LoC 48- Top 50 Music Videos of All Time

[ColeStratton]

BTW, never sat through the entire thing (though I did listen to the Colbert/Fallon version and a podcast (pop my culture, I believe) where the James Urbaniak and others read it as different characters.  

'Twas Pop My Culture, indeed--I had the idea of having them all read it. Urbaniak, in fact, did the bit again at a Paul and Storm show, I believe.

[Starman!]

Here's my list!

1. Thriller - Michael Jackson
2. Closer - NIN
3. Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me, Kill Me - U2
4. Take on Me - A-Ha
5. Billie Jean - Michael Jackson
6. Even Better Than the Real Thing - U2
7. Crash Into Me - Dave Matthews Band
8. Smooth Criminal - Michael Jackson
9. It's All About the Pentiums - Weird Al Yankovic
10. Numb - U2
11. Life in Technicolor ii - Coldplay
12. The Perfect Drug - NIN
13. Wish - NIN
14. Smells Like Nirvana - Weird Al Yankovic
15. I'm Afraid of Americans - David Bowie
16. The Saga Begins - Weird Al Yankovic
17. Black Hole Sun - Soundgarden
18. The Memory Remains- Metallica
19. Enter Sandman - Metallica
20. Knights of Cydonia - Muse
21. Hurt - Johnny Cash
22. Jeremy - Pearl Jam
23. Build Me Up Buttercup - The Goops
24. No Rain - Blind Melon
25. We're Not Gonna Take It - Twisted Sister

Honorable mention: Discotheque by U2.  

[Rattrap007]

1   Goonies R Good Enough - Cindy Lauper - as i said before I LOVE this video. So much cheese
2   Sweep the Leg - No More Kings - How cool is it to get the near entire cast of Karate Kid for a music video. Even the apartment Complex is there!
3   Thriller - Michael Jackson - Iconic!
4   Land of Confusion - Genesis - Kick ass puppets
5   Take on Me - aHa - Pipe Wrench Fight. Cool use of live action and sketch animation
6   Weapon of Choice - Fatboy Slim - Walken automatically makes it
7   Bad - Michael Jackson - You ain't bad. you ain't nothing.
8   Land Down Under - The music video is nearly shot for shot what is said in the lyrics.
9   Billie Jean - M. Jackson - memorable with the light up steps
10   This Too Shall Pass - OK Go - one long shot full of random crap going on
11   Take Me Out - Franz Ferdinand - Weird and kick ass video
12   Smells like nirvana - Weird Al - Fantastic parody video
13   Sledgehammer - Peter gabriel - Another iconic video
14   We didn't start the fire - Billy Joel - All around good video
15   Money for Nothing - Dire Straights - Early CGI animated video
16   I Ran so Far Away - Flock of Seagulls - Mirrors mirrors mirrors
17   Bohemian rhapsody = Queen - Think of the song and you immediately think of the four of them with a light overhead
18   Don't Come Around here no more - Tom Petty - Alice in Wonderland music video.
19   Man on the Moon - REM
20   Addicted to Love - Robert Palmer - Hot chicks..
21   Around the World - Daft Punk - I remember the mummys
22   Whip It - Devo - love the hats
23   Fat - Weird Al - Ding dong yo!
24   Head over Heels - Monkey in a library (also kinda for the literal video
25   CNR - Weird Al - Love Charles Nelson Riley and JibJab. combine both and get awesome video/song

[Darth Geek]

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/2KZLojGm7s0?version=3" target="_blank" class="new_win">http://www.youtube.com/v/2KZLojGm7s0?version=3</a>

Money for Nothing
Dire Straits

Wow! I had no idea that the Wierd Al parody video in UHF was so much like the real thing. I just thought it was a wierd video. But he really got the whole thing down pat, shitty CGI, camera motion, the band color effects, everything.

Number 8
(61 points, on 3 of 17 lists - Top Vote #1 by Kete)
Virtual Insanity
Jamiroquai

I am really loving this song. The video is cool, too. Thanks to those who put this on their lists for introducing me to this band. I had never heard of them (or this song) before.

