MTV Top 100 Videos of the 1980s
by shatterdaymorn | created - 29 Jun 2018 | updated - 29 Jun 2018 | PublicMTV's Countdown of the top 100 music videos from the 1980s broadcast on Nov 24, 1989.
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1. Michael Jackson: Thriller (1983 Music Video)
PG | 13 min | Horror, Music
A night at the movies turns into a nightmare when Michael and his date are attacked by a hoard of bloodthirsty zombies - only a "Thriller" can save them now.
Director: John Landis | Stars: Michael Jackson, Ola Ray, Forrest J. Ackerman, Reed Armstrong
Votes: 17,620
2. Peter Gabriel: Sledgehammer (1986 Music Video)
6 min | Animation, Short, Fantasy
Peter Gabriel's video for his 1986 Billboard Hot 100 number-one single, a collaboration with Aardman Animations which set new standards for the industry and became one of the most awarded videos in history.
Director: Stephen R. Johnson | Stars: Peter Gabriel, Anna-Marie Gabriel, Melanie Gabriel
Votes: 1,091
3. Dire Straits: Money for Nothing (1985 Music Video)
5 min | Animation, Music
Dire Straits classic video clip for 'Money for Nothing', smash 1985 hit from the album "Brothers in Arms". The iconic video mixtures advanced animation technology and footage from the band ... See full summary »
Director: Steve Barron | Stars: Alan Clark, Dire Straits, Guy Fletcher, John Illsley
Votes: 1,175
4. Def Leppard: Pour Some Sugar on Me, Version 2 (1988 Music Video)
PG-13 | 5 min | Music, Musical
Official Def Leppard's video "Pour Some Sugar on Me", taken from album "Hysteria" (1987).
Director: Wayne Isham | Stars: Def Leppard, Rick Allen, Stephen Clark, Phil Collen
Votes: 374
5. Bon Jovi: Wanted Dead or Alive (1987 Music Video)
4 min | Music
The music video for the song "Wanted Dead or Alive" by the American rock band Bon Jovi from the 1986 album "Slippery When Wet".
Director: Wayne Isham | Stars: Bon Jovi, Jon Bon Jovi, Richie Sambora
Votes: 398
6. ZZ Top: Legs (1984 Music Video)
5 min | Music
ZZ Top performs in the music video "Legs" from the album "Eliminator" recorded for Warner Brothers Records. A employee of a shoe store is harassed as she goes to see her boyfriend who is a ... See full summary »
Director: Tim Newman | Stars: ZZ Top, Danièle Arnaud, Frank Beard, Wendy Frazier
Votes: 266
7. Guns N' Roses: Sweet Child O' Mine (1988 Music Video)
5 min | Music
Official music video for "Sweet Child O' Mine" by Guns N' Roses.
Director: Nigel Dick | Stars: Guns N' Roses, Steven Adler, Mandy Brix, Erin Everly
Votes: 820
8. Bruce Springsteen: Born in the U.S.A. (1984 Music Video)
5 min | Music
The music video for the song "Born in the U.S.A." by an American musician Bruce Springsteen from the 1984 album of the same name.
Director: John Sayles | Stars: Clarence Clemons, Bruce Springsteen, Steven Van Zandt, Max Weinberg
Votes: 650
9. INXS: Need You Tonight/Mediate (1987 Music Video)
6 min | Music
The music video for the INXS number one single "New Need You Tonight" segued with "Mediate", both from "Kick", their most successful album.
Director: Richard Lowenstein | Stars: Garry Beers, Andrew Farriss, Jon Farriss, Tim Farriss
Votes: 91
10. Genesis: Land of Confusion (1986 Music Video)
6 min | Music
The music video to the Genesis top 5 hit, Land Of Confusion. Featuring Spitting Images Puppets.
Directors: John Lloyd, James Yukich | Stars: Genesis, Chris Barrie, Phil Collins
Votes: 543
11. Robert Palmer: Addicted to Love (1986 Music Video)
4 min | Music
Music video to Robert Palmer's smash classic hit "Addicted to Love", one of the most iconic clips of the 1980's and also one of the most spoofed as well. It consists of Palmer performing ... See full summary »
Director: Terence Donovan | Stars: Robert Palmer, Julie Pankhurst, Patty Kelly, Mak Gilchrist
Votes: 674
12. Madonna: Open Your Heart (1986 Music Video)
4 min | Music, Musical
Music video for the Madonna single from the album 'True Blue'.
Director: Jean-Baptiste Mondino | Stars: Madonna, Felix Howard
Votes: 704
13. Michael Jackson: Beat It (1983 Music Video)
G | 5 min | Crime, Music
A promotional video for Michael Jackson's 1983 hit single "Beat It."
