Since we are the MTV gen, What 3 videos live in ur head today?
Posted by Grease2feminist@reddit | GenX | View on Reddit | 1234 comments
Video killed the radio star(I loved the b/up girls)
Mexican radio (his face coming out of beans)
I Ran flock of seagull hair FOREVER!
SandpaperPeople@reddit
Wow! I had videos jumping into my head with every answer. I can't remember what I ate for dinner but I can sure picture and sing to so many videos. For me Take on Me, Thriller, Sledgehammer.
Few-Might2630@reddit
Girls Just Want to have Fun
crob03@reddit
Alien Ant Farm “Smooth Criminal” Linkin Park “Faint” Britney Spears “Toxic”
Sad-Wolverine6326@reddit
Money for Nothing, Dire Straits, Thriller, MJ. Rio, Duran Duran.
cjkgt97@reddit
The first one I ever saw. It was weird one too: "You Might Think" by The Cars.
"We're Not Going To Take It" by Twisted Sister. Dee Snyder and Douglas Niedermeyer.
The day "Enter Sandman" was released as prior Metallica has eschewed videos.
attaboy_stampy@reddit
We're Not Going to Take It is a crazy fun video.
That shot of them all hanging out of the upstairs bedroom window like they're about to bust through the wall makes me laugh and laugh and laugh.
DarthTexasRN@reddit
Their first video was for One off of *…And Justice for All.”
cjkgt97@reddit
True facts, but Enter Sandman was the first one that didn't cause people to leave the room. 🤣
DarthTexasRN@reddit
🤣
Jagsfan2025@reddit
Metallica Whisky in the Jar is a great video as well, even though the song is a remake
Senior_Ad3011@reddit
Rock me tonight-Billy Squire
attaboy_stampy@reddit
Pop culture snuff film
b33lzebubba775@reddit
Sledgehammer by peter gabriel Money Talks by ACDC Fat by Weird Al Yankovic
Automatic-Nature6025@reddit
Welcome to the Jungle (Gn'R), Eighteen and Life(skid row), Devil Inside(INXS), There's plenty more.
Scout_dad@reddit
Run away train MTV unplugged gnr patience Uncle toms cabin
NoAngel815@reddit
Uncle Tom's Cabin - Warrent
Runaway Train - Soul Asylum
Wanted: Dead or Alive -Bon Jovi
Scout_dad@reddit
Solid
One-Palpitation-4397@reddit
Wild Boys....so sexy
0rder_66_survivor@reddit
Thriller (MJ), Money For Nothing (DS)and Jump (VH)
NPC261939@reddit
Come as You Are
Black Hole Sun
Pull Me Under
New_Flow_5941@reddit
Max Headroom
Original_DSqueeze@reddit
Metal health, I can’t drive 55, hot for teacher!
crzycatlady98@reddit
Runaway Train by Soul Asylum
Adorableviolet@reddit
I was going to say many of yours! Thriller is another for me.
No_Parking_4195@reddit
"Sweet Dreams" by Eurythmics
"New Song" by Howard Jones
"Wrapped Around Your Finger" by The Police
i_am_ttrenae@reddit
Mr. Telephone Man
Electric Avenue
Morning Angel
According_Camera7129@reddit
Jamiroquai- Virtual Insanity
Korn- Freak on a Leash
Red Hot Chili Peppers- Under the Bridge
Beastie Boys- Fight For Your Right (To Party!)
Seabluele@reddit
Van Halen - Jump
Robert Plant - Addicted to Love
Guns N Roses - Sweet Child of Mine
Aha - Take on.Me
Rick Astley - Never Gonna Give You Up
Tears For Fears - Everybody Wants to Rule the World
Slagegg@reddit
Think you mean Robert Palmer, not Robert Plant :)
Seabluele@reddit
You’re totally right! LOL. I have always mixed up their names!
CitizenChatt@reddit
I can see all these in my mind
No_Device9450@reddit
Sledgehammer
Take On Me
Money For Nothing
lesricalive@reddit
John Fogerty had a song called Vanz Kant Danz. The song wasn't memorable, but that video sticks out in my memory because it was done in Claymation, with pigs dancing in the background.
Asia - Only Time Will Tell. This is the quintessential 80s video, in my mind. Minimal backgrounds, woman flipping around TV monitors showing the band singing/playing their instruments.
Scandal - The Warrior. She looked so beautiful in the video. But the weird guy in grey always stood out as creepy.
Honorable Mention: Rebbie Jackson - Centipede Stupid song, ridiculous video concept. Frickin' loved it!
PsEggsRice@reddit
Sabotage by beastie boys
Sweet escape by gwen stefani
Don’t come around here by Tom Petty
freakinreviews@reddit
Jeremy by Pearl Jam - for obvious reasons
Just Want You to Know by Backstreet Boys (yeah it was later, but a great 80s parody!)
Rock Me Tonight by Billy Squier - because it ruined his career!
Available-Bison-9222@reddit
Love is a Battlefield by Pat Benatar.
The whole theme of the video was groundbreaking, and the dance routine at the end was iconic.
face-mcsh00ty@reddit
God damn "Hold Me" by Fleetwood Mac. Eff that song.
MeNotYou733@reddit
Warrant Cherry Pie Herbie Hancock Rockit Thriller
GelOfYouth@reddit
Safety Dance
Ms_Anne-Thrope@reddit
Major Tom
Money For Nuthin
Fight for your right
Fair-Wishbone-1190@reddit
Thriller--MJ Dire Straights-Money for Nothin. Love & Rockets-- So Alive
Yummers78@reddit
Tom Petty - Mary Jane’s Last Dance (Creeped me out when I was young)
Disastrous_Code_3473@reddit
Same!
JohninMichigan55@reddit
Take on me
In the still of the night
Sharp dressed man
Swimming-Compote-168@reddit
Nirvana - “Smells Like Teen Spirit” (I remember watching it before Nirvana blew up and thinking everything in music has changed)
Beastie Boys - “Sabotage” (the high point of music videos)
Smashing Pumpkins - “1979” (Gen Xrs will understand)
Tasia528@reddit
YES! Sabotage was it!
Tasia528@reddit
True Colors - Cindi Lauper, Straight Up - Paula Abdul, and Glory Days - Bruce Springsteen
ConsistentYard9188@reddit
Berlin - Riding on the Metro
zenrn1171@reddit
Money For Nothing - Dire Straits
Land of Confusion - Genesis
You Might Think - The Cars
Time-Waster25@reddit
Of course Money For Nothing! 🎶I want my MTV🎶
Ribbitygirl@reddit
Land of Confusion has been on my mind a lot lately…
Grease2feminist@reddit (OP)
Same. And Timezone w/ Lydon has been randomly shuffling in.
Grease2feminist@reddit (OP)
like this
Grease2feminist@reddit (OP)
But those puppet heads were freaky
JazzyJeff58@reddit
Judas Priest You've Got Another Thing Comin'
AdvancedParamedic799@reddit
Faith no more-epic Metallica- Unforgiven Guns and Roses- November Rain
deanmass@reddit
Gloria- U2 Tattoed Love Boys- Pretenders Citizen-Citizen
ancientastronaut2@reddit
Can you believe I wasn't a huge video watcher. Like I remember turning on vh1 with richard blade hosting to watch videos a few times more than I remember mtv. Or I remember watching them at friends' houses sometimes, but it was more like they were on in the background. I listened to music way more than watching videos. The ones that stand out in my memory are michael jackson bad, duran duran rio, and george michael careless whisper.
BowleeLacuna@reddit
Epic, November Rain, Like a Prayer
blootereddragon@reddit
You are a young Gen X
BowleeLacuna@reddit
Is 50 young? 🤔
blootereddragon@reddit
Got 8 years on you so in terms of high school/college music that's a huge difference
BowleeLacuna@reddit
Oof, no comment. 😁
oldlaxer@reddit
Walk Like an Egyptian-the Bangles, No One Like You-The Scorpions She’s a Beauty-The Tubes
EV_ME19@reddit
Fish Heads
checkerlily@reddit
Beastie boys- sabotage Weird al-Fat Van Halen- Right Now and Jump
DrZeus104@reddit
Genesis - Land of Confusion Dire Straits - Money for Nothing Tiny Basil - Hey Mickey
JinjaTheNinja@reddit
YouTube has classic MTV footage, and even though I think some of it is put together with AI, it is fun to watch. Saw the Honeydrippers and Culture Club, plus a where's the need commercial.
UrsaMajor7th@reddit
Usa’ers were the MTV generation, “we” were not.
deleted_by_reddit@reddit
[removed]
GenX-ModTeam@reddit
Prejudices & Hostility - No speech of any form targeting anyone, including but not limited to:
TrickMilk7892@reddit
Take Me On Drive Sister Christian
And the first video I ever saw on a brand new Mtv, I Ran by Flock of Seagulls. (Don't ask me what language they speak in What)
Livid-Technology-396@reddit
Kajagoogoo, video killed the radio star, the motels.
Minute-Frame-8060@reddit
Dexy's Midnight Runners: Come on, Eileen And all the other ones mentioned. We got the actual good MTV.
Steelergrl2310@reddit
Oh my gosh! There is no way to pick 3!
Guns N’ Roses - welcome to the jungle, sweet child o’ mine, patience, paradise city, November rain, estranged, don’t cry, yesterdays…
Metallica - One, Unforgiven, Enter Sandman
Yo MTV Raps
Headbangers Ball
ALL of Michael Jackson
The Unplugged of Nirvana and Alice In Chains
Seriously grew up with MTV from the beginning. I loved watching it.
nehibetty@reddit
Watched it so much you missed the day where everyone learned to count to three.
Steelergrl2310@reddit
Gee I wonder why I said in the first sentence I couldn’t pick 3. Guess you never learned to read.
nehibetty@reddit
There is a way to pick 3.
Don’t get bent out of shape, it’s just a joke.
Steelergrl2310@reddit
Still the same round shape I was. Just giving back what was given. Have a good night.
TOW2Bguy@reddit
Yinz leave Steelergrl2310 alone! Don't be a jagoff!
Charlie_Something@reddit
Quiet Riot- Cum on Feel the Noize
Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers- You Got Lucky
John Cougar Mellencamp - Feels So Good
MaloofHoof73@reddit
Pardon me, I believe you meant to say "Hurts So Good". Have a good day! 👍
jennebeans@reddit
Aha - Take on Me Tom Petty - Don't Come Around Here No More Soul Asylum - Runaway Train Bonus: Walk This Way by Aerosmith and Run DMC 😄
Unfair-Leather3804@reddit
Dire Straits - Money for Nothing
A-Ha - Take on Me
Yes - Owner of a Lonely Heart
wolf19d@reddit
Take on Me - Ah Ha November Rain - Guns N Roses Money for Nothing - Dire Straits
125acres@reddit
Freeze Frame
JonnyCotati@reddit
Sledgehammer - Peter Gabriel
18 and Life -Skid Row
Like a Prayer - Madonna
newthinker87@reddit
Culture Club- Karma Chameleon
curiousme123456@reddit
TheGrauWolf@reddit
Beat It - Michael Jackson
Fat - Weird Al
Don't Come Around Here - Tom Petty
JetScreamerBaby@reddit
A-Ha. Take on Me
Al Di Meola Sequencer
Men Without Hats. I Like
HikeHikeHut@reddit
We didn’t have cable growing up but mine would be
Thriller Take on me And for some reason George Harrison got my mind set on you
MediumAd3331@reddit
Legs. ZZ Top
Rockit. Herbie Hancock
Thriller. MIchael Jackson
Grease2feminist@reddit (OP)
You are so right. I rewatched Legs yesterday and earlier had watched a podcast about the death of “baddies” and I thought, those girls are total baddies.
MediumAd3331@reddit
They were the first that grabbed me when I was 7. I can remember a lot more. Was so excited for the VMA’s in 84. Then, well. I was launched into puberty by that one performance
I almost wrote in Robert Palmers videos. But the girls, the car, the beards and the actual song is more infectious from ZZ Top
Grease2feminist@reddit (OP)
Remember watching Madonna or Brittany @ MTV VMAs?
piscuintin@reddit
TheOGcoolguy@reddit
Thriller Say Say Say One
shandin@reddit
Well we're gonna rock down to electric avenue with Eddie Grant
Grease2feminist@reddit (OP)
YES!!!!!! Thank you for reminding me!!
shandin@reddit
It felt like the video that was on everytime. I was born in 76 so probably 85/86
Grease2feminist@reddit (OP)
Just came back to say I really enjoyed rewatching that as a grown up. Thanks 🙏
Grease2feminist@reddit (OP)
I knew about the strife in Jamaica because of that song. Or so I thought. I knew Jamaica & that something was bad around there
Fire_Doc2017@reddit
Hot for Teacher, Money for Nothing and (ugh I hated it) Thriller.
rotomangler@reddit
Not for Teacher - Van Halen
Sledgehammer - Peter Gabriel
One - Metallica
DaGoddamnBatboy@reddit
Grease2feminist@reddit (OP)
This is iconic & the moment boys and girls across the nation fell in love w/ S Hoffs. I watched her movie too.
DaGoddamnBatboy@reddit
*the world fell for her
CleverNickName-69@reddit
Chris Isaak - Wicked Game: A supermodel frolicking in the waves mostly naked in slo mo and black and white is a pretty good concept for a video.
Peter Gabriel - Shock the Monkey
J. Geils Band - Centerfold
TOW2Bguy@reddit
Na nah na nuh nah nah...
daily_cup_of_joe@reddit
Take on me.. Money for nothing.. And the bangles... Still in love with her.
nehibetty@reddit
Her? Mrs. Bangles?
TOW2Bguy@reddit
No that: was Mr. Bo-jangles and he danced for you... in worn-out shoes.
And a few years later Mike Patton as Mr. Bungle.
CharleyDawg@reddit
Good? Or Bad?
Good: Jump- Van Halen Shock the Monkey- Peter Gabriel Under Pressure- David Bowie and Queen
Bad- anything by Men at Work Dance Hall Days Come on Eileen
Jagsfan2025@reddit
Van Halen’s “Hot for Teacher” moved something in me as a young man.
wonderbeen@reddit
The one with Chevy Chase & Peter Gabriel
Dire Straits - Money for Nothing
Queen - Live Aid Concert
veracosa@reddit
You might be thinking of Paul Simon and Chevy Chase in "You can call me Al"
TOW2Bguy@reddit
I usually remember it as Peter too. Not sure why. Especially as I enjoy the talent of both artists.
nehibetty@reddit
Trying to rob Paul by saying ‘Peter’.
ELPO48823@reddit
I see what you did
wonderbeen@reddit
Yes, that’s it. I love that video, LOL
aftcg@reddit
Literally was going to post this. You must have been at the sleepover parties I went to
KMack666@reddit
Land Of Confusion Wild Boys Safety Dance
oneders63@reddit
Talking Heads - "Once in a Lifetime"
Altered Images - "I Could Be Happy"
Scandal - "Goodbye to You"
TOW2Bguy@reddit
"This is not my house..."
ThatguyBry42@reddit
Humpty Dance
Pour Some Sugar On Me
Walk This Way
TOW2Bguy@reddit
Now stop whatcha doin, cuz I'mma bout to ruin...
desertratlovescats@reddit
Here I Go Again - Whitesnake Girls Girls Girls Motley Crue Personal Jesus - Depeche Mode
TOW2Bguy@reddit
Oooooh. Tani Kitane
HornetParticular6625@reddit
Midnight Oil, Beds are Burning
TOW2Bguy@reddit
The time has come... To say fairs fair.
Big_Midnight_6632@reddit
Thriller Mickey you're so fine Girls just wanna have fun
ConcertinaTerpsichor@reddit
Love Is A Battlefield — Pat Benetar
She’s Gone — Chilliwack
Rock This Town — Stray Cats (loved hating Mr 1974 dude.)
VicMackeyLKN@reddit
November Rain is the answer
mweisbro@reddit
Def Leopard live video - and Duran Duran!
TOW2Bguy@reddit
When it was released, two of my teen female cousins were infatuated with the Love Bites - Def Leopard video. Like gag me with a spoon.
DarthTexasRN@reddit
Mötley Crüe: Home Sweet Home
Twisted Sister: We’re Not Gonna Take It
Ozzy: Bark at the Moon
pete10278@reddit
Safety Dance Men Without Hats
Total Eclipse of the Heart Bonnie Tyler
Abracadabra Steve Miller Band
TOW2Bguy@reddit
You can dance if you want to...
GlossyBuckslip@reddit
The first video I saw on MTV: The Psychedelic Furs- Love My Way.
Run to the Hills-Iron Maiden
Tattooed Love Boys-The Pretenders
Havacookiewhydontcha@reddit
Love the Furs! Their sound is iconic 80s in my head forever.
TOW2Bguy@reddit
I seem to remember one of the VJs references to the Furs being her only furs.
ColdObiWan@reddit
Money For Nothing, Total Eclipse of the Heart, Wicked Game
TOW2Bguy@reddit
Ooooh.... Dire Straits, Bonnie Tyler, AND Chris Isaak!
Basic_genXer@reddit
Material Girl
Awkward_Village_6871@reddit
Genesis: land of confusion Ah-ha: take on me Palmer: sledgehammer
TOW2Bguy@reddit
Land of Confusion is a solid song. I love the original with the 80s/90s puppets as well as the Disturbd version... someone really needs to do a no-nonsense 2025-2026 video.
TOW2Bguy@reddit
Many, many, many as I used to binge when visiting friends who had cable. The first four that came to mind before accidentally reading others were, Don't Be Cruel - Cheap Trick, Epic - Faith No More, and Skycraper & California Girls - David Lee Roth
TOW2Bguy@reddit
These were quickly followed by: Walk this Way - RUN DMC / Aerosmith, You Can Call Me Al - Peter Gabriel feat Chevy Chase, and Tell It To My Heart - Taylor Dayne
Commercial-Elk-1697@reddit
Faith-George Michael (those butt shakes had me hypnotized) Like a Prayer-Madonna Need You Tonight-INXS
FloatingOnTitties@reddit
SUCH GODD VIDEOS! 🤘
Mikey317717@reddit
Wild Boys, Duran Duran One Night in Bancock, Murray Head Money for Nothing, Dire Straights
I was going to say Don't Come Around Here No More, but you already put that one out there.
BannyW22@reddit
Boys of Summer-Don Henley Don’t come around here no more-Tom Petty November Rain- Guns and Roses
SomeBlueDevil@reddit
A-Ha - Hunting High and Low / Take on Me
Peter Gabriel - Sledge Hammer
Michel Jackson - Thriller
sunny_gym@reddit
This is a really strong trio
weaselroni@reddit
120 min
RNQ852@reddit
Epic - Faith No More
Neat-Ladder8987@reddit
Hot for Teacher
That's it
MWoolf71@reddit
Sit down, Waldo
gcboyd1@reddit
I don’t feel tardy!
Neat-Ladder8987@reddit
I need somptin ta write on.
mccrackin77@reddit
Walk like an Egyptian. Susana Hoffs side to side eye movement still makes me feel kinda funny, like when I used to climb the rope in gym class.
Ok-Swordfish7837@reddit
If she were president she’d be Baberaham Lincoln.
MWoolf71@reddit
She’s from Babelon.
HandAccomplished6285@reddit
Warrant - Cherry Pie Pat Benetar - Love is a Battlefield ZZ Top - Legs
MWoolf71@reddit
YOU LEAVE THIS HOUSE!!
Havacookiewhydontcha@reddit
Billy Idol- Dancing with Myself Depech Mode - Policy of Truth Prince - Kiss
Ian-Not_on_Olive@reddit
Any Kate Bush videos are better than anyone.
Fuzzy_Put_6384@reddit
99 Luftballoons
Theodora2019@reddit
billy squier rock me tonight
Theodora2019@reddit
mtv literally played this every hour for like a month straight you couldnt get away from it
gcboyd1@reddit
I can’t believe I had to scroll this far to find it!! This is what popped into my head IMMEDIATELY!!
