Top 10 Most Entertaining Music Videos
Published on October 15, 2007 - 83 Comments
Most people associate this with the best music videos ever or the best music ever turned into music videos. I, however, chose these because they are actually fun to watch or otherwise worth seeing, based more on their visual presentation and entertainment value, and less on their music (otherwise this would be the top 10 best songs ever). It’s also important to note how most of these videos stand the test of time or incorporate the new features of their time.
10. Queen Bohemian Rhapsody
This one seems to be the second most popular one out there. It incorporates visual styles uniquely belonging to Queen, while honestly showcasing the group and their abilities. Plus, who wouldn’t want to see Freddie Mercury in tight pants? Even if this video eschews a visual story in the music video, it will always be a crowd pleaser.
9. Ok Go! Here it goes again
Even if the sole gimmick of this video is the choreography, that in itself deserves an award. This video is genuinely fun to watch, even if it is a little silly.
8. Gnarls Barkley Crazy
I hope the irony of Crazy is not lost on people. This digital wonder uses Rorschach (inkblot) tests as the sole means of showing off the group. With excellent pacing, this video kept me watching and thinking: am I crazy?
7. The White Stripes Fell in Love with a Girl
Who ever thought of using Legos to make a music video? Jack and Meg’s able performance goes a step further with this unique presentation of a music video.
6. Emilie Simon Fleur de Saison
What’s that you say? A good music video made outside of America? Nonsense! Believe it or not, this catchy French pop song proves that not all good music comes from the US or Britain. With excellent computer graphics, this music video shows what the imagination is capable of thinking. I’ll also admit, she is kinda cute, even if I can’t understand a word she says.
5. A-ha Take on me
This quintessential piece of the 80’s is continually ranked among people’s favorite music videos. While some of their contemporaries were putting out cheap music videos for the record companies, A-ha’s unique animation set’s it apart from the pack and fuses it with live action and a story to boot. Even if we get to listen to the lead singer’s awesome, if not ear-piercing, falsetto, this one is a testament of time to the fickle world of music videos.
4. Peter Gabriel Sledgehammer
Another crowd pleaser, Peter in his solo career continued to put out some impressive works. Sledgehammer is one of those works. This quirky video merges scenes of life with stop motion film and claymation into something devilishly fun to watch. Along with A-ha, the uniqueness of this music video puts in on many favorite music video lists so much that it also withstands the test of time.
3. R Kelly Trapped in the Closet (All 22 episodes)
This narrative of epic proportions elevates the simple music video into a near full-length movie. With a complex storyline nearly an hour long, there are so many “Did that just happen?” and “No way!” moments, viewers are left wanting to see what will happen next. Even if it is heavy handed with the gun play, this is true modern musical entertainment. The clip above includes the first 5 chapters.
2. Johnny Cash Hurt
Be careful, this one is a tear-jerker. However, the late Mr. Cash is still at his peak even in his later years. With powerful imagery, Mr. Cash takes us along for the ride that was his life and evokes a deep respect and appreciation for him and life in general. Even the most hardened heart should be misty-eyed by the end.
1. Michael Jackson Thriller
You guessed it. This little gem was revolutionizing for its time and still is today. With amazing choreography, setting, and costumes, Thriller cements itself in music video history, so much so that many spoofs have since been made (including Indian Thriller and Philippine Prison Thriller). With Vincent Price narrating, Michael Jackson showed us why he was called “The King of Pop”.
Contributor: Elliot Rowe
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1. pufonthis - October 15th, 2007 at 5:07 am
This website lost all credibility by including R Kelly in this list.
2. jfrater - October 15th, 2007 at 5:26 am
pufonthis: wow - that was a pretty huge mistake we made then! All credibility lost over one video. Who would you suggest we put in place of the R Kelly video?
