I’ve always been a huge fan of the music video. It’s such a great form of expression and when done well, really adds extra dimensions to the song. Here are eight of my favourite videos from well known artists that took imagination to new levels.
Even now, still so breathtaking. When the original song release by the Norewigan trio flopped, new ideas were pushed for the band to get noticed. The result was a visually stunning romantic story being told in rotoscoping, in which the live-action footage is traced over frame by frame.
Michel Gondry’s creative genius has an impressive music porfolio as anyone, but this is right up there. So many striking images managed even at such a breathtakingly fast speed.
White Town may have been a one hit wonder, but they left behind one heck of a song. And a brilliantly original and thought-provoking video which adds to the mystique eithin the song.
Björk is one of the most original artists ever, so it’s no real surprise that she’s involved in one of the more imaginative takes of love in a music video. Beautifully imagined, impeccably executed.
I’ve quoted Queen numerous times, including These are the Days of our Lives and I’m Going Slightly Mad. But none of their other songs has a better video than this award-winning artistic masterpiece for Innuendo. Creativity just jumps off the screen with every second.
I only quoted Freak on a Leash recently, but just had to include it here. It’s mix between animation and regular filming is just astonishing and uses the creative talents of comic arts whizz Todd McFarlane to the max.
Like with all of these songs, it’s impossible for me to listen to this without thinking of the video. In this case, not only due of its striking nature, but because each set of dancers represents a different instrument. Another outstanding success from Michel Gondry.
No post about wildly creative music videos could exist without the King of Pop. You could even choose eight from his career to make up the post. But Thriller just has to win. Unprecedented in its scope and vision and almost impossible to calculate its impact on the music video industry.
Alex Raphael 
yes, i’ve always loved to see the music visualized –
There’ll be other video posts mentioned don’t worry. So many to choose from.
Great selection Alex, specially love The Chem Bros one.
Gondry has a gift. Amazing to hear that music and not only be able to picture that whole video but bring it to life.
That a-ha video may be my favorite of all time.
It’s a magnificent achievement. A love story brought to life in a very original manner. And as the top comment on the video says, “She was drawn to him” 😉
🙂 That’s perfect!
Would recommend checking out the videos from a band called OK Go.
I’ve had a look at a few of them. Upside Down and Inside Out, I Won’t Let You Down and Obsession. You weren’t kidding. Super original and distinctive.
A fun post, Alex. I like many of your choices. I remember being wowed by the Aha video. It was original way back then it is still cool. 😉
I’m still very attached to the song and the video. Still nowhere close to getting that chorus nailed though, ha.
How did he do that??
He needs to tell me how before I next see it on karoake 😉
May I chip in with Sledgehammer (Gabriel) and Cry (Gidley &Creme)?
For sure. Both are very highly original.
I was going to recommend Freak on a Leash until I saw it here. Great choices overall. You can just continue with Michael Jackson’s catalog and come across some great videos, especially Remember the Time, Smooth Criminal, Leave Me Alone, and Black or White.
Indeed. I really like Earth Song and Scream’s videos too. Such a visionary. A devastating loss.
I love me an inventive music video.
They just add an extra dimension to the song. And the same in reverse. A really bad one helps ruin the song even though it shouldn’t.
I totally agree with you.
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