Top 10 Music Videos That Went Viral for All the Right Reasons
#10: “Happy” (2013) Pharrell Williams
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Sometimes you just need to dance. Powered by a supremely catchy song, the music video for “Happy” takes its concept to various locations to celebrate positivity. It stars Pharrell Williams and many other famous faces singing and grooving along to the infectious track. Demanding multiple viewings, the piece has more delightful cameos than you can count. With good vibes galore, the infectious energy spawned many tributes from fans. This only helped to bring the original version even more love. In the end, Williams’ composition did its job by inviting everyone watching to dance along with it.
#9: “Chandelier” (2014) Sia
Sia made a name for herself by going against the grain. This strategy clearly translates to her music videos, especially the iconic one for “Chandelier.” The singer allows for Maddie Ziegler to dance around an empty apartment for the full runtime. Instead of elaborate sets or a plethora of performers, this video focuses on a solo showcase of another talented artist. Ziegler’s skills blew viewers away in a star-making role that led to further collaborations with the vocalist. It just goes to show how much of an effect quality choreography perfectly executed can have.
#8: “Rather Be” (2013) Clean Bandit ft. Jess Glynne
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Who knew having strange visions would be this fun? Clean Bandit’s worldwide hit has a video that’s mysterious, goofy, and even a little scary at times. A chef in Tokyo starts to see various band members and their logo appear in her everyday life. It’s all powered by this glorious earworm from the electronic group and pop singer Jess Glynne. The protagonist gradually starts to lose her grip on reality, with everyone and everything seeming more than a little off. It’s an equal parts whimsical and unsettling journey that somehow pairs perfectly with this bouncy single. .
#7: “Here It Goes Again” (2006) OK Go
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OK Go might not have been well-known in their early career, but this video made them viral stars. It was also one of the first music videos to receive a huge boost through YouTube. Riding the wave of the site’s initial years, the band danced atop treadmills for all of our viewing pleasure. The simple format has the four members sliding around carefully-placed exercise machines. Showing that you don’t need millions of dollars to stand out, the group gives this performance their all in an amazing achievement. Their awesome moves inspired countless other bands to try their hand at internet marketing with inspired ideas.
#6: “Thank U, Next” (2018) Ariana Grande
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Acknowledging the past and preparing for the future, “Thank U, Next” brings about a mature look at bygone romances. The music video portrays this subject through the imagery of modern comedy classics like “Mean Girls” and “Legally Blonde.” Grande plays various cinematic icons in this loving tribute, complete with several memorable cameos. The painstaking details even include an homage to a beloved Christmas concert scene. Mixing humor and timeless cultural references, Grande gives us a video worth savoring. The inclusion of celebrities like Kris Jenner and Jennifer Coolidge only ensured that more people would flock to the video. “Thank U,” more please.
#5: “See You Again” (2015) Wiz Khalifa ft. Charlie Puth
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In a fitting tribute to Paul Walker, Wiz Khalifa and Charlie Puth come together to salute the late “Fast and Furious” star. The video is a moving montage of the late actor’s work throughout his tenure in the series. Mixing scenic views of Los Angeles with Walker’s finest on-screen moments, the entire package feels like a eulogy for the departed star. Khalifa and Puth’s touching performances help fans to mourn the tragic loss. With several billion views, fan everywhere had an outlet to express their sadness. The video now functions like an ongoing support vehicle for those grieving their loved ones.
#4: “Gangnam Style” (2012) Psy
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Helping to make K-pop a global phenomenon, “Gangnam Style” is undoubtedly one of the most important songs of the 2010s. And Psy’s endlessly catchy song is enhanced by a video that’s zany in the best possible way. Bold, colorful, and hilarious, the video is a classic for the singer’s iconic gallop choreography alone. It never takes itself too seriously through all of its wild set changes. You never know what exactly will happen next. You just know it’ll be pure entertainment. This video became a true sensation, inspiring people of all ages to mimic Psy’s sick moves.
#3: “I Really Like You” (2015) Carly Rae Jepsen
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If nothing else, the video for “I Really Like You” understands the inherent likability of Tom Hanks. Carly Rae Jepsen steps aside in order to give the two-time Oscar winner the limelight. Hanks delivers some professional-level lip syncing throughout. You might not expect an A-lister like him to star in a pop video. But Hanks total embrace of the concept emphasizes why he’s so beloved. Taking us through a day in his life, the actor brings joy to every moment of this upbeat video. It ends with Jepsen joining Hanks for a dance-off, complete with a cameo from Justin Bieber. We really, really, really like this video.
#2: “Formation” (2016) Beyoncé
Performing at the top of her game, Beyoncé uses “Formation” to pull together all of her greatest instincts. Her creative vision shines in a piece that delves into her own history, artistic influences, and talents. The video took the music world by storm with its vision, blending important political and social issues with her personal journey. Police cars sink in floodwater and cars do donuts in a flurry of amazing sequences. All the while, the superstar shows off her impeccable fashion sense and dance skills. also sends an empowering message to Black women everywhere. The performer proves herself once again as a generational talent that can always go viral. Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions. “Somebody That I Used to Know” (2011), Gotye feat. Kimbra A Minimal Concept Breathes Life into This Memorable Ballad “Turn Down for What” (2014), DJ Snake & Lil Jon A Man Discovers a Unique and Destructive Ability in This Wonderfully-Absurd Video from the Future Directors of “Everything Everywhere All at Once” “God’s Plan” (2018), Drake Combining Rap with Philanthropy, the Rapper Made a Truly Touching Video “Lean On” (2015), Major Lazer & DJ Snake feat. MØ The Artists Appear in a Fun Dance Video That Celebrates Indian Culture “Despacito” (2017), Luis Fonsi feat. Daddy Yankee Reggaeton Reaches a Global Audience with Beautiful Glimpses of Puerto Rico
#1: “This Is America” (2018) Childish Gambino
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Capturing the zeitgeist in 2018, the multi-talented Donald Glover struck a nerve with this video. The performer doesn’t pull any punches in commenting on contentious subjects like gun violence and police brutality. While many of the images are disturbing, they all serve a purpose to shine a light on these important issues. It’s also a truly creative endeavor. Glover’s dancing on top of a car makes for one of the most memorable sequences in a video full of unforgettable visuals. With the accompanying song reaching the top of the Billboard Hot 100, this Grammy-winning effort stands as a high watermark for topical videos.