[ScottotD]

Weezer - Keep Fishin'
Beastie Boys - Sabotage
UNKLE – Rabbit In Your Headlights
Michael Jackson - Thriller
Blur – Coffee & TV - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6oqXVx3sBOk
Fatboy Slim - Weapon of Choice
Bjork - It's oh so Quiet
Bob Dylan - Subterranean Homesick Blues - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-J4O2-nsFBA
Weezer - Buddy Holly
Bonnie Tyler - Total Eclipse of the Heart (the funniest video ever I think) - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lcOxhH8N3Bo
Aphex Twin - Come to Daddy
Ween – Freedom Of '76 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_vsJuxYGwg
A-Ha - Take on Me
David Bowie – "Ashes to Ashes" - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CMThz7eQ6K0
Radiohead - Just - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-_qMagfZtv8
The Flaming Lips – Do You Realize? - http://new.music.yahoo.com/videos/TheFlamingLips/Do-You-Realize--157430440
The Birthday Party - Nick the Stripper - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0RwjuQ-ivOo
The Cure – Close To Me - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BjvfIJstWeg
Bjork - Hyperballad - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6CSiU0j_lFA
AC/DC - A Long Way To The Top - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b9iOk8PqkKs
2Pac - California Love - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FWOsbGP5Ox4
Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds – Do You Love Me? - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJTjsVSzQ1Q
Johnny Cash - Hurt
Duran Duran - Girls on Film -

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=En-wDJp8ssc&oref=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fresults%3Fsearch_query%3Dduran%2Bduran%2Bgirls%2Bon%2Bfilm%26aq%3Df&has_verified=1

- NSFW
Beastie Boys - Intergalactic - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qORYO0atB6g

25. 1,2,3,4 – Feist (http://youtu.be/ABYnqp-bxvg) ** Pretty darn impressive one-take video!

Can't believe I forgot this! it's my happy song,

[stansimpson]

1.) Bjork - All Is Full of Love
2.) Smashing Pumpkins - Tonight, Tonight
3.) Michael Jackson - Smooth Criminal
4.) R.E.M. - Losing My Religion (http://www.youtu.be.com/if-UzXIQ5vw)
Michael Stipe sings through a very rustic-y Renaissance. Same director as "The Cell"
5.) A-ha - Take On Me
6.) Dire Straits - Money For Nothin
7.) Michael Jackson - Thriller
8.) Sigur Ros - Glosoli (http://youtu.be/Zr_MJAOyOeU)
Surely an unforgettable video for anyone who's seen it. Children gather themselves to the top of a mountain. To say anything about the ending would ruin it.
9.) M.I.A. - Born Free

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/IeMvUlxXyz8?version=3&amp;amp;hl=en_US" target="_blank" class="new_win">http://www.youtube.com/v/IeMvUlxXyz8?version=3&amp;amp;hl=en_US</a>

Has no one seen this? One of the most intense and politically charged music videos I've ever seen. YouTube requires you to be 18 to watch it due to violence (which, actually, isn't that bad).
10.) NIN - Closer
11.) Korn - Freak On A Leash
12.) Jamiroquai - Virtual Insanity
13.) Michael Jackson - Billie Jean
14.) Bone Thugs - Tha Crossroads

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/o9IXAJg4Vm0?version=3&amp;amp;hl=en_US" target="_blank" class="new_win">http://www.youtube.com/v/o9IXAJg4Vm0?version=3&amp;amp;hl=en_US</a>

Death comes to take away loved ones.
15.) Ok Go - Here It Goes Again
16.) Prodigy - Smack My Bitch Up

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/0BpfydZdTE0?version=3&amp;amp;hl=en_US" target="_blank" class="new_win">http://www.youtube.com/v/0BpfydZdTE0?version=3&amp;amp;hl=en_US</a>