Meunderwears@reddit
Memorable for all the wrong reasons. Too bad it’s a banger song.
Scary-Pressure6158@reddit
Still of the night. Dude looks like a lady. And ONE
crazyswordfish_21@reddit
You can dance if you want to wrapping the pole with ribbon scene
Uptight_AI@reddit
Fearless_Lab@reddit
Sledgehammer, Don't Come Around Here No More, and Owner of a Lonely Heart
nibletriblet@reddit
Those are definitely three that stood out in style, symbolism, and composition compared to the majority of videos at the time. 👍
Fearless_Lab@reddit
Tom Petty once said that was his favorite video ever, maybe song? I don't remember.
Lcky22@reddit
Closer, November rain, free fallin
Two_dump_chump@reddit
Shadows of the night- Pat Benetar
Money for nuthin - dire straits
Jump - Van Halen
Ok-Unit-6365@reddit
Thriller (MJ)
Take on Me (a-Ha)
Cult of Personality (Living Color)
chsmitt@reddit
Take on me Money for nothing Anything from Robert Palmer
Bohica_662@reddit
VH - Hot for Teacher
ObviousIndependent76@reddit
The big ones: Thriller, November Rain, and This is America.
dae_giovanni@reddit
no notes!
SquareTowel3931@reddit
Is that the Arashikage clan tattoo shared by the 2 most famous ninjas of the mid 80's??
dae_giovanni@reddit
dae_giovanni@reddit
(this is Snake-Eyes for "yes".)
SquareTowel3931@reddit
lol
AdExtreme4813@reddit
Phil Collins- Billy, don't lose my number. A take-off on a bunch of other videos, so fun.
hippidad@reddit
1 I touch myself 2 I touch myself 3 I touch myself, The Divinyls. 53m, this will always be my favorite.
UKMegaGeek@reddit
To quote Buffy, "That's what that song is about?"
hippidad@reddit
Oh yeah, find it on YouTube. It was big when I was in high school.
OnlyKindaCare@reddit
Take on Me (A-ha), Thriller (Michael Jackson), and Close to Me (The Cure).
GenerAsianX1992@reddit
Duran Duran - Hungry Like The Wolf Aha - Take On Me Bronski Beat - Small-town Boy
StudsTurkleton@reddit
Everybody Wants to Rule the World
Hungry like the Wolf
Walk like an Egyptian
Aggravating_Cable_32@reddit
Peter Gabriel - Sledgehammer
NIN - Closer
New Order - True Faith
Healthy-Theme8261@reddit
Ah ha
CynicSixthSense@reddit
Soundgarden - Black Hole Sun Tool - Sober Nirvana - Smells Like Teen Spirit
nehibetty@reddit
What’s a ‘black hole sun tool’? Was Nirvana sober?
mweisbro@reddit
I remember being on break the first airing I watched all day it was amazing!
ArcadiaKing@reddit
Take on Me
That one with the lady wearing a black trash bag
David Bowie and Mick Jagger Dancing in the Streets with no music
SquareTowel3931@reddit
Jane's Addiction's Been Caught Stealing, lol??
ArcadiaKing@reddit
Missy Eliot The Rain
OldSlug@reddit
Dancing with Tears in My eyes by Ultravox is really the only one that has always stuck with me.
Jolly_Passion_7059@reddit
Vienna still haunts me
OldSlug@reddit
Midge Ure was the poet laureate for our generation.
randman1983@reddit
Every Breath You Take - The Police
Billie Jean - Michael Jackson
You Might Think - The Cars
Stunning-Flatworm612@reddit
Sledgehammer by Peter Gabriel Like A Prayer by Madonna Heaven by Bryan Adams
GirlwiththeRatTattoo@reddit
Bananarama - I want candy (it was used as the theme song of Video Rock, so it's permanently in my head)
Dire Straits - Money for nothin (such an iconic video)
Billy Squier - Rock me tonite (poor dude can't dance lol)
SquareTowel3931@reddit
Apparently that video ruined his career/image
FAx32@reddit
I want candy was BowWowWow.
GirlwiththeRatTattoo@reddit
oops. fudge.
DowntownSurvey6568@reddit
Tom Petty and the Alice in Wonderland themed video.
XStonedCatX@reddit
Mary Jane's Last Dance
Grease2feminist@reddit (OP)
100000
resilientkat@reddit
I think of all the banned/restricted videos
2 Live Crew-Me So Horney Madonna-Justify My Love Prodigy-Smack My B*tch Up
UKMegaGeek@reddit
You'll love the new Pretty Reckless video.
Diasies_inMyHair@reddit
Send Me an Angel - Real Life. The song was okay, but the video is still stuck in my head.
All of the ZZ Top Videos.
Take on Me - AHA
Thriller
Time-Waster25@reddit
Yeah so I know you said 3, but these are the only some of the best…
Straight Up
Sledgehammer
Walking on Broken Glass
Don’t Worry Be Happy
Cult of Personality
Give it All Away
Weapon of Choice
Old Town Road
Criminal
Too Funky
Freedom ‘90
Virtual Insanity
Milkshake
Sexy and I know It
Rio
Pretty Fly for a White Guy
Walk This Way (Run-DMC version)
Original-Version5877@reddit
Every one of these deserves a slot.
Original-Version5877@reddit
superfudge73@reddit
I was thinking about ZZ Top the other day. What a bizarre and interesting band. 70s Texas blues rockers that saw MTV and new wave sounds and recreated a sound and image that fit perfectly and remained relevant and fresh in a the new AV music culture that a lot of 60s-70s bands couldn’t break into.
SquareTowel3931@reddit
Hot Rods, Hot Chicks and big beards (except the mulleted and moustached drummer....who's name is ironically, Frank Beard)
Some-Library-4073@reddit
Faith no more, Epic. Peter Gabriel, Sledgehammer Tool, ænema
ConfidenceAgitated16@reddit
Dire straits- Money for nothing
Michael Jackson- Thriller
Land of confusion- Genesis
Relax - Frankie goes to Hollywood
Jeremy - Pearl Jam
SquareTowel3931@reddit
Killer song by itself, but The Land of Confusion video made it so much more awesome. Comical, yet so in-touch with the issues of the day.
Individual_Check_442@reddit
Seasons on the Abyss - Slayer was just the first one that came to my mind.
SquareTowel3931@reddit
Everyone laughing making out and smokimg cigs at the bar? Wedding in a Church in the middle of the desert?? Slash doing an epic solo with an unplugged guitar in the windy courtyard??? Raining indoors and SOMEHOW the bride DIES???? C'mon man, live a little
SquareTowel3931@reddit
You got lucky - Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
Twighlight Zone - Golden Earring
Whip It - Devo
DowntownSurvey6568@reddit
Rock It by Herbie Hancock, Addicted to Love by Robert Palmer, Freedom by George Michael.
nibletriblet@reddit
Rock It! I am still both terrified by and interested in the robot body parts to this day. 😆
DowntownSurvey6568@reddit
That video was so wild to me as a kid. And the tune is very pink panther adjacent so I hear it whenever I can’t find my keys or am puzzled by something silly.
Coffeetimewithcats@reddit
I Want Candy
Mickey
Girls on Film
Designer-Travel4785@reddit
Red, red, wine November rain Any Curt Cobain unplugged videos.
Chay_Charles@reddit
ZZ Top's trio of Gimme All Your Lovin', Sharpe Dressed Man, and Legs.
aftcg@reddit
Eat it by Wierd Al.
Thriller. And yes, I can still nail the last 2 minutes of choreography as an old fat white dude. Still pisses off the kids
GenXyupornope@reddit
Yup
GenXyupornope@reddit
Yup
applyheat@reddit
Beastie Boys-Fight for Your Right
GenXyupornope@reddit
Yup
mattimattlove111@reddit
Cyndi Lauper - money changes everything The clash -so I stay or should I go Psydelic furs -love my way
latitude30@reddit
The armadillo in Rock the Casbah! Also loved seeing the old Coliseum theater in Austin TX.
mattimattlove111@reddit
I saw big audio dynamite in Austin I think in 85.
Excellent-Baseball-5@reddit
Sledgehammer. You’ve got another thing coming. Take on me.
zoestar198728@reddit
REM - Losing my religion
Puzzled_Driver_6536@reddit
Home Sweet Home Motley Crue
botsnhose@reddit
Money for Nothing
Thriller
Material Girl
Vogue
Take on Me
One (Metallica)
Sabotage (Beastie Boys)
sasser8675309@reddit
Cherry Pie, un skinny bop, sometimes she cries, dirty rotten filthy stinking rich,
wizard3232@reddit
Cherry pie 100%...... I was like 12..... favorite video ever.... Bobbie brown
Aware-Owl4346@reddit
Sledgehammer
Fight For Your Right to Party
Take on Me
keep in mind, you didn't ask for the best videos, just the ones that live in my head.
elphring@reddit
For me, it’s always going to be “Once In Lifetime” by Talking Heads
Runner up: “Ashes To Ashes” by David Bowie
ProfileTraditional28@reddit
Do you karate your forearm everytime you hear '"same as it ever was, same as it ever was"? 😋
elphring@reddit
Yes
wordstogetherrandom@reddit
Ashes to Ashes changed my view of life!
Topotico@reddit
Such great music! I’m going to be watching videos on YouTube the rest of the day 🤩
txfoodchick@reddit
Take on me
Thriller
Billie Jean
mpls_big_daddy@reddit
Saved By Zero, by the Fixx
Topotico@reddit
Such a great band!
mpls_big_daddy@reddit
I can still remember, I saw it in 1984 when I visited a college freshman dorm for the school I was going to. It was on one of those dorm common room TVs, with the red, blue and green spotlights underneath. I had never seen a tv that big before.
Fistofpaper@reddit
Bangles - Walk Like an Egyptian (because where else am I gonna hear it?)
Tool - Sober (could go with any of them TBH, but choosing one for a simple answer)
The Cars - Drive (RIP Ric)
hanoverfist34@reddit
Who made who. Money for nothing. Safety dance.
Exotic-Travel-270@reddit
Metallica - One
VH - Jump
MJ - Thriller
Potential_Sundae_251@reddit
This js a great list
Exotic-Travel-270@reddit
Thanks!
Jethris@reddit
One is such a depressing video. The thought of being stuck in your mind....
Exotic-Travel-270@reddit
Agreed. I think I was 17 when it was released 😳
Erok2112@reddit
Berlin - The Metro. The Go Gos Our lips are sealed
wordstogetherrandom@reddit
I forgot the Metro!
Square_Ad_4929@reddit
Thriller, Sledgehammer, Papa Don’t Preach
Melodic_Caramel1777@reddit
Save a Prayer - Duran Duran
In the Air Tonight - Phil Collins
The Pleasure Principle - Janet Jackson
wordstogetherrandom@reddit
Save A Prayer! Absolutely!
jj_brooklyn@reddit
Hungry Like the Wolf - Duran Duran
Thriller - Michael Jackson
Dancing in the Dark - Bruce Springsteen
Take On Me - A-Ha
The Unforgiven - Metallica
Slayerfan77@reddit
One - Metallica Money for Nothing -Dire Straits Amish Paradise - Weird Al
Bonus- Black Hole Sun - Soundgarden
PoisonMind@reddit
Virtual Insanity
Topotico@reddit
All so good 😊
Topotico@reddit
Human - Human League
Girls on film - Duran Duran
Space age love song - A Flock of Seagulls
Prince Charming - Adam and the Ants
Rock the Casbah - The Clash
zoidbert@reddit
I still listen to Wall of Voodoo's "Call of the West" album pretty regularly, so Mexican Radio tracks. It's not my favorite on the album but it's a fun song and a great video. Seeing them open for Gary Neuman on the Riverboat President in New Orleans (right when Call of the West came out) is always a core memory. They were dressed just like in the video, huddled in a little mass on the stage, pots & pans drum set and all. Stan Ridgeway's voice was sublime. Fan for life.
zoidbert@reddit
Adam and the Ants - Stand and Deliver
Styx - Mr. Roboto
Jon and Vangelis - The Friends of Mr. Cairo
Kate Bush - Experiment IV
(I really need to get to work on a good YouTube playlist with all the videos I used to love catching)
Most-Ad5252@reddit
Had to scroll too far for Stand and Deliver
zoidbert@reddit
Still very regularly listen to both Kings of the Wild Frontier and Prince Charming as a regular double-album listen. Very key part of my HS years and beyond.
Recently got back into Dirk Wears White Sox. This album absolutely kicks ass -- Cartrouble (parts 1 & 2), Kick!, Animals and Men -- so many kickers on this.
smilehighsteve@reddit
Hot for Teacher - Van Halen Just a Giggalo - David Lee Roth Triller - Michael Jackson Don't Come Around Here No More - Tom Petty
mustbeinfrontrow@reddit
She’s Tight - Cheap Trick Enough is Enough- April Wine Black Coffee in Bed - Squeeze
SasquatchHurricane@reddit
Rock the Cradle of Love - Billy Idol. IYKYK
jayjaynorcross@reddit
I would watch hours of MTV waiting for that video to come back on lol.
SasquatchHurricane@reddit
Ditto 😛
MachineGunTeacher@reddit
Directed by David Fincher, btw
CartographerGreat769@reddit
"We can dance if we want to"! Safety dance
Only_Presentation758@reddit
Sledgehammer, Take On Me, Sowing The Seeds Of Love
quixotic-88@reddit
Faith No More- Epic (with the fish flopping around at the end)
GnR- November Rain
Pearl Jam - Jeremy
dalbeider@reddit
Rio
Take On Me
Money For Nothing
TimeKeeper70@reddit
Twisted sister we’re not gonna take it
Van Halen jump
Bangles walk like an Egyptian
_A-Q@reddit
Don’t come around here no more by Tom Petty.
Enjoy the silence by Depeche Mode
You might think I’m crazy by The Cars
bumdhar@reddit
For some reason they are all Tom Petty videos.
Aggressive_Power_471@reddit
Metallica- One
Eminem- The Real Slim Shady
Rollin- Limp Bizkit (ton of great cameos)
jellycaster@reddit
Madonna - Material girl (Wowza!) Aha - Take on Me Huey Lewis - I wanna new drug
Tim-no@reddit
All great vids!
Tim-no@reddit
Keep Feeling Fascination, Im Still Standing, and Safety Dance
jsxtasy304@reddit
Haha, the safety dance was awesome.
Tim-no@reddit
It was!
Arkhus9753@reddit
Back in the day, my friends and I would get drunk and do the Safety Slam Dance into each other and the walls. Oh, I think that I now understand why people wouldn’t invite us to their parties.
jsxtasy304@reddit
Lmao..it's likely. I'm sure...not positive due to drunken memory, that I and the guy's that I frequented the clubs in Germany with have done the safety dance in a drunken stupor that none of us fully remember.
JR_RXO@reddit
Michael Jackson Moonwalker the movie
Michael Jackson thriller
Michael Jackson black or white😆
bigmedallas@reddit
Cue up NIN's Head Like a Hole, Faith No More's Epic and before the commercial break it's a coin flip between The Prodigy's Smack My Bitch Up or Tool's Vicarious. I had the stereo system hooked up to the TV in the 90's when it was not exactly as easy as it is today and boy would I crank it up in the dorm before "quiet hours".
dbz918@reddit
Shadows of the Night - Pat Benatar Money for Nothing - Dire Straits Papa Don't Preach - Madonna
dbz918@reddit
Oh damn ... totes forgot Billie Jean, Beat it and freaking THRILLER!!! Those 3 for sure!!
ProfileTraditional28@reddit
Karma Chameleon - Culture Club
Hungry like the Wolf - Duran Duran
Wake Me Up Before you go go - Wham!
uckluckluckl@reddit
Give it Away by RHCP. Never been a real fan of the Peppers, but the silvery effects on the skin in that black and white video in a desert - iconic. Here the video!
TelevisionKnown8463@reddit
Take on Me Thriller Addicted to Love Welcome to the Jungle
That Whitesnake song with Tawny Kitaen on the hood of a car—Is This Love maybe?
Xryanlegobob@reddit
Pretty sure TK was in multiple Whitesnake videos. Here I Go Again was another because iirc she was dating David Coverdale at the time
TelevisionKnown8463@reddit
Yeah I think you’re right, and I’m probably thinking of Here We Go Again.
Phish_2000@reddit
Evenflow
No rain
November Rain
Baymavision@reddit
My town didn't get MTV until 1989, so I missed the early days. So for me, the ones I saw the most were Like a Prayer, Right Now, and the never ending assault that was Bodyguard and Robin Hood.
Embarrassed-Buyer-94@reddit
Everyday after school we watch the MTV top 10 videos of the day and a swear for a solid year Tawny Kitaen crawling on the car in the Whitesnake Here I Go Again was number 1.
thaskell300@reddit
All of the GnR and Aerosmith.
Manalagi001@reddit
I just watched “I ran” again last night. Flock of Seagulls
imtoowhiteandnerdy@reddit
I watched MTv the day it went live, but for some stupid reason the video they showed much later sticks in my brain for all time.
The Alan Parsons Project - Don't Answer Me
DragonflyMomma6671@reddit
I loved this video and a lot of people don't remember it.
imtoowhiteandnerdy@reddit
Alan Parsons is an amazing musical artist as well as an astonishingly talented sound engineer. He was the sound engineer at Abbey Roads Studios in 1972 that mixed and recorded Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon album.
vulcangod08@reddit
One Cradle of Love Thriller
Optimal-Durian7767@reddit
Money for Nothing, The Safety Dance, Separate Ways
Long-Foot-8190@reddit
Rio - Duran Duran Addicted to Love - Robert Palmer Take On Me - A-ha
junkfile19@reddit
I’m a little disappointed in y’all for not mentioning
Photograph
Rock of Ages
Foolin’
because Def Leppard = hottttttt.
bluerhythmstorm@reddit
agletsmycat@reddit
This is the answer. I’ll also throw in Scream by Michael and Janet Jackson because it was marketed harder than any other video I’ve ever seen. It was also very cool and a moment in time.
Speaking of time, Remember the Time was a good one, but not top 3.
agletsmycat@reddit
Sledgehammer by Peter Gabriel!!!
thagor5@reddit
Right now
zoidbert@reddit
junkfile19@reddit
Prescient
augustwest30@reddit
Those Robert Palmer videos with all the women in the back that look alike.
zoidbert@reddit
For me that always leads to a core memory of that SNL skit when Geena Davis hosted, "The Palmer Bunch". The great Phil Hartman played Palmer.
Peacherotic@reddit
Safety Dance comes to mind first. Also Madness’ Our House. But I remember absolutely HATING the video for Our Love’s in Jeopardy. That one and Owner of a Lonely Heart were always so disturbing.
ApprehensiveMode5191@reddit
Just one, "Safety Dance" by men without hats. Best vid of all time imho
zoidbert@reddit
Or sing!
DonJovar@reddit
Thriller
zoidbert@reddit
As I'm thinking of it every Halloween, it becomes a regular re-play via YouTube for myself and my kids
xiewadu@reddit
I love all of these responses! I've just been sitting here for ten minutes with my memories of all of these videos. I am relaxed and have a smile on my face. Thanks.
jdsgram72@reddit
I agree! Great memories for sure!
Significant-Dance-43@reddit
I will “ditto” this remark.
I vividly remember so many of these.
Antmax@reddit
Me too. They are like the theme tune to my childhood, all kinds of buried memories rise to the surface. I had a happy childhood and teen years so can't complain.
Grease2feminist@reddit (OP)
I’m glad!!!!
kissys_grits@reddit
Same! Too many to name them all
jsxtasy304@reddit
Dire straits, money for nothing..the Buggles, video killed the radio star...and for some reason, lisa lisa and cult jam, all cried out... honorable mention, Bangles, walk like an Egyptian.
