50 greatest music videos of the 1990s (2023)

Troy L. Smith, Cleveland.com

CLEVELAND, Ohio – People born in the 21^st Century might not believe this. But there was a time when a music video from a major artist constituted a full-blow television event.

You would stop what you were doing, get in front a TV set and marvel at the latest visual clip to your favorite song on MTV. Oh, that’s right. MTV used to play music videos.

These days, you can catch a clever video on YouTube. But it’s not the same. The art form took off in the 1980s, reaching its creative peak in the 1990s.

That brings us to our list. In honor of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame opening its “Rock on TV” exhibit, we count down the greatest music videos of ‘90s, from MJ and Madonna to that smell of teen spirit.

50. Lenny Kravitz - "Are You Gonna Go My Way"

The video for Kravitz’s breakthrough hit is tame compared to a lot of the wacky stuff that came out in the 1990s. But that’s what makes it hold up so well. Director Mark Romanek creates the ultimate rock party around Kravitz and his band. The lighting, the wardrobe and the people are endlessly cool.

49. Eminem - "My Name Is"

You should forgive anyone who doubted Eminem’s potential longevity based solely on “My Name Is.” Yes, the song was creative and the video was hilarious. But it comes off as a gimmick. In retrospect, it’s one of the best gimmicks hip-hop had ever seen, making Slim Shady a crossover star.

48. En Vogue - "My Lovin' (You're Never Gonna Get It)"

The video for En Vogue’s “My Lovin’” has the group playing the role of the Supremes, going an old-school route to adding a classy backdrop to a female empowerment anthem.

47. Van Halen - "Right Now"

Hailed as groundbreaking at the time, the video for “Right Now” is an odd beast to look at these days. The clip uses big letters and images to “expose” issues of the day. It’s admirable, even if it seems so matter a fact.

46. Red Hot Chili Peppers - "Under the Bridge"

There’s no doubt the video for “Under the Bridge” feels dated today. But, directed by Gus Van Sant, “Under the Bridge” earned tremendous airplay on MTV for good reason. It’s a visual story of loneliness and despair, and Van Sant captures that admirably.

45. The Pharcyde - "Drop"

One of the most underappreciated rap acts of the 1990s, the video for “Drop” captures the wackiness and visionary status of The Pharcyde. It’s playful, but artistic while also being a performance piece worthy of the group’s legacy.

44. Madonna - "Take a Bow"

A 1940s-style setting, a matador and a gorgeous Madonna. Maybe it’s all a bit over the top. But “Take a Bow” is none the less stunning and beautiful. Ultimately, the video would help Madonna secure her role as Eva Peron in “Evita.”

43. Aerosmith - "Crazy"

The final piece in Aerosmith’s trilogy of video featuring Alicia Silverstone, “Crazy” is a coming of age tale for two rebellious young women heading out on their own. One of them just so happens to be the daughter of the band’s lead singer.

42. Blink-182 - "What's My Age Again?"

Few music video images from the late 1990s are more iconic than the sight of Blink-182 running down the street naked in “What’s My Age Again?”

41. Puff Daddy - "It's All About the Benjamins" (Rock Remix)

The rock remix video for “It’s All About the Benjamins” gets off to a slow star. It attempts to come off as a tour video for Puff Daddy and his “family.” The result is a mock promo we all wish we were at.

40. Radiohead - "Karma Police"

Director Jonathan Glazer has called the video for “Karma Police” a failure. That may have something to do with the video’s lack of a clear meaning. But it’s still visually intoxicating and brilliantly paced, regardless of whether the ending leaves you fulfilled.

39. Green Day - "Basket Case"

The video concept for a song titled “Basket Case” seems rather obvious. But give Green Day credit for crafting a punk-rock version of “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” that’s memorable for singer Billie Joe Armstrong’s intensity and the colorful backdrop.

38. Ol' Dirty Bastard - "Got Your Money"

The mind of ODB was obviously a strange place. So, centering the video for his biggest hit on a montage of Blaxploitation films was both odd and genius.