3. Kull - October 15th, 2007 at 5:32 am
jfrater: I’d put in Queens of the Stone Age “No-one knows”
http://youtube.com/watch?v=YnyRUzgqj7k
4. jfrater - October 15th, 2007 at 6:02 am
Kull - I have never heard of them - the video is interesting but I am not sure I would consider it greater than the ones on the list so far
Thanks for mentioning it though.
5. Naomi - October 15th, 2007 at 6:31 am
Yet again, lovely list.
Maybe you’d like to research on some Japanese music videos. They usually have excellent CG in the videos and great emotion in the song.
6. jfrater - October 15th, 2007 at 6:39 am
Naomi: I will have a hunt around youtube and see what I can come up with - thanks for the suggestion
7. Kwame - October 15th, 2007 at 6:50 am
You’re always going to have rabid dissent when you start talking about music. I’m a little upset you didn’t include that one with Shakira dancing, covered in oil? Woooo!
8. Yarr - October 15th, 2007 at 6:51 am
A great list!
Have you seen the Family Guy episode where Chris gets pulled into the Ah-Ha video? Pretty funny.
But…
Guns N Roses did the R Kelly thing way back in the 90’s with their November Rain trilogy…
R-Kelly wants to pee on you!!!
9. Kelsi - October 15th, 2007 at 7:48 am
Because you included Hurt by Johnny Cash, I was reminded of two music videos that I find very moving. In fact, every time I watch these I am reduced to tears. The first is World on Fire by Sarah McLachlan (keep your mouse over the pause button, there’s a lot of information very fast. http://youtube.com/watch?v=6SkdyRcK9KM) and the second is If Everyone Cared by Nickelback (http://youtube.com/watch?v=-IUSZyjiYuY). Though I am not a fan of Nickelback or that particular song on its own, I really find this music video stirring.
10. JT - October 15th, 2007 at 8:10 am
Jamiroquai - Virtual Insanity is the most fun video I’ve ever seen. Even once you figure out how it’s done, you’re still in awe.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gJmX1z1NY2c
The best video ever though is Michel Gondry’s video for Star Guitar by the Chemical Brothers. It’s an amazing feat in filming an editing.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CBgf2ZxIDZk
11. Monkey - October 15th, 2007 at 8:53 am
QUEEEEEEEEEN!!! Sorry, I lost my composure for a second
I’m so glad you included them on the list! Have you ever seen their last video where Freddie is really sick? It’s very moving, I can’t watch it because I get so emotional, kind of like I do when I watch Johnny Cash’s “Hurt.” I love Johnny Cash too. Awesome list!
12. Sean the pyro - October 15th, 2007 at 9:14 am
A few other suggestions.
Anything by Tool, I know, already on another list
Prodigy, Smack my Bitch Up, again on another list
The Korn and Pearle Jam videos that animator did, sorry his name escapes me.
And a personal favorite of mine, Pat Benetar “Shadows of the Night”. The most expensive video ever made up until Thriller.
13. Adam - October 15th, 2007 at 9:17 am
Interesting list, but I definately would have included Californiacation by the Red Hot Chili peppers.
14. jfrater - October 15th, 2007 at 9:19 am
Great suggestions for extras everyone - I am going to be busy on youtube tonight I can see
15. Joe Skepsis - October 15th, 2007 at 9:31 am
Just because it’s downright terrible doesn’t mean Trapped in the Closet isn’t astronomically entertaining.
It’s everything you’d want from a bad music video and so much more.
16. Court C - October 15th, 2007 at 9:48 am
What about any music videos that Chris Cunningham did? As for the cover of “Hurt,” ugh. You might want to mention it is in fact a cover of Nine Inch Nails.
17. JMurf - October 15th, 2007 at 10:16 am
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hmpxsk3dHaA
Replace R. Kelly with this, nuff said
18. ImplosiveFire - October 15th, 2007 at 11:22 am
But, really. The original version of Hurt by NIN is way better. And more depressing
19. EvanL - October 15th, 2007 at 11:37 am
I love how ridiculously fake the driving scene in trapped in the closet looks
20. librarian - October 15th, 2007 at 12:17 pm
Heiho,
mind about Lego music videos?