Helpful_Link1383@reddit
Throw in twisted sister "we're not gonna take it..."
dontcallmeEarl@reddit
Freedom by George Michael
Lazy Eye by Silversun Pickups
Raspberry Beret by Prince
Beneficial-Serve-204@reddit
‘Freedom’- nothing defined the early 90’s better than those supermodels!
dontcallmeEarl@reddit
So very true!
Emotional_Mess261@reddit
Land of Confusion-Genesis Take On Me. a-ha Thriller
theHollowTarnished@reddit
Home sweet home - Crüe
bluealien78@reddit
Money For Nothing - Dire Straits
November Rain - Guns n Roses
…and thanks to being a really annoying child in the 80s… Swing the Mood by Jive Bunny & The Mastermixers
makeup1508@reddit
Sledgehammer by Peter Gabriel (I hate that video but it was unique).
Drive by the Cars
Our Lips are Sealed by The Go-go's
ElderStatesmanXer@reddit
Shock The Monkey- Peter Gabriel
Jump- Van Halen
Video Killed The Radio Star- Buggles
SavoirFaire2Middling@reddit
"Video Killed The Radio Star" was, appropriately, the first video every played on MTV.
reallytired-2024@reddit
La_Mano_Cornuta@reddit
Madness - Our House
Duran Duran - Rio
The Cars - You Might Think
Flashy-Ad-8361@reddit
One of the first videos I saw: Little Red Corvette by Prince. Blew. My. Tween. Mind.
KarmaChameleon306@reddit
Sabotage, Loser, and probably Thriller.
ofthrees@reddit
omg, great list. i am currently wearing a hoodie that nods to sabotage.
KarmaChameleon306@reddit
Best video ever! Never gets old.
KittiesRule1968@reddit
Mexican Radio by Wall of Voodoo, Stray Cat Strut, Safety Dance by Men Without Hats.
Otakur42@reddit
Something About You - Level 42 If This Is It - Huey Lewis and the News Fat - Weird Al Yankovic
dominichi2@reddit
Fish Heads, Saftey Dance, Take On Me. Honorable mentions Thriller and Billie Jean.
windysideofcare@reddit
Fish heads! Yes! I have my young nephews obsessed with that one now. Except life is still easy on them and all they have to do is yell "Alexa play fish heads"
dominichi2@reddit
It was a long time before I realized that was a real song. I saw it on vacation at my brother's house when I was really young and never again.
FunctionExotic8651@reddit
Sledgehammer was so cool and also Money for nothing.
ninja_finger@reddit
Dancing with myself - Billy Idol, Thriller - I don't really need to say who sang this, do I?, Sledgehammer- Peter Gabriel
deliaplum@reddit
Beat It Billie Jean Hungry like the wolf
cagirlinoh@reddit
Ohhh…. “Careless Whisper”… “Get It On/Bang A Gong” “Hungry Like The Wolf” 👍
elcad@reddit
Addicted to Love - Robert Palmer
You Got Another Thing Coming - Judas Priest
Hungry Like the Wolf - Duran Duran Mom thought we were calling for help at 3:17 and 3:24.
geekyMary@reddit
ZZ Top - Legs (I wanted to be that girl so much)
Scandal - The Warrior (Part 1 of my Lesbian awakening)
Yes - Owner of a Lonely Heart (because it freaked me out so much)
Thriller was huge, of course, especially the long version. Take on Me is a classic, and Addicted to Love is Part 2 of my Lesbian awakening, specifically the guitar player's left boob. So many good ones.
curiousleen@reddit
Take on me… FOR SURE!
issafly@reddit
It's the End of the World as We Know It - REM
Rockit - Herbie Hancock
Call me Al - Paul Simon
iamabutterball75@reddit
Remember Kurt Loader and the video premier? Nirvanas Teen Spirit is the one that plays in my mind.
LASER_Dude_PEW@reddit
I didn't have MTV so I had to wait for Friday Night Videos or go to a friend's house. But I do recall being intrigued by Duran Duran videos.
comish4lif@reddit
Robert Palmer - Addicted To Love
https://youtu.be/XcATvu5f9vE?si=hrnxvdiNCVpuBOmw
ZZ Top - Sharp Dressed Man
https://youtu.be/7wRHBLwpASw?si=JuVeVEsZCR3C7F6q
Dire Straits - Money For Nothing
https://youtu.be/wTP2RUD_cL0?si=ElkwOA9tNWNC1-EW
WimpyZombie@reddit
I always liked "Sharped Dressed Man" more than "Legs"
Vlines1390@reddit
Thriller was the ultimate!
Dry_Midnight_7168@reddit
Wham! - "Everything She Wants"
Madonna - "Lucky Star"
Tears for Fears - "Everybody Wants to Rule the World"
Motley Crue - "Home Sweet Home"
Level 42 - "Something About You"
I don't mind these videos playing in my head since I love all these artists and songs! Can you tell I was glued to MTV from 1984-1988? 😀
autymama@reddit
Take on Me, Land of Confusion, Thriller
Forthrowssake@reddit
The art of noise, Close to the edit. I was fairly young and it was so weird and memorable.
Peter Gabriel, Sledgehammer
Michael Jackson, Thriller
Annual-Farmer4701@reddit
Sledgehammer - Peter Gabriel
Money for Nothing - Dire Straits
Thriller - Michael Jackson
irishgator2@reddit
Freedom ‘90 - George Michael
EidelonofAsgard@reddit
Anything with Michael Jackson.
LovesDeanWinchester@reddit
Thriller
Billie Jean
And I'm Fat by Weird Al
u9Nails@reddit
Michael Jackson donated the set for Fat to Weird Al. He also had Weird Al play a cameo in Librarian Girl.
LovesDeanWinchester@reddit
I know he was very honored that Al wanted to do a parody of him!
deathproofbich@reddit
You may right - Billy Joel
evanallenrose@reddit
Addicted to love, Every Rose has its thorn, paradise city
ImMxWorld@reddit
Whip It - Devo Thriller - Michael Jackson Lips Like Sugar - Echo & the Bunnymen (not sure why this sticks in my head, it wasn't an amazing video or anything)
WimpyZombie@reddit
Thriller.... Even though I know I am in the minority when I say I never could stand the adult Michael Jackson. Even though I couldn't stand him, how can that video not be in almost every GenXer's head?
Nothing for Money - Dire Straits move those refridgerators!
Vacation - The Go-Gos - Vacation all I ever wanted...and still want
WillieGotMeStoned@reddit
Here’s the first 3 that popped in my head when I read the question:
Dancing with Myself - Billy Idol
Addicted to Love - Robert Palmer
Love is a Battlefield - Pat Benatar
mikeyfireman@reddit
I just watched the safety dance video a couple days ago.
spicolie22@reddit
Skipping the obvious, plus grew up a metal/industrial head so,
Metallica - One
Ozzy - Bark at the Moon
NIN - Closer (in the background as I rounded third base way too many times 🤣)
Commercial_Ad_5419@reddit
Definitely AHA, Take On Me. It was monumental and my daughter learned about the ground breaking tech in university.
Thriller Madonna’s Borderline was the first video I saw.
lylydazzle@reddit
14 yo me wanted to be Madonna in the Borderline video. I still think that was her best look.
Inside_Rice_2662@reddit
Have you heard the acoustic version?? I loved the original but the acoustic is unreal! Haunting and sparse and a perfect bookend to the original.
SadCrocodile762@reddit
Take on Me
Land of Confusion
Welcome to the Jungle (this one because it’s dudes smoking and drinking and whatnot which just seemed more real to my teen experience than most gimmick videos)
wishiwasyou333@reddit
Land of Confusion is such a great song and no one references it, even though right now it is so apt.
SadCrocodile762@reddit
It’s been the perfect song for the last 10+ years honestly
JingJang@reddit
Wicked Game!
I had forgotten about that one.
🥵
SadCrocodile762@reddit
She was and still is one of the most beautiful women on the planet. And for the ladies, the singer was no slouch in the sex appeal department either.
Intrepid_Mine6052@reddit
Bonnie Tyler - Total Eclipse of the Heart
Peter Gabriel - Sledgehammer
iangeredcharlesvane2@reddit
My favorite early YouTube parody video ever, included here as I found someone last week who had never seen this MASTERPIECE:
Total Eclipse of the Heart LITERAL Version
canfullofworms@reddit
I go up to a terrace where I think I'm alone, but Arthur Fonzarelli has an army of clones
jstohler@reddit
Money for Nothing, Thriller and Wrapped Around Your Finger.
Rmorgeddon@reddit
I worked at Jordan marsh in the 80s in the juniors dept and they had TVs that played the same MTV videos on loop, so Tom Petty "Don't come around here no more" Katrenna and the Waves "walking on sunshine" and Annie Lennox, "Sweet Dreams are Made of This" are all SEARED into my brain. Just 100% fused like those old bicycles with the trees that grew around them.
SadCrocodile762@reddit
Retail job music in the 80s and 90s. Great memories. I worked extensively in malls across the country in the early 90s and every one had these songs on regular rotation:
Young Americans
Crocodile Rock
Peg
Sailing
Rich Girl
Uptown Girl
don’t lose my number
To name a few. Many of these songs by artists I still enjoy but man did that rotation get seared into my brain. Especially since at that time I was all in on alt rock.
Top-Tomato-2246@reddit
And We Danced- the Hooters
Equal_Trash6023@reddit
The original U2 Sunday Bloody Sunday video not the Live Aid one. I was an exchange student in South Africa during Apartheid. One day at the university of the Witzwaterstrand, there was an anniversary of some riots in the 60. Anyhow, The day ended up with riots with army, tear gas, bullets flying and people being killed. It was wild. Everytime that song comes i still smell tear gas..
"Where's the bloody IRA"
But don't tell my mom ya'll. She still thinks I wasnt in the city that day and wasn't in danger!
99 Luftlballons..
Take My Breath Away0!
JackWagg0n@reddit
Wicked Game Sledgehammer This Too Shall Pass, I know, not MTV Era, but it's stuck.
MountainLime201@reddit
Michael Jackson, Madonna, Duran Duran, etc.
But the first one that popped into my head?
Corey Hart “Sunglasses at Night”. That video awakened the teenage girl in me and began my middle school obsession with this man.
KarmaBike@reddit
Dancing With Myself - Billy Idol You’ve Got Another Thing Coming - Judas Priest Centerfold - J. Giles Band
dope_mantra@reddit
INXS - Never Tear Us Apart GnR - November Rain Ozzy and Lita Ford - Close my Eyes Forever
216life@reddit
Thriller TV Dinners Money for Nothing
yloduck1@reddit
We had MTV playing constantly in the background at our house and later when I was in college. Sooo many great ones in my head. Some early years standouts:
Everybody wants to rule the world- Tears for Fears
Jump - Van Halen
Thriller and Beat It - MJ
Borderline - Madonna
Legs - ZZ Top
Money for Nothing - Dire Straits
Sunday Bloody Sunday (live) - U2
Addicted to Love - Robert Palmer
Sister Christian - Night Ranger
Girls just wanna have fun- Cyndi Lauper
There are so many more that I could go on forever
JonnyCanuck71@reddit
Billy Jean - MJ Legs - ZZTop Hot for Teacher - Van Halen
Logix_interface@reddit
A lot of the early videos were played so much, they’re burned in my brain. Some of the ones that bring me back to my teenaged years.
Tawny Kitaen in White Snake’s - Is This Love
RATT - Round and Round
Twisted Sister - We’re not gonna take it
Addapost@reddit
So so so many brilliant works of art came out of the MTV video era. Honestly I could list dozens of “number ones”. These are just a few that really stood out to me.
The Toadies “Possum Kingdom”. The twist at the end is absolutely brilliant.
Van Halen “Dreams” with the Blue Angels. Because well, the Blue Angels.
This one isn’t from the mtv era, it’s only a few years old but goddamn it fucks me up. “Watch it Fall” from Billy Strings. WATCH THAT VIDEO!
Jodes413@reddit
November Rain/Just Like Heaven/Thriller
Wayfarers_on@reddit
Not ncessarily my favorites, but ZZ Top-Legs, Take on Me, Don't Come Around Here No More, and New Moon on Monday (that's 4...I know).
MozeDad@reddit
Thank you for not saying rent free. So sick of that.
mariace65@reddit
Sledgehammer Peter Gabriel
Ashamed-Bit5440@reddit
Michael jacksons smooth criminal blew me away with that lean
Janet jacksons rhythm nation
Chris isaaks wicked game
Ok-Huckleberry-6326@reddit
I have too many to mention but I recently watched a reaction channel and these Gen Z types are all marveling about how many of the videos are like 'mini movies'. If only you knew! That was the point, kids - it was about telling a story and was sometimes raised to an art form, at least back when MTV was still playing music.
nothingmeansnothing@reddit
Three Little Pigs - Green Jello
IllGetFiredForThis@reddit
I hate you. I'm about to go to bed and now this song will he stuck in my head. Going to call out Rambo on you!
nothingmeansnothing@reddit
It’s been stuck up there for 30 years.
I will also never forget that the drummer from Def Leopard only had one arm thanks to the Bloodhound Gang
Grendeltech@reddit
Not by the hair of my chinny chin chin.
Novel_Willingness721@reddit
Land of confusion Black hole sun Love shack
Cazmonster@reddit
Not that there was a lot awesome about the video, but Mr Mister's Kyrie is always at the corner of my memory. Otherwise Janet Jackon's IF and Billy Joel's Pressure are ones I remember fondly.
PotentialAd9543@reddit
Not my favs but I really remember Crazy by Aerosmith, Numb by U2, and Runaway Train by Soul Asylum
FauxRealsies@reddit
Duran Duran - All She Wants Is
botingoldguy1634@reddit
Home Sweet Home - Motley Crue Thriller - Michael Jackson Living on a Prayer - Bon Jovi
Bootman-7@reddit
Pat Benatar - Love is a Battlefield Madonna - Rain Billy Joel - Allentown
Rungi500@reddit
Too far down for Pat.
Bootman-7@reddit
It’s not the best Benatar just the one I remember the most lol
javajanine@reddit
Wicked Games-Chris Isaak
Hungry Like The Wolf-Duran Duran
Black Hole Sun-Soundgarden
SadFaithlessness8237@reddit
Voices Carry, Take on Me, Money For Nothing
cgaWolf@reddit
Take on me, Thriller & Sledge Hammer.
Peak of the bell curve, yo
Historical-Gain-1688@reddit
I think all these for their divergent artistic style The Buggles. Video killed the Radio Star. Robert Palmer. Addicted to Love A-ha. Take on Me.
PezCandyAndy@reddit
Faith No More's Epic
Dismal-Vacation-5877@reddit
Thriller - MJ Rio - DD Legs - ZZ Top
love-SRV@reddit
Sledge Hammer
Addicted to Love
oldschool_potato@reddit
Mine are random and not necessarily favorite songs, but some are.
Thriller - In was 13 and it was such an event. MTV played it every hour on top of the hour for like a week.
Sledgehammer & The one with the presidents. Creepy and fun.
Addicted to love & Bangles videos - crushes.
Girls, Girls, Girls, Cherry Pie & legs - pre internet porn.
Grape-Ape7072@reddit
Owner of a lonely heart - Yes
sheburn118@reddit
Money for Nothing
Delicious_Job_2880@reddit
More Than Words by Xtreme
Mard0g@reddit
California Girls
PastryRoll@reddit
VOGUE (vogue vogue)
FantasticPear@reddit
Black Hole Sun
nakapozian@reddit
Jeremy - Pearl Jam
November Rain - Guns N Roses
Black Hole Sun - Soundgarden
And to add Runaway Train - Soul Asylum
furbalve03@reddit
Parents just dont understand ( Will Smith)
You could be mine (G n R)
Even Flow (PJ)
IDK_WTF_TRA@reddit
I got a little change in my pocket going jingalingaling
evilBogie666@reddit
Groove is in the heart Brick in the wall Sledgehammer
disqeau@reddit
Asia: Heat of the Moment
InfiniteRegret6437@reddit
I wanna rock, hot for teacher, thriller
Pink-Trifle@reddit
Brian Adams "Run to you" featuring the British actress Lysette Anthony;
"Legs" by ZZ Top and,
"Take on me" by A-ha
Rungi500@reddit
Pat Benetar - Hell Is For Children.
Signal_Transition664@reddit
Duran Duran - Wild Boys Janet Jackson - Rhythm Nation 1814 Beastie Boys - Sabotage
kiwichick286@reddit
Big Time by Peter Gabriel, Star Trekkin' by The Firm and We Didn't Start the Fire by Billy Joel.
JanetAiress@reddit
November Rain, Sledgehammer, Thriller
Recordeal7@reddit
Take On Me, Video Killed the Radio Star, Micky.
dacutty@reddit
The Police - Wrapped Around Your Finger
David Lee Roth - Yankee Rose
Genesis - Land Of Confusion
ONROSREPUS@reddit
I can't say one in particular is really sticking out for me. I didn't grow up with MTV in my house so I only got to see it at friends houses.
However, thanks folks for giving me a lot to watch today on the Utubes.
CB_Chuckles@reddit
a-ha-Take on Me ZZ Top-Legs Run-DMC/Aerosmith-Walk This Way
Thin-Quiet-2283@reddit
Girl vibes - Janet Jackson’s What Have You Done for Me Lately, Cindy Laupers True Colors and Gloria Estefan and the Miami Sound Machine Rhythm is Gonna Get You.
bobs143@reddit
Video killed the radio star, Take on me, jump.
sammy99x@reddit
Ratt - Round and Round
Metallica - one
Scatterbrain - Don't Call Me Dude
Rungi500@reddit
HEY DUDE!
WherestheTac0s@reddit
Wrapped Around Your Finger - The Police. As a kid I thought that video was pure magic.
Georgiapasorider@reddit
Same,that was my answer.
Erazzphoto@reddit
Talking Heads-Days go By. This is one seems to have such a strong nostalgia to me, I remember it as being the first one up on Saturday morning, watching the baseball bunch, Roland Martin fishing, and whatever cartoons started after the very early programming and then seeing this video. It was so strange, but it left such a lasting impression on me for whatever reason
Go Gos-Vacstion. Probably my favorite 80s song, just the way it flows
Murray Head-One night in Bangkok, which is still an absolute banger.
sfdsquid@reddit
I love One Night in Bangkok
musical_nerd99@reddit
The only music I like by AABA (well, the 2 guys, anyway) is the musical Chess 😁
PrincessPharaoh1960@reddit
Add Our Lips are Sealed too
Lady-Kat1969@reddit
Kate Bush— Hounds of Love
Paula Abdul— Cold Hearted Snake
Bon Jovi— Blaze of Glory (It’s the scenery in this one.)
Thin-Quiet-2283@reddit
Loved the video did Cold Hearted Snake - fabulous dancing! And Opposites Attract was way ahead of its time. Paula Abdul had great videos.
Georgiapasorider@reddit
Sledgehammer-Peter Gabriel
Wrapped around your finger-The Police Addicted to Love-Robert Palmer
BillyOcean8Words@reddit
I still watch “Sledgehammer” pretty regularly. Ha.
WinterDOS@reddit
Peter Gabriel Sledgehammer
Inevitable-Key-5200@reddit
This video was both fascinating and terrifying to me as a child.
fastcatdog@reddit
Man in the box, firestarter , one
FBS351@reddit
Beat It Take On Me One -Metallica
Odd_Geologist_9065@reddit
Ah-ha take on me Devo-whip it Dexys midnight runners-come on Eileen ❤️
Outside-Friend-7175@reddit
Thriller, scream, like a Virgin
robotfrog88@reddit
Monkey MONKEY Peter Gabriel
PrincessPharaoh1960@reddit
Shock the Monkey?
robotfrog88@reddit
Yes
Last-Relationship166@reddit
Sledgehammer (Peter Gabriel)
Land Of Confusion (Genesis)
Epic (Faith No More)
NotoldyetMaggot@reddit
I used to stay up late because some local station had a top ten video countdown at midnight... Epic broke my mind! Still listen to FNM today, one of my favorites.