37. Marilyn Manson - "The Beautiful People"

A lot of rock videos of the 1990s seemed to feature shocking images for the sake of shock. But Marilyn Manson was authentic as could be. And his “Beautiful People” was the ultimate visual embodiment of his stunning music.

36. Blur - "Coffee & TV"

Hammer & Tongs, the directing duo that would eventually go on to direct “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy,” gave Blur one of its most iconic moments by making a milk carton named “Milky” the centerpiece of the video for “Coffee & TV

35. Busta Rhymes - "Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Could See"

The video for “Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Could See” is a period of Eddie Murphy’s “Coming to America.” But even if you don’t get that, there’s a lot here to take in, from the stunning visuals and dance moves to director Hype Williams’ trademark fisheye lens.

34. Beck - "Devil's Haircut"

Beck had more complex music videos throughout the 1990s, but none keep you interested quite as much as “Devil’s Haircut.” Director Mark Romanek paints Beck as a midnight cowboy of his era, walking through the busy streets, at times freezing the camera on him to add to the song’s alternative vibe.

33. Foo Fighters - "Big Me"

Leave it to Foo Fighters to parody a bunch of Mentos commercials that would be the first in a run of a few comedic music videos for the band.

32. Britney Spears - "...Baby One More Time"

The teen angst vibe of Spears’ “Baby One More Time” video was tailor made for the MTV TRL era, launching Spears’ career into the stratosphere.

31. Missy Elliott - "The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly)"

All the hip-hop music video clichés of the 1990s are here, from the choreography and cameos to Hype Williams’ Fisheye lens. Of course, it’s Missy Elliott, so you get something extra, including the video playing back at various pacing and her dancing around in a garbage back. As wacky as it sounds, it’s rather hypnotic.

30. Alanis Morissette - "Ironic"

Despite the confessional element of her music, Alanis Morissette came across as a rather reserved and reluctant star. That changed with the video for “Ironic,” where she embraces her acting chips, playing various versions of herself riding along in a car on a winter day.

29. 2pac feat. Dr. Dre - "California Love"

“California Love” is such a club banger, the video could have simply been a stereotypical 1990s club clip. But Hype Williams dug deeper. Inspired by “Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome,” the director transports 2pac and Dr. Dre to a futuristic desert where Chris Tucker’s mouth keeps running and cool vehicles chase each other around.

28. Sinead O'Connor - "Nothing Compares 2 U"

There are a lot of things O’Connor and director John Maybury could have done with the video for “Nothing Compares 2 U.” In the end, keeping the camera mostly fixated on O’Connor’s face was rather ballsy. O’Connor gives the performance of a lifetime with two tears that come down her face that would forever lock her into music video history.

27. Foo Fighters - "Everlong"

Before film genius Michel Gondry was crafting movies like “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind” and “The Science of Sleep,” he was helming some of the most creative music videos of the 1990s and early 2000s. That includes the dreamlike, satirical clip for Foo Fighters’ greatest song “Everlong.”

26. Chris Isaak - "Wicked Game"

It’s impressive that the sensuality of Chris Isaak’s “Wicked Games,” considered by some to be the sexiest music video ever made, still holds up. The scenes with Isaak singing in the clouds are rather lame. But director Herb Ritts’ uncanny eye for beauty is on full display, as the camera dances around model Helena Christensen’s every movement.

25. Tool - "Sober"

Oh, the art of stop-motion animation in the 1990s. It was done horribly quite often. When done right, you get the video for Tool’s “Sober,” which features a humanoid and a mysterious story with a nice payoff.

24. TLC - "Waterfalls"

“Waterfalls” was going to be a huge hit with or without a great video. But TLC pushed the song over the top thanks to the song’s movie-like video. It’s beautifully shot, mixing special effects and the group’s performance with social issues. It earned Video of the Year at the 1995 VMAs.

23. The Verve - "Bitter Sweet Symphony"

Even if you don’t remember the song (which you very well should), you remember the video. The Verve’s lead singer Richard Ashcroft walks down a London street, never changing his stride no matter who he walks into.

