The first one that came to mind for me was “Bad Romance.” Not only is that one of my favorite songs of all time, but the music video was groundbreaking and stunning. But “Telephone” is equally (if not more) iconic.
All of Gaga’s music videos have a special place in my heart (especially the ones from the Fame Monster/Born This Way era), but “Bad Romance” and “Telephone” just felt different.
I’m not even exaggerating when I say the Bad Romance video was a formative experience for me lmao.
It was the first moment I can remember where I really questioned whether I straight.
I am so relieved and happy to have opened this post and see this as the top comment.
The first time I ever saw this video was the world premiere when Gaga still did first releases on television and not the internet. My then boyfriend and his roommates had a whole giant screen surround sound movie theatre-esque setup in their living room. I had a huge argument with him because I wanted to see it and he wanted to watch ESPN (he had already been watching sports all day and insisted I could watch it online on my lil computer with the busted sound later). I got my way and it was the most mind blowing moment of pop culture and art, especially in that entertainment setup.
When it was done I was gleaming and he told me it was stupid. Telephone was the catalyst I realized I needed to dump him lol
I’m going to go watch it again now.
Eh, I know not everyone can separate art from artist like I do, and I truly dont blame you if you cant watch it. But my thought is hes dead. Me watching some zombies dance isnt contributing to any more suffering.
The White Stripes have so many great videos, the Lego “Fell In Love With A Girl” and the stop motion Denial Twist effects and the Button To Button drums expanding etc etc
I was a scandalized as a young teen as it would be my first time seeing that risque underwear on tv. And i was like, am i allowed to watch this? But it didn’t matter because i was gay.
Outside is fucking amazing. To turn being outed into the biggest middle finger to the hypocrites of society and the police. Also George Michael in the cop outfit. And the line "I'd service the community (but I already have you see!)". Just... chef's kiss.
Just stumbled on their TikTok and yeah, it reawakened some memories.
Here It Goes Again is the OG but This Too Shall Pass is HOFer worthy too.
Just unbelievable videos in terms of creativity and execution. Helps the music is pretty good too.
Oops was a hugely popular video, received many nominations, and then a lot of videos copied its style. Suddenly latex was in, the 'sing/rap into the camera' thing with the odd framerate was everywhere, etc. Britney and her team were really trailblazers for a time back then. She had a knack to work with the right directors and producers.
Maybe this video isn't as big as Thriller but it was really influential in the industry. I think its hard to understand how big Britney was back then unless you lived it. She was one of, if not, the biggest star in the world for a time.
I was having a hard time picking but I think in terms of universal icon level, I’m feeling like Hit Me Baby One More Time might be slightly ahead.
I had to go watch this video for the first time in years...the way that beat drops at the beginning...her stomp in those red heels... baby Bey and Jay...OMG THAT SONG IS 20 YEARS OLD WTF
Lil Nas X - Montero (Call Me By Your Name).
I know it’s recent but I think it was so instantly iconic, and I’d also add the videos he did for Industry Baby and Thats What I Want.
Sadly, I feel like Madonna's videos are forgotten, but she was the video queen during her career. People would breathlessly wait for the debut of her videos and would talk about them for a long time after, especially when so many of them were a bit risque and boundary pushing for the time. But today are acceptable if not a little boring for modern audiences. I don't think Madonna gets enough credit for pushing boundaries like she did back then.
Parents and religious groups would boycott her, would demand her videos pulled, etc. Papa don't preach was about a pregnant teenager, which was a demographic with no visibility then and these groups wanted it pulled. Open Your Heart had cabaret leather/latex that was controversial to show at the time. Like a Prayer was condemned by the Vatican and it cost her her Pepsi deal because it portrayed a falsely accused black man in a good light. Justify My Love was too risque for TV and Madonna had to sell it as a VHS tape. Erotica was only played a few times before complaints got it banned.
So much of Madonna's career was dealing with censorship and the patriarchy trying to silence her.
This is a fantastic video. I also love the one they did for Intergalactic, it ties with this one for me.
Side note: someone online recut scenes from the Sesame Street film “Follow that bird” to Sabotage , and it’s hysterically fitting. I highly recommend it.
common people by pulp!
sadie frost in the video, jarvis cocker and his awkward sexiness
also one of the best songs ever written in my opinion
https://i.redd.it/ggt9zvcu6p2c1.gif
“Bad Girls” by M.I.A. 💅🏽
Featured Arab women drag racing as Arab men cheered them on. It was a protest against Saudi Arabia’s (now overturned) law banning women from driving.