Director: Bob Giraldi | Stars: Michael Jackson, Michael DeLorenzo, Tony Fields, Tracii Guns
Votes: 2,067
14. Whitesnake: Here I Go Again (1987 Music Video)
4 min | Music
Whitesnake performs in the music video "Here I Go Again" from the album "Whitesnake" recorded for Geffen Records. The music video opens with a woman dancing on the hoods of two cars. ... See full summary »
Director: Marty Callner | Stars: Whitesnake, Tommy Aldridge, Vivian Campbell, David Coverdale
Votes: 433
15. Whitney Houston: How Will I Know (1985 Music Video)
5 min | Music, Musical
Official music video for "How Will I Know" by Whitney Houston.
Director: Brian Grant | Stars: Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston, Sandy Strallen
Votes: 164
16. Duran Duran: Hungry Like the Wolf (1982 Music Video)
4 min | Music
Duran Duran's clip for their massive classic "Hungry Like the Wolf" presents the band traveling to Sri Lanka in some curious and strange adventures, with Simon Le Bon meeting an exotic girl... See full summary »
Director: Russell Mulcahy | Stars: Duran Duran, Simon Le Bon, Sheila Ming, Nick Rhodes
Votes: 654
17. U2: Pride (in the Name of Love), Version 1 (1984 Music Video)
5 min | Music
The first Version was shot in August by director Donald Cammell and features opening and closing shots of the Dublin Docklands area.
Director: Donald Cammell | Stars: Bono, Adam Clayton, The Edge, Larry Mullen Jr.
Votes: 377
18. The Police: Every Breath You Take (1983 Music Video)
4 min | Music
A promotional video for The Police's 1983 hit single "Every Breath You Take."
Directors: Lol Creme, Godley & Creme, Kevin Godley | Stars: The Police, Stewart Copeland, Sting, Andy Summers
Votes: 810
19. Bon Jovi: Livin' on a Prayer (1986 Music Video)
4 min | Music
The music video for the song "Livin' on a Prayer" by the American rock band Bon Jovi from the 1986 album "Slippery When Wet".
Director: Wayne Isham | Stars: Bon Jovi, Jon Bon Jovi, David Bryan, Richie Sambora
Votes: 672
20. George Michael: I Want Your Sex (1987 Music Video)
5 min | Music
Music video by George Michael performing "I Want Your Sex".
Directors: George Michael, Andrew Morahan | Stars: Kathy Jeung, George Michael
Votes: 211
21. A-Ha: Take on Me (1985 Music Video)
4 min | Animation, Adventure, Fantasy
Official music video for "Take on Me" by A-Ha.
Director: Steve Barron | Stars: a-ha, Bunty Bailey, Alfie Curtis, Magne Furuholmen
Votes: 2,079
22. Aerosmith: Dude (Looks Like a Lady) (1987 Music Video)
5 min | Music
Aerosmith performs in the music video "Dude (Looks Like a Lady)" from the album "Permanent Vacation" recorded for Geffen Records. A woman with a jackhammer whistles at Steven Tyler and Joe ... See full summary »
Director: Marty Callner | Stars: Aerosmith, Tom Hamilton, Joey Kramer, Billie Perry
Votes: 94
23. Don Henley: The Boys of Summer (1984 Music Video)
5 min | Music
Black and white music video for his song "Boys of Summer" shows Don Henley at three points in his life: today; back when he was a young man at the beach with a girl; and as a 7-year old drummer.
Director: Jean-Baptiste Mondino | Stars: Don Henley, Audie England, Gary Mauro, Glen Mauro
Votes: 145
24. Van Halen: Jump (1983 Music Video)
4 min | Music
The music video for "Jump" was directed by David Lee Roth. It is a straightforward performance clip, much like many of the hard rock videos of the time. It was nominated for three MTV Video... See full summary »
Directors: Pete Angelus, David Lee Roth | Stars: Van Halen, Michael Anthony, David Lee Roth, Alex Van Halen
Votes: 696
25. Madonna: Like a Prayer (1989 Music Video)
6 min | Drama, Music
Music video for Madonna's song Like a Prayer.
Director: Mary Lambert | Stars: Madonna, Tony Ward, Leon
Votes: 1,208
26. Def Leppard: Hysteria (1987 Music Video)
Not Rated | 6 min | Music
Music video for Def Leppard: Hysteria.
Directors: Doug Freel, Jean Pellerin | Stars: Def Leppard, Rick Allen, Stephen Clark, Phil Collen
Votes: 43
27. Michael Jackson: Billie Jean (1983 Music Video)
5 min | Music
A music video for Michael Jackson's song 'Billie Jean'.
Director: Steve Barron | Stars: Michael Jackson, Simon Fields, Raquel Peña
Votes: 2,167
28. ZZ Top: Sharp Dressed Man (1983 Music Video)
4 min | Music
ZZ Top performs in the music video "Sharp Dressed Man" from the album "Eliminator" recorded for Warner Brothers Records. The video opens on the ZZ Top Eliminator car as it drives through ... See full summary »
Director: Tim Newman | Stars: Danièle Arnaud, Frank Beard, Billy Gibbons, Galyn Görg
Votes: 267
29. Bruce Springsteen: Dancing in the Dark (1984 Music Video)
G | 4 min | Short, Music, Musical
Brian De Palma directs the great Bruce Springsteen in one of the most iconic video clips of the 1980's. In it, the boss Springsteen performs his hit "Dancing in the Dark" to a large and ... See full summary »
Director: Brian De Palma | Stars: Bruce Springsteen, Clarence Clemons, Steven Van Zandt, Max Weinberg
Votes: 833
30. Robert Palmer: Simply Irresistible (1988 Music Video)
4 min | Music
Director: Terence Donovan | Stars: Julia Bolino, Kathy Davies, Cheryl Day, Patty Elias
Votes: 402
31. U2: With or Without You (1987 Music Video)
5 min | Music
A promotional video for U2's 1987 hit single "With or Without You."