See this one from Bohemian Rhapsody
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0_15G_tIl38
Try searches with ‘Lego’ as keyword, there’s some quite good stuff there.
Oh, and ‘Rockstar’ from Nickelback is a nice one, just because of all the cameo appearances
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v.....mp;search=
(uncensored version, don’t listen to rock’n roll if you don’t wanna hear about sex and drugs)
21. Jackie - October 15th, 2007 at 2:00 pm
OH MY GOD the freakiest thing just happened. I’m listening to the radio as I’m looking at this list. The EXACT second I scroll down and see “Gnarles Barkley’s Crazy” the song starts on the radio. It couldn’t have been timed more perfect.
Anyway I haven’t even finished looking at the list! hahaha that was really weird.
22. Jackie - October 15th, 2007 at 2:05 pm
Ok now that I’m done freaking out…haha
That Ok Go video is one of my favorites, I’m glad that one and the Queen one were included.
To Yarr: I did see that Family Guy episode and died laughing at that part, it was so genius and was an awesome reference!!
Tool’s video for “Schism” is awesome too, very entertaining, creative and creepy, I’d probably include it on my top 10.
Also the My Chemical Romance videos for “I’m Not OK” and “Helena” are great as well.
23. Borg - October 15th, 2007 at 8:13 pm
I’d never seen that Queen video, that was awesome. I just wish I could have seen Freddie live.
I think it’s an oversight to not have Fatboy Slim’s “Weapon of Choice” on this list. The song itself never made a big splash, but who can forget the video of Christopher Walken dancing around in an empty hotel?
http://youtube.com/watch?v=sMZwZiU0kKs
My personal favorite is “Everlong” by the Foo Fighters. In the video, Dave Grohl slips in and out of his dreams trying to rescue the woman he loves from her own nightmares. It’s what Evil Dead 2 would look like if it were a romantic comedy. It doesn’t hurt that the song is great, too.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=OHdwZCVZmg8
24. WatAbout - October 15th, 2007 at 9:31 pm
mostly great stuff. could have used some nirvana. theyve got some really trippy videos. here are some other videos that stand out.
Pink Floyd - another brick in the wall http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M_bvT-DGcWw
Guns n Roses - November Rain http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=siBoLc9vxac
chili peppers - by the way (am I the only one that thinks the cab driver looks like will ferrell in this video?) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TdagH15ZEwQ
Earth Wind and Fire - Let’s groove (classic) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_XOY7lsBVpo
Borg: yes! fatboy slim makes the funniest videos
25. Dan - October 15th, 2007 at 9:43 pm
I like 1234 by Feist and Welcome to the Black Parade by My Chemical Romance
26. bryon - October 15th, 2007 at 10:01 pm
@ Court C and Implosive Fire
While it is indeed a cover of Trent’s song, after hearing Cash’s haunting version Trent himself has been quoted as saying: “it’s not my song anymore”.
27. fgds - October 15th, 2007 at 11:11 pm
This is amusing:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nTe8lnad8nU
28. heavybison - October 15th, 2007 at 11:16 pm
I would put in a word for “set the controls for the heart of the sun” from Pink Floyd’s Live at Pompeii or in fact the whole damn Pompeii session. The whole setting was one big high…
But i guess jfrater seeks quick compilations rather than carefully put out quality stuff..
29. fgds - October 15th, 2007 at 11:17 pm
Oh, and this is funny too.
Men Without Hats - The Safety Dance
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5qW0Edq1KqI
30. jfrater - October 16th, 2007 at 12:27 am
heavybison: you are welcome to submit your own list. Just because your favorite isn’t included doesn’t mean the list is bad or thrown together. While I didn’t write this one, I do put in hours before writing my lists doing research to try to put the best information here. But as the old adage goes, you can please some of the people some of the time, but you can’t please all of the people all of the time.