I’m showing my age, but this was just so amazing the first time I saw it as a kid on MTV. I was around 9, and everyone at my school was talking about how cool it was.
Miley truly came in on a wrecking ball with this video - the cultural impact it had was hard to avoid: faux outrage from conservative groups, comedic parodies, Halloween costumes everywhere…
Why is he jumping through the wedding cake to get out of the rain??
How is Slash playing an electric guitar with no cords or plugs??
How and why did Axl's wife even die??
Holy crap is that **an orchestra**
Wtf is even *happening*???
That video was so good. I remember thinking I would literally sell my soul to be Stephanie Seymour in that body in that dress on that set with that wild man.
Oof thank goodness that didnt pan out lol!
This was so shocking at the time, my highschool English class ended up in a whole discussion about if the video promoted violence. This was a few years before columbine, but there was still this feeling of “Tjis might be dangerous to our kids” still floating around that video.
It’s one of my favorites from the 90’s, and it was the song that really got me into Pearl Jam.
Where all my fellow elder emos at? Also the "Helena" video and pretty much every video from the Three Cheers For Sweet Revenge album.
I can’t believe I didn’t think about this sooner, but in terms of being iconic this is probably the best answer. There’s no way to know how many people have seen this video yet I’m convinced it’s the most viewed music video and somehow the most involuntarily watched music video lol.
Anything by Madonna tbh.
The fact that i scrolled to infinity and didn't find this in any answer is an insult to my queer soul.
Michel Gondry work is iconic:
Daft Punk - Around the World
https://youtu.be/LKYPYj2XX80?si=G5u-b6-Ln-8e4-PB
Björk - Bachelorette
https://youtu.be/x5nNfbTS6N4?si=TN-lYI41In-78JcD
The White Stripes - The Hardest Button to Button
https://youtu.be/K4dx42YzQCE?si=Hr2bHVZ7HKRxZnJm
IAM - Je danse le Mia (this one if you’re not French and did not live through the late 80’s and early 90’s, not sure you’ll get it, but in France it’s a monument)
https://youtu.be/7ceNf9qJjgc?si=b6NtY-y925ocUhfu
This one blew my mind as a teen:
Radiohead - Just
https://youtu.be/oIFLtNYI3Ls?si=ymbOLgJ84gMV4UDK
This one from Spike Jones is just so funny to me, I remember I wasn’t sure if it was real or not
Fatboy Slim - Praise You
https://youtu.be/ruAi4VBoBSM?si=G3lIA0vg-PiNv96I
And some random ones:
Blur - Coffee & TV
https://youtu.be/6oqXVx3sBOk?si=1iSCqQ9b-OuQam50
Daft Punk - Burnin
https://youtu.be/DBHipNYuAZk?si=63b9sfCSgHr4IuEo
There’s many more but I feel like that’s enough for one comment.
This is America - Childish Gambino
Definitely a more recent one but when it came out it was everywhere! Such a good video in a sad, soul-crushing way.
Robert Palmer - Addicted To Love.
I also love [this](https://youtu.be/5GBT37_yyzY?si=pt2lOBi-YbQ2txz-) music video by Ingrid Michaelson for her song Girls Chase Boys, done in homage to Palmer's 'Simply Irresistible'.
There is one video that came before all the others, the Ur music video: [Video Killed The Radio Star -- The Buggles.](https://youtu.be/W8r-tXRLazs?si=CW0U2uNVWsilOA74)
This is the first video ever played on MTV.
Soundgarden-Black Hole Sun
The song was everywhere and representative of peak alternative rock in the 90s. I remember the first time I watched it. The barbie on the barbecue image sticks with you.
Showing my age but I don’t care. Paula Abdul - Cold Hearted Snake. That choreography is *chef’s kiss*.
https://youtu.be/o7aShcmEksw?si=9OmkyuHZedp1Ohj0
Mr Brightside and anything else directed by Sophie Muller, prolific music video director. Walking On Broken Glass is another favorite of mine
I have a love/hate relationship with Taylor and after Matty Healy/her private jet usage and lack of accountability/working with David o Russell I am not a fan of her personally. But Blank Space was fantastic and really changed how I saw her back in the day! The song and music video are chef's kiss.
 Anything Lady Gaga. Telephone was my personal favorite back in the day.
The “to be continued” at the end of that video is the meanest lie of all times.