DesignNormal9257@reddit
Van Halen, Jump
Billy Idol, Eyes Without a Face
Bananarama, Venus
blusins@reddit
I remember when MTV first came on tv.
I want my Mtv (I think that was the name) thought that animation was so cool.
Then there was 'Thriller', it was so dang cool at the time.
Take on Me, now that was ground breaking at the time (and really still is imo)
PeanutTimely6846@reddit
Metallica - One
ZZ Top - Legs
Iron Maiden - Wasted Years
midnight_to_midnight@reddit
MJ - Thriller
Beastie Boys - Sabotage
Weezer - Buddy Holly
Secret-Asian-Man-76@reddit
threepot900@reddit
Another brick in the wall, parts 1-3.
Ashes to Ashes.
Heavy Horses.
dzbuilder@reddit
Aerosmith, Angel Motörhead, Eat the Rich Nena, 99 Luftballons
RedFishStew@reddit
Tom Petty - you got lucky
lngfellow45@reddit
save a prayer, sweet dreams, express yourself
PoorGovtDoctor@reddit
Robert Palmer: Addicted to Love & Simply Irresistible
Those music videos were totally mesmerizing for young me!
Scimmia_bianca@reddit
Thriller, Rio, Cold November Rain, Take on Me
DCar060@reddit
Thriller, Here I Go Again, Enter Sandman
sineofthetimes@reddit
Any of Weird Al's videos.
Come Dancing by The Kinks
(Keep Feeling) Fascination by The Human League
2quila@reddit
Still remember the first video I ever saw... Rock the Casbah
Important_Let8071@reddit
Van Halen - Hot For Teacher REM - It’s the End of the World as We Know It The Replacements - Bastards of Young Sinead O’Connor - Nothing Compares 2 You
The first one because I was a big, big fan of school, the middle two because they shifted my early musical tastes, and the last one because Sinead was beautiful in that video, and I’ll die on that hill.
SteakSwimming1234@reddit
we recorded REM's End of the World video onto VHS bc we wanted to copy the hand plants the guy was doing on his skateboard... good times
Important_Let8071@reddit
Definitely. Who knew hand plants in a crumbling house in the woods was cool as hell, but it was.
BabyBearMan@reddit
Def Leppard - Photograph
TAlking Head - Life During Wartime ( I only remember this because of the "peanut butter" line. For some reason my 9yr old self thought it was hilarious to sing about peanut butter )
Joan Jett and the Blackhearts - I Love Rock N Roll
TomeThugNHarmony4664@reddit
A-ha— Take On Me
Janet Jackson— Love Will Never Do
Thomas Dolby— She Blinded Me With Science
BigPapa26354@reddit
Tool - Sober Green Jello - Three Little Pigs Faith no More - Epic
Perfectly_i@reddit
Video Killed the Radio Star-The Buggles In the Air Tonight-Phil Collins Dancing In the Dark-Springsteen & The E Street Band
mizz_eponine@reddit
Paula Abdul, Opposites Attract (cartoon cat)
Robert Palmer, Simply Irresistible
Whitney Houston, I Wanna Dance With Somebody
Perfect-District@reddit
Bon Jovi living on a prayer.
ImpressiveCelery4992@reddit
Pat Benetar - Shadows of the Night Van Halen - Panama Ratt- Round and Round
SteakSwimming1234@reddit
Feel like Tom Petty's Free Fallin was on every hour on the hour in late 89
RedJive@reddit
Shadows of the Night, Hot for Teacher, Goody Two Shoes.
ImpressiveCelery4992@reddit
No notes, just right.
Dakota1228@reddit
Sledgehammer
Money for Nothing
CRADLE OF LOVE 🔥
Happy_Confection90@reddit
Genesis - Land of Confusion
Nine Inch Nails - Perfect Drug
Weezer - Buddy Holly
Southern-Cress4782@reddit
Genesis- Land of Confusion Michael Jackson - Billie Jean Peter Gabriel -Sledgehammer
Jethris@reddit
Nobody else mentioned Land of Confusion. The puppet Ronald Reagan!
Legitimate_Finger_76@reddit
Jack and Diane Walk this way Max Headroom - and I know but it’s stuck in head
kendaljay@reddit
All of Guns n Roses’ videos-I was obsessed.
Mary Jane’s Last Dance: Tom Petty-so weird and ethereal.
Thriller-of course. I had to go over to the neighbor’s house, who I didn’t really like, just to watch this video in secret.
Closer: Nine Inch Nails-I felt so bad-ass staying up after 10pm to watch this lol.
Alarming-Hope-2541@reddit
Every emotion just surfaced. I loved MTV. I miss videos. 1. Ah-Ha 100%. I could draw that video from memory. 2. Duran Duran - Rio. I can see that boat and the boys like I saw it yesterday. 3. Michael Jackson Thriller. I can remember the day it was released. We watched that clock countdown to the video starting.
ADMSXavier@reddit
And then watch "Take On Me" from Ah-Ha's Unplugged session and it will give you goosebumps. It is absolutely amazing how slowing the song down and really listening to the words like that changes the mood and feel of everything. It can be said that listening to it in the mid-1980s was the optimistic, nothing is going to stop us and the world is ours mindset and then listening to it now with everyone much older, now looking back at their lives, both the good and bad, relationships and love had and lost. It's the same feeling I had when I saw the video for Johnny Cash doing the Hurt cover. Same song but totally different meaning and feel.
SaintStephen77@reddit
I was gonna mention Rio and the boys in the boat as well. Loved the video, love the bass work, love the production quality of the whole album. Can’t say enough positive things about it! Great choice!
saposguy@reddit
Rio...edited or unedited?
Corginzola@reddit
There are two versions? 👀
saposguy@reddit
Yes! One has boobs!
MemphisStormfront@reddit
I think you're getting it mixed up with "Girls on Film". I don't remember 2 versions of Rio
saposguy@reddit
It was the one on the boat. Just looked it up. Yes the boat, but I can't find it and the only mention of it was that the video was edited for the US market. On an old computer I had a file of explicit music videos, and that was one of them. Absolutely sure, but I'm old so it was probably Girls On Film, I very much remember the boat though.
Corginzola@reddit
I can’t seem to find it! I know there are two versions of Girls On Film, though
zenrn1171@reddit
Remember watching Michael Jackson moonwalk at the Grammy's? It was all we talked about at school the next day!
kennetec@reddit
Don’t change- INXS 99 Luftballons- Nena Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For- U2
Potential_Sundae_251@reddit
Rhythm nation Sledgehammer If it isn’t love
ADMSXavier@reddit
Rick Astley, you know the one...
Van Halen, Right Now
Metallica, Enter Sandman
Mk1Racer25@reddit
Right now, Ed is playing the piano!
This is quite possibly my favorite VH song. And I love it for Ed's piano playing.
Patient_Decision_164@reddit
Grateful Dead --- Touch of Grey
Van Halen -- Hot for Teacher
A-Ha -- Take on Me
Barrel-of-Machetes@reddit
Sledgehammer Money for Nothing Been Caught Stealing
kimmykam-28@reddit
Michael Jackson - Thriller George Michael - Freedom ’90 Dire Straits - Money for Nothing
Ok-Appearance-4550@reddit
California Girls - David Lee Roth
Welcome to the Jungle
Pour Some Sugar on Me
blkwidow76@reddit
18 and Life
Automatic_Cable_8039@reddit
The Cars - You Might Think
Dire Straits - Money For Nothing
Peter Gabriel - Sledgehammer
workworld3369@reddit
Thriller, Sledgehammer, and and Cry
hamfisted_postman@reddit
Soul Asylum - Runaway Train KMFDM - A Drug Against War Duck Sauce - Big Bad Wolf
Honorary mentions: The Prodigy - Smack My Bitch Up Utah Saints - Something Good '08
D0m1n035@reddit
Thrilller Free Fallin’ November Rain
Effective_Farmer_119@reddit
I was very sick over the summer when we got cable. They wouldn’t stop playing:
Cyndi Lauper Time After Time Madonna Borderline
_53-@reddit
Sledgehammer Land of confusion Sober-tool
louielouco@reddit
New order- True Faith
Early gem of a video that you don’t hear mentioned. Fine young canibals used a lot of it for “she drives me crazy”
Peter Gabriel- Sledgehammer
Cool video at the time, even with technology advances it still holds up
REM- It’s the End of the World as We Know It
We all loved this video because the dude was doing hand plants at the end.
Sil14@reddit
Electric Avenue - Eddie Grant Rio - Duran Duran Two Tribes - Frankie Goes to Hollywood
marshallkrich@reddit
Danzig - Morher - live 94
Ozzy Osborne- Bark at the Moon
Guns and Rose's- Don't Cry
jdsgram72@reddit
Fight for your right - Beastie Boys Thriller - MJ Tale on me - AHA
Spiritual_Parfait_94@reddit
Every Adam Ant video. I fell in love with his music ever since I saw the Stand and Deliver video.
mite115@reddit
Fish heads
Sledgehammer
Walk this way
pragmatic_dreamer@reddit
Fish heads, fish heads, Rolly Polly fish heads. Fish heads fish heads eat them up yum.
slouchenheimer@reddit
Motley Crue - Looks That Kill
It doesn't matter how absurd Tommy Lee gets. He's that dude in the Looks That Kill video.
Van Halen - So This Is Love (live in Oakland)
Iron Maiden - Run To the Hills
hadesscion@reddit
It's hard to narrow it down to three, but I can definitely say that "Thriller" is at the top of the list. I could watch that on a loop forever.
Off the top of my head, I would probably also add "Take on Me" by A-Ha, and "Basket Case" by Green Day.
Significant-Dance-43@reddit
Stillmaineiac88@reddit
Funkytown - Lipps Inc. (Teenage boy, IYKYK)
Legs - ZZ Top
Thriller - Michael Jackson
miss2jobs@reddit
George Michael- Freedom
Tom Petty - Mary Jane’s Last Dance
Simple-Instruction69@reddit
Mickey - Toni Basil
jaywright58@reddit
Twilight Zone by Golden Earring! My favorite part is with the dancing torturers along with the double cross messenger all alone with the cool playing card that matches.
mom2artists@reddit
I did love when that came on!!!
WaveBrilliant7674@reddit
Red Skies at Night
Magali_Lunel@reddit
Gypsy, Fleetwood Mac Stepping Out, Joe Jackson Small Town Boy, Bronski Beat
Bonus Pass the Dutchie, Musical Youth
Marksaheel@reddit
Dancing with myself
Billie Jean
Jump
dwightnight@reddit
"Boys of Summer" those senior year songs just stick.
kittyshakedown@reddit
Enter Sandman Paradise City Poison (bel biv devoe))
hadesscion@reddit
It's hard to narrow it down to three, but I can definitely say that Thriller is at the top of the list. I could watch that on a loop forever.
AppointmentHot9533@reddit
Metallica’s “One” Latch key 9 year old me watched it every day after school. Still haunted by the SOS scene.
__perigee__@reddit
Magic - The Cars
We're Not Gonna Take It - Twisted Sister
Money For Nothing - Dire Straits
mom2artists@reddit
Two on my list.
Both-Ad1801@reddit
Money For Nothing was so iconic and Weird Al's dead-on Beverly Hillbillies parody of it hit hard. Whatever that neon-outline and blocky delivery-man animation was, he freakin' nailed it.
Fillmore80@reddit
Pretty much every Peter Gabriel video.
mom2artists@reddit
Take on me was the first I thought of. Hmmm next Money for Nothing and 🤷🏻♀️We’re not gonna take it
foxyfree@reddit
AHA - Take on me
Lionel Ritchie - Dancing on the ceiling
Genesis - Land of Confusion
prospectpico_OG@reddit
Nailed it.
AmazingGrace911@reddit
Peak videos, it’s Richie, sorry. They really cared then and it was a visceral experience.
iknowyou71@reddit
Thriller debut, we all waited and watched in amazement when it came out. Hands down #1.
Van Halen -Panama
Genesis- Land of Confusion
Madonna - Material Girl
Brownie-0109@reddit
Maiden - Run to the Hills
lemotomato21@reddit
Dress you up by Madonna. She Blinded Me With Science - Thomas Dolby. Oh Sherrie. Journey. The opening with the royal almost wedding and I can still see him sitting on those stairs.
Terry_Downe29@reddit
Hard to pick just three. I’d say it has to be the ones that when you hear them today, you can still see the exact scenes from the video.
Til Tuesday- Voices Carry is one for sure
Crewstage8387@reddit
Only 3?!
As soon as I read the question:
The Reflex- Duran Duran
Soul to Squeeze- RHCP
Billy Jean - Michael Jackson
MTV used to be the shit, now it’s just shit
Never_Dave_1@reddit
Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers - You Got Lucky
Helloween - I Want Out
Scatterbrain - Don't Call Me Dude
Affectionate_Leg5088@reddit
Thriller. When that damn video was released it was on ALL THE TIME!
Duran Duran Hungry Like The Wolf. I was in love with them but their videos were the first ones I remember being like mini movies. They went hard with their videos
Karma Chameleon . Boy George was really cool to me. Loved that video with the whole story line and it was a really pretty video
Godel_Theorem@reddit
“Take on Me” is indelible.
ThePlasticSturgeons@reddit
“Take On Me” - A-Ha
“Land of Confusion” - Genesis
“Sledge Hammer” - Peter Gabriel
Honorable mention:
“Black hole Sun” - Sound Garden
Many-Role-4271@reddit
Rock the Cradle of Love - Billy Idol
Epic - Faith No More
Hammer time - MC Hammer (don’t lie I know you had the pants)
Glum_Credit4255@reddit
Epic!!!
LordChauncyDeschamps@reddit
So many good videos. The first one that comes to mind is Touch Myself by The DiVinyls. I was 13 when that song came out and it left an impression.
baychick@reddit
Michael Jackson - Thriller
optimal-gold976@reddit
Runaway Train - Soul Asylum
Sabotage - Beastie Boys
Promiscuous - Nelly Furtado
Comfortable_Fruit847@reddit
Metallica - Enter Sandman
Guns and Roses - You could be mine
And oddly enough - Paula Abdul - Promise of a new day. I think that’s cause my brother loved that video and always made us watch it if it came on
Funke-munke@reddit
She blinded me with Science - Thomas Dolby. Stray Cat Strut -Stray Cats Hungry like the wolf- Duran Duran
LordChauncyDeschamps@reddit
Stray Cat Strut is such a cool song. I had the 45 and would listen to it on my Fisher-Price turntable.
whitkenstein@reddit
Shadows of the Night - Pat Benatar
I loved this video
DragonflyMomma6671@reddit
A-Ha - Take on me (still awesome to watch)
Madonna - Lucky Star
Duran Duran - Reflex, Rio, Hungry like the wolf
sfdsquid@reddit
How could I forget Duran Duran. There are photos of me and Melinda Read at 13 on my couch freaking out about the Duran Duran rockumentary.
And Girls on Film was basically soft porn.
friendlyfire31@reddit
Black Hole Sun - Soundgarden
Sabotage - Beastie Boys
Give It Away - RHCP
pickleddresser@reddit
Robert Palmer videos. The backup girls "playing " the instruments were great. Fight for your right is classic. Land of confusion with the puppets. I wanna dance with somebody. Not sure why. I just remember that one. A David Bowie song. The whole video they are on roller skates. Bowie & Mick Jagger dancing in the streets. My dad is a huge Bowie fan so only Bowie in our house.
jrtski@reddit
Burning Down the House - Talking Heads
Big Time - Peter Gabriel
Relax - Frankie goes to Hollywood
sfdsquid@reddit
Okay lots of good ones here.
I'll add (more than 3):
Twisted Sister - We're Not Gonna Take It
Van Halen - Hot for Teacher
Ratt - Round and Round
Beastie Boys - Fight for Your Right to Party
Taco - Puttin' on the Ritz
Falco - Rock Me Amadeus
Cyndi Lauper - Time After Time
Madonna - Borderline
Robert Palmer - Addicted to Love
Sorry, I'll stop. Once I get going...
TheWarDoctor@reddit
Money for nothing
Multiple TOOL videos
Hey Mickey
Hyphum@reddit
Sledgehammer by Peter Gabriel
Do You Remember the Time by Michael Jackson
Take On Me by a-ha
HotRails1277@reddit
2nd Take on Me.
Never a huge Michael Jackson fan, but his thriller video was pretty awesome.
jkh7088@reddit
Thriller by Michael Jackson
Where the Streets Have No Name by U2
Addicted to Love by Robert Palmer
Jed308613@reddit
Sledgehammer, Straight Up, Here We Go Again
mama_ste@reddit
No Rain
NoMastodon9915@reddit
I just came here to say to my fellow Xers: rewatch Toto's Africa. Song is still a banger, video is comedic ally dated. Watched it with my Gen Z kid recently and we just laughed and laughed.
CtrlAltComment@reddit
Most videos before the reality shows and commercialism still live in my head today. I was in high school and preparing my escape from home into to the world which was a myriad of change on the political global stage.
U2- Sunday Bloody Sunday Genesis-Land of Confusion Biko- Peter Gabriel
Must mention: Money for Nothing - Dire Straits ft. Sting
UnderstandingOdd679@reddit
I want my MTV. Dire Straits — Money for Nothing
A-ha — Take On Me. (I prefer the song Sun Always Shines on TV but the video was lame)
Duran Duran — Girls on Film. (This was like searching for the Holy Grail of music videos back in those days. The myth about the uncensored version was greater than the reality.)
Honorable mention to the weirdness that is Batdance by Prince.
NoMastodon9915@reddit
Your list is solid. I came here to say Girls on Film, Take on Me. Money for Nothing you could not escape for a hot minute on MTV so I got sick of it. But live in my head it does!
Rhombos@reddit
Back on the Chain Gang - Pretenders Ashes to Ashes - David Bowie Shock the Monkey - Peter Gabriel also Once in a Lifetime - Talking Heads
IDrinkMyBreakfast@reddit
Jump by VanHalen. We waited for the debut video on MTV and were so excited.
I miss the old MTV
AKblueeyes@reddit
Well I guess now I’m a xennial but, I’d like to answer. There was a video in mid nineties that played on the band getting giant and. I calling through town singing. There were sexual innuendos throughout song. I remember it having a good thumping type beat.
MauriceReeves@reddit
Maybe “Love is Strong” by the Rolling Stones? https://youtu.be/Te6VBiRjhqA?si=xAOjAJ48aVywqxNM
Mysterious-Range328@reddit
Our house- Madness
fishtaco77@reddit
You’ve got another thing commin’ — Judas Priest.
This was the first video shown in Lower Manhattan (Time Warner cable) either Aug 1 or Sept 1 1982. This was a year after MTV launched.
The video started mid-way through. The explosion was amazing!
schmoopsiedoodle@reddit
A-ha - Take On Me George Michael - Freedom 90 Madness - Our House
nepaguy001@reddit
The Micheal Jackson stuff like Thriller and smooth criminal that were trying to be movies.
The Tool claymation video
The first big Pearl Jam video where Eddie Vedder is literally climbing the walls.
ToezXposed@reddit
Just one, November Rain, on replay
Treehouse_Dweller@reddit
Iceblink Luck by Cocteau Twins, Just for a day by Slowdive, Psyche Out by Meat Beat Manifesto
MistressPaine666@reddit
Tom Petty - Don’t Come Around Here No More
Prince - When Doves Cry
Tom Tom Club - Genius of Love
Honorable mention for worst video in history is Van Halen - Pretty Woman
sometimelater0212@reddit
Hungry like the wolf, I Ran, Billie Jean
SKULLDIVERGURL@reddit
Solid list.