31. heavybison - October 16th, 2007 at 1:55 am
Hey…chill dude…ure getting touchy with age..
32. jfrater - October 16th, 2007 at 2:10 am
heaveybison: I am always chilled
But being chilled doesn’t mean I can’t defend myself when someone complains about something I do.
33. AnotherEngine - October 16th, 2007 at 5:20 am
Cibo Matto’s “Sugar Water”, Yo La Tengo’s “Sugarcube”, and UNKLE’s “Rabbit In Your Headlights” are all pretty entertaining.
34. Bonnie_ - October 16th, 2007 at 10:37 am
Loved Emilie Simon, #6. Beautiful song and great imagination in the video. Thanks for sharing!
35. jfrater - October 16th, 2007 at 11:52 am
Bonnie: me too - I bought the album on iTunes after seeing the video.
AnotherEngine: I will check them out - I am always on the lookout for new music
36. Henry - October 16th, 2007 at 1:00 pm
This can replace R Kelly’s spawn of satan… It’s all backwards! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b13rc6DY74A
37. Versailles - October 16th, 2007 at 8:51 pm
I can think of quite a few that deserve a place on the list:
The Dresden Dolls:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=-Zm1EZ2D2Pw
http://youtube.com/watch?v=YAnyYTjjhJ0
Bjork:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=g8Z1MpcyqQU
38. jfrater - October 17th, 2007 at 1:43 am
Versailles: that clip you mention of Bjork is interesting for another reason - it is considered to be a very great piece of steadicam work by people in the cinematography field. Bjork is great!
39. Katy - October 18th, 2007 at 5:49 am
That R Kelly video is the single funniest thing in the history of the world. I found one of the chapters one day and had to watch the whole story. And the lyrics are hilarious.
And I love the OK Go video, I introduced all my friends to that when it came out, and we almost got thrown out of the gym for trying to imitate it. (It didn’t go well.)
40. Sean the pyro - October 18th, 2007 at 6:30 pm
Borg, you are on the money. Weapon of Choice was great and Everlong has to be my all time favorite song and video. Those dudes were creepy.
41. chunkylover77 - October 22nd, 2007 at 5:27 am
Dire Straits “I Want My MTV”, anything by Weird Al Yankovic
42. jfrater - October 22nd, 2007 at 6:03 am
Katy: haha - I would have liked to have seen that.
chunkylover77: definitely a yes with Weird Al - he is great.
43. Twig1981 - October 23rd, 2007 at 2:19 am
I fkn hate R kelly but the clip does compel(?) you to continue, but i think the main problem is that there are sooo many clips that should be included (I.E. Marilyn Manson’s “Dope Hat” springs to mind) that the list is never going to be long enough haha, either way good job good choice…P.S. Writing credits need to be given to Nine Inch Nails for Johnny Cash’s “Hurt”
44. Crusader14049 - October 23rd, 2007 at 3:01 pm
ignore this
45. Crusader14049 - October 23rd, 2007 at 3:01 pm
I’m afraid that the original version of “hurt” by Nine Inch Nails is far more moving. I felt like shit after listening to it and it made me think.
46. Butterfish - October 26th, 2007 at 4:54 am
‘Virtual Insanity’ has the usual problem with Jamiroquai, in that Jay Kay is there. If only there was a way to separate the man from the voice.
‘Let Forever Be’ and ‘Weapon of Choice’ - good calls.
Also:
Peter Wolf ‘Come as You Are’
Talking Heads ‘Wild Wild Life’
Kylie Minogue ‘Come into my World’
47. lola - October 27th, 2007 at 5:46 am
Freddie is the sexiest genius.
48. Dangerous Dan - November 4th, 2007 at 1:07 pm
Nine Inch Nails - The Perfect Drug
Kate Bush - Cloudbusting
‘Weapon of Choice’ - good call, very entertaining video.
49. roscoefrye - November 15th, 2007 at 9:56 am
The Bloodhound Gang “The Bad Touch” “Foxtrot Uniform Charlie Kilo”
Any old Busta Rhymes video or Missy Elliot video.
