The music video format has been the biggest influence on my life. My sister and I grew up watching in ‘the golden age’ of music videos (1990-2000ish) when a whole bunch of good shit went down… Then the decade after that I pretty much had access to every music video ever made (fuck!). Here are the ones that stuck don’t cha’ know.
Nothing, nothing… NOTHING will ever touch this video. The feeling I get when he pops the bottle of champagne is like nothing else in this world. This is it for me…
More emotion in 4 minutes and 19 seconds than in most movies. Female director of course…
There’s something so dark about boys and girls and sex that only this video can capture for me. This video and ‘Kingdom of Rust’ were proof that I could have powerful viewing experiences on my computer.
Big and stupid… and totally something I would make.
Stone Temple Pilots – Big Bang Baby
Scott Weiland just fucking selling it here and I’m definitely buying… This video looked like my first porno which made it alluring in a strange way.
Etienne de Crecy – Someone Like You
N0 No No! Issa too sexy!
So if you take a bearded guy… and put him on a roadtrip to nowhere and show a lot of nature it’ll be awesome? In my world: YES.
Took everything I loved about anime and video game intros and blew it away… I remember seeing this for the first time before school and not being able to concentrate for the rest of the day. If you haven’t seen it in a while you’re welcome.
Brave and honest… Seeing inside of a mind and the polarity that comes with it.
One of the best things about being alive: Exercising on a nice day with no destination…
Jane’s Addiction – Been Caught Stealing
There’s something about the 90’s where no fucks were given… People try to make things like this now… But they usually try way too hard… This is effortlessly badass.
Whale – Hobo Humpin’ Slobo Babe
I had no idea what sex was until I saw this video. Again… No fucks were given in the 90’s… this girl is sexy instead of trying to be sexy.
My favorite version of travel sickness next to ‘Lost in Translation’.
I’m not usually into things that are clever or things that look like art & design wankfests… But I can’t believe this video came from someones imagination… It’s the exception (thanks Monique.)
The page it steals from Windowlickers book doesn’t work at the end… But the combination of vanity, food and sex captures something about the female species that is difficult to articulate. Bravo to the girls in the video for agreeing to do it.
The sincerity and energy that Weird Al brings to his performances transcend parody and exist in their own place… His dancing in the pool hall in ‘Eat It’ taught me a lot about giving 100% to being silly.
I performed to this song in front of Stuart Wood Elementary when I was 5… I was a really shy kid but this video and song made me believe I could spin, dance and be weird in front of a crowd of people… This predated my rollerblading by many years.
The Strokes – You Only Live Once
Julian’s performance (hamming it up), futureman outfits, Nick Valensi’s hair and a statement on the band being done… Has a science fiction vibe to it that clicks with me.
Daft Punk – Prime Time of Your Life and Clinic – Walking With Thee
Hate is a strong word… But I hate what television can do to people (especially young females.)
Human movement at its best.
Well it’s basically a music video… One of my favorite depictions of sweet solitude. Wandering around with no plan, no phone, no friends… Just busy doing nothing (but everything) by yourself with your Self in your own space and time.
Sophie Ellis-Bextor – Me And My Imagination
Legs.
Much bigger than just a ‘music video’… a life flashing before your eyes. We need to project this one into space to teach aliens about human memory.
I absolutely can’t stand child actors… So this barely made the list… But the climax is what the power of the imagination is all about.
Guns N’ Roses – You Could Be Mine
I had no idea what a ‘montage’ was and I didn’t know that I was being marketed to… But I thought this was the coolest thing I’d ever seen. I bought the tape single and played it over and over imagining the music video in my mind.
Probably the greatest song about love. Like cleverness and art design wankery… Computer animated stuff doesn’t get my mojo going. But you can’t go wrong with simple beauty.
Andrew WK floating in space with a piano… belting into the nothingness. It reminds me to be good to the most important person in my life: my Self.
Jerry McQuarrie 