The Nominations:
1.
Abba - Knowing Me, Knowing You (1977)
AHA!!!! Swedish quartet adopt the classic 'standing at a ninety degree angle from each other' pose, while worried head-turns and wistful hugs suggest intriguing marital disharmony beneath the glitzy surface.
2.
Adam and the Ants - Prince Charming (1981)
You shall go to the ball. The dandy highwayman reinvents himself as pantomime prince, complete with Diana Dors as fairy godmother.
3.
Aerosmith - Crazy (1994)
Singer Steven Tyler's daughter Liv and her mate Alicia Silverstone hang out, act crazy, enter an amateur stripper night and steal a farmer's clothes.
4.
Christina Aguilera - Dirrty (2002)
The Mickey Mouse club image is banished forever with this three minutes of mud wrestling, bondage and sado-masochism.
5.
A-ha - Take on Me (1985)
Comic book hero comes to life in this groundbreaking animated video that made stars of the Norwegian synth-rockers.
6.
Aphex Twin - Windowlicker (1999)
Following on from Come to Daddy (described as 'The Exorcist of pop videos'), Windowlicker transfers the disturbing central premise of lots of people in Aphex Twin beardy-bloke masks from a grim British estate to the Los Angeles world of the hip-hop video.
7.
Basement Jaxx - Where's Your Head At? (2001)
Monkeys with human faces in a Czech laboratory demonstrate the 'next thing in pop music.'
8.
The Beastie Boys - Sabotage (1994)
Sublime TV cop show parody that announced the arrival of director Spike Jonze.
9.
The Beastie Boys - Intergalactic (1998)
Japanese monster B-movie spoof.
10.
The Beatles - Strawberry Fields (1967)
Pioneering example of surreal music video from the days before anyone had even thought of the concept of a 'promo,' as the band are filmed (backwards) running up hills and jumping out of trees.
11.
Beyonc頭 Crazy in Love (2003)
Intricate group dancing, an exploding car and Beyonc頳trutting her stuff in a
vest.
12.
Bjork - Human Behaviour (1993)
The story of Goldilocks reworked as magic realism when a stuffed bear turns the tables on his human hunter 'in the name of all animals'.
13.
Bjork - It's Oh So Quiet (1995)
All-singing, all-dancing homage to the golden age of the Hollywood musical set in a tyre showroom.
14.
Bjork - All is Full of Love (1999)
Two Bjork-faced white robots make love, not cars.
15.
Blur - Parklife (1994)
Damon Albarn and Phil Daniels on the road as double-glazing salesmen.
16.
Blur - Coffee & TV (1999)
Almost certainly the only video starring a walking milk carton.
17.
The Boomtown Rats - I Don't Like Mondays (1979)
Early 'story' video in which Bob Geldof and the band address a school assembly and Bob shows us his 'double take in an armchair' move.
18.
David Bowie - Ashes to Ashes (1980)
What actually happened to Major Tom is finally revealed, plus Bowie drowns in a lake dressed as a clown and leads a pseudo-religious procession in front of a bulldozer.
19.
Bronski Beat - Smalltown Boy (1984)
Autobiographical tale of Jimmy Somerville's violence-filled teenage experiences at the hands (and fists) of small-town bigots.
20.
The Buggles - Video Killed the Radio Star (1979)
Trevor Horn's 'fictitious band' in the first-ever video shown on MTV.
21.
The Cardigans - My Favourite Game (1998)
Death-wish driving in the desert.
22.
Johnny Cash - Hurt (2003)
Ageing country legend recalls his past and reflects on his own mortality.
23.
Chemical Brothers - Setting Sun (1996)
Speeding point-of-view camera and dancing policemen.
24.
Chemical Brothers - Let Forever Be (1999)
Real life seamlessly segues into Busby Berkeley-type dance sequences for the video age.
25.
Coldplay - The Scientist (2002)
Reversed action video that starts in apparent happy calm and ends on a carefree drive, but in-between features a horrific car crash.
26.
Cornershop - Brimful of Asha (1998)
Day-glo colours and dansette record player.
27.
The Cure - Close to Me (1985)
Five men in a wardrobe fall off Beachy Head.
28.
