Before there were music platforms, YouTube, and endless streaming services, MTV was the place to go to see music videos. The MTV Generation got to witness Rock and Roll Hall of Famers such as Ozzy Osbourne, but they also saw artists from other genres as well. Some of the biggest included Madonna, George Michael, and Cyndi Lauper. MTV maintained a good mix and was a premier destination that all musicians wanted to be featured on.
Of course, as times changed, so did the station. What was once the hot spot for music videos has gradually transformed into a reality television channel. It's a shame because if it were as big as back in the day, artists like Olivia Rodrigo would be dominating the station. However, even with the channel being different now, the MTV Generation will never forget some of the incredible videos they got to see, as it was truly music history.
11 U2 - With Or Without You
Album: The Joshua Tree (1987)
With their debut album arriving in 1980, U2 spent the first half of the decade building a name for themselves. They released three more records before their major international breakout. This was thanks to their iconic diamond-certified album, The Joshua Tree, which featured hits such as "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For" and "Exit." Also on there was the iconic "With or Without You," but what helped the song even more was the music video.
The video itself is simple, as it just features the band singing the tune, but that's what makes it connect. For a viewing audience, there was no mistaking who U2 was; it is these raw performances that can deeply resonate. The song became a number one hit in the United States and was the band's most successful single at that point. Throughout the years, the song has continued to garner praise and is one of the band's most played live tracks, having been performed over 850 times.
10 Beastie Boys - Sabotage
Album: Ill Communication (1994)
Even though "Sabotage" may have debuted near what many consider the tail end of the MTV Generation, it didn't hinder its impact. The Beastie Boys had been favorites on the station ever since they took over with their song "(You Gotta) Fight for Your Right (To Party!)." After that, everything they did was highly sought-after. Their rap-rock style added hype to the soundtrack of the era, as it helped set them apart from other musicians.
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Once "Sabotage" was released, it was loved by the audience. The video was humorous and was famously directed by filmmaker Spike Jonze, who has worked with some of the biggest names in music, including R.E.M., Sonic Youth, and Daft Punk. "Sabotage" would go on to be nominated for five different MTV Music Video Awards, and over the years, it has been on lists for greatest songs of all time presented by Rolling Stone.
9 Prince - 1999
Album: 1999 (1982)
The year was 1982, but Prince was singing about 1999. The essence of the song was, if the world was going to end in 2000, that was okay, just party like it's 1999. Beyond just being a fun song for people to dance to, Prince was actually breaking down barriers with the tune. Not only was he finally getting the exposure he deserved, but Prince's performance on MTV helped pave the way for other artists such as Michael Jackson.
Throughout the years, the song was re-released many times, and each time it became more popular. The desire for the synth-pop sound grew over multiple decades. It also helped 1999 reach 4x platinum certification in the United States. Prince knew how special the song was as well, because of all the hits he had, "1999" was in his top five most played live. It didn't matter what year it was, people just wanted to feel the energy Prince had with this tune.
8 Guns N’ Roses - November Rain
Album: Use Your Illusion I (1991)
With MTV thriving at times with dance hits, there was still room on the station for good old-fashioned rock and roll. After Guns N' Roses released one of the greatest debut albums ever in 1987, they became one of the hottest bands in the world. They were known for hits such as "Paradise City" and "Sweet Child O' Mine," but with "November Rain," the band took a softer route. This tune was a power ballad, and its presentation created a strong connection with viewers.
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The music video was one of the most special ever created, especially for the rock genre. The band was able to tell an incredible story, and imagery such as Slash playing guitar in the open landscape with just a small church behind him, became iconic. Even today, the song continues to be revered, as it was recently used by All Elite Wrestling to promote one of their Pay Per Views. It has maintained its cultural relevance, which shows the impact it truly had.
7 George Michael - Freedom! ‘90
Album: Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1 (1990)
Before venturing into a solo career, George Michael was building a name as a member of Wham!. Even though they were only together from 1981 until 1986, they became one of the most successful pop acts of the '80s. Michael would release his first solo album in 1987, but its acclaim left much for him to live up to going forward. Ready to take on the challenge, he released his sophomore album, Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1, in 1990.