Fun_Syllabub_5985@reddit
Twisted Sister - were not gonna take it Metallica- One Dire Straits - money for nothing
MDD525@reddit
Rock the Casbah- clash
Under the bridge - red hot chilli peppers
Beat it - Michael Jackson
Aggravating_Ear_1586@reddit
The little armadillo running down the road still lives rent free in my head.
datoke71@reddit
Peter Gabriel-sledgehammer Metallica-one Aha-take on me
cgiuls1223@reddit
come on eileen, video killed the radio star, thriller
1hero_no_cape@reddit
Thriller - Michael Jackson
Epic - Faith No More
Last Dance with Mary Jane - Tom Petty
These are the first three which come to mind. Plenty if other in here, though.
Reasonable-Coconut15@reddit
Just One Fix - Ministry
Rock the Cradle of Love - Billy Idol
Sober - Tool
chantierinterdit@reddit
Jane's addiction - stop.
MJM_deacs@reddit
Take on Me. Thriller. Walk like an Egyptian.
Honorable Mention: Simply Irresistible.
Big77Ben2@reddit
Right Now
FromOutoftheShadows@reddit
Mama - Genesis Don't Pay the Ferryman - Chris De Burgh Sister Christian - Night Ranger
Traditional_Fan_2655@reddit
Choosing 3 seems impossible.
Video Killed the Radio Star" will always be a favorite. Even saying the song name plays the entire video in my mind.
Thomas Dolby's "Blinded by Science" (She blinded me with science!)
Naked Eyes "Always Something there to Remind Me!" It was my first real view of London scenery. I couldn't wait to go.
Of course, Michael Jackson's "Thriller". Who could forget the hype, the excitement of waiting to watch. It surely delivered!
Missing Person's "What are words for?" Mostly because of the attire and overall aesthetic of the band. The lyrics hit even harder today with the electronic obsession we all have.
"I hate Mondays". The video was so oddly unique playing to whag you think tge storh is vs. The horrof of the reality, and the lyrics being delivered so straightforward sounding always hit me. It always struck me harder once I knew the full story that inspired it.
"Let's Dance" was my first real visual introduction to David Bowie. Of course, I had heard his music on the radio, but never tied it altogether as the same musician. His videos made me explore all his music.
Billy Idol, White Wedding. Does anything really need to be said?
Talking Heads "Once in a Lifetime" the video kived in my head for decades even when I could no longer recall which song played for it. There were so many odd videos in that oddly entertaining artsy style back then.
Overall, MTV introduced us to music so far beyond what played on repeat on the radio. It expanded my range well beyond all of these most memorable videos.
xturboturtlex@reddit
Enter Sandman - where the semi hits the bed
InternationalYard665@reddit
Thriller and Walk Like A Egyptian
A third doesn't come to mind
Training-Finish-2754@reddit
All of them. My grandmother lived in a metropolitan area and had cable pretty much the minute it was available- we would spend entire visits watching MTV. Our area finally got cable about 2 years later and from the moment we had cable if you weren’t watching an actual show or doing something, MTV was on, CONSTANTLY from about 1983 until 1991. I would spend whole days sitting in my living room, painting my fingernails or hanging out with friends just watching MTV. And back then, you didn’t really change the channel, because unlike now, everybody liked everything, there really wasn’t songs you wanted to skip- HOWEVER - with the introduction of VH1, you were able to flip and see if a better song was on there instead. My cable company was smart and had the 2 channels apart so it was easy- MTV 44, VH1 42 (which used to tickle me when level 42 was on- it’s the little things 🤣). Miss those days so much!!
wieldymouse@reddit
Fat - Weird Al Yankovic
By Your Side - Sade
Meet Me Half Way - Black Eyed Peas
double-A-A-ron@reddit
Land of confusion
latitude30@reddit
Mexican Radio, Electric Avenue, and Men at Work’s Down Under
tigerlilywhiskers@reddit
Dire Straits, Money for Nothing because that's what starts playing in my head when I hear MTV 😅
Duran Duran, Rio
Madonna, Into the Groove/Live to Tell (I was obsessed with Madonna and loved the movies too) Lol
caramel1110@reddit
Who's That Girl and Desperately Seeking Susan. Lmao. Obsessed!!!!
hottie-von-coolie@reddit
INXS - Don’t Change (first video I watched when we finally got cable) A-Ha -Take On Me Fleetwood Mac - Hold Me
yearsofpractice@reddit
49 year old man here. Robert Palmer’s Addicted To Love - watching that video made 10 year old me realise I was straight.
Freedom by George Michael. It was the 90s supermodels at their absolute baddest. Naomi Campbell of that era is the most beautiful woman I have ever seen.
geogle@reddit
Might as well add Chris Isaak's "Wicked Games"
moopet@reddit
Just like there are six songs in your list of three, there are literally hundreds in my top ten.
sissyjamie75@reddit
addicted to love
killerchef69@reddit
Peter Gabriel-Sledgehammer, Dire Straits-Money for Nothing, A-Ha- take on me
81optimus@reddit
Strong choice. I've just posted exact same choice and was scrolling through responses being nosy
Crowley123456789@reddit
Paradise city GNR, whitesnake here I go again, Micheal Jackson beat it
81optimus@reddit
Dire straits money for nothing Aha take on me Peter Gabriel sledgehammer
nimbusdimbus@reddit
Freedom 90-George Michael
Rio - Duran Duran
Jump - Van Halen
curiouslywanting@reddit
West End Girls - Pet Shop Boys
Rio - Duran Duran
Take On Me - A-ha
sissyjamie75@reddit
eddie money shakin
Dodgypoppy@reddit
Love in an Elevator, first video I ever saw November Rain It’s End of the World as we Know it
sissyjamie75@reddit
rock the casba
MeanNene@reddit
When Doves cry, Every breath you take, sweet child of mine.
Jeremichi22@reddit
Rush Rush - Paula Abdul, Michael Jackson - Remember the time, REM - Losing my religion.
Worth-Artist-6962@reddit
Michael Jackson: Thriller Madonna: Like a Pray Aha: Take on Me
dukesinatra@reddit
Aha- Take on Me Tears for Fears - Head over Heels ZZ Top - Gimne' All Your Lovin'
SherLovesCats@reddit
Rio-Duran Duran
Sledgehammer- Peter Gabriel
Take on Me- A-Ha
realdlc@reddit
Rock it. Herbie Hancock. Girls just wanna have fun - Cindy Lauper with captain Lou Albano Thriller. Michael Jackson
Rearrangemetilimsane@reddit
Addicted to Love Rock the Cradle of Love Cherry Pie
For all the right, or wrong, reasons.
CyberJaxWabbit-1312@reddit
Hot For Teacher - Van Halen
November Rain - G&R
Wicked Game - Chris Isaac
phlpw@reddit
Herb Ritts directed that Wicked Game video
that moody, high-contrast, black-and-white 90s minimalist is still fucking cool
CyberJaxWabbit-1312@reddit
i think that's what i loved about it, you described it well ☺️🤘🏻
Abpoe77@reddit
Tough one, definitely Counting crows Mr Jones because my buddy Mikey burned his dad's console TV tube with Adams face on pause like two days. Long story, basically latch key, military family, vacations and the neighbors know and keeping an eye out. MTV unplugged Nirvana was on that same VHS tape and is a stand out.
Current_Net8855@reddit
Genesis Land of Confusion Dire Straits Money For Nothing Tears for Fears Everybody Wants to Rule the World First 3 to pop in my head.
USNWoodWork@reddit
Land of Confusion lives in my head… but the Disturbed version.. the video is so good, and applies so much to our current timeline.
cuntshine68@reddit
Cry - Godley & Creme Material Girl - Madonna Thriller - Michael Jackson
MareOfDalmatia@reddit
Hungry Like the Wolf - Duran Duran
Beat It - Michael Jackson
(You Gotta) Fight for Your Right (To Party!) - Beastie Boys
JimTheJerseyGuy@reddit
Safety Dance - Men Without Hats
Don’t Dream It’s Over - Crowded House
Everybody Wants To Rule The World - Tears For Fears
Trike117@reddit
“Once in a Lifetine” - Talking Heads
“Virtual Insanity” - Jamiroquai
“Hip to be Square” - Huey Lewis and the News
I come back to those three a lot.
Bonus: “Lonely Ol’ Night” by John Cougar Mellencamp. The girl who kisses her boyfriend at 2:11 looks exactly like my college girlfriend and the woman playing bingo at 2:54 could be the twin of my late neighbor. Plus the whole thing feels like the Midwest fairs we went to every year.
I have a playlist of my favorite music videos, from back in the day to current ones: https://m.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL078898619E0ABE98&ra=m
timlygrae@reddit
Duran Duran - Planet Earth
A-Ha - Take on Me
Thomas Dolby - She Blinded Me With Science
There's loads more, but these came to mind first.
House_Junkie@reddit
Rock the cradle of love (Billy Idol) every time she does the splits on the bed, 6th grade me lost it)
Until it sleeps (Metallica) wanted to **** that gold snake
Real Motherfucking G’s (Eazy E) great track, and hilarious video making fun of Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg,
EyelanderSam@reddit
Jump...Van Halen
Walk this way....RUN DMC
U can't touch this....MC Hammer
sluggo4511@reddit
OK Go had some great ones.
Here It Goes Again and This Too Shall Pass were both filmed in one pass.
Couldn’t have been easy…
NYCphilliesBlunt@reddit
Jumpin Jack Flash (first video I saw on MTV)
Beat It
Girls Just Wanna Have Fun
markfa@reddit
Sabotage - Beastie Boys Give it Away - RHCP Smells Like Teen Spirit - Nirvana obvs
Rsoller@reddit
You Can Call Me Al - Paul Simon The video with Chevy Chase was funny.
Historical_Project86@reddit
There are so many to choose from!
Talking Heads - Road To Nowhere. Everyone in school loved the Sledgehammer video and I couldn't be bothered to tell them that it was well-trodden ground.
David Bowie - Ashes To Ashes. Pre-MTV though.
Honourable mentions to Brothers In Arms and Take On Me for pencil art shenanigans.
timdisselkoen@reddit
Early ones that stand out:
Sharp Dressed Man - ZZ Top
Synchronicity II - The Police
Sunday Bloody Sunday - U2 at Red Rocks
cserskine@reddit
Thriller, Sledgehammer and Take On Me are all cinematic classics.
Tricky-You4565@reddit
You never see "You Might Think" by The Cars mentioned in one of these lists. Am I the only one who really liked that video? Can't be. And if you don't remember it, take a look on YouTube. You won't regret it.
moccasinsfan@reddit
Safety Dance, Take on Me and either of the Peter Gabriel claymation vídeos
Far-Kaleidoscope-455@reddit
The one thing-INXS. Video killed the radio star-The Buggles. Separate ways-Journey.
modest_irish_goddess@reddit
INXS = LOVE
Honeybee71@reddit
Madonna-Like a Virgin, A-ha-Take on me, Michael Jackson-Thriller
IllAbbreviations4097@reddit
The cars video with Rick o.s head going down toilet...girls just wanna have fun... with that wrestler and like a virgin...the gondola Madonna
modest_irish_goddess@reddit
Rio - Duran Duran Need You Tonight - INXS Stand and Deliver - Adam Ant
GansNaval@reddit
Smashing Pumpkins - Today, Soundgarden - Blackhole Sun, Primus - Winona's Big Brown Beaver
Kermit_the_Hermit2@reddit
Aha- Take on Me Peter Gabriel- Sledgehammer Tom Petty- Don’t Come Around Here No More
Bluefish787@reddit
Material Girl Ah-Ha I want my MTV
Disemboweledgoat@reddit
I want my........I want my.........I want my, MTV.
Six_Pack_Attack@reddit
Dear God, XTC Jeremy, Pearl Jam Plush, STP
TheBklynGuy@reddit
When doves cry is the first music video I recall seeing.
Thriller scared the hell out of me as a kid.
Take on me fascinated me.
I miss MTV. Especially Headbangers Ball.
IAmDaBadMan@reddit
Guns n' Roses - November Rain
The Chemical Brothers - Setting Sun
Aerosmith - Crazy
Alicia Silverstone and Liv Tyler in one music video. 😍
rivoli130@reddit
As a fellow young GenXer (assuming from your choices), don't forget 'Crazy' to complete the trilogy!
IAmDaBadMan@reddit
Third link. 😉
rivoli130@reddit
Sorry, it appears I cannot read 😄
PhiloLibrarian@reddit
Wow… I had blocked out Mexican Radio…. Wooooosh!
neo101b@reddit
Black Hole sun by Sound garden.
Heart Shaped box by Nirvana.
Sleep Now in the fire, by Rage Against The Machine.
There was so many cool videos back in the 90s.
lemmingstone@reddit
Not necessarily favourite songs but videos…
Living_Baby3063@reddit
Michael Jackson thriller , Tina Turner thunderdome and Beastie boys no sleep till Brooklyn .
SarahCornflake@reddit
Only 3? I remember most of the videos I've ever seen. Can't remember important dates or why I walked in this room but every video from 1984 to 2014? Yep, I can remember those! Lol.
Michael Jackson - Thriller - absolutely terrified me when I was 6 and this video was brand new 😂
Pearl Jam - Evenflow - when I fell in love with Eddie Vedder and wanted to quit school and follow them around the country.
Pat Benetar - Love Is A Battlefield - I thought those dresses they were wearing were so beautiful.
steven-john@reddit
Janet Jackson - Pleasure Principle Janet Jackson - Love Will Never Do Without You Janet Jackson - That’s the Way Love Goes
Far_Presentation8517@reddit
Jump. By Van Halen
StillC5sdad@reddit
Thriller,Welcome to the Jungle, Take on Me.
ohmaint@reddit
Robert Palmer addicted to love
TakeOnMe-TakeOnMe@reddit
Guess!
Base_Ancient@reddit
Money For Nothing..
76_chic@reddit
Addicted to love-Robert Palmer MTV Unplugged-Nirvana
fromamomof2@reddit
Pat Benatar- love is a battlefield
ExternalOld9460@reddit
Take on me, money for nothing, wrapped around your finger
2peacegrrrl2@reddit
Talking Heads - And She Was
windysideofcare@reddit
Aha Take on Me is still my favorite music video
Come on Eileen
Paul Simon - Call me Al
SassATX@reddit
J. Giles Band - Centerfold; Talking Heads - Once in a Lifetime; Culture Club - Karma Chameleon
Affectionate-Kale301@reddit
Let’s Dance - David Bowie
Photograph - Def Leppard
Heat of the Moment - Asia
IAmATree76@reddit
Tom Petty / Heartbreakers - Don't Come Around Here No More (the scene where they are eating cake Alice always freaked me out)
Metallica - One (another video that freaked me out. The movie scenes are so haunting. True story - i had to get an MRI once and they asked if I wanted headphones to listen to music - so as I am laying perfectly still in this loud tube....on comes One on whatever Spotify station they had on. )
Faith No More - Epic (the fish, the eyeball hand, mike Patton going apeshit, Jim Martin and his Cliff Burton shirt and red glasses looking like the world's scariest guitar player.)
1967punisher@reddit
Queen ... Bohemian rhapsody. Considered the first music video. Apparently designed to allow bands with alternative commitments to have their song, played on TV pop shows when they were elsewhere.
Thriller ... Michael Jackson. Deemed to scary for it's preview at usual time. First aired in the UK at midnight. Talk about hype and marketing.
Money for nothing.... Dire straights. How that prophecied the world of today.
TheWalkingDev@reddit
I remember seeing the Wayne's World version of Bohemian Rhapsody first and was oblivious to the original lol
marzipancetta@reddit
I agree with these three! A thoughtful curation.
1967punisher@reddit
The dire straights animation ... An introduction to the world of "mine craft" blocky pixels.. The type you got on the games of the era, considered advanced and yet looking back compared to today's games, the kids play, or the animation you get in films ... So different .. like comparing a hand hauled barrow to a formula 1 race car.
TheWalkingDev@reddit
GNR - November Rain, Dr. Dre / Snoop Dogg - Nuthin' but a G Thang, Michael Jackson - Black and White
Own_Elderberry6812@reddit
“Sweet Dreams” - eurythmics. “Every breath you take” - police “Beat it” - MJ
DianaSironi@reddit
Centerfold by J. Geils Band (remember thinking one of the actresses was Martha Quinn) Rapture by Blondie 'raaaaaAAAaaaapturrrrRrreeeeee' Whip It by Devo - always wanted those hats. Hated that they whipped the girl. Runaway by Bon Jovi Battlefield by Pat Benetar Separate Ways by Journey- have you seen the bts footage of the band acting out the performance without the soundtrack in back - it's hysterical. We Are The World - it's a who's who of the day Time After Time by Cyndi Lauper - ugh the emotions Sad Songs but also Sasson Jeans commercial by Elton John - so confusing at the time Young Hearts by Rod Stewart- the baby was huge
dickhertzfromholdn@reddit
Peter Gabriel- Sledge Hammer In A Big Country Dire Straits- Money for Nothing
BamaSweetie1978@reddit
Rush, Rush - Paula Abdul ( 1st Keanu Reeves sighting )
Good Vibrations - Marky Mark & the Funky Bunch
Christmas in Hollis - Run DMC
Honorable Mentions: Garth Brooks as Chris Gaines - Lost in You, also shoutout to VH-1 for featuring the CMT-banned video for The Thunder Rolls. Shania Twain - Man, I Feel Like a Woman and TLC - Waterfalls
Extension_Variety190@reddit
Liquid Jesus: GOOD TIME BABY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a-iHQWsXRDk
TroyTony1973@reddit
Land of Confusion, Phil Collins
Informal-Tour-8201@reddit
Aktewarly, that was Genesis, not solo Phil
The one with the Spitting Image puppets
Superyear-@reddit
The first video I saw on MTV was from Scandal “the Warrior” . It stuck with me forever. I was young and this video seriously impressed me.
The singer changes to a warrior face and the special effects were flawless for those days.
ascii122@reddit
I didn't have cable growing up or even electricity but I remember seeing this at my buddy's house
I still love this song https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iNwC0sp-uA4
Imaginary_Ticket959@reddit
Love shack too!
4thkindexperience@reddit
Michael Jackson - Smooth Criminal!!
Mercutiofoodforworms@reddit
“She Blinded Me With Science.”
“Hungry Like the Wolf.”
“The Safety Dance.”
When we first got cable these are the 3 videos I remember playing on MTV all the time.
Sharp-Alternative375@reddit
Van Halen - Hot For Teacher, Warrant - Cherry Pie, and ZZ Top, Give Me All Your Lovin.
BearPorto@reddit
RELAX - Frankie Goes To Hollywood
Open Your Heart - Madonna
Word Up - Cameo
hazysummersky@reddit
Well..it's gotta be the first song on MTV..Money For Nothing ~ Dire Straits
shackspirit@reddit
It was video killed the radio star. Money for nothing came about 4 years later
hazysummersky@reddit
Derp..'Money for Nothing' by Dire Straits was the first music video played on MTV Europe when the network launched on August 1, 1987, so there's that..
shackspirit@reddit
Right
2_Bagel_Dog@reddit
Wait - I thought it was Video Killed the Radio Star.
Ahhhh! Europe vs North America. I learned something new today so the day is already worth it.
kingrat1@reddit
Why should I care (Nothing bad ever happens to me) - Oingo Boingo
Angel Eyes - Jeff Healey Band (First GF song)
Pour some sugar on me - Def Leppard
Wanna dance with somebody (who loves me) - Whitney Houston - just upbeat and takes my mind off stuff.
I could list more, but I'm already 1 over...
Felicia_Delicto@reddit
Any of the Oingo Boingo videos!
shackspirit@reddit
Girls on film…extended version
Grease2feminist@reddit (OP)
I love it. Especially learning about focusing and hanging lights. Be right back
null_infinity@reddit
Land of confusion
DianaSironi@reddit
The rubber faces oi!
Just_Another_Day_926@reddit
Of course Aha Take on Me
Pick a Cindy Lauper like Time After Time, She Bop, etc. For some reason I always enjoyed watching her videos.
Gotta have MJ so Thriller (Beat It as a second)
Trixie--Belden@reddit
Rain - Dragon I want to break free - Queen Right Now - Van Halen
Special mention to Opposites Attract - Paula Abdul
Smittles@reddit
Is that the one with the animated cat?
