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40 Greatest Music Videos of All Time

As a lifelong music fan, I get giddy with delight just thinking about the greatest music videos of all time. From Michael Jackson’s iconic dance moves in Thriller to Nirvana’s head-banging in Smells Like Teen Spirit, these videos bring me right back to special moments in my life.

Besides, I will never forget watching Guns N’ Roses take us on an epic journey in November Rain or being captivated by A-ha’s comic book world in Take On Me. Also, when Madonna struck a pose in Vogue, it was burned into my memory forever.

Furthermore, the innovation of music videos like Peter Gabriel’s Sledgehammer or The Beastie Boys’ Sabotage shaped pop culture history. As we revisit classics like Queen‘s Bohemian Rhapsody with its operatic vibes and ABBA’s masterpiece Waterloo, it’s clear these videos had an unforgettable impact.

Thus this article will highlight 40 of the greatest music videos ever made, taking us on a nostalgic trip through tunes like Sweet Child O’ Mine to Sicko Mode. Take a look.

Here are the 40 Greatest Music Videos of All Time.

1. Thriller (1982) – Michael Jackson

Michael Jackson’s legendary “Thriller” directed by John Landis revolutionized the scope of music videos. Its about 14-minute runtime was unprecedented, playing like a mini horror film.

Moreover, Jackson’s groundbreaking dance choreography and the pioneering makeup effects created an iconography that remains instantly recognizable decades later. The sheer ambition of Thriller as a short film demonstrated Jackson‘s unmatched ability to fuse music and visual storytelling. It set the standard for everything music videos could achieve.

2. Take On Me (1985) – a-ha

A-ha’s Take On Me made creative history with its pencil-sketch animation merged seamlessly with live action. Directed by Steve Barron, it was a pioneering blend of mediums that hadn’t been done before in a music video.

Better still, the innovative video captures the feeling of falling in love through energetic visual storytelling. Thriller and Take On Me broke new ground and inspired generations of music video directors with their landmark creativity and visual flair.

The video’s medium-blending originality made Take On Me an MTV staple in the 80s. It expanded the possibilities of music storytelling through its bold interplay of fantasy and real life.

3. Bohemian Rhapsody (1975) – Queen

Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody pioneered the music video as an art form. Directed by Bruce Gowers, it ambitiously brought the operatic rock ballad’s vivid storytelling to life. Combining surreal imagery with the band’s performance, the video took viewers on a fantastical journey.

Additionally, the groundbreaking scale and visual innovation of Bohemian Rhapsody set a new creative standard that inspired music video directors for decades to come. It cemented Queen‘s legacy and redefined what a music video could achieve.

4. Like a Prayer (1989) – Madonna

Madonna’s controversial Like a Prayer video directed by Mary Lambert was a bold artistic statement. Tackling sensitive themes of racism and religion with provocative imagery, Like a Prayer triggered debate but was undeniably revolutionary.

On top of that, Lambert’s powerful visual storytelling and Madonna’s magnetic performance turned the video into a cultural lightning rod in 1989. Scenes like Madonna kissing a Black saint while crosses burn made it hugely provocative. Yet its daring symbolism and imagination spoke to Madonna’s fearless artistry. She compellingly channeled religious issues and racial injustice through imagery.

Like a Prayer broke taboos that many pop stars shied away from. Its artistic ambition catapulted the music video medium to new heights. About 30 years later, its visual storytelling remains iconic.

5. Sledgehammer (1986) – Peter Gabriel

Peter Gabriel’s pioneering Sledgehammer video directed by Stephen R. Johnson revolutionized animation in music. Its groundbreaking use of stop-motion animation, claymation, and puppetry was imaginative. The quirky hand-crafted visuals created a creative world for Gabriel’s funky track.

To add on, pictures morphing into one another and Gabriel dancing with animated chickens were feats of innovation. Sledgehammer set a new standard for music video artistry and experimentation through its handmade technical brilliance.

The music video’s painstaking craftsmanship and visual wit made it influential. It earned a record 9 MTV VMAs, while its witty artistry inspired artists for decades. Sledgehammer showed the infinite artistic potential when music meets animation.

6. Sabotage (1994) – Beastie Boys

The Beastie Boys’ Sabotage directed by Spike Jonze is a landmark music video. Parodying 70s cop shows with the band playing fictional characters, Sabotage is a masterclass in clever conceptual storytelling. Jonze and the Beastie Boys crafted an unforgettable homage, with high-energy visuals and humor that perfectly matched the song’s punk rock vibe.