Banned from MTV, it's a highly-visceral first-person look at a night of sex, booze, and debauchery. Merely watching it will give you a hangover. VERY NSFW.
17.) Nirvana - Smells Like Teen Spirit
18.) Madonna - Express Yourself (http://youtu.be/okFF0pgFyiI)
Every movie from this era copied this cinematography and production.
19.) Johnny Cash - Hurt
20.) Daft Punk - Around the World

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/s9MszVE7aR4?version=3&amp;amp;hl=en_US" target="_blank" class="new_win">http://www.youtube.com/v/s9MszVE7aR4?version=3&amp;amp;hl=en_US</a>

Mummies, skeletons, robots, swimmers, and, uh, more all dance on a thing.
21.) Van Halen - Right Now (http://youtu.be/VkxB6PqQsoY)
Van Halen is barely even in this one. Instead, text accompanies the screen to maybe make us stop and think about, well... right now.
22.) Billy Joel - We Didn't Start the Fire

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/eFTLKWw542g?version=3&amp;amp;hl=en_US" target="_blank" class="new_win">http://www.youtube.com/v/eFTLKWw542g?version=3&amp;amp;hl=en_US</a>

Billy Joel watches a family in a kitchen-dining room evolve from the 50's to the 80's as a post-apocalyptic world burns around just outside.
23.) Peter Gabriel - Sledgehammer
24.) Bob Dylan - Subterranean Homesick Blues

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/-J4O2-nsFBA?version=3&amp;amp;hl=en_US" target="_blank" class="new_win">http://www.youtube.com/v/-J4O2-nsFBA?version=3&amp;amp;hl=en_US</a>

What!? No one voted for what might be the most copied and iconic video of all time?  I mean the song is okay... but the video!  C'mon!  Hm.  Guess we're too big of Weird Al fans here.    EDIT: Thanks, ScottH.
25.) Queen - Bohemian Rhapsody

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/tgbNymZ7vqY?version=3&amp;amp;hl=en_US" target="_blank" class="new_win">http://www.youtube.com/v/tgbNymZ7vqY?version=3&amp;amp;hl=en_US</a>

You know this one, so I've embedded the Muppet version.  Waitasec... the Muppet version might actually be better!

While I don't really care for Pearl Jam, I really thought "Jeremy" would be here.  And is there a better 2D animated music video than their "Do the Evolution" video?
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/aDaOgu2CQtI?version=3&amp;amp;hl=en_US" target="_blank" class="new_win">http://www.youtube.com/v/aDaOgu2CQtI?version=3&amp;amp;hl=en_US</a>

[Watchman]

Damn, I'm feeling alienated, haha. What does it say that the only commonality I have here is Aphex Twin? And that "Come To Daddy" is one of the less dark pieces of music I listen to?

This was one of the "humor" videos in my list (kinda Showgirls meets The Shining), an ultra-sleazy cover of the Rod Stewart song (yes, that's the head of Ministry's Al Jourgensen on top of the dancer):
WARNING: POSSIBLY NSFW (depends where you work, I suppose)
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/Z6zqYSezqwo" target="_blank" class="new_win">http://www.youtube.com/v/Z6zqYSezqwo</a>

[Kete]

Number 8
(61 points, on 3 of 17 lists - Top Vote #1 by Kete)
Virtual Insanity
Jamiroquai

I am really loving this song. The video is cool, too. Thanks to those who put this on their lists for introducing me to this band. I had never heard of them (or this song) before.

Cool!  Make sure you check out the other videos that I posted:

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/p-WKZ8A5R44?version=3&amp;amp;hl=en_US" target="_blank" class="new_win">http://www.youtube.com/v/p-WKZ8A5R44?version=3&amp;amp;hl=en_US</a>
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/mbdCqsi0TqM?version=3&amp;amp;hl=en_US" target="_blank" class="new_win">http://www.youtube.com/v/mbdCqsi0TqM?version=3&amp;amp;hl=en_US</a>
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/WIUAC03YMlA?version=3&amp;amp;hl=en_US" target="_blank" class="new_win">http://www.youtube.com/v/WIUAC03YMlA?version=3&amp;amp;hl=en_US</a>

and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ojs5R3enDjc

I would start listening to The Return Of The Space Cowboy or Traveling Without Moving.