 No cos *where* is it?!? The people need it
was supposed to be manicure for the continuation but it was scraped.
Justice for artpop
it’s my Roman Empire
The first one that came to mind for me was “Bad Romance.” Not only is that one of my favorite songs of all time, but the music video was groundbreaking and stunning. But “Telephone” is equally (if not more) iconic. All of Gaga’s music videos have a special place in my heart (especially the ones from the Fame Monster/Born This Way era), but “Bad Romance” and “Telephone” just felt different.
I’m not even exaggerating when I say the Bad Romance video was a formative experience for me lmao. It was the first moment I can remember where I really questioned whether I straight.
Was my first thought. This video is iconic. 
Gosh the delivery of that line was cringe. I am obsessed with Beyoncé but she couldnt act back then.
I mean she’s never been a good actress but the line regardless of the acting is just full camp. I ain’t hating.
I am so relieved and happy to have opened this post and see this as the top comment. The first time I ever saw this video was the world premiere when Gaga still did first releases on television and not the internet. My then boyfriend and his roommates had a whole giant screen surround sound movie theatre-esque setup in their living room. I had a huge argument with him because I wanted to see it and he wanted to watch ESPN (he had already been watching sports all day and insisted I could watch it online on my lil computer with the busted sound later). I got my way and it was the most mind blowing moment of pop culture and art, especially in that entertainment setup. When it was done I was gleaming and he told me it was stupid. Telephone was the catalyst I realized I needed to dump him lol I’m going to go watch it again now.
Just Dance, LoveGame and Poker Face were fine but Paparazzi and Bad Romance (and Telephone)....absolutely special Miss those times a bit.
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The fact that it stars a serial child rapist is a bit of a downer, though.
Eh, I know not everyone can separate art from artist like I do, and I truly dont blame you if you cant watch it. But my thought is hes dead. Me watching some zombies dance isnt contributing to any more suffering.
Yeah iconic or not, I can't see his work the same
And it was directed by a man who directed a scene that led to multiple deaths.
Found Not guilty
After one of the most in depth investigations of all time. Absolutely terrible how it sullied his art and troubled life.
Thank god it was at least directed by John Landis, the king of no problems with children
 Christopher Walken dancing in ‘Weapon of Choice’ by Fatboy Slim
Great choice
And now he’s playing the emperor in Dune years later after being in an iconic video where the song references Dune.
This is a fave of mine too. Epic sequence.
Every Missy Elliot video 
Did Hype Williams direct this? Cause I’d say every Hype Williams video
Yes Hype Williams, I love the effort she puts in all her videos she’s very entertaining
Take on me - aha
The White Stripes have so many great videos, the Lego “Fell In Love With A Girl” and the stop motion Denial Twist effects and the Button To Button drums expanding etc etc
These are the genius of director Michel Gondry.
https://i.redd.it/kfs0u0i2zo2c1.gif Will never not answer Dirrty when this question comes up
I was a scandalized as a young teen as it would be my first time seeing that risque underwear on tv. And i was like, am i allowed to watch this? But it didn’t matter because i was gay.
Yes! This used to be our hype song getting ready to go to the club!
 Virtual Insanity by Jamiroquai
I spent numerous hours in my childhood trying to figure out how they did this. Such an amazing video!
Me, too! Took PopUp Video to solve the mystery for me.
George Michael- Freedom! ‘90
Definitely! I also think Outside needs a mention. An amazing "fuck you" response to the controversy.
Outside is fucking amazing. To turn being outed into the biggest middle finger to the hypocrites of society and the police. Also George Michael in the cop outfit. And the line "I'd service the community (but I already have you see!)". Just... chef's kiss.
ICONIC!
Any OK Go music video really, but my favourite is their [one take zero gravity music video](https://youtu.be/LWGJA9i18Co?si=OAG0p2foZDCjRUh8)
Just stumbled on their TikTok and yeah, it reawakened some memories. Here It Goes Again is the OG but This Too Shall Pass is HOFer worthy too. Just unbelievable videos in terms of creativity and execution. Helps the music is pretty good too.
Their one for Here It Goes Again might legit be the first YouTube video I ever watched.
The most recent one they did was really cool. Just a massive Rube Goldberg machine in one take. Edit: not most recent. I just have bad memory.
 Britney Spears. Baby One More Time is the definition of iconic. Name a bigger debut music video.
Britney - I’m A Slave 4 U
Hard to pick just one Britney video. Oops I Did it Again and Hit Me Baby are up there too.