Over and above that, recreating the photo filters, chase scenes, and wardrobe of a 70s crime drama made Sabotage feel like a mini-movie. Its genius concept, flawless execution, and legendary performance from the Beastie Boys cemented its place as one of the most innovative and influential videos ever made.

7. Billie Jean (1983) – Michael Jackson

Michael Jackson’s Billie Jean, directed by Steve Barron, showcased the king of pop’s legendary talent. Its simple cinematic style grounded the video in emotional power. The striking use of light and shadows, with Jackson dancing alone on the illuminated sidewalk, allowed his incredible dancing to take center stage.

Thus, Billie Jean merged dance, music, and visual storytelling to let Jackson’s stage magic shine. His moves, smooth vocals, and raw energy made this minimalist video just as unforgettable as his biggest productions. It exemplified that Jackson could captivate the world with his singular presence and talent.

8. November Rain (1992) – Guns N’ Roses

Guns N’ Roses’ epic November Rain directed by Andy Morahan is a grand cinematic affair. At over 9 minutes long, it pushed music videos to a new level of scale and storytelling.

Set at a Gothic wedding, the sweeping video features orchestras, choirs, and stunning visual imagery. Frontman Axl Rose’s piano performance in the bare desert created an iconic scene.

What’s more, November Rain blended rock attitude and Hollywood ambition to deliver excellent creativity. It embodied Guns N’ Roses‘ musical extremes from hard rock to symphonic ballad. The video’s theatrical scope and ambition also captured the band’s vision on a grand cinematic canvas.

9. Vogue (1990) – Madonna

Madonna’s iconic Vogue directed by David Fincher paid homage to old Hollywood while defining 90s visual pop. Shot in striking black-and-white, the video was a masterclass in choreography and camerawork. Madonna and her dancers’ voguing struck unforgettable poses.

Furthermore, their dramatic mannerisms were intercut with glamorous portraits of 20s and 30s starlets. Vogue embodied Madonna’s chameleonic talent, blending vintage Hollywood with modern dance trends. Both an homage to cinema history and a defining moment for 90s culture, it showed Madonna’s genius for evolution. Her flair, fashion, and peerless stage presence made Vogue legendary.

10. Sweet Child O’ Mine (1987) – Guns N’ Roses

Guns N’ Roses’ Sweet Child O’ Mine directed by Nigel Dick captured the band’s fiery rock spirit. Interweaving performance footage with slices of band life, it felt raw and authentic. The video showed off GnR’s energy, Slash’s iconic guitar riffs, and Axl Rose’s stadium-ready vocals.

To boot, moments of offstage camaraderie and humor added endearing chemistry. Sweet Child O’ Mine crystallized the band’s larger-than-life persona and gritty Sunset Strip sound. Unpolished and electrifying, it embodied an 80s rock attitude. The video’s loose creative approach also reflected Guns N’ Roses’ bold spirit.

11. Waterloo (1974) – ABBA

ABBA’s Waterloo video directed by Lasse Hallström launched the Swedish superstars to fame. Capturing the song’s Eurovision triumph, the vibrant video featured playful choreography on eye-catching sets.

Besides, ABBA’s style and catchy tunes made Waterloo an instant classic. Its upbeat energy and colorful fashions epitomized 70s pop cheerfulness. The playful video kicked off ABBA’s legacy of matching melodies with cheerful style.

Waterloo won over fans worldwide by showcasing the band’s bubbly personas and brilliant harmonies with pure fun. Its whimsical style shone through the visual trends of later decades.

12. Epic (1990) – Faith No More

Faith No More’s surreal video for Epic matched the song’s experimental genius. Directed by Ralph Ziman, its bizarre imagery created an unforgettable world. A collection of provocative visuals like writhing worms, twitching eyeballs, and lead singer Mike Patton with his head ablaze added symbolism.

Additionally, the video’s avant-garde aesthetic amplified the progressive rock style. By embracing the abstract and extreme, Epic transcended traditional music video tropes. Its nightmarish tableaux formed a fantastic companion to Faith No More’s sound. Both profoundly weird and mesmerizing, it captured the band’s uncompromising creative vision.

13. Eleanor Rigby (1999) – The Beatles

The Beatles’ animated video for Eleanor Rigby brought a heartbreaking song to life. Directed by Robert Balser and Jack Stokes, it used a graphic novel style to depict loneliness in an uncaring world. Stark illustrations of Eleanor Rigby and Father McKenzie emphasized Paul McCartney‘s mournful lyrics through evocative visual storytelling.