DianaSironi@reddit
Yes
-Klahanie-@reddit
The Pretenders - Brass in Pocket Dire Straits - Money for Nothin U2 - Sunday Bloody Sunday
DianaSironi@reddit
Love U2's 'Gloria'
Affectionate_Pace823@reddit
Money for nothing all day errrrry day!
invisiblefrost@reddit
Didn’t money for nothing revolutionise the whole game
jacobsmyboy@reddit
1.Jump, Van Halen
2.Jeopardy, Greg Kihn Band
JaninthePan@reddit
Art of Noise - Close (To The Edit) It’s the one with the little punk rock girl and friends taking chainsaws and grinders to classical instruments. The little girl blew our minds
DianaSironi@reddit
Holy moly, I love this vid. Showed my kids, they were like wtttfff? It's on my playlist at home, and on the alexa thing.
mkstot@reddit
Frankie Goes to Hollywood-Relax especially in today’s political climate
Duran Duran-Rio
NIN- Happiness in Slavery i’m a little off what can I say
DarkHighways@reddit
NIN Closer was original steampunk glory
mkstot@reddit
Happiness in slavery was the most violent pornographic I had seen up to that point in my life. The video was so vivid about turning that poor submissive into ground meat. The machinery in that video is pretty damn detailed.
AnatBrat@reddit
China Girl by David Bowie.
Felicia_Delicto@reddit
Yes!!
BucktoothedAvenger@reddit
Legs -ZZTop Hot for Teacher - Van Halen Just a Friend - Biz Markie
Felicia_Delicto@reddit
Excellent list.
NTWIGIJ1@reddit
Just 1 stands out for me. Nothing but a good time. Poison.
Antmax@reddit
We didn't really have MTV in England unless we got satellite TV which didn't really take off till the 90's.
I remember Money for Nothing, Dire Straights
Max Headroom.
Unistrut@reddit
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6epzmRZk6UU
Antmax@reddit
Hah! I bought that album on tape and remember reading Hitchhikers Guide to the galaxy around the same time.
LowKeyStillYoung78@reddit
Michael Jackson’s Thriller AH-HA Take on Me Robert Palmer‘s Addicted to Love
AuntBBea@reddit
Our House by Madness, Los Lobos Will the Wolf Survive, Walk Like An Egyptian The Bangles
bad_likeness@reddit
Thomas Dolby's She Blinded Me with Science.
SlaapYoMomma@reddit
Prince - When Doves Cry
A-ha - Take On me
Peter Gabriel - Sledgehammer
thepaintedballerina@reddit
Yup that’s the list
mjw217@reddit
Jeremy - Pearl Jam. I was in the hospital and I had just had surgery. I swear that video came on every time I woke up. That video has been in my head forever.
Star96Monkey@reddit
The Tubes, She’s a Beauty
Miss-Asshole@reddit
Love Shack, man I can still see that video dancing in my head all these years ladder.
mprovost@reddit
Groove is in the Heart - Deee Lite.
docfallout22@reddit
Ah-Ha - “Take On Me”
Wu-Tang Clan - “Da Mystery of Chessboxin’”
Faith No More - “Epic”
Smittles@reddit
The Tool video by the Brothers Quay Black Hole Sun Hot for Teacher
OwlFlirt@reddit
Slave to Love - Bryan Ferry
Two Tribes -Frankie Goes to Hollywood
Burning Down the House - Talking Heads
KilroySmithson@reddit
Rio - Duran Duran
Money for Nothing - Dire Straits
Safety Dance - Men Without Hats
stockzy@reddit
Tool - stink fist
kmdeeze@reddit
Processing img 30q6qash9xsg1...
Silver_Draig@reddit
Fish heads, black hole sun, and ren and stimpy.
RespecMyAuthority@reddit
Bauhaus Ziggy Stardust. It was always great but seeing it in Beavis and Butthead followed by “oh. He’s in a body bag. He was injured stage diving”
PirateJim68@reddit
ZZ Top Eliminator & Sharp Dressed Man
Girls, girls, girls Van Halen
HistoricalTowel1127@reddit
Girls was motley crew
PirateJim68@reddit
Yes, you are correct. Very tired and posting with 1 eye open. 1:41 am here
HistoricalTowel1127@reddit
Good song tho. Don’t reply back, get some rest. But first, remember better off dead Van Halen everybody wants some vid? Also, I can personally still do the David Lee jump, kick. And point.
txn_gay@reddit
Thriller. November Rain. Simply Irresistible.
DarkHighways@reddit
Simply Red—Holding Back The Years Kate Bush—Cloudbusting, Hounds Of Love Peter Gabriel—Sledgehammer Eurythmics—Sweet Dreams
No_Strain_703@reddit
Money for Nothing- Dire Straits
Take On Me - Aha
Land of Confusion - Genesis
Peachy-Queen-12358@reddit
The video for Land of Confusion is absolute gold!
Turbulent_Tale6497@reddit
Robert Palmer - Simply Irresistible
Dire Straights -- Money for Nothing and Walk of Life
Aerosmith - Crazy
faughnjj@reddit
George Harrison - I’ve Got My Mind Set On You Peter Gabriel - Sledgehammer Paul Simon - Call Me Al Foo Fighters - Monkeywrech MC 900 Ft Jesus - Funk Dat (Thanks Beavis and Butthead)
HigherSelfie@reddit
Sledgehammer is my favorite! 🤩
Fishfry12@reddit
Beat it-Michael Jackson Simply irresistible-Robert Palmer Every Breath You Take-The Police
Historical_Meet3370@reddit
Smack my bitch up [prodigy] , greedy fly [bush] wind of change (war edit) [scorpions]
GingerBeast81@reddit
One by Metallica, Brackish by Kittie, and Free Fallin' by Tom Petty.
Fit_Relationship6703@reddit
Just One:
https://youtu.be/kl4wkIPiTcY
Rage Against the Machine - Sleep Now in the Fire (directed by Michael Moore)
fabled-old-man@reddit
Safety Dance - Men Without Hats
baconcheeseburgarian@reddit
Thriller
Shock the Monkey
Money for Nothing
illpoet@reddit
The bee girl in that blind melon song
Grease2feminist@reddit (OP)
LEGS — ZZ Top.
DowntownSurvey6568@reddit
Then a David Lee Roth video would follow.
gunjacked@reddit
Fish Heads - Barnes & Barnes
Pets - Porno for Pyros
Runaway Train - Soul Asylum
Trixie--Belden@reddit
Are you my boyfriend from 1993?
gunjacked@reddit
Maybe..
dis690640450cc@reddit
A few iconic videos: Sledgehammer- Peter Gabriel
As others have mentioned, Land of Confusion - Genesis
Thriller and Beat it- Michael Jackson (Also Weird Al’s “Eat it”)
SaintStephen77@reddit
Loved the claymation in Land Of Confusion. Very relevant song for our situation today with Dear Leader, Donnie Epstein.
dis690640450cc@reddit
I believe those were puppets. The people that did the puppets had a BBC show called Spitting Image.
Huge-Cut7460@reddit
The main one running through my head is "Every Step You Take". It was the first video I saw that wasn't scrambled (channel 49, where my parents weren't looking.)
Grendeltech@reddit
Green Jello. Three Little Pigs.
Pearl Jam. Jeremy.
Tool. Sober.
Grendeltech@reddit
Actually. If we include non-music videos, Grinning Evil Death, Slow Bob in the Lower Dimensions, and Joe's Apartment.
ArcadianDelSol@reddit
Dire Straits - Money for Nothing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wTP2RUD_cL0
Aha - Take On Me: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=djV11Xbc914&list=RDdjV11Xbc914
Huey Lewis and The News: Doin it All For my Baby: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lpdZvewjwJs&list=RDlpdZvewjwJs
tigersfan91@reddit
You Got Lucky - Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers (don't know why)
Sabotage - Beastie Boys
Walk This Way - Run DMC
Independent_Tough_81@reddit
So many play in my head when I hear them... The Warrior, with that crazy feral post apocalyptic vibe, ( I know who did it, but drawing a blank at the moment ) Pat Benetar, Lita Ford, Joan Jett, The Runawayz, Tom Petty, AC/DC, Journey, Crue... when the M in MTV had meaning...lol
DorianGre@reddit
White wedding - Billy Idol. Aphex Twin’s - Come to Daddy. The Beastie Boys’ - Sabotage
Stunning_Scheme_6418@reddit
Dire straits money ain't for nothing
GullibleBed50@reddit
Asia - Only Time Will Tell. The video with the gymnast and the band on the TV's.
--Uberwench--@reddit
Take on Me, The Hardest Button to Button, Rio
Effective-Company-46@reddit
Blue Jean - David Bowie. It was hilarious.
Salt_Savings_6558@reddit
Hungry like the Wolf Duran Duran
In the air tonight Phil Collins
Land Down Under Men at Work
HTLM22@reddit
Take on me, Money for Nothing, Thriller
audiorev@reddit
sledgehammer
COINS_THAT_SUNK_TOO@reddit
Atom Bomb by Fluke
Girlfriend by Matthew Sweet
Estranged by Guns N' Roses (really any of the videos from Use Your Illusion I & II but if I had to choose)
IRingTwyce@reddit
I didn't watch much MTV, but the ones I can mostly remember would be
Dreams Land of Confusion Cult of Personality
WhatsMyPurpose959@reddit
“Ohhh that’s what dreams are made of “🎵😭
HoboArmyofOne@reddit
99 Red Balloons
Whip it
Thriller
Odd_Policy_3009@reddit
No more I love yous-The Lover Speaks (YouTube it, you won’t regret it)
Anything Duran Duran
The One Thing-INXS
Grease2feminist@reddit (OP)
Okkk. I’m gonna tube it. I better not regret it
TiltonRiverToker@reddit
Stop Dragging My Heart Around...Tom Petty.and Stevie Nicks
Sledhammer...Peter Gabriel
Give It Away...Redhot Peppers ( not one of my fave bands..but bad ass video)
Handle With Care...Traveling Wilburys ( George Harrison so badass...and ROY F'N ORIBISON)
Like a Stone....Audioslave
Are You Going to Go My Way....Lenny Kravitz
Tusk...Fleetwood Mac
Jamies Cryin...Van Halen
More More More....Billy.Idol
Testify....Rage Against the Machine
WhatsMyPurpose959@reddit
Billy idol Rebel Yell?
Agreeable_Branch007@reddit
Black Hole Sun 😳
Jolly_Passion_7059@reddit
Spoon mannnnn
FREDICVSMAXIMVS@reddit
Front 242: Headhunter 2.0
The Sisters of Mercy: This Corrosion
The Art of Noise: Paranoimia
ghjm@reddit
Thriller
Addicted to Love
Big Time
I Touch Myself
Lucky Star
Whichever Duran Duran one is on the yacht
senatoracadia@reddit
Magic - The Cars
Cherish - Madonna
Sleeping Bag - ZZ Top
jd-rabbit@reddit
Money for nothing
For_who_for_what@reddit
Thriller
Sledgehammer
Take on Me
Riphraff@reddit
We are music video remembering twins!
jepadi@reddit
Solid trio! My first thought was Take om Me. Thriller and Sledgehammer were as cinematic as they were musically epic.
Riphraff@reddit
We are music video remembering twins!
mimado98@reddit
Cheated and put 4 😬
Union of the Snake and New Moon on Monday - Duran Duran Voices Carry - Til Tuesday Drive - The Cars
Psycosteve10mm@reddit
Thriller by MJ, Blind by Korn ( Beavis and Butthead), and Rumpshaker.
Amsterdam2023@reddit
I wanna dance with somebody by Whitney Houston, True Blue by Madonna, Love will never do without you by Janet Jackson
Runner up and quite different to the romance above- enter sandman by Metallica
pepelepew2724@reddit
Money for nothing - Dire Straits
Take on me - A-Ha
Long Hot Summer - The Style Council
Sensitive-Question42@reddit
Money for nothing for me too. It popped into my head instantly!
Batman_From_Dions@reddit
Faith No More: Epic
Public Enemy: Fight the Power
Digital Underground: Humpty Dance
SaintStephen77@reddit
The Humpty Dance!
First I limp to the side like my legs was broken Shaking and twitching kind of like I was smoking Crazy, whack, funky People say, "You look like MC Hammer on crack, Humpty"
Grease2feminist@reddit (OP)
totally forgot about EPIC
Notmischa@reddit
I don’t know what the prize is but you win.
Batman_From_Dions@reddit
That's kind. Thanks :)
Watermelon_Sugar44@reddit
Came here looking for Faith No More
Frosty-Unit8707@reddit
Those are great picks.
Batman_From_Dions@reddit
Thank you!
um8medoit@reddit
Photograph-Def Lep Hunger Strike-Temple o tha Dog Closer-nin
Dangerous-Art-Me@reddit
Video killed the radio star.
Addicted to love (Robert Palmer)
Purple Rain
dis690640450cc@reddit
Can’t believe I had to scroll this far to get to Purple Rain.
SolidBook7762@reddit
Love Stinks - J Geils Band
You Got Lucky- Tom Petty
Girls Just Wanna Have Fun - Cyndi Lauper
thisistestingme@reddit
Hungry Like the Wolf stirred feelings in me that exist to this day.
Friscogonewild@reddit
Like a Prayer for me
And maybe a little I Would Do Anything For Love
crqri@reddit
Journey - Separate Ways (the very first video I saw when we finally had cable installed in our home) The Prodigy - Smack My B!t¢h Up (still the most messed up and simultaneously genius video ever produced) David Lee Roth - Yankee Rose (hearing Steve Vai's guitar have a conversation with DLR is still mind blowing)
dis690640450cc@reddit
Yankee Rose was a great one, I also really liked his Just a Gigolo cover.
Key_Flow_2045@reddit
borderline - madonna thriller - mj take on me - ah ha
Knowledge_VIG@reddit
Thriller. Moonwalker, and Beat It.
triphawk07@reddit
Money for Nothing 99 Red Balloons Total Eclipse of the Heart.
Overall_Matter_2520@reddit
That’s really some OG videos.
I had a favorite one - about Come Dancing but I don’t remember the band and too lazy to look it up.
Bowie had a banger too.
HappyCamperNJ@reddit
The Kinks
Overall_Matter_2520@reddit
RIGHT!! Oh my gosh - I was 11 and would wait for that video. Now I’m gonna cry myself to sleep.
Grease2feminist@reddit (OP)
❤️ 99 red balloons
SadCheesecake2539@reddit
She's A Beauty Thriller Don't Pay The Ferryman
Jolly_Passion_7059@reddit
Honorable mention to Chaka Chaka Chaka Khan I feel for you… before I forget it
SkippySkipadoo@reddit
That Madonna video where’s she’s in fishnet stockings. And the other Madonna video rolling around wet on the beach. And The bee girl Blind Melon song.
emc_lmt@reddit
New Order- True Faith
SoCaFroal@reddit
Walk like an Egyptian, pour some sugar on me, Money for Nothing
Honorable mention: Genesis Land of Confusion
IceLapplander@reddit
Peter Gabriel - Sledgehammer Soundgarden - Black hole sun Spiderbait - Black Betty
Impressive_Fee2737@reddit
Stand and Deliver - Adam and the Ants Thriller-Michael Jackson Love is a Battlefield-Pat Benatar
Grease2feminist@reddit (OP)
Berlin - No More Words
jcpham@reddit
Sledgehammer is number 1 in my mind: https://youtu.be/OJWJE0x7T4Q
Grease2feminist@reddit (OP)
Oh YES! And Herbi Hancock
Jolly_Passion_7059@reddit
You just reminded me of Chaka Khan’s I feel for you - I had a cassette tape that faded from Herbi’s Rockit into hers. wow
jepadi@reddit
Someone else already mentioned my perfect 3, Take Me On, Sledgehammer, Thriller.
Honourable mention: We're not gonna take it.
seren88@reddit
The Box - Orbital Institutionalized - Suicidal Tendencies Punk Rock Girl - Dead Milkmen
dis690640450cc@reddit
I never saw a video for The Box. I might have to look that up. I like your wide variety of choices.
AntheaBrainhooke@reddit
Talking Heads — Once In A Lifetime (my favourite song since it came out)
A-Ha — Take On Me
Shriekback — Nemesis
lovelylisanerd@reddit
My first thoughts: REM Losing My Religion Mickey (can’t remember the artist but it’s a bare-bones video; she’s a cheerleader) Blind Melon No Rain Pearl Jam Jeremy MJ Thriller
VioletaBlueberry@reddit
Mickey was Toni Basil
lovelylisanerd@reddit
thank you!
12togo1904@reddit
Thriller, Take on Me and Hungry like the wolf.
PenPutrid3098@reddit
Herbie Hancock
FREDICVSMAXIMVS@reddit
Rockit!
Onerustyrn@reddit
So many. Top 3, huh? Has to be Video Killed the Radio Store Pass the Dutchie Addicted to Love
Grease2feminist@reddit (OP)
Pass The Dutchie!!
Dis Generation!
MarxandRec@reddit
I regularly rewatch: 1) Me, Myself, and I (De La Soul) 2) Touch of Grey (Grateful Dead) 3) The Impression That I Get (The Mighty Mighty Bosstones)
Grease2feminist@reddit (OP)
Whelp. Now I’m gonna go watch them
FeDude55@reddit
Baby Got Back Take On Me Thriller
Grease2feminist@reddit (OP)
Sir MIX!
niff007@reddit
One
Whip
The one with Max headroom. Sledgehammer?
dis690640450cc@reddit
The Max Headroom one was The Art of Noise, so was Paranoimia. They also have a great cover of Price’s song Kiss, with lyrics by Tom Jones.
freebenvita@reddit
Father Figure- George Michael (the song too)
Here's Comes The Rain Again- Eurythmics
Missy Elliott's first song (with the "garbage bag" suit)
TifCreatesAgain@reddit
Nothing Compares 2 U/Sinéad O'Connor
Grease2feminist@reddit (OP)
Iconic
edwoodjrjr@reddit
Rock Me Tonite by Billy Squier
Why Me by Planet P
Video Nasty by The Damned (on The Young Ones)
cre8majik@reddit
The Young Ones! 🥰
WolfmanJack72@reddit
https://old.reddit.com/r/TheYoungOnes/
cre8majik@reddit
Joined! THANK YOU!
NoFaithlessness8388@reddit
Bangles - Walk like an Egyptian (Suzanna Hoff eyes)
Paul Simon - You can call me Al (Goofy song with Chevy Chase in the video)
Metallica - One (great song, very original video)
The two Aerosmith videos with Liv Tyler and Jessica Silverstone (obvious teenage boy reasons)
Snoop Dog - Whats my Name? (Snoop morphs into the dog at the end)
Beastie Boys - (bookend great videos for Fight for your Right and Sabotage)
Twisted Sister - (both vids with the dad character for I Wanna Rock and We're Not Gonna Take It)
Mindes13@reddit
Alicia Silverstone
NoFaithlessness8388@reddit
Thank you, it looked weird when I typed it. We owned a copy of The Crush and Clueless too. Lol
maestramars@reddit
Alicia Silverstone. Also, the one with Mika Kunis!
PeterPunksNip@reddit
Billy Idol: White Wedding Prince: Little Red Corvette Plasmatics: The Damned
Grease2feminist@reddit (OP)
I wrote the lyrics to lil red corvette on my paper bag book covers
magentamuse@reddit
She's A Beauty - The Tubes
Panama - Van Halen
Material Girl - Madonna
theonetruegrinch@reddit
The Tubes were a top tier live act.
