Top 10 Best Choreographed Dance Music Videos

You might have bought an iPod Nano because of this song back in 2007. However, despite being famous for an Apple commercial, the song and music video have since outlasted it. The dance moves might seem tame a decade later, but the colorful palate, smooth moves, and the impressive group formations by Leslie Feist and her backup dancers create a fun and unique video. It’s not surprising that it won a Grammy for Best Short Form Music Video. Who doesn’t want to watch a blue-sequined singer run around a circle made of brightly dressed dancers?

This music video shows you don’t need a ton of dancers to make an interesting and emotional piece. Starring Maddie Ziegler and Shia Labeouf, the video depicts the two actors dancing out the Sia song; interpreting the words through body contortions in a large cage while only wearing skin colored clothing. The dancing might seem random, but combined with the exaggerated facial expressions, it translates the raw emotion from the song into a silent play for the viewer. Despite the controversy that followed its release, the music video was nominated for the 2015 VMA Award for Best Female Video. While it did not win, it became the eighth most viewed video on YouTube in 2015.

While we could have included any number of Britney’s iconic music videos, we just couldn’t leave out the red jumpsuit. Premiering on MTV’s “Making the Video” in 2000, “Oops!...I Did It Again” includes all the hallmarks of a Britney Spears video; great set design, great costume design, and, most importantly, well-choreographed dance numbers. From dancing on the surface of Mars to performing while lying down, we were trying to keep up with her. It’s not a surprise that this was nominated in four different categories at the MTV Video Music Awards. It’s also set the standard for pop music video choreography for the new millennium.

Next on our list is the winner of the 2010 MTV Music Award for Best Choreography, “Bad Romance” by Lady Gaga. This award was well deserved, and Gaga’s dance moves were compared to pop royalty like Michael Jackson and Madonna. Despite resembling music videos of pop icons-past, Gaga’s video is unique in its own right; showcasing her weirdness through outfits, set design, and hyper-sexual choreography. Her own artistic style combined with the dance design by Laurieann Gibson created a quirky, yet mesmerizing world. So much so that some felt it needed to be turned into a feature length film. “Bad Romance” was at one time the most viewed video on YouTube.

Moving on to one of the most energetic music videos on our list, “Lose Control” by Missy Elliott is a great example of an irresistibly danceable video. As Elliott and her crew transition from one dance party to the next, the choreography switches smoothly from crunking to swing dance to dancehall to freestyle. However, despite the numerous style changes, the dancing never loses steam. Mix in the amazing, high-paced dancing with a great song and set design, and it’s clear why the video won a Grammy for Best Short Form Music Video.

Stop! It’s Hammertime! Of course, we couldn’t leave out MC Hammer’s signature song. What do you get when you combine a catchy song with 90s dance moves and parachute pants? A fast-paced, fun music video. Becoming a massive pop hit, “U Can’t Touch This” won multiple MTV Video Music Awards and it’s not hard to understand why. The choreography isn’t fancy by any means, but it’s incredibly easy to dance to. Who doesn’t have the urge to do the “The Running Man” or the “Hammer Dance” after putting it on? At the very least, you have to admire the speed of MC Hammer’s dance moves.

The Backstreet Boys were back. Next on our list is the horror parody music video that proved the Backstreet Boys were here to stay. “Everybody,” directed by Joseph Kahn, was similar in style to Michael Jackson’s “Thriller,” and it showed in the choreography. Group dance numbers, stiff, rigid movements, and some very familiar dance moves … of course with the Boys’ own style woven into it. Throw in some goofy horror characters and themes and the result is one of the most memorable music videos from the 90s.

While “Run the World (Girls)” was in the running (xref), we have to include one of the most recognizable music videos of the millennium. Creating a pop culture phenomenon in 2008, Beyonce’s “Single Ladies” has some of the simplest, yet most iconic choreography in any modern music video. Choreographed by Frank Gatson and JaQuel Knight, the video was modeled from a dance number called “Mexican Breakfast” from the Ed Sullivan Show, while also mixing in the southern dance style of J-setting. Beyonce, reportedly, wanted to include choreography that could be attempted by anyone and it was; spawning a dance craze that inspired thousands of imitations worldwide.

Next on our list, we will be looking at the final music video that made up the long-form “Rhythm Nation 1814” film. Choreographed by Anthony Thomas, the music video was praised, some saying that it set the template for hundreds of more videos in the 90s. The dancing pairs nicely with the military aesthetic of the video, as well as the concepts of equality and unity mentioned in the song. Most critics claim this was the video that cemented Jackson’s reputation of pushing the envelope in her music and choreography. No wonder it won MTV Music Video Award for Best Choreography.


Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

“Vogue” (1990)
Madonna


“When I Grow Up” (2008)
Pussycat Dolls



“Try” (2012)
Pink

Come on, how could this not be number 1? Arguably the most popular music video of all time, the choreography for “Thriller” had a huge effect on popular culture. Jackson’s dance moves were copied and imitated all over the world, along with his look and style. It changed the music video industry forever, and has been copied again and again since release. Choreographed by Michael Peters, it went on to win an MTV Video Music Award for Best Choreography along with three other MTV Music Video Awards and two Grammy Awards, all while becoming the most iconic music video in history.

Do you agree with our list? Can you think of any other music videos with great choreography? For more danceable top 10s published every day, be sure to subscribe to MsMojo.