Moreover, the resonant images added emotional depth to the track. It expanded The Beatles’ creativity into a new visual medium. As one of the first animated concept videos, Eleanor Rigby demonstrated music and animation could powerfully complement one another. Its innovative style inspired countless artists to add a visual dimension to their music.

14. Virtual Insanity (1996) – Jamiroquai

Jamiroquai’s Virtual Insanity directed by Jonathan Glazer is a technical marvel. Its signature moving floor visual created an unforgettable, disorienting effect as Jay Kay danced seamlessly between rooms.

Further, the ingenious shifting set was a pioneering blend of carpentry and camera tricks that seemed to defy gravity. Glazer used the illusion to manifest the song’s themes of society losing touch with reality.

Subsequently, Virtual Insanity became a hit with its innovative effects and a deeper message about disconnecting from physical reality. Jamiroquai’s showstopping performance captured a world in flux. The video’s groundbreaking creativity and deeper resonance made it an all-time great.

15. A-ha (1993) – a-ha

a-ha’s dreamy A-ha video directed by Michael Patterson floated in its elegant world. Sweeping drone shots and soft-focus cinematography created an attractive atmosphere, as the band wandered through hazy landscapes.

Better yet, imagery like bubbles, balloons, and rippling water visualized the song’s airy synth-pop sound. Patterson merged music and imagery to transport viewers into a-ha’s state of longing and contemplation.

Thus A-ha made the ordinary feel magical through its stylized beauty and technical artistry. Its timeless aesthetic and emotive pull solidified A-ha‘s status as a music video icon.

16. Smells Like Teen Spirit (1991) – Nirvana

Nirvana’s era-defining Smells Like Teen Spirit video directed by Samuel Bayer captured youthful anarchy. Filmed as a rebellious teen concert, its rough style and mosh pits embodied Generation X’s frustration.

Moreover, Kurt Cobain’s raw performance turned the track into an angry yet relatable anthem. Bayer brought the song’s themes of teen disillusionment explosively to life. Smells Like Teen Spirit became a counterculture call to arms, propelling Nirvana into the mainstream. Unpolished and unflinching, the video spoke to outsider youth. Its iconic spirit cemented the song as a revolutionary force.

17. Weapon of Choice (2000) – Fatboy Slim

Fatboy Slim’s Weapon of Choice directed by Spike Jonze made surreal magic with Christopher Walken. Walken joyfully dancing across grand empty hotel spaces created an indelible, uplifting moment.

Subsequently, the video’s quirky charm came from Walken’s gift for physical comedy matched with Fatboy Slim’s striking beats. Without flashy effects, it relied on Walken’s expressive public dancing to bring smiles and wonder. Hence the inspired surprise casting and minimalist style made Weapon of Choice a captivating breath of fresh air. Its singular celebration of dancing like no one’s watching spoke to music video fans everywhere.

18. Hurt (2002) – Johnny Cash

Johnny Cash’s heartbreaking video for Hurt directed by Mark Romanek was an A-list music video. Filming Cash in his dwindling years confronted mortality. Stirring black-and-white shots of Cash with vivid inserts of his younger glory days created a moving perspective.

To add on, Hurt amplified the cover’s raw emotion through visual poetry. As Cash sang about regret, Romanek expressed fame and fragility. The video’s elegant reverence for Cash’s legacy resonated deeply. Hurt immortalized the icon with a vulnerable yet dignified portrayal that only intensified his music’s power.

19. Wannabe (1996) – Spice Girls

The Spice Girls’ exuberant Wannabe video directed by Johan Camitz launched Girl Power euphoria. Bursting with bright colors, cheeky humor, and celebration of female friendship, Wannabe introduced the world to the Fab Five‘s sassy personas.

What’s more, their confidence and chemistry were contagious pop perfection. The video captured the innocence and excitement of the Spice Girls through youthful spirit. Their triumphant spirit of unity and belief in yourself resonated globally. Fun and unforgettable, Wannabe paved the way for fearlessly stylish pop stars and distilled the essence of 90s pop culture.

20. California Love (1995) – 2Pac featuring Dr. Dre

2Pac and Dr. Dre’s epic California Love directed by Hype Williams was a hip-hop blockbuster. With Mad Max-inspired imagery of desert raves and dune buggy racing, its grand world-building raised the bar. The star-studded cast, from rappers to actors like Chris Tucker and Roger Troutman on guest vocals, added to the video’s event feel.

