a great success as it sold thousands of copies worldwide and up to now is still an inspiration to artists such as Dizzie Rascal and Chipmunk. The band was made up of a large volume of people and within the record each person had 21 seconds to introduce themselves in their lyrics. The record was very popular amongst young teenagers as there performance at tour were always packed with young, vibrant teenagers. Unfortunately racism started to occur as the stereotypical idea of a group of black boys looking for trouble started being mentioned about and before the band could progress as artists police stopped them from performing due to the assumptions of the band encouraging gang violence. This music video was significant because it was about young kids escaping and doing what they want to do without society suppressing them, this concept made it such a successful record.
At number 92 is Herbie Hancock with 'Rockit' which was made in 1983. The discrimination against black people also had an impact in the music industry as record labels didn't let black people produce music because MTV wouldn't show the videos if they had black artists. White people had to sing for them and be in the music videos and because of this black people were limited in the amount of profit the would make from producing music, this was the situation in America at this period. In this music video glimpse of Herbie would be seen as the video progressed as the record label could have fully have him in the video otherwise MTV would have allowed it to be shown. This music video was significant because it broke the way in which MTV viewed black people's music and opened doors for hip hop. Because of Herbie's break though to MTV it made possible for black people now to produce music and as well be in the videos on MTV.
At number 88 is Elton John with 'I want love' which was made in 2001. Because of Elton's phobia of being in music videos he got former drug addict Robert Downey Junior to perform and lip sync the lyrics. Elton successfully managed to get Robert Downey Junior out of rehab in order to be in the music video which he was over the moon with as Robert's performance he said to have been amazing and better than be had pictured it. This music video was significant because it was an intensive song about love and Robert really captured the concept of it and emotions of this current life in rehab could be seen through his facial expressions.
At number 85 is the rock artist Sid Vicious with 'My Way' which was made in 1973. Sid was highly criticised by people for not being able to sing or play instruments. The one thing which make Sid such a success was his image because he looked the part. Sid was notorious of being a rebel in life, he was well known for this due to his murdered on his girlfriend Nancy Spungun. This insanity and danger was shown on stage during his performance in the music video. This music video was significant being it reflected Sid's life and was seen as a real artist who spoke the truth and is still up to today.
At 79 is New Order- True Faith. The record label gave the producers of this music video a sustainably large budget to make the music video which they made full use of. After the making and release of he music video it was said that they lost a lot money from it as the record didn't sell as much as it should have in order for profit to be made. There was also questions on whether the lyrics had anything to do with the video as it was full of irrelevant objects, costuming and performances. The music video was significant simply because of its image as it was unique and different.
At number 78 is Godley and Crème with their single 'Cry'. This was filming in 1985 with a substantially low budge as the video was simply full of casts with interesting faces. The band got these people through an agent they hired and filmed head shots of each individual miming the lyrics of the song. Through the course of the video the faces would merge into another persons face and with the use of special effects they were able to make it look realistic. This was cutting edge technology used to do this at the time. The band worked together for a while but then unfortunately split up and went their separate ways to make music independently. This music video was significant because of the idea behind it as the concept was to get different people no matter what their race was to single a song together in harmony displaying world peace.
At number 73 was Basement Jaxx with 'Where's your head at' which was made in 2001. This video consisted of a prolong at the beginning before the actual music video which helped tell a little story. The video can be seen to be quiet disturbing and weird in a way due to some of the visual sense. The music video had monkey's who acted as the band members and they had instruments and were performing. That is more on less what the video is about as there is no real message or significant purpose behind the video.
At number 69 is Frankie Goes To Hollywood with there second record 'Two Tribes'. There previous music video got band by the BBC therefore wasn't able to be as big of a success as it could have. This record was there follow up single which became a massive hit. Tend were even made after its release as "Frankie Says" t-shirt became a fashion tend amongst young children., I.e. Frankie Says.. Don't Go To War. The music video talks about the cold war which why the record is so significant. The video displays a punch up between two national representatives fighting in a ring with people surrounding watching.