Exciting-West9205@reddit
Talk Talk -- LIfe's What You Make It
Madonna -- Like A Prayer
LL Cool J -- Mama Said Knock You Out
SubstanceNo1544@reddit
You're all i need - Mary J Blige and Method Man
Ain't nuthin but a G thing - Dr Dre and Big $noop
Today was a good day - Cube
cosmicdantzer@reddit
Girls just wanna have fun, Twisted Sister, Billy Jean or Beat It
Grease2feminist@reddit (OP)
Twisted Sister definitely
Alley_cat_alien@reddit
Twisted Sister I Wanna Rock was great
SaintStephen77@reddit
First, love the Mexican Radio video with the guys face coming out of the pot of beans. I think Thriller has to be up there as it was a whole event when it came out. The Comic cells from Ah Ha’s Take On Me, Toni Basil in her cheerleader outfit for Oh Mickey, and the girls from the Robert Palmer videos Addicted To Love and Simply Irresistible. Honorable mention to Chris Isaak for the beach scene in Wicked Game and Elton John for all the body painted people in I’m Still Standing.
Grease2feminist@reddit (OP)
OH MICKEY! That’s ICONIC
thepopculturefiend@reddit
Take on Me, Money for Nothing, November Rain.
Wide_Breadfruit_2217@reddit
Addicted to Love, Take on Me, Hungry Like the Wolf
Grease2feminist@reddit (OP)
Hungry like the wolf will always transport me
Opening-Squirrel-433@reddit
The first ever played. Video killed the radio star
shootathought@reddit
Der Kommisar!
Kalfbalf@reddit
Girls on film- durran durran (I like boobies) epic- faith no more (piano explosion at end) and my name is mud- primus (it was on beavis and butthead, and I always remember it for what they were saying)
Grease2feminist@reddit (OP)
I once accidentally sent the Sexy Girls on Film video to a boss — about 4 yrs ago.
ginko_viagra@reddit
Sledgehammer.
ChickenDreams-4188@reddit
…and Big Time ⏰
ixnine@reddit
3? I’ve got dozens! Here’s a handful…
Peter Gabriel Sledgehammer
Tears For Fears Shout
Michael Jackson Thriller
Dire Straits Money For Nothing
Prince When Doves Cry
Cyndi Lauper Girls Just Wanna Have Fun
a-ha Take On Me
Devo Whip It
Eurythmics Sweet Dreams
tungtingshrimp@reddit
Ironically I just saw a video of Harry Styles on Howard Stern performing Sledgehammer. It was really good. https://youtu.be/Tqm7-zN5s8k
Grease2feminist@reddit (OP)
Coooool
Carrollz@reddit
Gratitude -Danny Elfman
True Men Don't Kill Coyotes -Red Hot Chili Peppers
Away -The Bolshoi
Totally Nude - the Wallets
All Night Long -Rainbow
Words -Missing Persons
My Jamaican Guy -Grace Jones
Glittering-Ad-6261@reddit
Oooh the deep cuts 😉
Carrollz@reddit
Those really intense facial expressions definitely held my attention.
Carrollz@reddit
the Homecoming Queen has Got a Gun -Julie Brown
Hopeful-Repeat-3283@reddit
Addicted to Love - Robert Palmer
WolfmanJack72@reddit
Madonna - Borderline
Jolly_Passion_7059@reddit
Shock the Monkey - Peter Gabriel, Brothers in Arms - Dire Straits, Walk this way - Aerosmith & Run-D.M.C.
jrob321@reddit
The fish flopping at tje end of Epic by Faith No More is what turned me vegan 36 years ago. Still vegan.
Ashes to Ashes was Bowie reinventing himself yet again in such an iconically artful way. A true legend.
Smells Like Teen Spirit was the poster child for grunge and indy and the final nail in the coffin for all those hair metal bands MTV had been unbearably force feeding us for far too long.
Substantial-Okra6910@reddit
Split Enz - I got you Pretenders - Talk of the town Devo - whip it
maestramars@reddit
There are so many… but Summertime, November Rain, and Baby Got Back, popped into my head first!
dfuertes12@reddit
Beat It and Thriller by MJ (And I know y’all did those dance moves!)
Art-to-choke-hearts@reddit
Liar - Rollins Band Wicked Game - Chris Isaac Human Behavior - Bjork
Ok-meow@reddit
Safety dance Hungry like a wolf Thriller
JauntyShrimp@reddit
Rio by Duran Duran, Love is a Battlefield by Pat Benatar, New Moon on Monday by Duran Duran
Grease2feminist@reddit (OP)
Oh my god. That hooker dance the women did!!!
wordsnotsufficient@reddit
The world must agree no music video can ever top Take On Me. If you’re Gen X, you know this in your bones.
Grease2feminist@reddit (OP)
This is fact
murdermeMickey@reddit
Fight for your right to party- Beastie Boys Pressure- Billy Joel It's the end of the world as we know it- REM
Britpop_Shoegazer@reddit
Vogue - Madonna
Smells Like Teen Spirit - Nirvana
Losing My Religion- REM
Grease2feminist@reddit (OP)
Opoooh. Yes. losing my religion!
GracieThunders@reddit
Closer Nine Inch Nails
Sweating Bullets Megadeth
Sober Tool
CallMeSkii@reddit
Thriller - Michael Jackson
Money For Nothing - Dire Straits
Rhythm Nation - Janet Jackson
Dizzman1@reddit
Have you seen this?
https://wantmymtv.xyz/player.html?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio
Bartvader75@reddit
Green Day - Basket Case Weezer - Buddy Holly Michael Jackson - Thriller
Confident-Silver-271@reddit
Our House --Madness
Major Tom-- Peter Schilling
Let's Dance-- David Bowie
c_r_a_s_i_a_n@reddit
Grease2feminist@reddit (OP)
Oh that look.
K6PUD@reddit
Oh yea, that side glance!
paula924@reddit
Wild Boys - Duran Duran
Rock Me Amadeus - Falco
Karma Chameleon - Culture Club
Grease2feminist@reddit (OP)
As I read these, I kinda sang them reaching my head
Wiser_Owl99@reddit
Tom Petty Don't Come Around Here No More. The band earing Alice in Wonderland with a human head and body made of cake.
November Rain. Guns N Rose's
Dear God XTC. We would stop off at the house of the kid in the neighborhood who had MTV an parents who were both at work on our way home from the school bus stop. We would try to watch 3 videos and then go home to not make our mom suspicious. I think this video was played at the same time for weeks.
Toby_O_Notoby@reddit
It's because when they were recording it one of the guys in the band doing the sitar bit said, "I feel like I should be sitting on a mushroom smoking a hooka playing this" and they took that to heart.
Divide_and_concur@reddit
Cold shot- Stevie Ray Vaughn, An Englishman in New York- Godley and Creme, and the bizarro Peek A Boo- Devo.. I saw this once when it first come out, and it kind of freaked me out a bit. Didn’t think of it again until a couple of years ago when I heard it on the radio and remembered it, now I love it and its on high rotation on my playlists
Dramatic-Elk4181@reddit
Oh my god. So many. Here are a few I haven’t seen listed yet:
Come on Eileen -Dexys Midnight Runners Safety Dance -Men Without Hat Land of Confusion- Phil Collins
Grease2feminist@reddit (OP)
DEVO- WHIP IT!!!
TBeIRIE@reddit
Enjoy The Silence by Depeche Mode
Don’t Come Around Here No More by Tom Petty
Nothing Compares To You by Sinead O’Conner
Grease2feminist@reddit (OP)
Tom Petty Stan after that video
speed_of_chill@reddit
Living Color performing Cult Of Personality live on SNL stands out.
Welcome To The Jungle first airing on Headbanger’s Ball before GnR blew up.
Cum On Feel the Noize by Quiet Riot
Last_Nothing_9117@reddit
Touch of Grey - The Grateful Dead
Like a Prayer - Madonna
Smells Like Teen Spirit - Nirvana
Honorable Mention: Tonight, Tonight - Smashing Pumpkins
dirtystayout@reddit
Video Killed the Radio Star, Addicted to Love, and Brass in Pocket.
lightseek4@reddit
Addicted to Love is awesome
dwreckhatesyou@reddit
Madness -One Step Beyond
R.E.M. - Everybody Hurts
Michael Jackson - Black Or White
Honorable Mention: Soul Asylum - Runaway Train
AcesAnd08s@reddit
Peter Gabriel’s “Sledgehammer” video was played to death.
Robert Palmer’s “Addicted to Love”
AHA’s “Take on Me”
Tom Perry’s “Don’t Come Around Here No More.”
Grease2feminist@reddit (OP)
OMG DONT COME AROUND HERE!!!
lexi_prop@reddit
All these, yes
Nervous-Till4096@reddit
Mexican Radio was an answer to a Trivial Pursuit question & mentioned head on the plate of beans. It was probably 1989 and I answered “Mexican Radio, Wall of Voodoo, 1982!”. People I was playing with thought I was a kook. Other videos with free mind space include “Obsession” (one of the best/worst 80s videos), “Black Hole Sun” (& I was so depressed back then, not helpful), “Total Eclipse of the Heart” (especially the literal video version)… so many, I watched MTV non stop.
Grease2feminist@reddit (OP)
Same same my friend.
lightseek4@reddit
Sowing the Seeds of Love - Tears for Fears
Beds Are Burning - Midnight Oil
Like a Prayer - Madge
chocolate_party@reddit
Back on the Chain Gang by The Pretenders it was the first music video I ever saw. My grandmother had cable tv and if I went and pulled weeds, I could watch MTV.
El6uy@reddit
I used to love those Peter Gabriel videos
Tiovivo1@reddit
Sledgehammer and Steam were my favorites.
blakyce@reddit
Duran Duran Hungry Like the Wolf, A-ha Take on Me, Michael Jackson Thriller!
HBun16@reddit
One - Metallica
Rocket - Def Lappard
Land of Confusion - Genesis
Compulawyer@reddit
Sledgehammer - Peter Gabriel
CriscoCamping@reddit
Hmm, this is weighted by my preference for scantily clad women when I was that age.
Those 3 would be Lita Ford Kiss me Deadly, Madonna Open your Heart, and Whitesnake Here I go Again.
For normal, Run DMC Aerosmith walk this way, Living Colour Cult of Personality, and Epic Faith no More
rdnkgrrl18@reddit
Rite now by Van Halen cause that shiii was scary AF
Jeremy by Pearl Jam cause it was so in your face
Take on Me by Ah-Ha I def agree with
Virtual Insanity by Jamiroquai (because that video was insaneeeee)
Now, two videos I would run out of the room if they came on because they creeped me TF out were “Somebody’s Watching Me” by Rockwell and “Sweet Dreams Are Made of This” by The Eurythmics
Honorable mentions … No Rain (Blind Melon,) a couple of REM’s were deeply poetic, Crazy (Aerosmith,) Addicted to Love (Robert Palmer) just because of the synchronicity, and “California Grrls” 😆😆
Necessary_Slice1786@reddit
I loved Take on Me 😁
rdnkgrrl18@reddit
Me, too! It was so much fun!! I know a grrl that has a pair of glasses that look “pop arty” like that vid and I want some 😍
SquashBrain@reddit
White Wedding by Billie Idol Love is a Battlefield by Pat Benatar No Rain by Blind Melon
itsfunny2me@reddit
Billy Idol - Rebel Yell / Guns & Roses - November Rain / Bobby Brown - Every Little Step
Wiser_Owl99@reddit
I still remember how few videos they had at the start and that they played a lot of clips of artists from shows like the Ed Sullivan show or clips from concert films.
Necessary_Slice1786@reddit
You can call me Al - Paul Simon
Money for Nothing - Dire Straits
Land of Confusion - Genesis
the_little_way@reddit
You Might Think - The Cars Dancing With Myself - Billy Idol Girls Just Want to Have Fun - Cyndi Lauper
thrudvangr@reddit
klf 3am eternal white zombie thunderkiss 65 nin head like a hole
HoochShippe@reddit
Whip It ~ DEVO playing music somewhere out west while cowboys drank and the singer cracked a whip at a model.
No_Growth_7802@reddit
Jeremy and Do the Evolution by Pearl Jam
Sell Out by Reel Big Fish
8nikki@reddit
Faith no More Epic, Madonna Like a Prayer, 4 Non Blondes What's Up
JBTuffNStuff@reddit
Take on Me by A-ha, Sabotage by The Beastie Boys, and Thriller by Michael Jackson.
mookypop@reddit
The One Thing by INXS. Wait, is that the correct title of the song?
BetMyLastKrispyKreme@reddit
Yes! I was watching reruns of 120 Minutes a few months ago, and they played that video a lot. I was a huge INXS fan as a teen, and it was so fun to see it again.
Elegant_Amount8526@reddit
Hot for Teacher Take on Me Legs Honorable Mention for any video from a movie soundtrack that showed clips from the movie.
FunnyVariation2995@reddit
Hungry Like the Wolf, Save A Prayer, Rio
KSLONGRIDER1@reddit
Slipping Away by Dave Edmunds Thriller by Michael Jackson Legs by ZZ Top
Mediocre-Proposal686@reddit
Legs! I wanted to BE her!!
azscram9@reddit
Send Me An Angel - Real Life Let’s Dance - David Bowie Michael Jackson - Thriller
Candid_Resolution908@reddit
Glittering-Ad-6261@reddit
👏
charlestontracy@reddit
I can’t pick 3:
Freedom - George Michael Billie Jean - Michael Jackson Take On Me - a-ha November Rain - Guns N’ Roses Hit Me Baby - Britney Spears You Belong With Me - Taylor Swift (She’s really the tail end if the MTV generation)
the_wizzard_of_ow@reddit
Only 1 -
Losing My Religion - REM
SaintStephen77@reddit
It was a good one and got a lot of play back in the day
lantana98@reddit
Rio
Mulliganasty@reddit
This doesn't reflect my taste in the music but the best videos, that I might still watch right now (that caveat is meant to exclude Thriller ngl):
Freedom by George Michael
Vogue by Madonna
(Yes both directed by David Fincher)
SaintStephen77@reddit
Vogue was good but Like A Prayer was super controversial when it came out and I tend to remember that one more as a result.
Mulliganasty@reddit
Yeah, 100% it was definitely a big deal. I just don't find it that interesting of a video to rewatch.
It's a great song though so as a result, I will queue up its appearance in Deadpool & Wolverine right this second!
doppelgangland1@reddit
Sabotage, Beastie Boys
witchofpain@reddit
Anything by Michael Jackson
Anything by Duran Duran
Anything by Bon Jovi.
tallmantim@reddit
I came to say Wild Boys and Girls on Film
BetMyLastKrispyKreme@reddit
It’s “The Reflex” for me. I watched it so many times, when I hear the song, I can see which parts of the video match the lyrics in my mind’s eye.
witchofpain@reddit
They didn’t make a bad video.
HappyCamperNJ@reddit
Two Tickets to Paradise or Shakin’ by Eddie Money
thorneparke@reddit
Elton John- The One
Michael Jackson- Black or White
Michael Jackson- Do You Remember The Time
Sebastian_dudette@reddit
Take on Me - Ah Ha
November Rain - Guns N Roses
No Rain - Blind Melon
Sebastian_dudette@reddit
And there are a good dozen or two more that live in my head.
Livid-Ad-6439@reddit
OP, you were close :) Mexican radio, I ran or space age love song, the original girls on film, because.......
Status6xForever@reddit
Sledgehammer - Peter Gabriel Sweet Dreams - Eurythmics Legs - ZZ Top
cerjac871@reddit
Video Killed the Radio Star, Our House, and Don’t Come Around Here No More
SoUpInYa@reddit
Don't Come Around Here No More.
This Corrision
Headhunter
Carrollz@reddit
The first time I saw Don't Come Around Here No More was right after my mom and I had struggled to get a Kirby vacuum salesman out the door and the lyrics were so eerily on point it made the whole experience and video all the more surreal for us.
Threefrogtreefrog@reddit
Electric Avenue-Edie grant Drive- The Cars The Professionals - The Fabulous Stains
Confident-Search-846@reddit
Forever Young - Alphaville Once in a Lifetime - Talking Heads These Dreams -Heart
notbutenough@reddit
Everybody wants to rule the world, waiting on a friend, walking on the moon
Waffuru@reddit
"History Never Repeats" - Split Enz
"New Moon on Monday" - Duran Duran
"It's a Mistake"- Men At Work
MatRicher@reddit
We built this city
Djknymx@reddit
Epic - Faith No More
It’s a Sin - Pet Shop Boys
True Faith - New Order
Quick_Dark244@reddit
We’re not gonna take it, I’m Fat ,Hot for teacher
ofthrees@reddit
hot for teacher for sure for sure. that bikini lives in my brain forever. (straight woman, 52)
Quick_Dark244@reddit
Trust me I remember
HappyCamperNJ@reddit
Through Being Cool - Devo
Redbaron1960@reddit
I want my M TV Dire Straits I want to Dance with Somebody Whitney Houston
Spare-Adhesiveness84@reddit
Come on Eileen, Mexican Radio, Video Killed the Radio Star
Wandowaiato@reddit
Aphex Twin - Windowlicker
CaffeinatedGeriatric@reddit
Beavis & Butthead watching/singing along to Judas Priest Breaking the law.
Shakespeares sisters - Stay (mom always bumped the volume on this one) .
Beastie Boys - Sabotage
Bonus: Jamiroquai - Virtual Insanity, and Michael Jackson - Smooth Criminal.
Glittering-Ad-6261@reddit
Land of confusion- Genesis Rio - Duran Duran November Rain - GnR
txcliffy@reddit
When the Bullet Hits the Bone - Golden Earring
Jump - Van Halen
No One Like You - the Scorpions
MoeKneeKah@reddit
Sledgehammer, Peter Gabriel
mslass@reddit
[Cradle of Love, Billy Idol](https://youtu.be/NCZuYS-9qaw]
Mysterious_Quail_469@reddit
Black Hole Sun - Soundgarden
sf_boarder@reddit
Cradle of Love - Billy Idol
KeepArtEvil@reddit
Sugar - System of a Down One arm scissor - at the drive in Heart shaped box - nirvana
ImSoXxxtra@reddit
Billie Jean Whip It Owner Of A Lonely Heart
kev1n1nsd@reddit
Billie Jean - MJ Land of Confusion- Genesis Take on Me - a-Ha
Soundtracklover72@reddit
The Reflex
Legs
Hungry Like The Wolf
thanx_it_has_pockets@reddit
Let's Go Crazy, Prince
Father Figure, George Michael
Express Yourself, Madonna
Dr_Middlefinger@reddit
Dire Straits - Money for Nothing (I want my MTV)
Peter Gabriel - Sledgehammer
Tool - Sober
All of them were masterpieces of music videos.
hapahaole98@reddit
It’s Raining Again - Supertramp
stunneddisbelief@reddit
They Don’t Know - Tracey Ullman
Don’t Answer Me - The Alan Parsons Project
We’re Not Gonna Take It - Twister Sister
hapahaole98@reddit
They Don’t Know is such a great song that I thought only I liked. Nice deep cut!
Murdy2020@reddit
Future's So Bright I Gotta Wear Shades , Timbuk 3
You Might Think, Cars
Shock The Monkey, Peter Gabriel
MemphisStormfront@reddit
Sledgehammer by Peter Gabriel Jeopardy by Greg Kihn Band Loverboy by Billy Ocean because I defy anyone to explain what the hell is happening in that video. David Lynch watched it and said WTF?
TieDyeSquirrel@reddit
Where the Streets Have No Name - U2 (the rooftop video from downtown LA)
What You Need - INXS
Papa Don't Preach - Madonna
Logical-Kangaroo5995@reddit
Robert Palmer. Any of them. I drooled over those lady’s looks. Hot for teacher of course. California girls
Carrollz@reddit
Looking for clues is the one I always think of, his magnified faces and dancing on the xylophone really stood out for me.
Kumahito@reddit
“Wicked Game” by Chris Isaak. “Fight for Your Right” by Beastie Boys. “Addicted to Love” by Robert Palmer.
Perfect_Storm_425@reddit
My brother and I were almost always late for the school bus because they’d play Fight for your Right every day
Affectionate_Hornet7@reddit
Nobody saying Black Hole Sun?