Daft Punk - Da Funk (1997)
Story of a dog-headed boy with a radio and a bad foot finding his way in the big
city.
29.
Daft Punk - Around the World (1997)
Skeletons, swimmers, astronauts and small-headed men in tracksuits, all of whom represent a different instrument in the track.
30.
Deee-lite - Groove is in the Heart (1990)
Psychedelic outfits and backdrops shot through a fish-eye lens.
31.
Dire Straits - Money for Nothing (1985)
Early computer graphics illustrate Mark Knopfler's story of electrical store workers berating the video stars on MTV.
32.
Duran Duran - Rio (1982)
Paul Smith suits get ruined on a yacht.
33.
Bob Dylan - Subterranean Homesick Blues (1965)
Bob and his idiot-boards in what many consider the first-ever pop video.
34.
Electric Six - Gay Bar (2003)
Honest Abe Lincoln in his stovepipe hat and leather hot pants is keen to take you to a gay bar.
35.
Missy Elliot - Get Ur Freak On (2001)
Missy swings on the chandelier and stretches her neck... plus some flying spit!
36.
Eminem - Stan (2000)
Literal interpretation of Slim Shady's account of a starstruck obsessive,
featuring Dido as the deranged fan's doomed and pregnant wife.
37.
Eminem - Without Me (2002)
Eminem raids the dressing-up box as Robin the Boy Wonder, a yoga-practising
Moby, Elvis on the toilet and Osama Bin Laden>
38.
Eurythmics - Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This) (1983)
There's a cow in the boardroom and office furniture in a field.
39.
Fatboy Slim - Praise You (1999)
The fictitious Torrance Community Dance Group perform for a bemused cinema queue.
40.
Fatboy Slim - Weapon of Choice (2001)
Christopher Walken reverts to his hoofer roots with a dancing romp through a hotel lobby.
41.
50 Cent - In Da Club (2003)
Eminem and Dr Dre monitor the progress of their prot駩 at their hip-hop boot camp, the Shady/Aftermath Artist Development Center.
42.
Foo Fighters - Learn to Fly (1999)
Illicit substances in the in-flight refreshments mean only Dave Grohl can save the day by landing a passenger plane.
43.
Frankie Goes to Hollywood - Relax (1983)
Orgiastic romp featuring members of London's early 80s gay underground scene and the Emperor Nero relieving himself.
44.
Frankie Goes to Hollywood - Two Tribes (1984)
Cold War wrestling match with Holly Johnson as our ringside correspondent.
45.
Peter Gabriel - Sledgehammer (1986)
The ultimate in Claymation.
46.
Godley and Cr譥 - Cry (1985)
A succession of ordinary faces sing the song in close-up with the occasional interjection from Godley, Creme, record producer Trevor Horn and Mr T of the A Team.
47.
Gorillaz - Clint Eastwood (2001)
Dancing cartoon primates.
48.
Guns N Roses - November Rain (1992)
Grandiose epic featuring Slash's middle of nowhere guitar solo.
49.
Herbie Hancock - Rockit (1983)
Robotic legs dance in the sitting-room.
50.
Lauryn Hill - Doo Wop That Thing (1998)
Split screen video featuring a 'then' and 'now' urban American street scene.
52.
ChChris Isaak - Wicked Game (1990)
Black and white video on a beach where a sultry Helena Christiansen starts off very keen on Mr Isaak but soon begins to lose interest?
53.
Michael Jackson - Billie Jean (1983)
Split screens and freeze frames, an illuminated pavement and the moment where the world found out that Michael Jackson could dance.
54.
Michael Jackson - Thriller (1983)
Sixteen-minute epic featuring a film within a film, gallons of latex made into monster masks and a dance troupe of ghouls rehearsed to death.
55.
Michael & Janet Jackson - Scream (1995)
The most expensive music video ever made.
56.
Jamiroquai - Virtual Insanity (1996)
Is it the floor moving? Or the walls? Or the furniture? Or all of the above?
57.
Elton John - I Want Love (2001)
A troubled looking Robert Downey Jr mimes Sir Elton's plea for affection.
58.
KLF - Justified and Ancient (1992)
Country legend Tammy Wynette on an Inca Temple.
59.
Cyndi Lauper - Girls Just Wanna Have Fun (1984)
Cyndi organises a party at her parents' house and invites the neighbourhood.
