It’s usually mentioned that video killed the radio star. However can something eliminate the video? Music videos of the Twenty first century are a product of rising expertise and innovation; the web was nonetheless in its infancy as new artists developed their type. Due to mediums like YouTube and social media, this permits for wider audiences and much more impactful movies to come back about (whereas metrics don’t outline success, many of those movies boast near 1 billion views on YouTube).
Music movies are akin to short-form movies. How can artists inform a narrative inside a couple of minutes? With symbols and metaphors? By uncommon visuals and charming emotion? Whether or not they’re merchandise of innovation, supply political and social commentary, or are merely entertaining, these are the most effective music movies of the Twenty first century.
20
“Right here It Goes Once more,” OK Go (2006)
Directed by OK Go and Trish Sie
Generally, genius is available in probably the most fundamental type. That is true of the music video for OK Go’s “Right here It Goes Once more.” Regardless of the easy idea, it took simple effort to execute. After practically 60 tries, OK Go and the employees accomplished the video in a single take. The American rock band filmed the video in a warehouse based mostly in Los Angeles.
The music video is an early entry into the huge web, showcasing originality and an understanding of what digital audiences want. Who would have thought 4 males performing tips on shifting treadmills might be so entertaining? Outfitted with treadmills and a imaginative and prescient, the members of OK Go labored in tandem to create this distinctive Twenty first-century manufacturing.
19
“Gangnam Fashion,” PSY (2012)
Directed by Cho Soo-Hyun
It may be mentioned that “Gangnam Fashion” launched the Ok-Pop style to Western audiences; for probably the most half, followers could not perceive the lyrics. However that didn’t matter for the 500 million Spotify listeners or 5.5 billion YouTube viewers. Whereas the video itself acquired combined opinions, “Gangnam Fashion” is supposed to be a celebration rock anthem. It didn’t take itself severely within the first place.
The music video for “Gangnam Fashion” unfold shortly throughout rising social media platforms like Fb, Twitter, and Instagram, leading to a revolutionary instance of trending content material. Everybody from main Hollywood celebrities to international political leaders joined in on the phenomenon by performing viral dance strikes to a track they didn’t fairly perceive.
18
“Hey Ya!,” Outkast (2003)
Directed by Bryan Barber
Andre 3000 – one-half of Outkast – appeared as each member of the band to not distract from the video. The music video incorporates visuals of concert-goers within the viewers and households dancing earlier than a TV display screen. It was impressed by the retro aesthetic and was, partly, impressed by a 1964 concert by The Beatles on The Ed Sullivan Show.
There’s a distinct juxtaposition between the lyrics and the idea of the video; households dance alongside to catchy tunes and followers scream within the viewers of their favourite artist. However the track doesn’t replicate this pleasure. As a substitute, it speaks of romance-less relationships for the sake of firm. Filmed on a lens match for mid-century screens, and with shade and design harking back to the Nineteen Sixties and 70s, the “Hey Ya” music video is actually a intelligent interval piece.
17
“Ranges,” Avicii (2011)
Directed by Petro Papahadjopulos
“Ranges” is an iconic instance of home music that hooked millennials at first pay attention. Performing for giant crowds at festivals, Avicii’s early hit single appeared to have the identical affect on listeners that the protagonist of the music video skilled. This lyricless track asks us to introspect; the music video permits us to interpret what emotions would possibly come up.
The music video for “Ranges” is ripe with symbols and metaphors. The protagonist pushes a boulder up a hill harking back to Sisyphus. The white partitions of a hospital strip the world of life and shade. Flowers bloom from the mouths of every character; they’re reworking into one thing new. It urges viewers to pursue pleasure moderately than mundanity and repetition (therefore, attaining new “ranges”).
16
“We Discovered Love,” Rihanna and Calvin Harris (2011)
Directed by Melina Matsoukas
Rihanna launched many music movies on the top of her profession within the late 2000s. However “We Discovered Love” strays from her typical sound, using DJ Calvin Harris’ beats to inform a twisted love track. This, mixed with Rihanna’s highly effective voice, ends in a tragic story offered fantastically on this 2011 music video. It even options Harris DJ-ing throughout a scene by which Rihanna and co-star Dudley O’Shaughnessy are on the membership.