22. Lauryn Hill - "Doo Wop (That Thing)"

There isn’t a video that better showcases the evolution of soul music and culture than Lauryn Hill’s “Doo Wop (That Thing),” which features a split-screen of the Grammy winning singer leading a block party in 1967 and 1998, respectively.

21. Soundgarden - "Black Hole Sun"

The video for “Black Hole Sun” is quite simple. But it’s unique style helps it hold up, as a neighborhood of citizens show off goofy facial expressions before the town is swallowed up by a black hole.

20. Smashing Pumpkins - "Tonight Tonight"

For the video to “Tonight, Tonight,” directors Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris sought to capture the vibe of the album cover to “Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness,” which reminded them of silent films. The result is a theatrical masterpiece with old-school effects that balances out Billy Corgan’s creepy face which comes into view throughout.

19. Korn - "Freak on a Leash"

“Freak on a Leash” was rather stunning for its time, taking MTV’s TRL by storm. The clip beings with animation inspired by the album cover to “Follow the Leader” and then follows a bullet through its path of destruction. The special effects of the bullet seem rather dated by today’s standards. But the performance aspect, featuring Korn in a room with light coming through various small holes, is still astonishing.

18. Janet Jackson - "Got 'til It's Gone"

The video for Janet Jackson’s “Got ‘til It’s Gone” is one of director Mark Romanek’s most stylish creations. Shot at the Hollywood Palladium, the video removes all the stereotypes of most black videos of the day. Instead, Romanek and Jackson created a world inspired by African culture, from the outfits to the singer’s stunning hair.

17. Bjork - "It's Oh So Quiet"

Much of Bjork’s videos throughout the 1990s were built on stunning visuals. Make no mistake, “It’s Oh So Quiet” is beautifully shot. But Spike Jonze’s creation is driven by Bjork’s mesmerizing, Broadway-style performance. Fitting, considering the song was a cover of Betty Hutton’s 1950s jazz tune of the same name.

16. R.E.M. - "Losing My Religion"

You could make the case that R.E.M.’s video for “Losing My Religion” has aged rather oddly. But, really, it was beautifully awkward from the beginning, which was part of its appeal. Director Tarsem Singh found inspiration in a short story by novelist Gabriel Garcia Marquez that depicts an angel crashing down to a small town.

15. Aphex Twin - "Come to Daddy"

Pitchfork named the “Come to Daddy” the best video of the 1990s. It certainly remains a stunning showcase. Both the song and video create a world of anarchy and contempt, with children running around creating destruction. Of course, the video’s peak moment comes when the creature comes out of a TV set and lets out a huge scream. The image will haunt your nightmares.

14. Fiona Apple - "Criminal"

Fiona Apple wanted to make sure viewers knew she’d been a bad, bad girl with “Criminal.” So, she tapped Mark Romanek for the video, which couldn’t help but make you feel dirty and turned on at the same time.

13. Fatboy Slim - "Praise You"

Only Spike Jonze would even attempt this. The video for “Praise You” features Jonze (going by the name Richard Koufey) leading the Torrance Community Dance Group in an awkward and hilarious routine that not only mesmerizes the people in attendance during the odd shoot, but also the video viewer. A theater employee eventually shuts off the boom box. But Jonze gets things going again with his own solo routine. It’s pure magic.

12. George Michael - "Freedom! 90"

Having the world’s most well-known supermodels lip-synch your song in a video feels like the easy way out. But it’s also genius. So, for “Freedom! 90,” we get David Fincher directing Naomi Campbell, Cindy Crawford, Linda Evangelista, Tatjana Patitz and Christy Turlington. The results, as you can imagine, is something special.

11. Guns N' Roses - "November Rain"

Odds are we’ll never see another music video like “November Rain” again. After all, who would do this? The video is the ultimately embodiment of the rock star mentality that drove Axel Rose and ultimately split up Guns N’ Roses. But, damn, if it isn’t over the top, wannabe rock god status at its finest. We get a wedding, a grand piano, full orchestra, a funeral and Slash’s epic solo in the middle of nowhere. This is the stuff of legend.

