1. “Thriller” – Michael Jackson
When Michael Jackson released the video for “Thriller” in 1983, it didn’t feel like a regular music video. It felt like a full movie event. Directed by John Landis, the nearly 14 minute production featured elaborate choreography, special effects, and that unforgettable scene where Jackson transforms into a werecat before leading an army of dancing zombies. MTV promoted the premiere heavily, and fans genuinely planned their evenings around watching it. For a lot of people, it was the first time a music video felt like must see television.
Once it aired, people talked about it for weeks. Kids tried to copy the zombie dance at school, and the red leather jacket instantly became iconic. The video also helped turn MTV into a cultural powerhouse during the early ’80s. Even viewers who already loved the song suddenly experienced it in a whole new way. It raised the bar for what music videos could be.
2. “Take on Me” – a-ha
The 1985 video for “Take on Me” stopped people in their tracks the first time it aired. Its groundbreaking blend of live action and pencil sketch animation made it look like something pulled straight from a comic book. Directed by Steve Barron, the story follows a girl who literally gets pulled into a drawn world by the band’s lead singer. The technique, called rotoscoping, took months to create and looked unlike anything viewers had seen before.
People waited for MTV to replay it just so they could study the visuals again. The video turned a-ha from a relatively unknown Norwegian band into international stars almost overnight. It also proved that creativity could be just as powerful as a big budget. Even today, the style still looks surprisingly fresh. For many fans, seeing that video for the first time felt almost magical.
3. “Like a Prayer” – Madonna
Madonna had already pushed boundaries before 1989, but “Like a Prayer” took things to another level. The video mixed religious imagery, gospel music, and a storyline about injustice that sparked immediate controversy. Scenes of burning crosses and Madonna kissing a saint statue drew criticism from religious groups. The attention only made more people curious to see what the fuss was about.
When MTV finally aired it, viewers watched closely to catch every provocative detail. The video quickly became one of the most talked about pop culture moments of the decade. Pepsi even canceled a major advertising deal with Madonna because of the backlash. Despite the controversy, or maybe because of it, the video cemented her reputation as a fearless pop icon. People who saw it rarely forgot it.
4. “Sledgehammer” – Peter Gabriel
Peter Gabriel’s “Sledgehammer” arrived in 1986 looking like nothing else on television. The video used stop motion animation, claymation, and all kinds of visual tricks to bring the song to life. Gabriel’s face morphs, fruit dances across the screen, and objects move around him in impossible ways. Every few seconds something new happens, which made viewers want to watch it again and again.
MTV played it constantly because audiences couldn’t get enough of it. The video ended up winning a record number of awards at the 1987 MTV Video Music Awards. For many fans, the real fun was spotting new details each time it aired. It felt inventive and slightly weird in the best possible way. Few videos captured the playful experimentation of the ’80s quite like this one.
5. “Hungry Like the Wolf” – Duran Duran
When “Hungry Like the Wolf” premiered in 1982, it looked more like an adventure film than a typical music video. Shot in Sri Lanka, the video followed the band through jungles, marketplaces, and rivers as they chased a mysterious woman. The exotic locations made it stand out from the simple studio performances that were common at the time. Suddenly a music video could feel cinematic.
MTV viewers loved the sense of adventure and style. The video helped turn Duran Duran into one of the network’s most popular bands. Fans tuned in hoping to catch it because it felt exciting every time it appeared. It also showed how location shooting could elevate a music video. After that, other artists started thinking much bigger.
6. “Girls Just Want to Have Fun” – Cyndi Lauper
Cyndi Lauper’s colorful personality burst onto television screens with the 1983 video for “Girls Just Want to Have Fun.” The video followed Lauper sneaking out to dance through the streets of New York City with friends and strangers. It had a loose, joyful energy that perfectly matched the song. Her bright clothes, wild hair, and playful attitude made her instantly memorable.
The video quickly became an MTV staple. Lauper’s real life mother even appeared in it, which gave the whole thing a charming, homemade feel. Viewers loved how fun and relatable it was compared with the more polished videos of the era. It helped turn the song into an anthem for young women everywhere. When it popped up on TV, people rarely changed the channel.
7. “Sweet Child O’ Mine” – Guns N’ Roses
Not every famous ’80s video relied on big effects or elaborate storytelling. The video for “Sweet Child O’ Mine” was mostly just Guns N’ Roses playing in a rehearsal space. But there was something captivating about the band’s raw energy. Slash’s top hat, Axl Rose’s intense performance, and the gritty atmosphere made it feel authentic.
