MTVs from the 80s have always facinated me with how they’re so cheesey to the point that they become cool. The direction of the MTVs can often be quite bold and interesting too. So here is a thread for you to put up your favourite videos of MTVs from the the 1980s!
To start the ball rolling:
Human League - Don’t you want me
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=arUqoKjU3D4
Aneka - Japanese boy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=65_Qfatb5CY
I have to head off to work so not time to post favorite 80s vids, but I remember the day MTV debuted…went over to a friend’s house because we didn’t have cable.
Best videos, by far, ever…but, but maybe I’m showing my age here.
Eric
We should start with the first vidio showed on MTV Video Killed the Radio Star
Super special effects like Warlock and Sledgehammer
Glam bands like Pretty Boy Floyd.
Heavy metal dominated by hair, like Grimm Reaper
Lyricists that had a three note range like AC/DC and Accept
Punk/Thrash crossover bands like Suicidal Tendencies
Rap/thrash crossovers like the Beasty Boys and Anthrax
Comedy metal like Green Jello
Environmental bands like Nuclear Assault
Songs of a hopeful future like Pretty maids
Artists from the 70’s (before) that made it to the 80’s (after) like Allice Cooper
Of course all of the anthems of the '80’s like the classic Twisted Sister song
Metal ballads like Nitro’s Long Way From Home
But can any of it beat the the 70’s?
I almost forgot the classic 1987 Rick Astley song “Never Gonna Give You Up”
I remember the first music video that I saw. HBO had some kind of thing called three for a nickel. (I could be wrong on that account.) 3 music videos between movies. The first video I saw was Wings/Paul McCarthy. I don’t remember the name and it’s not worth looking up. It was something about “popping up.” I was enthralled and I don’t like Wings. I knew that stuff was going somewhere.
For pop,
Eurythmics-Missionary Man
Devo-Whip It
Bangles - Walk like an Egyptian
Van Halen - Hot for Teacher
18 and life - skid row
P. Gabriel, Sledgehammer
Not sure why this one has stuck in my head for the past 25 years, but here it is:
For just plain old good 80’s videos-(we’re not talkin’ music here)
Land of Confusion(Genesis)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3MzShg7yXik
We Didn’t Start the Fire(Billy Joel)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pKu2QaytmrM
and for good tunes and video-( I’d still kill for the car)
the ZZ Top series
Gimmie All Your Lovin’
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xSLa08J6rv4&feature=related
Legs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yNvOPN1LoQ4&feature=related
Sharp Dressed Man
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fW_QCRGvT-g&feature=related
and my favorite-
La Grange
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_MKPby9D8MQ&feature=related
and none of it beats the 60s- we didn’t need no stinkin’ videos…man.
oops I forgot-
She Blinded Me with Science
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2IlHgbOWj4o
and Touch and Go
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cgRaW7uWns8&feature=related
How could I have forgotten???
I am still mesmerized by this bass player’s moves( and I still like the song too)
The Language of Love
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GwQRMQrU7sU
since we’re talkin’ 80s - (still think Bon Scott was best) I still love these guys- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zvoeeq-BH4w
and the Ultimate!!!
ONE
I seem to remember another Gabriel one – maybe Big Time? – that was basically a time-lapse trip from New York to LA by car. He actually did something with the video genre.
But then I enjoyed Robert Palmer’s videos that weren’t nearly as creative, but still expressive.
God, I was bummed when he died.
Nick Park worked on some parts of that video.
I didn’t know Robert Palmer had died. Bummer. I always enjoyed the humour in his music.
Pride: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1yRbWx-0FUw
Not quite 80s, Every Kind of People: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IkycopPasVg
djm
Surely I’m not the only one who remembers Blotto doing “I Wanna Be a Lifeguard”?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IMlyqKa1p78
I’m not sure what type of “best of” honors it deserves, but boy howdy, it sure screams “80’s MTV” to me. Early 80’s. [/url]
Very 'mericanish so far.
Here is an antidote:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7sjCcg123Y8
(notice the kids screaming “what’s the meaning, what’s the meaning of life?” Priceless.)
And the ultimate 80s schmaltz song:
Y’know, Bloomfield, I was really kinda hoping to try and repress that memory.
Sorry, but forever’s gonna start tonight.
The ultimate? I’m not so sure about that. If you’re searching for the ultimate 80’s schmaltz song, your search isn’t quite, uh… over…