At number 66 is Bob Dylan with his record 'Subterranean homesick blues (1965). At this period Bod was at his peak as he was one of the greatest sing and song writers at this time. He was a symbolic and iconic figure because there was a sort of cool swag about the way he carried and presented himself. In the video there are parts were he is out of time which the person holding the lyrics but it didn't matter because he was so highly rated. The music video was all filmed in one take, some would even say that it wasn't in fact a proper music video as it simply displayed a man holding pieces of paper with some of the songs lyrics which was poorly written on the sheet of paper as their were even spelling errors. This music video however led a parody as loads of other musicians and TV adverts copied the lyric on paper idea.
At 63 is the well known George Michael with his previous number 1 record "Outside" which was recorded in 1998. This music video was significant because it revelled the truth behind his sexuality. The music video shows us his real self and is unique because it displays George Michael in a different way because he wasn't dressed as he would have been expected to. George Michael before this music video never cam our with his sexuality because he thought that it would ruin his career so he kept it away from the public. After the release of this record it was proven to not be the case as his fans still stuck with him and loved his music which was why it became a smash hit. The video also reflects his real life as was arrested for trying to have sex with a police officer in a toilet, this was the reason for the whole police officer custom as it can be seen to be a mockery towards to officer who arrested him.
At number 61 is The Prodigy with 'Smack my bitch up' which was made in 1997. This music video was shot from a persons point of view, it was all filmed in one take. The significant message being the video was to enjoy being a boy, drunk and have fun. The video however is also very explicit in nudity and can be quiet shocking to certain viewers. The sexual politics can be questioned in the music video as at the end the reflection of the assumed man turns out to be a women. This could be interpreted to display the message of homosexuals being able to have a good time.
At number 55 is Fatboy Slim also known as Norman Cook with "Praise You" which was made in 1999. This music video is significant as it portrays the message that you can do what you want in a music video with the best dancers or amazing special effects. The music video was secretly filmed by tourists and everything which happened in the video was real and not acted by the audience. The video was effective because it was unique and different as it is not the typical music video, it can even be mistaken for not being one as it was weird and lacked real quality.
At number 49 was Jamiroquai with 'Virtual Insanity'. The song itself was a bit boring and dull as there was no real spark in excitement to it. However the video to the song was very good mostly due to the special effects used. It was significant and will be remembered for the moving chairs. The music video also won MTV's Best Music Video Award.
At number 31 is the rap legend Eminem with 'Stan'. This song was significant because it demonstrated domestic abuse and how it was an aspect in his personal life. critics have said that this is one of Eminem's best music video and song because it embodies the true nature of the artist and tell us a symbolic story which is evident in modern life. The character laying Eminem in the video display excellent lip syncing skills and really brought out some of the emotion distress it took Eminem to where he is today.
At number 27 was David Bowe with 'Ashes To Ashes' which was made in 1980, 34 years ago now. This music video consisted of 3 parts of David's ID acting in all sorts of different ways. The video was made before MTV was present, this was a period were technology was not as developed making the editing process for music videos very tricky. This was not reflected in this video as the editing was spot on and visually interesting. The video became famous for people trying to interpret the meaning of the video. There were lots of possible ideas to define the meaning of the video which made it even more better as a music video as the audience were able to make whatever they pleased of the video without being incorrect, as in actual fact the video had no meaning to it.
At number 21 was Queen- 'I Want To Break Free' which was record in 1984. The music video displayed all the band members and male figure dressed as women and acting like they were gay. In actual fact, the music was in fact a symbolic message stating that Freddy Mercury was gay. After hearing this people across the world were shocked by this as they always thought he was straight due to his interests in women when being interviewed. In Britain nobody really cared that he was gay and the record still became a massive hit in the UK. However, in America this killed off this career as people stopped buying the bands records.
At number 17 is Blur with 'Coffee & TV' which was made in 1999. The music video is all about a milk carton on a journey. As ridiculous it may sound the record was actually it due to its originality and has became such a classic. It wasn't the greatest song but the video was. At the production stage there was in fact a person inside of the milk carton who was doing all of the silly movement. Via the use of green screen they were able to make the carton look miniature and add the background to make it look real.