Directors: Meiert Avis, Matt Mahurin | Stars: Bono, Adam Clayton, The Edge, Larry Mullen Jr.
Votes: 679
32. Poison: Nothin' But a Good Time (1988 Music Video)
4 min | Music
Poison performs in the music video "Nothin' But a Good Time" from the album "Open Up and Say - Ahh!" recorded for Enigma Records. The music video opens with a man washing dishes at a ... See full summary »
Director: Marc Reshovsky | Stars: Poison, Bobby Dall, C.C. DeVille, Bret Michaels
Votes: 31
33. The Cars: You Might Think (1984 Music Video)
3 min | Music
Music video for The Cars song, "You Might Think", notable for for its use of early computer graphics.
Directors: Charlex, Charlie Levi, Jeff Stein, Alex Weil | Stars: Claudia Barrett, George Barrows, The Cars, Susan Gallagher
Votes: 123
34. Steve Winwood: Higher Love (1986 Music Video)
4 min | Music
Steve Winwood performs in the music video for "Higher Love" from his album "Back in the High Life" recorded for Island Records. Winwood sings the song on a darkened sound stage with his ... See full summary »
Directors: Paula Greif, Peter Kagan | Stars: Steve Winwood, Chaka Khan, Nile Rodgers
Votes: 119
35. John Mellencamp: Jack & Diane (1982 Music Video)
4 min | Music
Director: Bruce Gowers | Stars: Victoria Granucci, John Mellencamp
Votes: 25
36. Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody (1987 Music Video)
5 min | Music, Musical
Music video for Whitney Houston's "I Wanna Dance with Somebody".
Director: Brian Grant | Star: Whitney Houston
Votes: 649
37. George Michael: Father Figure (1987 Music Video)
6 min | Music
George Michael performs in the music video "Father Figure" from the album "Faith" recorded for Columbia Records. George Michael plays a cab driver who is in a relationship with a ... See full summary »
Directors: George Michael, Andrew Morahan | Stars: Tania Coleridge, Kathy Foy, George Michael
Votes: 101
38. Heart: These Dreams (1986 Music Video)
G | 4 min | Music
Heart performs in the music video "These Dreams" from the album "Heart" recorded for Capitol Records. Nancy Wilson sings as she over looks a pool of water and plays guitar while surrounded ... See full summary »
Director: Jeff Stein | Stars: Mark Andes, Denny Carmassi, Joe Del Monte, Heart
Votes: 78
39. Guns N' Roses: Welcome to the Jungle (1987 Music Video)
5 min | Music
A music video for Guns N' Roses's song 'Welcome to the Jungle'.
Director: Nigel Dick | Stars: Guns N' Roses, Steven Adler, Duff McKagan, Axl Rose
Votes: 762
40. Michael Jackson: Man in the Mirror (2017 TV Movie)
94 min | Documentary, Biography
An insightful documentary and part film charting the life and career of Michael Jackson.
Director: Ben Mole | Stars: Charles Abomeli, Ron Alexenburg, Mark Arundale, Malcolm Atobrah
Votes: 102
41. Madonna: Papa Don't Preach (1986 Music Video)
G | 5 min | Music
Music video for the Madonna single from the album 'True Blue'.
Director: James Foley | Stars: Madonna, Danny Aiello, Erika Belle, Debi Mazar
Votes: 897
42. Herbie Hancock: Rockit (1984 Music Video)
3 min | Music
Robots and sculptures move in time to the music as Herbie Hancock is seen on a television set playing a keyboard. Features bird sculptures, mannequins, dancing pants, robot legs and more.
Directors: Lol Creme, Godley & Creme, Kevin Godley | Star: Herbie Hancock
Votes: 152
43. Sting: We'll Be Together (1987 Music Video)
5 min | Music
Sting performs in the music video "We'll Be Together" from the album "...Nothing Like the Sun" recorded for A&M Records. Sting plays a poet in a cafe who writes until he is disturbed by the... See full summary »
Director: Mary Lambert | Stars: Sting, Trudie Styler
Votes: 36
44. Bon Jovi: You Give Love a Bad Name (1986 Music Video)
4 min | Music
The music video for the song "You Give Love a Bad Name" by the American rock band Bon Jovi from the 1986 album "Slippery When Wet".
Director: Wayne Isham | Stars: Bon Jovi, Jon Bon Jovi, Richie Sambora, Alec John Such
Votes: 528
45. Prince: 1999 (1982 Music Video)
4 min | Music