The 10 Best 80s Music Videos to Revisit
The 1980s was a revolutionary era for music videos, with MTV playing videos all day long. To honor this golden era, we’ve compiled a list of the best 80s music videos to revisit.
From Madonna’s iconic “Like a Prayer” to Peter Gabriel’s groundbreaking “Sledgehammer” video to Duran Duran’s “Hungry Like The Wolf,” these music videos are masterpieces. Each is unique and memorable, representing the best of the 1980s.
80s music videos are unique for a variety of reasons. The combination of vibrant visuals, iconic fashion, and unique production techniques make the music videos of the 80s stand out. The vibrant visuals help to create a sense of nostalgia, and the iconic fashion provides a look back into the past.
The production techniques used in 80s music videos help to create a unique, retro-inspired feel that is distinct from the music videos of the decade. The music videos of the 80s often featured larger-than-life set pieces and special effects that helped to create an immersive and memorable experience.
Here are the best 80s music videos that can give you, your customers, staff, and visitors that sweet trip down memory lane. It will also thrill and enthral younger viewers who have never seen these iconic views:
Best 80s Music Videos
People who grew up in the 1980s with fond memories of the music are good fans of '80s music.
They may remember how they used to dance and vibe to these oldies when they were teenagers or young adults in the '80s. Because of the different settings and images, those born decades later may also enjoy 80s music.
These fans often enjoy the nostalgia of the music and the melodies, beats, and lyrics associated with the '80s. Many younger people enjoy the music of the 1980s to experience a different era of music.
If you have these kinds of people around your establishment, here are 10 of the best music videos from the 80s to entertain:
1. Thriller by Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson’s 1983 album “Thriller” remains the most famous music video of all time. It is a 14-minute horror spoof with a captivating storyline, impressive special effects, and iconic dance sequences. Jackson’s “Thriller” video revolutionized music video production, transforming it into a serious art form.
It also broke down racial barriers in popular entertainment and popularized the making of" the documentary genre. With its captivating visuals, intriguing storyline, and thrilling dance moves, it’s no wonder why people still love “Thriller” today.
Playing Michael Jackson's "Thriller" in an office, restaurant, bar, entertainment venue, or other public venue is a great way to energize and motivate the crowd. The upbeat music and iconic dance moves can create a positive, upbeat atmosphere.
Playing this music video can also help to build a sense of camaraderie among guests, as they can discuss the video and sing along to the lyrics, plus relax and de-stress.
2. Like A Prayer by Madonna
Madonna's iconic music video for her hit single "Like a Prayer" was released in 1989 and was an immediate success. The video tells the story of a young woman's journey of faith and her struggle to find her place in the world.
The video features controversial symbols and imagery, including a crucifixion scene, a burning cross, and a dream-like sequence of Madonna dancing in a church.
The music video has been praised for its visual and narrative power and has been credited with helping to further Madonna's career and establish her as a global superstar.
The video also sparked controversy due to its religious themes, with some religious groups calling for a boycott of the video and the song. Despite the controversy, the video has become one of the most iconic music videos of all time, and its influence can still be seen today.
3. Sledgehammer by Peter Gabriel
Peter Gabriel's 1986 music video for “Sledgehammer” is one of the most iconic music videos of all time. Directed by Stephen R. Johnson, produced by Adam Whittaker, and animated by Aardman Animations and the Brothers Quay, the video is a claymated, pixelated, stop-motion adventure.
Featuring Gabriel singing the tune in a disjointed, frame-by-frame manner as items sung in the song, like trains and fruit, swirl around his face, the video broke barriers in terms of creativity and production.
It took home nine MTV Video Music Awards in 1987 and topped MTV’s 100 Greatest Music Videos Ever Made. Revisiting the song and video is a must for any music fan.
Sledgehammer by Peter Gabriel is a great song to play in the office because it has an upbeat tempo and uplifting lyrics that can help to energize and motivate your team.
The song's positive message encourages people to work hard and have fun while doing it, which can be a great way to lift spirits, boost morale, and increase productivity. The catchy melody and colorful images give it a vibe to keep everyone motivated throughout the day.
4. Girls Just Wanna Have Fun by Cyndi Lauper
Cyndi Lauper’s 1984 hit “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun” was a groundbreaking song and music video.
The video shows Lauper chanting and dancing with other women, setting the stage for artists like Madonna: independent women wearing cheap, yet fashionable clothes with a taste for garish accessories. Directed by Edd Griles, the video won the first ever award for Best Female Video at the 1984 MTV Video Music Awards.
The video also featured wrestler Captain Lou Albano, who was also in Lauper's next video, "Time After Time." Lauper's “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun” was a huge part of '80s culture, becoming an anthem for female attitude and setting fashion trends. The song and video are both still beloved today.