Primus-Mr Krinkle
Primus-Winona’s Big Brown Beaver
EmRuizChamberlain@reddit
Rod Stewart- some guys, Steve winwood- Valerie, Ice house- electric blue
ldsulli1973@reddit
ZZ
kissys_grits@reddit
Also, it was Kurt Loder who told me Kurt Cobain had died.
kissys_grits@reddit
How about Cruel Summer by Bananrama, The Warrior by Scandal, Whitesnake’s Here I Go Again…
And later Pearl Jam’s Jeremy (played to death) and in college, Closer by Nine Inch Nails.
MTV is the reason I hate(d) a lot of songs like Sledgehammer, Addicted to Love, Don’t Come Around Here No More.
Still my probably all time favorite was A-Ha’s Take on Me, which so many people listed.
ScaresBums@reddit
Thriller
November Rain
Smells Like Teen Spirit
Turbogato@reddit
1979 - Smashing Pumpkins
Don’t Come Around Here no More - Tom Petty
Land Of Confusion - Genesis
kengineeer@reddit
Came here to say Land of Confusion!
Turbogato@reddit
It used to freak me out as a kid!
raleel@reddit
Missing persons - what are words for Thriller Love is a battlefield
Carrollz@reddit
No way! I thought it was just me that forever had the Words video stuck in my head. Just last week I woke up in the middle of the night with it running in my head but ironically I could not remember the words even though Dale Bozzio's voice and image were so clear in my mind.
paperclipmyheart@reddit
Grimley Fiendish - The Damned
Prince Charming - Adam and the Ants
Far Side of Crazy - Wall of Voodoo
snakepliskinLA@reddit
Play your guitar on the MTV.
That ain’t working. Thats the way you do it. Money for nothing and your chicks are free.
blootereddragon@reddit
Lemme tell ya them guys ain't dumb Maybe get a blister on your little finger Maybe get a blister on your thumb
Delicious_Plantain60@reddit
Thriller November Rain Somebodys watching me
TheeVikings@reddit
We're not gonna take it, take on me, lets go crazy. ( lets go crazy made me want to be a musician when i was 6 years old)
Due-Mirror-8316@reddit
Swingers - counting the beat Captain sensible - Wot Trio - da da da (the one where the bands on a tv in a bar and patrons drinking jaegar)
Longster_dude@reddit
AH-HA Take on me
Nine Inch Nails March of the Pigs
Soundgarden Black Hole Sun
Practical_Two_4725@reddit
Madonna, like a prayer
Fossa_Aeldrix@reddit
Take On Me- AH-HA
Mickey-Toni Basil
Thriller-MJ
blootereddragon@reddit
Mickey was so annoying - the song was catchy but I hated the video and dammit it's now stick in my head
NinaFoundry@reddit
Aha Take On Me George Harrison I Got My Mind Set On You The Romantics Talking in Your Sleep
scottiepippen13@reddit
Money for Nothing Footloose Thriller Like a Prayer
OldSkooler1212@reddit
Aha - “Take on Me” definitely my favorite looking video
U2 - “With or Without You”
Michael Jackson - “Thriller”
We lived on top of a mountain and my parents didn’t get cable until I went to college so I had to watch all my videos via Friday Night Videos on NBC growing up.
1leftbehind19@reddit
Touch of Grey-GD, Sober-Tool, Closer NIN
PresentTense21@reddit
Thriller
Take on Me
Sabotage
Feeling-Phoney81@reddit
Since I already saw Take on Me and Don’t Come Around Here No More listed I’ll name the 3 that resonated most with me the exact era when I started watching MTV.
Father Figure- George Michaels
Glamour Boys-Living Colour
One-Metallica
Bonus: 3 from the 90’s when I spent entire summer vacations watching MTV 12 hours every day.
Fade Into You-Mazzy Star
Tomorrow-Silverchair
It’s a Shame About Ray-Lemonheads
vin4thewin@reddit
Hungry Like the Wolf, Thriller, The Safety Dance
soleiles1@reddit
Thriller Take on Me Everybody Wants to Rule the World
Frosty-Unit8707@reddit
Love and Rockets - So Alive Adam Ant - Goody Two Shoes Stray Cats - Stray Cat Strut
demaahz@reddit
Hot For Teacher. Home Sweet Home. Give It Away.
Mandalorian_Coder@reddit
I try not to stop down and “show the kids” things, but I had to play them this video just so the would understand how hilarious the phrase “I don’t feel tardy” is in my head. Didn’t work
And by kids I mean the damn 30 year olds at work.
XennialToothFairy@reddit
A-HA: Take On Me
Duran Duran: Rio
Madonna: Material Girl
blootereddragon@reddit
Oh snap forgot those Duran Duran crazy makeup vids
Cowboy_Buddha@reddit
Nothing really. Other than Sledgehammer.
kissys_grits@reddit
Ugh. It’s probably because of that video that I can’t stand that song or Peter Gabriel
chrisinWP@reddit
Rolling Stones - undercover (of the night)?
Go go’s - Vacation
Salty-Smoke7784@reddit
Thriller You Might Think- The Cars Loverboy- Billy Ocean
random420x2@reddit
Maybe a year before MTV, midnight broadcast TV played video for Major Tom. My first time hearing that song and seeing David Bowie, the guitar riff blew me away.
MrsOdie43@reddit
Take on Me Got caught Stealing End of the Innocence
ohb78@reddit
Smells like Teen Spirit - Nirvana
Black or White - Michael Jackson
You Could Be Mine - GNR
peruytu@reddit
Sweet Child O' Mine - Guns N Roses
Take On Me - Aha
Thriller - Michael Jackson
blootereddragon@reddit
The one you listed + Money for Nothing, the Mexican Radio bean face, all the 80s Pat Benatar videos, Whip It by Devo and that Genesis thing with the puppets.
dazeybells@reddit
Total Eclipse of the Heart by Bonnie Tyler and White Wedding by Billy Idol
red08171@reddit
Video killed the radio star. Damn thing started while I was waiting for the cartoons on that channel. I was pissed.
Michael Jackson thriller
Mtv live korn with Amy Lee
OkNorth6015@reddit
Smuggler's Blues
BasketBackground5569@reddit
Been Caught Stealing. 😄
Watermelon_Sugar44@reddit
Once when I was 5...
deadreckoning21@reddit
Tom Petty - the spacecraft one
Aha - take on me - the drawing one
ZZ Top - Legs - the gas station one
JCMfan69@reddit
Like a Virgin, Hungry Like a Wolf, Thriller
Significant-Theme253@reddit
Money for Nothing, Hot for Teacher, because they played them over and over
PrintExtra822@reddit
U2 Sunday Bloody Sunday at Red Rocks
GracefulRobot@reddit
Straight up Paula Abdul Thriller Mickey
worstnameIeverheard@reddit
Take on Me Everybody Hurts Today
Impossible_Jury5483@reddit
Thriller, Girls Just Wanna Have Fun, and Hello.
SunshineAlways@reddit
Yes, Girls Just Wanna Have Fun!
Random-Suspect@reddit
Money For Nothing
GhostWithTheMost75@reddit
Boys of Summer by Don Henley Walk Like an Egyptian by The Bangles Girls Just Want To Have Fun by Cyndi Lauper
bloodyqueen526@reddit
The cars...you might think Sledgehammer Take on me
csx2112@reddit
You got Lucky - Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers
Foolin' - Def Leppard
Don't Come Around Here No More - Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers
20buxis20bucks@reddit
Sledgehammer
Wicked Game
Take on Me
MrBungleBungle@reddit
November Rain, but specifically the scene when the guy jumps through the wedding cake because it started to rain.
I think about it often when in a situation with someone escalates unnecessarily. Pops into my head all the time.
ttp620@reddit
Land of confusion. The rising water. Yer not my age if this isn't the first thought of an early MTV video living rent free.
BasketBackground5569@reddit
Money For Nothing. Seventeen. Gett off.
RTIQL8@reddit
Michael Jackson “Thriller” A-ha “Take On Me” Dire Straits “Money For Nothing”
ComputerGeekFarmBoy@reddit
So many videos everyone has posted that would easily be in my list. So I am going to add a few that are not here. 1.) I wanna be a cowboy. 2.). Weird science. 3.). The Future's So Bright, I Gotta Wear Shades
bringonthekoolaid@reddit
Loved I wanna be a cowboy!
Oh...this also brings to mind Life is Life by Opus, my first 45.
Kindly-Might-1879@reddit
I Wanna Be With You Everywhere, Fleetwood Mac (video was loosely based on the poem The Highwayman)
Money for Nothing, Dire Straits
Take On Me, A-ha
ScaredValuable5870@reddit
Maddona Vogue
Happy Mondays Step On
Adamski Killer
NorthRaine67@reddit
Aha “take on me”.
subibrat85@reddit
Processing img k90bi8domwsg1...
bringonthekoolaid@reddit
Rock Me Amadeus- Falco
She Blinded Me With Science- Thomas Dolby
Sledgehammer- Peter Gabriel
141bpm@reddit
All the videos. But most importantly, the ones with beavis and butthead narrating. And VJs chillin in fluffy couches. 120minutes!
subibrat85@reddit
Modsmoddy-74@reddit
Sandman Sledgehammer Rockit
Wild_Bake_7781@reddit
Sledgehammer by peter Gabriel
cnunespdx@reddit
Peter Gabriel Sledgehammer and Tears for Fears Sowing the Seeds of Love.
EvadingDoom@reddit
My friend introduced me to MTV when I visited him in the summer of 1982. The first three videos that came to mind just now:
"Under Pressure" (Queen/David Bowie)
"You Better You Bet" (The Who)
"Only the Lonely" (The Motels)
NandLandP@reddit
Peter Gabriel - Sledgehammer
Genesis - Land of Confusion
Falco - Der Kommissar
BeardedHeathen907@reddit
Faith No More- Epic, Beastie Boys- Sabotage, Pantera- I'm broken. Not a video, but Megadeth- Peace sells as the intro for MTVNews with Kurt Loder
keonni65bc@reddit
I want my MTV . Dire Straights Walk this way . Run DMC & Aerosmith Blinded me with science. Thomas Dolby
alessaria@reddit
Styx - Mr. Roboto, Dire Straits - Money for Nothing, Culture Club - Karma Chameleon
Low-Farmer7831@reddit
Had a Dream - Roger Hodgson Hungry Like the Wolf - Duran Duran Never let Me Down - Depeche Mode
upv395@reddit
Smooth Criminal : both Alien Ant Farm and MJ Madonna: Like a Prayer, especially with so much religious opposition to it Weird Al: I’m Fat and Amish Paradise
ofthrees@reddit
remember how controversial like a prayer was at the time? i recall every second of that one.
u9Nails@reddit
Ah-ha! - Take on Me
Bengals - Walk Like an Egyptian
And... Dire Straights - Money For Nothing
mthenry54@reddit
Walk Like An Egyptian - The Bangles
November Rain - Guns-n-Roses
Sabotage - Beastie Boys
Th3R00ST3R@reddit
Headbanger's Ball
skipper_jonas_grumby@reddit
"Smooth Criminal" Michael Jackson
"Express Yourself" Madonna
"Fat" Weird Al Yankovic
Specialist_Stop8572@reddit
Tool, Prison Sex
Smashing.Pumpkiks, Tonight Tonight
Beastie Boys, Sabotage
coci222@reddit
Uptown Girl - Billy Joel
ASuthrnBelle13@reddit
The Cars - Don't Come Around Here No More
Billy Idol - White Wedding
The Police - Wrapped Around Your Finger
RebaKitt3n@reddit
Tom Petty had some trippy ones.
Mary Jane’s Last Dance - dancing with dead Kim Basinger sticks with me too
StrangerOne76@reddit
Stay - Oingo Boingo (definitely still the coolest vid in my memory) U2 - All I want is you Dragon - Ordinary men
As others have mentioned, Thriller (the first VHS we hired was the mini movie of this) and George Harrisons "Got my mind set on U" was pretty awesome also
inupiaqgirl@reddit
Take on Me, Runaway Train, Thriller
delulu4drama@reddit
Walk this way - Run DMC & Aerosmith
Jeichert183@reddit
Wicked Gameby Chris Isaak.
mlachick@reddit
Such a sexy video!
Rare_Magazine_5362@reddit
You Got Lucky
MikeMilzz@reddit
Thriller
Vogue
Smells Like Teen Spirit
what a time to be alive…
somecisguy2020@reddit
Girls on Film - DD
Fascination- Human League
Stand and Deliver - Adam and the Ants
Honorable Mention: safety dance
discoprince79@reddit
Elastica: Connextion, Madonna: Vouge, Smashing Pumpkins: Disarm, Kylie Minogue: Can't Get You Outta My Head
Capital_Pea@reddit
Van Halen’s Panama (first video I saw on MTV, I’m Canadian and had never experienced MTV until we went on vacation to Florida). Madonna’s borderline Take on Me by A-Ha. This video still holds up to this day.
I_am_ChivoBlanco@reddit
I Ran, Flock of Seagulls Money for Nothing, Dire Straits Land of Confusion, Genesis.
First 3 to come to mind
justinchina@reddit
Snuck over to a neighbor’s house when they first got MTV, my first three videos were Our House, hey Mickey, and eye of the tiger.
MementoMoriPendejo@reddit
You gotta fight...
TrickQuiet9630@reddit
I was a VJ for a local college bar in '83. Madonna -- Burning Up was in rotation with Cyndi Lauper -- Girls Just Want to Have Fun. I said to myself, 'I gotta get this Madonna album because we're never gonna hear from her again. But Lauper? She's gonna rule the charts!'
And that, people, is why I never had a futures trading account.
Environmental-Car481@reddit
Rescue Me by Fontella Bass Not on MTV but whatever VH1 ran during Headbangers Ball on Saturday nights. I’d flip over to VH1 here & there
ofthrees@reddit
instinctively:
money for nothing
purple rain
epic
SuzyQ4416@reddit
What jumped to mind was: Beat it Sweet Dreams Yo little brother. I just love this silly video Never Gonna Give you up
TheFoulToad@reddit
Video Killed the Radio Star, Take on Me, and Billie Jean
Tamsin72@reddit
When Doves Cry Take On Me Girls Just Wanna Have Fun
JoeInMD@reddit
Like a Prayer
Paradise City
One (Metallica, not U2 or Elton John, not that they're bad, but they're not Metallica)
Gumbyonbathsalts@reddit
Sugar Water - Cibo Matto
Flavor - Jon Spencer's Blues Explosion
Just - Radiohead
FelixTheJeepJr@reddit
Sabotage
IloveMe80@reddit
Genesis-Land of confusion, sound garden-black hole sun, Peter Gabriel- sledge hammer
5050logic@reddit
You could be mine - Guns and Roses Enter Sandman - Metallica Land of Confusion - Sir Phil Collins
Worth_Fondant3883@reddit
Godley and Creme, Cry Tom Petty, Don't come around here no more Peter Gabriel, Digging in the dirt
MundaneHuckleberry58@reddit
Take on me -A Ha
Sledgehammer - Peter Gabriel
Addicted to Love - Robert Palmer
hellhouseblonde@reddit
Twilight Zone by Golden Earring
Screaming in the Night by Krokus
White Wedding by Billy Idol
The first two were kinda scary, I was 8yo when MTV started. White Wedding made me want to do bad things I didn’t quite understand yet.
TheQueenKhaleesiMoD@reddit
Say, say, say what you want, but don’t play games with my affection…
Girls wanna have fun
Personal Jesus
I want it all, I want it all, I want it all, and I want it now!
Oh my God! 80-ies had the best music ♥️
bunkie18@reddit
Billy Jean-MJ
Carlito2393@reddit
I mostly watched the 120 minutes show. Just Like Heaven by the Cure Orpheus by David Sylvian Sober by Tool
LingonberryOk8411@reddit
Twisted Sister= We're Not Gonna Take It, Aerosmith- Dude Looks Like A Lady, and for the horror lover in me Dokken- Dream Warriors (Nightmare on Elm Street 3).
Alley_cat_alien@reddit
Thriller Take on Me Pour Some Sugar on Me
oachkatzl@reddit
Take On Me - A-ha
It`s a Sin - Pet Shop Boys
November Rain - Guns´n Roses
rundabrun@reddit
Video killed the radio star, owner of a lonely heart, and beat it where the first 3 to pop in my head.
viken1976@reddit
Can’t believe no one has mentioned Here I Go Again by Tawney Kittain.
IdyllwildGal@reddit
Sledgehammer!!
TIPtone13@reddit
Public Image Ltd: Rise
is one...
pandemicmanic@reddit
Hey Mickey Vogue Nothing compares to you
MasterBeanCounter@reddit
Thriller
Dancing on the Ceiling
We built this city
TrickQuiet9630@reddit
i was a vj for a college bar when thriller came out...every hour someone would request. i can still do the zombie dance...
BreakerBoy6@reddit
That's easy:
fatnuts_mcgee@reddit
Sabotage
Winona’s Big Brown Beaver
Buddy Holly
Green-Minimum-2401@reddit
Take on Me (A-Ha)
Rio (Duran Duran)
Faith (George Michael)
maxwellgrounds@reddit
Here are some more obscure ones that stick with me because they had heavy rotation in the early days of MTV:
Billy Joel - Pressure
Greg Kihn - Jeopardy
Toni Basil - Mickey
Boring-Rub-3570@reddit
Tom Petty - Last Dance with Mary Jane
Sea_Voice_404@reddit
Money For Nothing
Sledgehammer
Take on Me
I’ll add Where the Streets Have No Name and Livin’ on a Prayer as my bonuses.
aGirlySloth@reddit
Billy Idol - Cradle of Love Aerosmith - Living on the Edge Madonna - Papa don’t Preach
Cbates767@reddit
Pour Some Sugar on Me
Land of Confusion
Sledgehammer
ZeroWaits@reddit
Hungry Like The Wolf
Express Yourself
Billie Jean
icedyoga@reddit
Rio - Duran Duran Animal - Def Leppard Everybody Wants to Rule the World- Tears for Fears
ButterscotchSad3796@reddit
Billy Squire - Rock Me Tonight
LithiuMart@reddit
Thriller
Pure Morning
Do The Evolution
charonexhausted@reddit
Land of Confusion
Girls Just Want to Have Fun
Cult of Personality
humble_cyrus@reddit
Remember when MTV would stop at midnight or so? I also like Friday night videos on NBC? I think?
P440CPJ@reddit
I Ran / Flock of Seagulls. I always thought it was neat I could see the camera in the mirror.
Straight Up / Paula Abdul. Man, I crushed on her hard when I was younger.
Easy Lover / Phil Collins. Don’t know why, but I remember that video playing a lot, and it sticks in my head.
Sufficient_Space8484@reddit
Ashes to Ashes - still haunts me Fish heads Centerfold
humble_cyrus@reddit
Madonna - material world. Prince - when doves cry. Van Halen - jump. I kinda miss them days.
ThisMomIsAMother@reddit
Ah Ha Take on me
Thriller
Paula Abdul Straight Up
Duran518@reddit
Mr Roboto Save a Prayer Our house
Nashland23@reddit
Metro by Berlin Rio by Duran Duran I Want A New Drug by Huey Lewis & The News
robo_cock@reddit
Today smashing pumpkins
Fairytale of New York the pogues
Enjoy the silence depdeche mode
Ok_Bar_7711@reddit
Ah Ha Take On Me
Robert Palmer Addicted to Love
George Michael Freedom
Grease2feminist@reddit (OP)
Herbie Hancock Rockit
CursorTN@reddit
Safety Dance, Take On Me, Everybody Wants to Rule the World, Sledgehammer, Learning to Fly, and the intro to Friday Night Videos—because for a long time we didn’t have cable tv.
vistaculo@reddit
Sledgehammer
Hot For Teacher
Boys Of Summer
samuellbroncowitz@reddit
Money For Nothing
Thriller
Sledgehammer