60.
Madness -Baggy Trousers (1980)
School days remembered and a saxophone player who can fly.
61.
Madonna - Material Girl (1985)
Madonna as Monroe in a Gentlemen Prefer Blondes parody.
62.
Madonna - Like a Prayer (1989)
Burning crosses, stigmata, statues weeping blood and Madonna's infamous kiss with a black Jesus which generated a storm of controversy and lost her a $5m sponsorship deal with Pepsi.
63.
Madonna - Vogue (1990)
Immensely stylish black and white celebration of a New York dance craze and the screen giants of the 1940s.
64.
Madonna - Ray of Light (1998)
Speeded-up film condenses a day into three minutes.
65.
Massive Attack - Unfinished Sympathy (1991)
Single-take video as vocalist Shara Nelson, wanders through the neighbourhood.
66.
Massive Attack - Protection (1995)
A towerblock dissected - revealing the disconnected lives inside.
67.
Massive Attack - Teardrop (1998)
A song sung by an unborn foetus.
68.
MC Hammer - You Can't Touch This (1990)
Big-trousered dancing.
69. >Meatloaf - I Would Do Anything for Love... (1993)[/b]
Meatloaf as a vampire. Be afraid...
70.
George Michael - Freedom '90 (1990)
George sits this one out to allow a succession of supermodels to mime his vocal.
71.
George Michael - Outside (1998)
George's video version of his arrest for 'a lewd act in a public lavatory' features a toilet that turns into a disco and some kissing cops.
72.
KyKylie Minogue - Spinning Around (2000)
Kylie dances in a club wearing pop's most iconic hot-pants.
73.
Kylie Minogue - Can't Get You Out of My Head (2001)
That hooded silver dress, shocking red lipstick and jerky dance.
74.
Moby - Natural Blues (2000)
Moby is very old while Christina Ricci plays an angel.
75.
Musical Youth - Pass the Dutchie (1982)
The exuberance of youth' triumphs over the legal system and a pantomime villain school inspector.
76.
New Order - True Faith (1987)
Sign language, rhythmic face-slapping and the 'jumping up and down in a row' dance.
77.
Olivia Newton John - Physical (1981)
Olivia sweats it out in the gym.
78.
Nirvana - Smells Like Teen Spirit (1991)
Cheerleaders dance in the gym, while Nirvana fans reach such a frenzy they trash the place and tie up the janitor.
79.
Sinead O'Connor - Nothing Compares 2 U (1990)
Moody shots of Paris, the big close-up and the single tear.
80.
OutKast - Ms Jackson (2001)
Leaky house, nodding dogs and a singing owl.
81.
OutKast - Hey Ya (2003) Sixties pop show pastiche featuring a band made up entirely of Andre 3000s.
82.
Robert Palmer - Addicted to Love (1986)
Palmer performs in front of a backing band of identical women.
83.
The Pet Shop Boys - Go West (1993)
Hi-kitsch Soviet-style marching up the stairway to heaven.
84.
Pink Floyd - Another Brick in the Wall (1979)
Surly school kids berate Gerald Scarfe's cartoon teacher who wants to put them through the mincer.
85.
The Police - Every Breath You Take (1983)
Moody black and white performance video featuring Sting on a double bass.
86.
Prince - When Doves Cry (1984)
Prince takes a bath.
87.
The Prodigy - Firestarter (1996)
Keith Flint shakes his head in a disused tube tunnel.
88.
The Prodigy - Smack My ***** Up (1997)
Much banned roller-coaster of violence, vomit, sex and sexism with a twist in the tale.
89.
Pulp - Common People (1995)
A story of posh people slumming it puts Jarvis Cocker in a shopping trolley pushed by Sadie Frost.
90.
Queen - Bohemian Rhapsody (1975)
Video feedback, the four faces of Queen and a little silhouetto of a man.
91.
Queen - I Want to Break Free (1984)
Freddie wants to be released from his drab existence as a moustachioed vacuuming housewife.
92.
Radiohead - Just (1995)
A man knows something so bad that he has to lie down in the street. When he finally tells onlookers his secret, they join him on the ground.
93.