The music video begins with a quick narration as an unseen voice (voiced by Ayness Deyn) explains how, “When it’s over and gone, you virtually want that you would have all that unhealthy stuff again so that you could have the nice.” The 2 are in love, however is it actual? Because the music video depicts, this love is tainted by a drug-induced connection stemming from a loneliness that pulls the 2. That is one thing that may’t be conveyed simply by way of track.
15
“Fell in Love With a Lady,” The White Stripes (2002)
Directed by Michel Gondry
Lengthy earlier than The Lego Movie, The White Stripes utilized the favored toy of their 2002 music video for “Fell in Love With a Lady.” The Michel Gondry-directed venture integrated a 213-piece set costing just $60 to carry the idea to life – on their very own dime. The two-minute track lends itself properly to an advanced music video which requires effort and time to execute.
The usage of stop-motion Lego animation had by no means been executed earlier than, not to mention for a music video. So, whereas some music movies depend on emotion to convey an artist’s message, “Fell in Love With a Lady” takes a extra artistic route. The White Stripe’s rock track about irrational love is commonly deemed probably the greatest love songs of the Twenty first century.
14
“Lazy Sunday,” The Lonely Island (2005)
Directed by The Lonely Island
“Lazy Sunday” takes us on an journey round Manhattan as Saturday Night Live forged members Andy Samberg and Chris Parnell spend their day doing nothing particularly. The low-budget sketch was initially offered as a Digital Quick however would finally change into a viral sensation due to YouTube, transcending conventional tv for a more moderen medium on the time.
The video at present has 5.6 million views on YouTube with followers returning to the YouTube submit even in the present day, solidifying the affect of a music video that’s basically a joke. Thought-about certainly one of SNL‘s best original songs, “Lazy Sunday” propelled SNL into a brand new period, embracing absurdist comedy favored by millennial audiences. Due to its success, Samberg and The Lonely Island would go on to create comparable sketches all through the following decade.
13
“Humble,” Kendrick Lamar (2017)
Directed by Dave Meyers and The Little Homies
Kendrick Lamar usually incorporates highly effective imagery to additional the message of his music (simply have a look at his 2025 Super Bowl performance). “Humble” is not any totally different. The music video contains varied scenes by which Lamar is a priest, rests in a pile of cash, attire in white surrounded by plenty, and even Jesus in an ode to The Final Supper. It is an ironic take for a person rapping about humbleness.
Not solely is Lamar probably the greatest lyricists of his technology, however his music transcends sound onto the display screen. He is a storyteller in each sense of the phrase. The “Humble” music video is an early instance of his craftsmanship with every scene alluding to the conformity of the plenty versus particular person self-importance. The MTV award-winning music video takes the artistry of the style to a brand new stage.
12
“Wrecking Ball,” Miley Cyrus (2013)
Directed by Terry Richardson
“Wrecking Ball” served as a transition in Miley Cyrus’ profession as she separated from her function as a Disney Channel star. She seems half-naked, swinging from a big wrecking ball. The singer dons quick blonde hair and provocative clothes. This was fairly stunning on the time for followers aware of her earlier picture.
“Wrecking Ball” was inspired by her separation from her husband Liam Hemsworth; inside this ballad sits heartbreak and remorse. Whereas the music video has been subjected to parody and criticism over time, there isn’t any denying that its recognition impressed a shift in popular culture and music within the 2010s.
11
“Interstella 5555,” Daft Punk (2003)
Directed by Kazuhisa Takenouchi
Interstella 5555 is greater than only a music video. Primarily based on Daft Punk’s 2001 album, Discovery, this creative movie presents a number of music movies stitched collectively to create one cohesive story. Though Daft Punk thought of making a long-form live-action movie, they finally determined that Interstella 5555 would work best as an anime.
It’s a narrative in regards to the corruption of the music business, and the ability of music to battle again. Advised with out phrases, Interstella 5555 depends on Daft Punk’s assortment of widespread songs (“One Extra Time,” “Digital Love,” and many others.) to clarify the plot. The animated musical was re-released in theaters in 2024 in honor of its twentieth anniversary. Regardless of all of the years which have handed, Interstella 5555 stays a intelligent and artistic use of video.