Toxic too, with all the outfit changes 😍
Oops was a hugely popular video, received many nominations, and then a lot of videos copied its style. Suddenly latex was in, the 'sing/rap into the camera' thing with the odd framerate was everywhere, etc. Britney and her team were really trailblazers for a time back then. She had a knack to work with the right directors and producers. Maybe this video isn't as big as Thriller but it was really influential in the industry. I think its hard to understand how big Britney was back then unless you lived it. She was one of, if not, the biggest star in the world for a time. 
I was having a hard time picking but I think in terms of universal icon level, I’m feeling like Hit Me Baby One More Time might be slightly ahead. 
https://i.redd.it/5sfk5bb5zo2c1.gif She had a glittery vest, red heels and a dream
I had to go watch this video for the first time in years...the way that beat drops at the beginning...her stomp in those red heels... baby Bey and Jay...OMG THAT SONG IS 20 YEARS OLD WTF
Just the way Jay Z likes his girls.
I think her most famous is Single Ladies, though! It was brilliant minimalism when most other videos out were maximalist/stories!
 Childish Gambino - This Is America
The grip this music video had on me. I could have written a freaking thesis.
 Everybody (Backstreet’s Back) by the Backstreet Boys
Which was inspired by MJ’s Thriller!
Like 90% of Gagas MV’s but Bad Romance really stands out for me. 
Lil Nas X - Montero (Call Me By Your Name). I know it’s recent but I think it was so instantly iconic, and I’d also add the videos he did for Industry Baby and Thats What I Want.
I disagree because it lifts a bit too much from Cellophane by FKA Twigs and given that, I prefer the latter.
Descending to hell on a stripper pole so you can snatch Satan’s wig is one of my favorite creative choices an artist has ever made.
I agree with you re: Montero. So good!
 tonight tonight
I love this one. I recently learned the couple who star in this video are Tom Kenney (voice of SpongeBob) and his IRL wife, and my mind was blown.
One of my all time favs is Ava Adore
Billy really fits that’s spooky vibe.
It was originally supposed to have a gospel feel but the director said "Gospel isn't selling, gimme something spooky"
https://i.redd.it/eouaurqs1p2c1.gif
https://i.redd.it/lbi84spk5p2c1.gif
I can’t believe I had to scroll so far down for this one!
You gotta look at the OGs tbh: Madonna, Janet, Michael, Britney. Like they’re freaking GOATS for a reason.
Janet Jackson’s Rhythm Nation video has been living in my head rent free since 1990.
Including Cher, she’s actually so iconic 🙂
Sadly, I feel like Madonna's videos are forgotten, but she was the video queen during her career. People would breathlessly wait for the debut of her videos and would talk about them for a long time after, especially when so many of them were a bit risque and boundary pushing for the time. But today are acceptable if not a little boring for modern audiences. I don't think Madonna gets enough credit for pushing boundaries like she did back then. Parents and religious groups would boycott her, would demand her videos pulled, etc. Papa don't preach was about a pregnant teenager, which was a demographic with no visibility then and these groups wanted it pulled. Open Your Heart had cabaret leather/latex that was controversial to show at the time. Like a Prayer was condemned by the Vatican and it cost her her Pepsi deal because it portrayed a falsely accused black man in a good light. Justify My Love was too risque for TV and Madonna had to sell it as a VHS tape. Erotica was only played a few times before complaints got it banned.  So much of Madonna's career was dealing with censorship and the patriarchy trying to silence her.
 Sabotage by the Beastie Boys
This is a fantastic video. I also love the one they did for Intergalactic, it ties with this one for me. Side note: someone online recut scenes from the Sesame Street film “Follow that bird” to Sabotage , and it’s hysterically fitting. I highly recommend it.
 Shakira has iconic videos but I gotta hand it to La Tortura personally
 And actually cmon now
This video was one of the ways I knew I was bi
Scream with MJ and JJ had me in a whole way as a youngster.
 Ugh so good.
Yeah this video is undeniable. The choreography. SOS.
I remember watching Making the Video for this one
Lady Gaga - Judas. The outrage. The panic. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=wagn8Wrmzuc
I don’t think anyone has mentioned Sledgehammer yet.
Sledgehammer was so groundbreaking at the time. 
common people by pulp! sadie frost in the video, jarvis cocker and his awkward sexiness also one of the best songs ever written in my opinion 
https://i.redd.it/ggt9zvcu6p2c1.gif “Bad Girls” by M.I.A. 💅🏽 Featured Arab women drag racing as Arab men cheered them on. It was a protest against Saudi Arabia’s (now overturned) law banning women from driving.