At number 10 is the sexy Christina Aguilera with 'Dirrty'. When the music video to this record was released there was a lot of controversy on the image she was trying to portray on female independence and the idea on how growing up as a female is like. This was the message Christina tried to portray but in actual fact many women did not agree to it as they thought it was too explicit and presented women as sex assets. I personally remember seeing this music video when I was younger and it first came out on The Chart Show on TV and I remember being star struck by the level of nudity and sexual connotations in the video, at the time it was one defiantly one of the most explicit music video I had every seen. But now it doesn't seem to be as significant anymore from the lights of other artists such as Miley Cyrus trying to replicate the young, free and sexy image Christina displayed. Although form saying all of this the single did become a number hit in the charts and sold a lot across America and in the UK.
At number 8 is 'The Verve' with Buttersweet Symphony which was released in 1997. The music video was very simple and basic because it was simply about a Northerner coming down to London with a bad attitude with some sort of motivation as barges and forces his way across the street. This music video was significant because it reflected how things were at the current period in time as many Northerners when going to London to watch football games would do so with such attitude as back then there was a massive hype when Northerners came down to London. The video highlights the importance British football had on people at the time and the dramatic effects it had on fans. The video proved to be a massive hit, even up till today the viewing amount seems to always be increasing with now over 60million views on YouTube.
At number 5 was Madonna with 'Like a prayer' which was made in 1989. The music video to this record is one of or if not the most controversial video she has ever had. The video was meant to be a sort of parable to women but instead it came out as a very offensive video because it was about a black Jesus who ends up making love to Madonna. This offended many religious believers and racial associations as there is a part in the video were a black man is arrested for a crime he didn't commit which was seen as a stereotype. Because of all of the offensive connotations in the video it also effected her in reality as at this period Pepsi had a sponsorship deal with her but after this release of this video they cancelled the deal. Madonna somehow still managed to keep millions of pounds from the deal, she was a very clever artist and the concepts to this video had said to have been done deliberately in order to draw attention which it did. Madonna did not loose significant fans after this as loads of people still bought the record because at the end of the day people are more concerned about the song which in this case was excellent. Madonna's voice was beautiful on the track and had a nice rhythm to it.
At number 3 is the classic single 'Take me on' by A-Ha which was released in 1985. This was a great example of why music videos are significant because the level of creativity and use of special effects with the comic images mixed with reality is still intriguing to watch even up till today. The song itself was not all that but because of the video it made the song a multi million record. Despite the video being so old you cant help but wonder how the director managed to merge the comic images with real images throughout the video. The record set a new bar in terms of the production of music videos because it was so creative. The record won MTV video award in 1985 and despite the huge amount of money spent on the video it sold millions worldwide exceeding its breakeven point and reached number 1 in USA and stayed there for quite some time. I believe the reason why this music video is so significant is because after 30years of its production it still look relevant and not out of date with most of the old music videos at the period look like.
At number 1 is the King Of Pop himself Michael Jackson with the most sold record ever 'Thriller'. The production of this video was influenced by an American werewolf horror film which Michael watched and really enjoyed. From this he hired the director of the film to direct his music video. After introducing the idea to the production team many people was against it as the expenses were ridiculous and the chances of profit due to such an high budget was very low. Michael did not listen to all the criticism as he new that it was going to be a hit, this proved to not have been an understatement. When the music video fist came out it wasn't shown on MTV or other music channels because of how frightening the video was to younger viewers, it was only shown after midnight on a Friday so many people would stay up late just to watch the video. The music video really captured Michael's talent in dancing as there was a scene in the video of him dancing whilst walking with a girl, all the dance moves were improvised, none of them were routine which was a real embodiment of capturing the moment. The music video is like a movie, this took things to another level in terms of music video entertainment as it had never been seen before, Michael Jackson didn't know it himself that he would be making history with this record 'Thriller' as it was just another good idea to him, but with the introduction of new dance moves, top of the range cinematography and editing the single has become one of the best music videos to had ever been made. The video is around 13mins long but after while of its released MTV decided to shorten the video up and cut out some of the horrific footages and played it on there station. The song immediately became number 1 and stayed there for sometime. The record sold over 50million copies worldwide which even up to today is recorded as the most selling record of all time. But most importantly, this music video is significant because it inspired lots of artists and will still continue to do so.
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