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MTV's First Day of Music Videos

by shatterdaymorn • Created 9 months ago • Modified 8 months ago
A list of the first music videos broadcast on MTV's first day August 1, 1981.
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  • 209 titles
  • Geoff Downes and The Buggles in The Buggles: Video Killed the Radio Star (1979)

    1. The Buggles: Video Killed the Radio Star

    19794mMusic Video
    6.8 (900)
    The video for the Buggles' classic one-shot, about how the rise of television (and, by extension, music videos) hurt the careers of those performers whose looks would not translate well to the new medium.
    DirectorRussell MulcahyStarsThe BugglesDebi DossGeoff Downes
  • Pat Benatar: You Better Run (1980)

    2. Pat Benatar: You Better Run

    19803mMusic Video
    6.6 (41)
    Music video for Pat Benatar's "You Better Run".
    DirectorNick SaxtonStarsPat BenatarRoger CappsNeil Giraldo
  • Rod Stewart: She Won't Dance with Me (1980)

    3. Rod Stewart: She Won't Dance with Me

    19802mMusic Video
    5.3 (8)
    Music video for Rod Stewart's "She Won't Dance with Me".
    DirectorMike MansfieldStarRod Stewart
  • The Who: You Better You Bet (1981)

    4. The Who: You Better You Bet

    19814mMusic Video
    7.0 (21)
    The Who perform their single "You Better You Bet".
    DirectorJohn CromeStarsJohn BundrickRoger DaltreyJohn Entwistle
  • Ph.D.: Little Suzi's on the Up (1981)

    5. Ph.D.: Little Suzi's on the Up

    19813mMusic Video
    Music video by Ph.D. performing "Little Suzi's on the Up".
    StarsJim DiamondTony HymasPh.D.
  • Cliff Richard: We Don't Talk Anymore (1979)

    6. Cliff Richard: We Don't Talk Anymore

    19794mMusic Video
    6.8 (17)
    Music video by Cliff Richard performing "We Don't Talk Anymore".
    DirectorBrian GrantStarCliff Richard
  • The Pretenders: Brass in Pocket (1979)

    7. The Pretenders: Brass in Pocket

    19793mMusic Video
    7.2 (39)
    Promotional music video from the self-titled debut album. Singer Chrissie Hynde plays the song working as waitress in a bar, serving to the band members.
    DirectorMark RobinsonStarsMartin ChambersPete FarndonJames Honeyman-Scott
  • Todd Rundgren: Time Heals (1981)

    8. Todd Rundgren: Time Heals

    19813mMusic Video
    Music video by Todd Rundgren performing "Time Heals".
    DirectorTodd RundgrenStarTodd Rundgren
  • REO Speedwagon: Take It on the Run (1981)

    9. REO Speedwagon: Take It on the Run

    19814mMusic Video
    5.9 (17)
    Music video for REO Speedwagon's song "Take It on the Run".
    DirectorJay DubinStarsKevin CroninNeal DoughtyAlan Gratzer
  • 10. Styx: A.D. 1928/Rockin' the Paradise

    19815mMusic Video
    Styx performs in the music video "A.D. 1928/Rockin' the Paradisey" from the album "Paradise Theatre" recorded for A&M Records. The music video opens with Dennis DeYoung on stage singing as he stands next to a player piano. The curtain lifts and the band plays behind him.
    StarsStyxDennis DeYoungChuck Panozzo
  • 11. Robin Lane & The Chartbusters: When Things Go Wrong

    19794mMusic Video
    StarsScott BaerenwaldAsa BrebnerTim Jackson
  • Split Enz: History Never Repeats (1981)

    12. Split Enz: History Never Repeats

    19813mMusic Video
    StarsSplit EnzNoel CrombieNeil Finn
  • 13. 38 Special: Hold on Loosely (Live)

    19815mMusic Video
    5.8 (5)
    StarsDon BarnesSteve BrookinsJeff Carlisi
  • 14. April Wine: Just Between You and Me

    19814mMusic Video
    StarsApril WineMyles GoodwynBrian Greenway
  • Rod Stewart in Rod Stewart: Sailing (1978)

    15. Rod Stewart: Sailing

    19784mMusic Video
    6.3 (23)
    Another music video for "Sailing" was shot in New York Harbor in 1978, and would become one of the first to be aired on MTV when it launched on 1 August 1981.
    StarRod Stewart
  • Iron Maiden: Iron Maiden (1980)

    16. Iron Maiden: Iron Maiden

    19804mMusic Video
    6.8 (5)
    StarsClive BurrPaul DiAnnoSteve Harris
  • REO Speedwagon: Keep on Loving You (1980)

    17. REO Speedwagon: Keep on Loving You

    19804mGMusic Video
    6.4 (51)
    The music video for REO Speedwagon performing "Keep on Loving You".
    DirectorBruce GowersStarsKevin CroninNeal DoughtyBruce Hall
  • 18. Michael Johnson: Bluer Than Blue

    19783mMusic Video
    StarMichael Johnson
  • The Pretenders: Message of Love (1981)

    19. The Pretenders: Message of Love

    19813mMusic Video
    7.4 (8)
    DirectorMark RobinsonStarsMartin ChambersPete FarndonJames Honeyman-Scott
  • 20. Lee Ritenour: Mr. Briefcase

    19814mMusic Video
    StarLee Ritenour
  • The Cars: Double Life (1979)

    21. The Cars: Double Life

    1979Music Video
    StarsThe CarsElliot EastonGreg Hawkes
  • Phil Collins in Phil Collins: In the Air Tonight (1981)

    22. Phil Collins: In the Air Tonight

    19815mMusic Video
    7.2 (690)
    The music video for "In the Air Tonight" by Phil Collins.
    DirectorStuart OrmeStarPhil Collins
  • Robert Palmer: Looking for Clues (1980)

    23. Robert Palmer: Looking for Clues

    19804mMusic Video
    6.8 (10)
    StarRobert Palmer
  • 24. Shoes: Too Late

    19793mMusic Video
    StarsShoesGary KlebeSkip Meyer
  • Stevie Nicks: Stop Draggin' My Heart Around (1981)

    25. Stevie Nicks: Stop Draggin' My Heart Around

    19814mMusic Video
    7.0 (37)
    Official music video for "Stop Draggin' My Heart Around" by Stevie Nicks ft. Tom Petty.
    DirectorJim LenahanStarsStevie NicksMike CampbellTom Petty

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