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From the record, fans fell in love with the song "Freedom! '90." The tune felt like a rallying cry, a confessional, and a reveal of Michael's authentic self. The music video became well-known for featuring several supermodels, making the piece culturally relevant and what many described as stunning. It mixed music and fashion in a way that hadn't really been seen before. Additionally, its powerful message of breaking social norms deeply resonated.
6 Nirvana - Smells Like Teen Spirit
Album: Nevermind (1991)
At the height of MTV, one of the biggest phases to hit the airwaves was the rise of grunge. Bands like Pearl Jam and Nirvana became household names, as their videos were being seen everywhere. Nirvana made an impact locally with their debut album in 1989, but nothing compared to when the band released "Smells Like Teen Spirit." The song is not only the band's most recognizable tracks but also one of the most recognizable songs from the '90s in general.
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The video for the tune fit the grunge vibe. The smoky haze provided the ideal aesthetic to showcase how the instrumental sounded. Its depiction of a high school pep rally ending in chaos, represented true teenage angst. It embodied rebellion, and it was something that many kids of this age could relate to. Beyond just this video, Nirvana would go on to have one of the most famous MTV Unplugged performances, making them synonymous with the network.
5 Cyndi Lauper - Girls Just Want To Have Fun
Album: She's So Unusual (1983)
One of the best ways for an artist to make an impact with their debut is by creating an anthem. This is exactly what Cyndi Lauper did with her song "Girls Just Want to Have Fun." The song reached number two on the Billboard Hot 100, and gained worldwide recognition. Certainly, one of the things that helped the song explode in popularity was its airtime on MTV. In fact, Lauper even won a MTV Music Video Award for the song.
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When the video first aired, it showed the rebellious Lauper just trying to get her parents to understand. When watched in different time periods, it truly represents the '80s, from the sound to the clothes to the set design. It also featured Captain Lou Albano from the World Wrestling Federation. This helped endear it even more to pop culture, and created a relationship between MTV and the wrestling company at the time.
4 Peter Gabriel - Sledgehammer
Album: So (1986)
In the 1970s, Peter Gabriel gained a ton of notoriety when he was part of the band, Genesis. They are considered pioneers of progressive rock, with their sound truly shaping the genre. In the band, Gabriel played with legends such as Phil Collins. Unfortunately, his time in the band didn't last as long as many expected, and he exited in 1975. It wouldn't take long for Peter Gabriel to launch his solo career, with his first album coming in 1977.
Peter Gabriel's single "Sledgehammer" was a sensation. Not only did the song reach number one on the Billboard Hot 100, it also won nine MTV Video Music Awards. Additionally, it went on to be named by MTV as the number one animated video of all time, cementing its place in history. Even to this day, viewers are mesmerized when watching it. The video was a true accomplishment, and Gabriel was once again a pioneer.
3 Michael Jackson - Thriller
Album: Thriller (1982)
There are so many ways to describe Michael Jackson, from the "King of Pop," to the two-time Rock and Roll Hall of Famer. His career ranks among the legends, but he didn't get there by accident. Michael put in the work, creating some of the most memorable songs, dances, and, of course, music videos. Arguably, his most famous was his interpretation of the 1981 film An American Werewolf in London.
No MTV viewer will ever forget the first time they saw Michael leave the movie theater and eventually turn into a dancing zombie.
His nearly 14-minute music video changed the game of what was possible. Instead of something that lasted only the length of a song, Michael showed that an artist could make a short film out of it. No MTV viewer will ever forget the first time they saw Michael leave the movie theater and eventually turn into a dancing zombie. With over one billion views on YouTube, the legacy of the video continues on.
2 Madonna - Vogue
Album: I'm Breathless: Music From And Inspired By The Film Dick Tracy (1990)
Known as the "Queen of Pop," Madonna became a household name in the 1980s with hits such as "Material Girl" and "Like a Virgin." She is recognized as the best-selling female artist of all time, with over 400 million records sold worldwide. One element that helped her national appeal was the music videos associated with her songs. Thanks to the MTV platform, she was seen on television screens and became the "Queen of MTV."
Over the course of her career, Madonna has released upwards of 80 music videos, showcasing precisely how promotions are done. What made the video for "Vogue" so popular was its catchiness. It was designed for dancing. It also brought the stylized dance of voguing into the mainstream. This style combines dance, fashion, and self-expression. The tune further cemented Madonna's legacy as not only an icon, but also a barrier breaker for so many.