It features Lauper and her friends dancing around New York City, enjoying a night out, and having a great time. The vibrant visuals, combined with Lauper's infectious energy, make this video a real treat to watch.
The video also has a strong feminist message, showing women having a blast despite the constraints of society.
5. Walk This Way by RUN-D.M.C. and Aerosmith
RUN-D.M.C. and Aerosmith's 1986 collaboration "Walk This Way" was a groundbreaking song that changed American music forever. The song was a fusion of rap and rock and featured the two bands performing together on the track.
Aerosmith's Steven Tyler and Joe Perry were on vocals and guitars, while RUN-D.M.C. provided the rap. The song was an instant hit, reaching #4 on the Billboard Hot 100 and becoming the first rap song to reach the Top 10.
It also helped launch RUN-D.M.C.'s career and revive Aerosmith's, showing the world the power of rap-rock fusion. This video is an iconic music video that is sure to bring a smile to anyone's face. It could be a great way to lighten up the atmosphere in the office.
It's an upbeat, fun song and the video is filled with humor and energy.
6. Hungry Like The Wolf by Duran Duran
The official video was released in 1982 and was directed by Russell Mulchahy. It features the band members in a jungle setting, with Simon Le Bon being pursued by a group of native warriors.
The video gained a lot of attention and was nominated for several MTV Video Music Awards, winning the award for Best British Video. It has been described as one of the most iconic music videos ever made.
While “Hungry Like The Wolf” by Duran Duran is a popular and iconic music video, it may not be the best choice to play in some offices. The song has a fast tempo and an upbeat sound that could be distracting or disruptive to places like hospitals or airports.
7. Rhythm Nation by Janet Jackson
Rhythm Nation is the title track and lead single from Janet Jackson's fourth studio album, Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation 1814. The music video for the song was released in 1989 and was directed by Dominic Sena.
It features Jackson and a large ensemble of dancers performing synchronized dance routines in a variety of locations, including a factory, a junkyard, and an abandoned warehouse.
The video was highly praised for its innovative choreography and creative visuals and was nominated for nine MTV Video Music Awards, winning five.
8. Take On Me by a-ha
Take On Me by a-ha is an iconic song and music video that was released in 1984. It is a synthpop song with a catchy melody and it features the band's signature vocal harmonies.
The accompanying music video is famous for its rotoscope animation, which was created by combining live action footage with hand-drawn animation. The video won six awards at the 1986 MTV Video Music Awards and was nominated for two Grammy Awards.
Take On Me is a great song to play in the office because it is upbeat, catchy, and it has a classic retro sound that will bring back fond memories for many listeners. The video is also visually appealing and entertaining, which can add a sense of fun to the workplace.
Additionally, the song has a positive message about believing in yourself and following your dreams, which can be inspiring for customers.
9. Raspberry Beret by Prince
It's almost impossible to pick just one of Prince's music videos due to his skill with the form. However, we chose "Raspberry Beret," not least for its puffy-shirt psychedelia in the animated video mash-up.
Prince And The Revolution, wearing a cloud suit and sporting a freshly-shorn haircut, perform to a merry group of dancers. Prince commissioned Japanese animator Drew Takahashi to create a separate promo, resulting in this surrealistic mash-up. If you look closely, you can see Nirvana's Pat Smear as an extra.
The music video was directed by Prince himself, and it features an animated version of the artist and his band The Revolution in a variety of surrealistic and psychedelic settings.
The video was nominated for three MTV Video Music Awards, and it has been cited by some critics as one of the best music videos of all time. The video is also notable for its use of rotoscope animation, which was a revolutionary technique at the time.
10. Don’t Come Around Here No More by Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers
Don't Come Around Here No More is a classic rock song by Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers released in 1985. The accompanying music video was directed by Jeff Stein and features the band playing in a surreal Alice In Wonderland-style dreamscape.
The video was nominated for three MTV Video Music Awards, and it has become one of the most iconic and beloved music videos of all time.
Don't Come Around Here No More is a great song to play in the office due to its upbeat sound and classic rock vibe. The music video is visually appealing, with a colorful and imaginative Alice In Wonderland-style aesthetic.
Additionally, the song has a positive message about moving on and making a fresh start, which is a great message to spread.
Entertain Your Visitors With The Best 80s Music Videos
The best way to entertain customers with the best 80s music videos is to have a channel of the most iconic and popular videos of the 1980s. This could include classics like Michael Jackson's "Thriller", Cyndi Lauper's "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun," RUN-D.M.C., and Aerosmith's "Walk This Way."
If you want to play music in the office, it is best to choose songs that are more suitable for a professional environment.
To create an upbeat and energetic atmosphere that customers will enjoy, try using a free premium service like Loop TV, which can make all the difference. With Loop, offers a huge variety of licensed music channels that match your brand and audience and play the best music videos to entertain your customers.