While I don't really care for Pearl Jam, I really thought "Jeremy" would be here.  And is there a better 2D animated music video than their "Do the Evolution" video?

I love this video, and it was on my initial list.  This song was inspired by the book Ishmael, which is a great book about evolution, our sense of self-importance, and talking apes.

[D.B. Barnes]

1. Sabotage - Beastie Boys
2. Sledgehammer - Peter Gabriel
3. Prison Sex - Tool
4. Weapon of Choice - Fatboy Slim
5. Land Of Confusion - Genesis 
6. Everlong - Foo Fighters
7. Tommy The Cat - Primus 
8. Once in a Lifetime - Talking Heads
9. Here It Goes Again - OK Go
10. Rockit - Herbie Hancock
11. Knives Out - Radiohead
12. Money For Nothing - Dire Straits 
13. Tonight Tonight - Smashing Pumpkins
14. Black Hole Sun - Soundgarden 
15. Buddy Holly - Weezer
16. Hot for Teacher - Van Halen
17. This Note's For You - Neil Young
18. Nuthin' But a G Thang - Dr. Dre
19. Sober - Tool 
20. Super Bowl Shuffle - Chicago Bears Shufflin' Crew
21. Hungry Like the Wolf - Duran Duran
22. Beat It - Michael Jackson 
23. Stop Me If You Think You've Heard This One Before - The Smiths
24. Give It Away - Red Hot Chili Peppers 
25. We're Not Gonna Take It - Twisted Sister

Figures. My only MJ vid was Billie Jean. Maybe only because it's my my last hope he isn't pawing little kids in hell.

Given this crowd, I'm really surprised that Leonard Nimoy singing The Ballad of Bilbo Baggans didn't make it.

Yeah, I missed your list, Deek,

Yeah!!! Listen y'alll , it's SABOTAGE!!!

[Johnny Unusual]

BTW, I remembered that I forgot Gorillaz.  I loves me some Jamie Hewlett.

[Watchman]

Given this crowd, I'm really surprised that Leonard Nimoy singing The Ballad of Bilbo Baggans didn't make it.

Did he do a music video for "How Illogical"? I almost died when Mike started reciting its lyrics in the Star Trek 2009 riff.

I tell ya, this CD's brought me more amusement than it should:

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

[Tripe]

Here we go:

1.   Massive Attack - Inertia Creeps
2.   6 Underground - Sneaker Pimps
3.   Karma Police - Radiohead
4.   Fuck You – Cee Lo Green
5.   Rabbit In Your Headlight - Unkel
6.   Inbetweener - Sleeper
7.   Sweep the Leg – No More Kings
8.   The Ballard Of Tom Jones – Space ft Cerys Mathews
9.   Your Missus is a Nutter – Goldie Lookin Chain
10.   Boyz In The Hood - Dynamite Hack
11.   Black Hole Sun - Soundgarden
12.   Hypnotise – Notorious B.I.G.
13.   Babies - Pulp
14.   Vindaloo - Fat Les
15.   21 Seconds – So Solid Crew
16.   Becoming More Like Alfie – The Divine Comedy
17.   Bohemian Like You - The Dandy Warhols -
18.   Horse Outside – Rubber Bandits
19.   Sabotage –Beastie Boys
20.   It Was A Good Day – Ice Cube
21.   The Beautiful People - Marilyn Manson
22.   Parklife – Blur
23.   You're In A Bad Way - Saint Etienne
24.   Do Re Me So Far So Good- Carter USM
25.   Doctorin’ The TARDIS – The Timelords

[ScottotD]

delay

[Johnny Unusual]

Man, finally got through watch all the videos.  Do the Evolution is one I forgot about.  It's pretty cool.  So was Coffee and TV, Hyperballad, and Ashes to Ashes.  Surprised I never saw that You Can Call Me Al video before.  Dad was a big Paul Simon fan when I was young.

[Starman!]

Did you watch Discotheque?