Fans waited for it because it captured the spirit of rock music at the time. The video helped push the song to number one on the charts in 1988. It also introduced a lot of viewers to a band that felt far more dangerous than the polished pop acts on MTV. Sometimes the simplest concept worked best. People tuned in because they wanted to see the band again.
8. “Money for Nothing” – Dire Straits
The video for “Money for Nothing” looked futuristic when it debuted in 1985. It used early computer animation to depict cartoonish construction workers watching MTV. At the time, that kind of digital imagery was still brand new to television audiences. The blocky graphics might seem primitive today, but they felt cutting edge then.
Viewers were fascinated by the strange animated characters and the song’s catchy guitar riff. MTV played the video constantly, partly because the lyrics actually mentioned the network. The phrase “I want my MTV” became a cultural catchphrase almost overnight. It was one of the earliest examples of computer animation in a music video. For many people, seeing it felt like glimpsing the future.
9. “When Doves Cry” – Prince
Prince took a bold creative approach with the 1984 video for “When Doves Cry.” The visuals mix dramatic imagery from Purple Rain with Prince’s intense solo performance. Purple lighting, dramatic poses, and emotional close ups created a mysterious atmosphere. It felt stylish and slightly dangerous at the same time.
Fans were already obsessed with the song, so the video became required viewing. Prince’s charisma carried every moment of the performance. Even simple shots felt powerful because of how confidently he owned the screen. The video helped reinforce the mystique surrounding him during that era. When it aired on MTV, viewers paid attention.
10. “Every Breath You Take” – The Police
The 1983 video for “Every Breath You Take” stood out because of its elegant simplicity. Shot in black and white, it showed The Police performing in a dimly lit studio. The moody lighting and stark imagery matched the haunting tone of the song perfectly. Sting’s intense stare into the camera added to the unsettling feeling.
Fans watched closely because the video felt different from the flashy productions of the era. It had a quiet sophistication that drew people in. The song itself became one of the biggest hits of the decade. Seeing it paired with those striking visuals made the experience even stronger. Sometimes restraint could be just as memorable as spectacle.
11. “Walk This Way” – Run-D.M.C. and Aerosmith
The 1986 video for “Walk This Way” brought two musical worlds together. Run-D.M.C.’s hip hop style collided with Aerosmith’s classic rock sound in a playful storyline about neighbors arguing over loud music. The moment when Steven Tyler literally smashes through the wall between them became instantly iconic. It symbolized a new era where genres started blending.
MTV viewers loved the energy and humor of the video. It introduced hip hop to many audiences who had never heard it before. The collaboration helped revive Aerosmith’s career while launching Run-D.M.C. even further into the mainstream. Watching the video felt like witnessing a cultural shift. That made it something fans didn’t want to miss.
12. “You Might Think” – The Cars
The Cars were already known for stylish videos, but “You Might Think” in 1984 took things even further. The video featured singer Ric Ocasek appearing in surreal scenes with bizarre visual effects. At one point his face appears on a fly, and in another he floats around like a giant head. The early computer graphics looked strange but strangely fascinating.
It quickly became one of MTV’s most replayed videos. Viewers enjoyed its weird sense of humor and imaginative visuals. The video even won the very first MTV Video Music Award for Video of the Year. Fans kept hoping to catch it again just to see the odd moments they missed the first time. It proved that music videos could be playful and experimental.
13. “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go” – Wham!
Bright colors, oversized shirts, and nonstop dancing defined the 1984 video for “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go.” George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley performed on a lively stage surrounded by cheering fans. The energy was infectious from the first few seconds. It looked like the world’s most fun dance party.
MTV viewers loved the upbeat vibe and catchy choreography. The famous “Choose Life” shirts worn in the video became a fashion trend almost overnight. Whenever the video aired, it instantly lifted the mood. It perfectly captured the bubbly pop spirit of the mid ’80s. People tuned in because it simply made them smile.
14. “Billie Jean” – Michael Jackson
Before “Billie Jean,” many music videos were little more than bands performing their songs. Jackson’s 1983 video added a sleek visual concept that made it unforgettable. As he walks down the street, the pavement lights up beneath his feet. The glowing tiles and mysterious detective storyline gave the video a cinematic feel.
MTV played it frequently once it became clear audiences loved it. The video also helped break barriers by increasing the network’s airplay of Black artists. Jackson’s smooth dancing and confident style were impossible to ignore. Fans waited for the moment when those glowing sidewalk squares appeared. It helped transform Jackson into the biggest pop star of the decade.
