Top 20 Choreographed Music Videos Of All Time
#20: “Ride” (2010) Ciara feat. Ludacris
When it comes to dancing, Ciara is a force to be reckoned with. And this video hits every single mark. As she explained, it’s meant to feel very personal. So alongside director Diane Martel, they forwent the “smoke and mirrors” so that audiences could focus on the star and her killer dance moves instead. Choreographer Jamaica Craft also noted that they were inspired by male exotic dancing. It’s quite sensual and seductive, and each isolation feels almost hypnotic. Apparently, though, her moves were just too much for BET, who controversially refused to air the video at the time.
#19: “Motivation” (2019) Normani
A perfect blend of nostalgia and outstanding choreography, “Motivation” was easily one of the most memorable music videos of 2019. Choreographed by Sean Bankhead, it sees Normani honoring some of the best music videos of the late ‘90s and early noughties, while still making the moves her own. You can spot clever nods to artists like Beyoncé, Britney, Ciara, JLo, and others throughout. There’s no doubt that the star’s jaw-dropping talent will make you want to watch this video on repeat. And be honest: you’ve tried to bounce a basketball off of your butt since seeing it. Music videos like this are rarely made anymore, but we’re all for them making a comeback.
#18: “Formation” (2016) Beyoncé
In 2016, Beyoncé surprised us all by dropping this epic music video ahead of her Superbowl performance. It was one of her most politically charged narratives, chronicling the struggles of Black communities. However, the key message was one of empowerment, especially for Black women. Set - but not filmed - in New Orleans and directed by Melina Matsoukas, the video’s amazingly powerful moves have a somewhat militant style. Every step is strong and defined, really hammering in the song’s message. Beyoncé snagged eight VMAs that year, including the Video of the Year award for “Formation”. She became the record-holder for most Moon Person wins of all time that night, and it’s certainly well-deserved.
#17: “Hideaway” (2014) Kiesza
This video was pretty much a staple of 2014. In fact, it was shown so often that you probably learned the dance due to the repeated exposure alone. We see the singer and her dancers grooving to the catchy tune down a Williamsburg sidewalk in Brooklyn in one continuous shot. The mastermind behind the moves, Ljuba Castot, created a routine that’s simple and straightforward, yet totally unforgettable. Needless to say, it got people moving. And with every talk show performance, Kiesza found ways to make the number feel fresh. It’s no wonder the music video became such a huge phenomenon, raking up hundreds of millions of views on YouTube.
#16: “1234” (2007) Feist
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 over a decade later, but the colorful palette, 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?
#15: “Uptown Funk” (2014) Mark Ronson feat. Bruno Mars
Phil Tayag - a.k.a S.B. - is the brains behind the iconic moves in this multi-award nominated old-school music video. Describing the track, he said: “it’s not too trendy, it’s feel good, it’s just a funky song”. That’s exactly the vibe we get from his choreo, too. Surpassing 4 billion views, “Uptown Funk” is currently one of the most watched videos on YouTube. Taking inspiration from the 70s and 80s, the dance is groovy, featuring moves that pretty much anyone can pick up. And its catchy rhythm practically begs listeners to join in on the fun.
#14: “If” (1993) Janet Jackson
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Created by legendary choreographer Tina Landon, the dance-heavy “If” is arguably one of Jackson’s best music videos. It allowed the singer to explore female sexuality and liberation in a way that she hadn’t before. Still, this was classic Janet, with an enthralling performance full of challenging choreography. And as always, she made it look easy. She also released an all-dance version for those who found the original a little too steamy. The icon has influenced many contemporary artists, who often reference the “If” video in their own works. It was truly a groundbreaking piece of media, and we’re still seeing its impact today.
#13: “Elastic Heart” (2013) Sia
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, it 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 tune 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.
#12: “Try” (2012) Pink
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Pink’s performances are often daring, but this one is a cut above the rest. Dancing with Colt Prattes, the duo tell a rather intense love story in this video. The Golden Boyz, who were behind the routine, took cues from the French Apache dance, which combines acrobatics with aggressive movements. They also collaborated with stunt and fight coordinator Sebastian Stella to bring each part of the music video together cohesively. The choreography is passionate and incredibly risqué, yet there’s a hint of sadness woven in throughout. The singer has called it her “favorite video ever”, and we’d have to agree!
#11: “Cold Hearted” (1989) Paula Abdul
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A long-time fan of Bob Fosse, Paula Abdul was inspired by the uniqueness, intricacy, and highly stylized movements of “All That Jazz”. The performer has countless amazing dance routines, but this is arguably one of her finest. The “Cold Hearted” music video, which was directed by David Fincher, strikes the perfect balance between artistry and sensuality. It’s safe to say it would’ve made Fosse proud. The choreography is detailed to the point of being practically hypnotic. In fact, it almost stops us from wondering who Abdul is singing about here, which is no small feat!
#10: “Smooth Criminal” (1988) Michael Jackson
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The King of Pop practically reinvented dance videos, and created countless signature moves in the process. However, we chose “Smooth Criminal” for this spot because it shows him at his peak. Inspired by Fred Astaire’s works, storytelling and movement collide perfectly in this music video. Jackson collaborated with Shalamar’s Jeffrey Daniel and dancer Vincent Paterson, who reportedly thought up the iconic 45-degree lean illusion. It was a huge production that required lots of time and effort, but considering its immense success, we’d say it was worth it. The critically-acclaimed video is utterly legendary, and still holds up as one of the best we’ve seen all these years later.
#9: “Bad Romance” (2009) Lady Gaga
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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.
#8: “Oops!... I Did It Again” (2000) Britney Spears
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.
#7: “U Can’t Touch This” (1990) MC Hammer
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Stop! It’s Hammertime! Of course, we couldn’t leave out MC Hammer’s signature hit. What do you get when you combine a catchy song with ‘90s dance moves and hammer 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.
#6: “Lose Control” (2005) Missy Elliott
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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.
#5: “Everybody (Backstreet’s Back)” (1997) Backstreet Boys
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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.
#4: “Vogue” (1990) Madonna
Madonna made Voguing mainstream, but it was already a popular dance style among the house-ballroom community in Harlem, which is composed of LGBTQ+ people of color. As a frequenter of New York nightclubs, she was mesmerized by the highly stylized dance. So she began collaborating with Jose Gutierez and Luis of the House of Xtravaganza, and the choreography for the song began to take shape. This music video, filmed in a black-and-white Art Deco style, sees the singer and her dancers striking poses and voguing. She certainly didn’t originate the technique, but she did get the rest of the world to follow her lead. It’s easy to understand why MTV named “Vogue” one of the “100 Greatest Music Videos Ever Made” in 1999.
#3: “Single Ladies (Put a Ring on it)” (2008) Beyoncé
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While “Run the World (Girls)” was in the running we have to include one of the most recognizable music videos of the millennium so far. 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.
#2: “Rhythm Nation” (1989) Janet Jackson
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Next on our list, we’ll 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 decade that followed. 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 the MTV Music Video Award for Best Choreography.
#1: “Thriller” (1983) Michael Jackson
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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.