10. Bjork - "All Is Full of Love"

No artist – Not Madonna, Michael Jackson or Beck – created such a stunning collection of elaborate music videos throughout the 1990s as Bjork. The peak is “All is Full of Love,” a stunning love story featuring two robots. The effects were far ahead of their time, almost by 15 years when you look at a recent movie like “Ex Machina.”

9. Pearl Jam - "Jeremy

Eddie Vedder would probably be the first person to tell you he wished the video for Pearl Jam’s “Jeremy” wasn’t as relevant today (if not more) than back in 1992. The video tells the story of a troubled pre-teen boy who winds up shooting himself in a classroom. The video’s story, as well as Vedder’s haunting performance, left viewers stunned and made reluctant superstars out of Pearl Jam.

8. Jamiroquai - "Virtual Insanity"

Even when you find out how they accomplished the movement in Jamiroquai’s “Virtual Insanity” video – the walls move to make it look like the objects are traveling – you can’t help but enjoy it. Part of it is the song. Part of it is singer Jay Kay’s performance. Ultimately, the meshing of the two in a great video that’s a perfect showcase for a great song.

7. The Prodigy - "Smack My B**** Up"

Shot from first-person perspective, The Prodigy’s landmark video takes viewers through a wild night in London that includes sex, fights, drug use and more. But the real payoff comes at the end, when its revealed we haven’t been following a man (which you pretty much assumed). It’s a woman who is taking part in all the chaos.

6. Beastie Boys - "Sabotage"

Beastie Boys and Spike Jonze’s parody of 1970s crime TV shows was so raucous and brilliant, it inspired the opening Danny Boyle’s film “Trainspotting.” We’ll let you decide which is better.

5. Weezer - "Buddy Holly"

You didn’t have to be a fan of the iconic TV show “Happy Days” or even familiar with it to appreciate what Spike Jonze accomplished with the video for Weezer’s “Buddy Holly.” The clip meshes footage from the show with Weezer’s performance. And using a body double, they even get a dance from Fonzie.

4. Madonna - "Vogue"

You know about 10 seconds into Madonna’s “Vogue” that you’re watching, hands down, the most stylish music video of all time. Every image and movement is poetry in motion, as a 1990s-club song with a video inspired by old-school Hollywood. It’s the best of both worlds. “Beauty’s where you find it.” Yes, right here.

3. Nine Inch Nails - "Closer"

[WARNING: Video contains explicit content] - Any song that opens with “You let me violate you. You let me desecrate you” demands shocking imagery. Thus, the video for Nine Inch Nail’s “Closer” is something to marvel at. IN fact, Trent Reznor once said the song sounded better to him after seeing the video. “Closer” is the perfect marriage of the warped and amazing visions of Reznor and director Mark Romanek.

2. Michael Jackson and Janet Jackson - "Scream"

No music video from the mid 1990s with this many special effects should hold up today. But “Scream” is no ordinary music video. Director Mark Romanek wasn’t trying a new vision of the real world. He created a new universe that would be eye-popping even by today’s standards. Of course, it helps when you’ve got a brother-sister combo consisting of two of the greatest pop artists of all time finally joining forces. For all the awesome imagery, the best moment comes when Janet and Michael finally dance together. It’s a moment fans had been waiting a long time for. It did not disappoint.

1. Nirvana - "Smells Like Teen Spirit"

No elaborate special effects. No major cameos. No intricate storyline. But it sparked a changing of the guard in rock music. The video for “Smells Like Teen Spirit” somehow gets everything perfect. Nirvana hired director Samuel Bayer because his test real was so terrible, they knew they wouldn’t get a corporate video. Bayer’s vision winds up being a modern punk-rock pep rally with its characters so hypnotized (or disinterested), creating a dazzling effect. You either get it or you don’t. But you want to be a part of it.