Radiohead - Street Spirit (Fade Out) (1996)
Mixed up speeds, leaping nuns and a snarling dog.
94.
Radiohead - No Surprises (1998)
Thom Yorke suffers for his art in a diving helmet filling with water.
95.
Red Hot Chili Peppers - Give It Away (1994)
Underground movie feel and shiny body paint.
96.
REM - Everybody Hurts (1993)
Frustration, dreams and disappointment in a traffic jam with a messianic climax when everyone gets up and walks.
97.
REM - Imitation of Life (2001)
Different perspectives on the same repeated scene.
98.
Busta Rhymes - Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Could See (1997)
One tub of day-glo body paint, one fish-eye lens, one loin cloth, one elephant.
99.
The Rolling Stones - We Love You (1967)
The trial of Oscar Wilde recreated on the eve of Jagger and Richard's own day in court on drug charges.
100.
Run DMC & Aerosmith - Walk This Way (1986)
Breakthrough hip-hop/rock crossover features a struggle for centre stage between the two genres.
101.
Shakespear's Sister - Stay (1992)
Deranged fight between an about-to-be-bereaved lover and the angel of death.
102.
Paul Simon - You Can Call Me Al (1986)
Chevy Chase and Paul Simon in a room.
103.
Smashing Pumpkins - Tonight Tonight (1996)
Space travel Victorian-style.
104.
So Solid Crew - 21 Seconds (2001)
The many members of the band perform in front of their caged fans.
105.
Britney Spears - ...Baby One More Time (1999)
Schoolgirl Britney dances by the lockers.
106.
The Specials - Ghost Town (1981)
The band, on the brink of splitting up, drive through the bleak heart of Thatcher's Britain.
107.
The Spice Girls - Wannabe (1996)
The apparently single take introduction to Girl Power as the Spices run riot in a posh (not Posh) hotel.
108.
The Streets - Fit But You Know It (2004)
Photo memories of what Mike Skinner did on his holidays.
109.
Supergrass - Pumping on Your Stereo (1999)
Extended muppet limbs and bendy instruments courtesy of a team of twenty-plus puppeteers.
110.
Talking Heads - Once in a Lifetime (1981)
Madly perspiring David Byrne performs a deranged dance in a tight suit.
111.
Justin Timberlake - Cry Me a River (2003)
Post the Britney bust-up, Justin breaks into his cheating ex's house, has revenge sex with another woman on her bed and when his (Britney look-alike) former lover gets home he watches her shower.
112.
TLC -Waterfalls (1995)
Boy ignores his Mother's advice to watch the company he keeps.
113.
2P2Pac featuring Dr Dre - California Love (1996)
Mad Max parody.
114.
Bonnie Tyler - Total Eclipse of the Heart (1983)
Big house, big hair, big voice, big hit.
115.
Ultravox - Vienna (1981)
Midge Ure puts his trenchcoat collar up.
116.
U2 -Where the Streets Have No Name (1987)
Bono stops the traffic from the rooftops.
117.
U2 -The Sweetest Thing (1998)
A video apology from Bono to his wife (for forgetting her birthday) features a parade of Mrs Bono's favourite things including Boyzone, an elephant, boxer Steve Collins and the Artane Boys Band.
118.
The Verve - Bittersweet Symphony (1997)
Richard Ashcroft marches down and East London Street barging into everyone he meets.
119.
Sid Vicious - My Way (1979)
Sid murders the Sinatra standard - and as an afterthought massacres the audience.
12120.
Weezer - Buddy Holly (1995)
The band find themselves providing the entertainment in the middle of an episode of Happy Days.
121.
Wham - Club Tropicana (1983)
George and Andrew enjoy the 80s highlife until it's time to clock on again as airline pilots.
122.
The White Stripes - Fell in Love with a Girl (2002)
Jack and Meg refashioned as lego.
123.
The Who/Elton John - Pinball Wizard (1975)
Elton John's bovver boots and Roger Daltry's blank stare feature in this influential and iconic sequence from Ken Russell's film of the rock opera Tommy.
124.
Robbie Williams - Rock DJ (2000)
Robbie aims to impress by stripping naked and when that doesn't work starts ripping off body parts.
125.
Wu-Tang Clan - Gravel Pit (2001)
Mini Kung Fu movie.