50. monkeyballz - November 18th, 2007 at 7:00 pm
yea kull at the top no one knows is the best/funniest music video
51. bootlicker - November 21st, 2007 at 8:36 am
Okay, call me anal, but it’s Jo”h”nny Cash, not Jonny (in the header). The video is awesome!!!
52. jfrater - November 21st, 2007 at 9:14 am
bootlicker: you are right - I hadn’t noticed so thanks for pointing the error out. I have now corrected it.
53. bootlicker - November 21st, 2007 at 10:57 pm
Thasnks! I just discovered this site last week and I’m addicted! Kudis for a great idea.
54. Sarah - December 8th, 2007 at 2:08 pm
i love ok go… lol the thriller song we had to make up another song to it and with the dance to go with our dinner at a feild trip… we thought of
we had some dinner!
had some dinner tonight!
we had some pizza,
and we had zero ort!
[[the whole “ort” thing was an inside joke]]
55. jayson - December 11th, 2007 at 8:58 pm
i can’t believe Bjork’s videos are not here
56. Drew - December 28th, 2007 at 9:43 am
Weird Al’s “Smells Like Nirvana” video should replace the R Kelly vid. I’m dead serious, it’s a REALLY good vid.
57. Mystern - December 28th, 2007 at 6:42 pm
Though I prefer the full version of the song, my favorite music video has to be “Clubbed to Death” by Rob Dougan. Or perhaps I should say “favourite”?
http://youtube.com/watch?v=PMq4akUZr8c
Beautiful cinematography (not sure if that term is the appropriate one), and really compelling. I also love the subtle ending . . .
58. shane - January 1st, 2008 at 6:35 pm
Here are a few vids that definitely should be considered..
mute math - typical http://youtube.com/watch?v=b13rc6DY74A
Justice - D.A.N.C.E
http://youtube.com/watch?v=fo_QVq2lGMs
fiest - 12334
http://youtube.com/watch?v=p8Z-DIAthbM
kings of leon - four kicks
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uZe4rn-VTvI
59. PANIC - January 14th, 2008 at 1:35 pm
I think what people don’t understand is that when Johnny Cash does “Hurt” the song takes on a whole different meaning than the NIN version. Cash’s version is seems to focus on his age and looking back upon his life where Reznor’s version seems to be about a relationship. Given the context, Cash’s version is way more moving. Espescially since in the video its like there is no attempt to hide an aging Cash. I literally bawled the first time I saw it
NIN never gave me such a strong emotion.
I liked this list a lot… it’s really concise!!
60. xoxo - January 24th, 2008 at 8:22 pm
there most definatly needs to be another music video list. i really like queens of the stone age go with the flow and anything directed by spike jonze, like praise you by fatboy slim, while its filmed with a handheld camera, its really funny to watch.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zqrDWKq9gGU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UiU7o7hRJmE
61. Mullaccio - January 26th, 2008 at 5:26 am
Pretty poor list in my opinion.
Chemical Brothers -let forever be- greatest video ever.
Anything by Michel Gondry for that matter.
62. josepluma - February 2nd, 2008 at 12:17 am
“Money for Nothing” by Dire Straits - the video is actually a little silly, but very memorable.
“The Boys of Summer” - My vote for the best ever.
63. darknightam - February 2nd, 2008 at 3:53 pm
Muse-Knights of Cydonia is an excellent video. A great narrative, showcasing a broad range of influences.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YygyHCRrKho
64. Polly Odyssey - February 8th, 2008 at 6:58 pm
Haha, I love the Take On Me video.
65. LaLahead - February 19th, 2008 at 12:12 am
Shweet. :]
Im doing an assignment on music videos,
im not sure if this has helped to answer any of my questions..
But it was entertaining anywho
o_O
66. LaLahead - February 19th, 2008 at 12:13 am
(for school)
.. not a secret agent.
