Top 10 Music Videos You Forgot Were AWESOME
#10: “Criminal” (1997)
Fiona Apple This stylish yet now overlooked clip, directed by Mark Romanek, captures the song’s themes perfectly. It makes audiences feel like they’re witnessing something they aren’t supposed to see. It portrays a hedonistic gathering, but instead of celebrating revelry, it mostly dwells on the harsh comedowns after the fun is over. It’s also a subtle bid for autonomy by an artist looking to do things on her own terms. The video features the singer undressing. Yet by giving her a camera, it frames her as an active participant, not someone to be objectified or relegated to the background. She sees us watching her, and the display is not only meaningful, but powerful.
#9: “No Rain” (1993)
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Blind Melon In the era dominated by MTV, the right video could elevate a song, help an album sell millions of copies, and turn artists into stars. Blind Melon's second single off their debut studio album is a perfect example of this. The Samuel Bayer directed clip features the now iconic "Bee Girl," portrayed by Heather DeLoach, who loves to tap dance. She’s laughed off the stage, tries to perform for strangers, and ultimately finds her place with others who understand her. It's a little odd but also sweet and endearing. So it's no surprise that people fell in love with the clip and that it helped propel the band's career forward, at least for a little while.
#8: “The Cutter” (1983)
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Echo & the Bunnymen This isn’t usually the first song that comes to mind when people think about the seminal English band. However, it played an essential role in establishing their sound and image. The video shows the group performing in a dimly lit room as a projector plays footage behind them. We also get to see them exploring an icy landscape. The clip doesn’t seem so interested in telling a story as much as evoking a mood, and it certainly doesn’t hurt that it looks really cool. It’s artsy and has a brooding atmosphere that captures the look and feel of the era so well that it practically feels like a time machine. If you ask us, it’s time for everyone to take a trip down memory lane.
#7: "Hit 'Em wit da Hee" (1998)
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Missy Elliot feat. Lil' Kim & Mocha When it comes to music videos, Missy Elliot cemented herself as an undeniable trailblazer. Never content with phoning it in, her videos have always been exciting and visually inventive, constantly pushing the boundaries of the medium. This song’s clip is no different. Set in a dim and possibly haunted mansion, the video seemingly honors the King of Pop and has plenty of gothic/horror movie flair. It’s undeniably intriguing and entertaining, so we’re not sure why it isn’t remembered as fondly as her other videos. We’d say it’s worth revisiting for the epic dance number in the rain alone.
#6: “This Is Radio Clash” (1981)
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The Clash If anyone needs proof that hip hop and the NYC graffiti scene undeniably impacted the legendary punk band, they just need to watch this classic music video. It takes us to the streets, aiming to capture the spirit and energy that makes the Big Apple special. And it succeeds. The video displays the liveliness of the city’s sidewalks, people breakdancing, moving subway cars covered with graffiti and other NYC staples, mixed with the band performing. It also shows them taking it all in, with smiles on their faces. It fell off our radar in the years after its release, but rewatching it puts a smile on ours, too.
#5: “But Not Tonight” (1986)
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Depeche Mode Depeche Mode became one of the most iconic bands of the ‘80s and ‘90s by pairing their haunting, melodic songs with gloomy, artsy music videos. However, this oft-forgotten gem — released on the soundtrack for a film called “Modern Girls” — shows another side of them that’s sometimes ignored. The music video mixes footage of the band performing—and looking very dapper—with clips from the film. We see the characters going out, driving around, and just living life. It’s a simple display, but it captures the catchy, upbeat energy of the song and perfectly evokes the feeling of being young and carefree.
#4: “Elektrobank” (1997)
The Chemical Brothers This music video, which boasts impressive talent in front and behind the camera, feels like a forgotten ‘90s-era time capsule. It stars Sofia Coppola as a gymnast named Janet, and it was directed by Spike Jonze, who had previously helmed Weezer’s iconic “Buddy Holly” video. The clip depicts an intense performance and is very cinematic. It feels more like a scene from a movie than a music video. With all the talent involved, it’s not surprising that the result is absolutely stunning. Perhaps the reason the clip isn’t remembered these days is that everyone involved went on to bigger things, but it’s still a great watch.
#3: “I'd Do Anything for Love (But I Won't Do That)” (1993)
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Meat Loaf feat. Lorraine Crosby With a chorus epic enough to reach the sky, this is the kind of over-the-top ballad that doesn’t seem to come around much anymore. The music video, in turn, is gloriously larger than life. Directed by Michael Bay, it’s exciting, cinematic, and, of course, features motorcycles and helicopters. It also tells the story of a “Beast” on the run from the police and haunted by love. He believes this woman couldn’t accept him because of his deformities. The “Beauty and the Beast,” “The Phantom of the Opera,” and even Dracula-esque inspiration is clear and perfectly executed. Just as the woman here ultimately sees the beauty within the so-called monster, we’re now being reminded of all the beauty within this video.
#2: “Bad Girl” (1993)
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Madonna Few artists have been able to use the music video medium like the material girl. In fact, you could argue that in the ‘80s, she helped put MTV on the proverbial map. Every one of her videos or televised performances inspired excitement, headlines, and controversies. In this clip, directed by legendary filmmaker David Fincher, Madonna stars as a successful but troubled executive. She spends her nights indulging in various vices until meeting a tragic end. The video also stars Christopher Walken and features a brief cameo from Matt Dillon. It’s stylish and genuinely looks like a movie. The cinematic flair and captivating visuals on display deserve to be appreciated more these days.
#1: “Feel Good Inc.” (2005)
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Gorillaz feat. De La Soul Even without a video, this song would have been huge. It’s catchy, fun, and has a way of instantly burrowing itself into your head. But the clip takes it to the stratosphere. Directed by Jamie Hewlett and Pete Candeland, it’s as creative and enjoyable as the tune itself. Reportedly inspired by Hayao Miyazaki’s animated classic, “Castle In the Sky,” the music video is visually stunning and has a lot on its mind. It provides sage commentary on society’s collective consciousness, which many people unfortunately dismissed back then. However, the cerebral themes explored feel more relevant than ever, which is a great reason to revisit it.