The Final and Decisive Results:
- Michael Jackson: Thriller
- Peter Gabriel: Sledgehammer
- A-ha: Take on Me
- Queen: Bohemian Rhapsody
- Madonna: Like a Prayer
- Robbie Williams: Rock DJ
- Michael Jackson: Billie Jean
- The Verve: Bittersweet Symphony
- Madonna: Vogue
- Nirvana: Smells Like Teen Spirit
- Coldplay: The Scientist
- Michael & Janet Jackson: Scream
- Pink Floyd: Another Brick in the Wall
- Christina Aguilera: Dirrty
- REM: Everybody Hurts
- OutKast: Hey Ya
- Blur: Coffee & TV
- Beyonce: Crazy in Love
- Madonna: Material Girl
- Gorillaz: Clint Eastwood
- Queen: I Want to Break Free
- Justin Timberlake: Cry Me a River
- Britney Spears: ...Baby One More Time
- Radiohead: No Surprises
- Madness: Baggy Trousers
- TLC: Waterfalls
- David Bowie: Ashes to Ashes
- Foo Fighters: Learn to Fly
- Electric Six: Gay Bar
- Weezer: Buddy Holly
- Eminem: Stan
- Chris Isaak: Wicked Game
- U2: The Sweetest Thing
- The White Stripes: Fell in Love with a Girl
- Sinead O'Connor: Nothing Compares 2U
- Red Hot Chili Peppers: Give It Away
- Guns N Roses: November Rain
- Fatboy Slim: Weapon of Choice
- Pulp: Common People
- Missy Elliot: Get Ur Freak On
- The Spice Girls: Wannabe
- Bjork: It's Oh So Quiet
- Dire Straits: Money for Nothing
- Kylie Minogue: Can't Get You Out of My Head
- Aerosmith: Crazy
- Adam & the Ants: Prince Charming
- The Prodigy: Firestarter
- Johnny Cash: Hurt
- Jamiroquai: Virtual Insanity
- Paul Simon: You Can Call Me Al
- Run DMC & Aerosmith: Walk This Way
- Massive Attack: Teardrop
- Wham: Club Tropicana
- Daft Punk: Around the World
- Fatboy Slim: Praise You
- Eminem: Without Me
- Meatloaf: I'd Do Anything for Love (But I Won't Do That)
- The Cure: Close to Me
- Abba: Knowing Me, Knowing You
- Eurythmics: Sweet Dreams
- The Prodigy: Smack My ***** Up
- Blur: Parklife
- George Michael: Outside
- Bjork: Human Behaviour
- Aphex Twin: Windowlicker
- Bob Dylan: Subterranean Homesick Blues
- The Beastie Boys: Sabotage
- Madonna: Ray of Light
- Frankie Goes to Hollywood: Two Tribes
- The Police: Every Breath You Take
- Bjork: All Is Full of Love
- Robert Palmer: Addicted to Love
- Basement Jaxx: Where's Your Head At?
- Wu-Tang Clan: Gravel Pit
- Duran Duran: Rio
- The Beatles: Strawberry Fields
- MC Hammer: U Can't Touch This
- Godley and Creme: Cry
- New Order: True Faith
- Radiohead: Just
- Ultravox: Vienna
- 50 Cent: In Da Club
- Shakespear's Sister: Stay
- The Boomtown Rats: I Don't Like Mondays
- Sid Vicious: My Way
- The Streets: Fit But You Know It
- Talking Heads: Once in a Lifetime
- Elton John: I Want Love
- Smashing Pumpkins: Tonight Tonight
- The Pet Shop Boys: Go West
- The Specials: Ghost Town
- Herbie Hancock: Rockit
- The Rolling Stones: We Love You
- Bonnie Tyler: Total Eclipse of the Heart
- The Cardigans: My Favourite Game
- So Solid Crew: 21 Seconds
- Cornershop: Brimful of Asha
- Bronski Beat: Smalltown Boy
- Supergrass: Pumping on Your Stereo
- Musical Youth: Pass the Dutchie
This list was compiled by Channel 4's top 100 shows. It doesn't reflect my person view or the opinion of TF or the aggregate of TFs community.
The 100 Greatest Pop Videos...
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