Besides, Williams fused the dystopian and the aspirational into a larger-than-life West Coast celebration. California Love brought ambitious scope and storytelling to rap videos, immersing viewers in an energizing visual feast. Its cinematic scale showed what hip-hop could achieve visually.

21. Bad Romance (2009) – Lady Gaga

Lady Gaga’s Bad Romance video directed by Francis Lawrence showcased her as a visionary provocateur. Exploring themes of desire and obsession, it featured unforgettable imagery from Gaga dancing in a flaming birdcage to chilling bathtub scenes.

Additionally, Gaga’s otherworldly fashion, from geometric suits to flame-spouting bras, made Bad Romance a watershed surrealist spectacle. It cemented her as a pop culture icon who relished pushing boundaries. The video’s technical excellence and style reflected Lady Gaga‘s endless capacity to evolve as an artist.

22. Scream (1995) – Michael Jackson and Janet Jackson

Michael and Janet Jackson‘s legendary Scream directed by Mark Romanek made history as the most expensive music video ever made at the time. According to the adjusted cost in 2024, the video cost at least USD 13 million.

Furthermore, their duet about media criticism ironically drew more attention through its sci-fi ambition. Its sleek spaceship sets and futuristic glamour created a stark, stylish world. With flawlessly executed choreography and special effects, Scream set a benchmark in technical excellence. But above all, it highlighted the Jacksons as top-notch entertainers with their iconic dance talent and creative vision.

23. Windowlicker (1999) – Aphex Twin

Aphex Twin’s unnerving Windowlicker video directed by Chris Cunningham perfectly matched the electronic maverick’s daring music. Nightmarish imagery like sinister grins and car wrecks disturbingly contrasted with female dancers.

Further, Cunningham built a sense of unease through provocative contrasts. Windowlicker became a classic Aphex Twin experience, amplifying his experimental bravery through bold visuals. Its surreal world expanded electronic music’s potential into the visual realm.

24. Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It) (2008) – µþ±ð²â´Ç²Ô³¦Ã©

µþ±ð²â´Ç²Ô³¦Ã©’²õ Single Ladies directed by Jake Nava cemented her as an icon with its attitude and simplicity. She and two dancers performing their hand-flicking routine against a black backdrop let the infectious choreography take center stage.

Better yet, the crisp cinematography heightened its exceptional impact. Single Ladies resonated as an empowering anthem through flawless synchronicity and vision. µþ±ð²â´Ç²Ô³¦Ã©‘s dynamism and work ethic elevated the choreography to legendary status. The video’s potent minimalism centered on her formidable talent.

25. Where Is My Mind? (1988) – Pixies

Pixies’ Where Is My Mind? video directed by Vaughan Oliver and Mark Szaszy visually embodied the band’s puzzling magic. Surreal sequences like swimmers with fish heads channeled their cryptic alt-rock cool.

Further, underwater scenes underscored the track’s oceanic aura. Trippy birds-eye aerial shots of rooftop conversations added quirky visual counterpoint. Where Is My Mind? expanded the Pixies’ eccentric personality into the music video medium. Its dreamlike world captured their authentic sound.

26. Chandelier (2014) – Sia

Sia’s Chandelier directed by Sia and Daniel Askill showcased astonishing vocals through arresting visual storytelling. Maddie Ziegler’s intense dance performance powerfully depicted a child’s inner turmoil. Her athleticism visualized the song’s raw emotion.

Over and above that, Ziegler’s physicality and Sia’s soaring vocals forged a profound connection that related to many. Chandelier displayed emotional connection in its dramatic choreography and vulnerable spirit. The video’s imagination solidified the track’s wrenching humanity.

27. Cry Me a River (2002) – Justin Timberlake

Justin Timberlake’s cinematic Cry Me a River video directed by Francis Lawrence depicted relationship betrayal as a stylish thriller. Moody lighting, secret surveillance, and a mystery woman built dramatic tension.

Also, Timberlake embodied quiet anguish with charismatic delicateness. The video’s voyeuristic point-of-view imaginatively visualized the lyrical narrative. Lawrence elevated the track into a short film where Timberlake could showcase new maturity as an artist.

Thus Cry Me a River announced his solo arrival through evocative storytelling and slinky aesthetics. Its impeccable production and Timberlake’s magnetism made the video linger in the memory long after.