HarHAr
67. J - February 21st, 2008 at 8:31 pm
where’s jesus of suberbia or beat it
68. Bobby the K - March 7th, 2008 at 6:22 pm
michael jackson was called ‘the king of pop’ because he told people (specifically oprah) to call him the king of pop.
i think commentators should always keep that in mind.
69. F.McClure - May 23rd, 2008 at 11:40 pm
For your Another 10 entertaining Music Videos, remember to include these gems, which should have been on the original list in the first place:
I’m Not Okay(I Promise)-My Chemical Romance. The single most radical, funny, touching and ambitious clip in years. If you haven’t seen this yet, you must.
Closer-NIN. My candidate for best video ever. It’s so spontaneously erotic and momentous, and meticulously constructed for the sake of grabbing the jugular. The all-time classic postpunk video.
Stinkfist-Tool. Any Tool video is an event, but you have to see this one to believe it.
Rubber Johnny-Chris Cunningham. I think we’ve all seen this one and loved the hell out of it.
The Perfect Drug-NIN. Intoxicating. A must-see.
Consider these for next time.
70. Lizz - May 29th, 2008 at 2:15 am
I like the fact that they put R. Kelly in there.
It IS entertaining. xD
71. jajdude - June 6th, 2008 at 1:02 am
They Might Be Giants: some cool videos too.
72. mikey de B - June 24th, 2008 at 8:58 am
just by radiohead, or street spirit???? i thought one of these should have got on
73. colin - July 4th, 2008 at 5:15 am
great list!
all worthy videos, havent watched Trapped in the Closet, not a fan of kelly and just couldnt bear to see that much of him…
theres a really cool video by alanis m made up of scenes from her older videos. But whats cool is that, for example, while they show you images from Ironic, her mouth is now mouthing lyrics to the current song…
very cool.
not as cool as everything else here;but somehow when its your turn to come up with something, the mind, she freezes:(
74. wumblestump - July 10th, 2008 at 12:13 pm
I don’t know how I would rate it as a song, but I always found David Lee Roth’s Just a Gigolo to be fun to watch - love the porodies of Cyndi, Billy and Michael!
75. D1StUrB3D - July 25th, 2008 at 4:42 pm
i can understand Michael Jackson being on the list, him being one of the funkiest dancers of his time, but there is one thing i cannot understand. How could you NOT put the person who inspired him to dance on here. One ONLY human who has better moves, the one, the only…PRABHU DEVA!!!! look at this guys moves: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qTUl9evBsvg
76. Mike D - July 30th, 2008 at 3:56 pm
great list. I’ll be the second to add a vote for Weapon of Choice. I’ll never forget the first time I saw Chris Walken dancing like a star.
But everyone should watch Pharcyde’s Drop. No comment necessary, just watch the whole thing. If hiphop bothers you, just turn the volume down.
Both vidz were directed by Spike Jonez.
77. unknown - October 6th, 2008 at 10:53 pm
R kelly’s trapped in the closet, around 30 music videos LOL ahaha. i like kanye west goodlife, because of the green screen affects. oh and another musice i like that kanye west did was “Touch the Sky”
78. choosy - November 21st, 2008 at 11:15 am
i think its this one http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HlzPYdnHpdg
79. BigHank - November 25th, 2008 at 6:20 am
Pretty Good list, but how could you forget, ‘Virtual Insanity’ by Jamiroquoi. Probably one of the best musc videos ever made.
80. QTKITTY - January 5th, 2009 at 9:28 am
The innovative duo that is Gnarls Barkley earns ny attention, cash, and respect with each release. After “Crazy” and its compelling video, the “Go Go Gadget Gospel” video poked big holes in anyone’s preconceptions of urban life. The xontext is ominous, the cast mysterious, and when the conflict begins we’re all knocked on our stereotyping butts by the humor. Pure pleasure with a well-honed point as they…sock it to us. (Sorry, couldn’t help myself.)