28. Karma Police (1997) – Radiohead

Radiohead’s surreal Karma Police video directed by Jonathan Glazer formed an unsettling companion to their sonic experimentation. Stark black-and-white cinematography created an eerie dreamscape as a man fled unseen forces.

To add on, cryptic imagery like floating feathers and burning cars amplified the sense of paranoid pursuit. Glazer channeled the song’s social alienation into a great chase scene. His approach expanded Radiohead’s dangerous soundscapes into the visual realm. Challenging perspectives through bold abstraction, Karma Police became emblematic of Radiohead’s envelope-pushing artistry.

29. Supermassive Black Hole (2006) – Muse

Muse’s galactic odyssey Supermassive Black Hole directed by Floria Sigismondi depicted the band lost in a surreal alien underworld. Striking imagery like floating bodies and red lighting created dazzling sci-fi textures. The video’s grandly cinematic style mirrored the track’s arena-rock energy.

On top of that, Sigismondi crafted a retro-futuristic world where Muse could command the forces of the universe with their musical intensity. Supermassive Black Hole gave larger-than-life scope to the band’s experimental ambition. Its immersive vision amplified their prog-rock theatrics.

30. Hotline Bling (2015) – Drake

Drake’s viral Hotline Bling video directed by Director X showcased slick style and signature dance moves. Dramatic colorful lighting lent striking visual flair to the minimalist loft space. But Drake’s improvised and carefree dancing made the video unforgettable and fun.

Additionally, his charm and humor humanized the hip-hop braggadocio. The video’s simplicity allowed Drake’s personality to shine through. Hotline Bling epitomized his smooth confidence and turned the track into an infectious hit. Its quirky originality was Drake at his most playful.

31. Ain’t It Fun (2014) – Paramore

Paramore’s cheerful Ain’t It Fun directed by Sophia Peer captured the band’s high-spirited community. Attempting wacky world records like the fastest time to peel and eat an orange brought out their personalities. Silly costumed challenges emphasized their solidarity and chemistry.

Ain’t It Fun celebrated Paramore’s upbeat energy through humor and color. Showcasing their irreverent rapport, the video radiated hardcore optimism. Their vibrant spirit of connection made Ain’t It Fun a joyful ode to living brightly.

32. Bittersweet Symphony (1997) – The Verve

The Verve’s anthemic Bittersweet Symphony video directed by Walter Stern used constant motion to depict modern urban alienation vividly. Lead singer Richard Ashcroft commanding the sidewalk while pedestrians indifferently bump past created an indelible image of isolation amid the crowd.

Furthermore, the video’s innovative continuous tracking shot emphasized the song’s themes of individual struggle against conformity. As Ashcroft defiantly walked against the human tide, it captured the quiet tragedy of feeling lost and insignificant.

Thus, Bittersweet Symphony fused lyric and image through bold street poetry. Its urban pathos etched the song into music history. The video’s metaphorical power channeled urban disconnection into a majestic five-minute requiem.

33. This Is America (2018) – Childish Gambino

Childish Gambino‘s provocative This Is America video directed by Hiro Murai confronted violence and racism through charged symbolic imagery. Gambino dancing carefreely while chaos erupts around him conveys society’s normalization of brutality. Contrasts like church choir executions and Gambino’s cheerful swagger sparked discomfort and reflection.

What’s more, the video’s confronting metaphors, thoughtful choreography, and mesmerizing score made it a lightning rod for discussion. As an unflinching statement on gun violence and anti-Black racism, This Is America merged music and messaging with raw power. It solidified Childish Gambino as a courageous voice on social issues. The video’s unforgettable message and innovation cemented its place in history.

34. Criminal (1998) – Fiona Apple

Fiona Apple’s intimate Criminal video directed by Mark Romanek relied on emotional intensity over flashy effects. Stark imagery like Apple alone in an empty house exposed her vulnerability. The sparse aesthetic and Apple’s raw, poetic delivery created disarming authenticity.

Moreover, as she channeled loneliness, longing, and self-blame, the video expressed the song’s confessional intimacy. Apple gazing directly into the camera made it feel like a private window into her psyche through music. In the music video, Criminal glamour is rejected in favor of raw humanity. Its fearless fragility and DIY (Do it yourself ) approach became an enduring portrait of an uncompromising artist.

35. We Found Love (2011) – Rihanna featuring Calvin Harris

Rihanna’s visually stunning We Found Love video directed by Melina Matsoukas used rich symbolism to explore love’s euphoria and pitfalls. Vivid cinematography intercut joyful moments with dark imagery, exploring the highs and lows of a toxic romance. Powerful visual metaphors like Rihanna finding and losing herself in addiction amid swirling flower petals amplified the narrative’s emotional force.

Moreover, Matsoukas crafted an unforgettable short film with the scale and potency to match Rihanna’s soaring vocals. We Found Love merged highs with wrenching lows through evocative style and fearless intimacy. Unafraid to confront the darkness, its poetic visual storytelling resonated powerfully. The video’s imagination and flawless execution made it one of the most compelling of its era.

36. Walk This Way (1986) – Run-DMC featuring Aerosmith

Run-DMC and Aerosmith’s genre-blending Walk This Way video directed by Jon Small brought hip-hop and rock together in an explosive collision. Run-DMC rapping in a gritty set cut against Aerosmith’s stadium-rock performance was a landmark fusion. With the groups seemingly entering each other’s worlds, the video broke boundaries.

Additionally, Steven Tyler’s gift of a guitar at the end symbolically anointed Run-DMC as rock pioneers. Walk This Way erased musical barriers through creative boldness. Its groundbreaking merging of styles had a seismic influence, expanding both genres’ horizons. The video’s history-making imagery reflected a cultural turning point as genres converged. It showed disparate artists could make timeless magic together.

37. Boulevard of Broken Dreams (2004) – Green Day

Green Day’s cinematic Boulevard of Broken Dreams video directed by Samuel Bayer created a beautiful vision of isolation. Frontman Billie Joe Armstrong wandering alone through deserted city streets in bleak black-and-white visualized the song’s melancholy search for meaning.

Furthermore, rain cascading down abandoned alleyways and empty train stations evoked solitude and unease. Yet there were glimpses of hope like the sunlight breaking through the clouds. Boulevard of Broken Dreams amplified the song’s introspective power through haunting urban poetry.

Also, the video’s thoughtful portrayal and atmospheric gloom spoke to feelings of inner emptiness and alienation. The video’s meditative majesty made it an enduring companion to Green Day’s quest for purpose.

38. Alright (2015) – Kendrick Lamar

Kendrick Lamar’s striking Alright video directed by Colin Tilley and The Little Homies conveyed hope amid adversity. The imagery of Lamar dancing atop a police car and rapping from a streetlight spotlighted resilience. Vignettes referencing police brutality and racial oppression highlighted ongoing injustice. Yet Lamar remained defiantly uplifting.

Besides, the video’s majestic aerial shots and spiritual baptism symbolized perseverance through hardship. Alright, united pride and pain through cinematic scale and profound lyricism. Lamar’s uplifting positivity in the face of oppression made the video a rallying cry. Its bold imagery amplified hip-hop‘s power as a voice for the oppressed. Alright also captured endurance and the will to overcome as Lamar transformed struggle into art.

39. Sicko Mode (2018) – Travis Scott

Travis Scott’s multicolored Sicko Mode video directed by Dave Meyers mirrored the song’s shape-shifting flow through striking visuals. The mind-altering nightmare of Scott’s verses catapulted into a euphoric Astroworld dreamscape during the choruses.

To boot, Meyers dynamically captured Scott’s artistic duality, from sinister to celebratory. Trippy effects like a room spinning upside down visualized the track’s disorienting production. With its dizzying highs and sinister vibes, Sicko Mode took viewers on a thrill ride. Its seamless transitions between realities created an unforgettable visual feat. The video’s chameleonic innovation perfectly reflected Travis Scott’s exceptional artistry.

40. Black or White (1991) – Michael Jackson

Michael Jackson’s boundary-breaking Black or White video directed by John Landis promoted racial harmony through music’s universal appeal. The iconic morphing sequence at the end visualizes people of all races coming together in dance.

Moreover, Jackson knocked down walls further in the short film’s global premiere, where he smashed through windows with explicitly anti-racist graffiti. Black or White shed light on injustice while championing diversity through an anthemic call for human connection. Its timely message of celebrating common ground made the ambitious video a cultural milestone.

In the ever-expanding world of music videos, these 40 entries stand as a testament to the power of visual storytelling. From the groundbreaking techniques of the 1980s to the modern cinematic experiences of the 21st century, these videos have left a mark on the music industry. As we celebrate the Greatest Music Videos of All Time, we recognize the artists, directors, and visionaries who have elevated the art form, creating a visual symphony that resonates across generations.