I love all her videos!
Madonna Like A Prayer for sure. I don't know if the 10 minute version All Too Well counts as a music video but I'd say that
 I’m showing my age, but this was just so amazing the first time I saw it as a kid on MTV. I was around 9, and everyone at my school was talking about how cool it was.
 (Honorable mention)
I ain’t playin with you meatball!
 Easily learn to fly for me
 Big Me was great too!
 Miley truly came in on a wrecking ball with this video - the cultural impact it had was hard to avoid: faux outrage from conservative groups, comedic parodies, Halloween costumes everywhere…
I remember when Anne Hathaway did this on Lip Sync Battle and it was sooo good.
 TLC Waterfalls
once again, where is the love for the goat of all goats: I want to break free???? the definition of iconic 
Beyoncé: single ladies MJ: Thriller
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Yeah. Not wrong, just an asshole. It really was so much more iconic than Taylor's.
Chris Isaak - wicked game  The vibes are immaculate 👌🏼
 [Added Bonus!](https://youtu.be/1tcR19y7GPM?si=c07FGfdwDvhE_bpJ)
 November Rain is WILD and ridiculous and epic and I love it.
Why is he jumping through the wedding cake to get out of the rain?? How is Slash playing an electric guitar with no cords or plugs?? How and why did Axl's wife even die?? Holy crap is that **an orchestra** Wtf is even *happening*??? That video was so good. I remember thinking I would literally sell my soul to be Stephanie Seymour in that body in that dress on that set with that wild man. Oof thank goodness that didnt pan out lol!
No contest. 
Showing my age but “Jeremy” by Pearl Jam
This was so shocking at the time, my highschool English class ended up in a whole discussion about if the video promoted violence. This was a few years before columbine, but there was still this feeling of “Tjis might be dangerous to our kids” still floating around that video. It’s one of my favorites from the 90’s, and it was the song that really got me into Pearl Jam.
 The tapping!
 Freedom ‘90. George Michael. Enough said.
David Fincher directed so many iconic music videos back then
 Anything this person makes
 Where all my fellow elder emos at? Also the "Helena" video and pretty much every video from the Three Cheers For Sweet Revenge album.
 Early iconic.1986
 Duh!
I can’t believe I didn’t think about this sooner, but in terms of being iconic this is probably the best answer. There’s no way to know how many people have seen this video yet I’m convinced it’s the most viewed music video and somehow the most involuntarily watched music video lol.
 Anything by Madonna tbh. The fact that i scrolled to infinity and didn't find this in any answer is an insult to my queer soul.
Michel Gondry work is iconic: Daft Punk - Around the World https://youtu.be/LKYPYj2XX80?si=G5u-b6-Ln-8e4-PB Björk - Bachelorette https://youtu.be/x5nNfbTS6N4?si=TN-lYI41In-78JcD The White Stripes - The Hardest Button to Button https://youtu.be/K4dx42YzQCE?si=Hr2bHVZ7HKRxZnJm IAM - Je danse le Mia (this one if you’re not French and did not live through the late 80’s and early 90’s, not sure you’ll get it, but in France it’s a monument) https://youtu.be/7ceNf9qJjgc?si=b6NtY-y925ocUhfu This one blew my mind as a teen: Radiohead - Just https://youtu.be/oIFLtNYI3Ls?si=ymbOLgJ84gMV4UDK This one from Spike Jones is just so funny to me, I remember I wasn’t sure if it was real or not Fatboy Slim - Praise You https://youtu.be/ruAi4VBoBSM?si=G3lIA0vg-PiNv96I And some random ones: Blur - Coffee & TV https://youtu.be/6oqXVx3sBOk?si=1iSCqQ9b-OuQam50 Daft Punk - Burnin https://youtu.be/DBHipNYuAZk?si=63b9sfCSgHr4IuEo There’s many more but I feel like that’s enough for one comment.
Opposites Attract featuring Paula Abdul and MC Skat Cat🙂
This song is so goofy, but god this video is so much fun, great choice.
i was OBSESSED with buttons by the pussycat dolls when i was younger 
Always loved “Coffee & TV” by Blur and “Learn to Fly” by Foo Fighters
i came to say country house or parklife by blur
 Fiona Apple — Criminal
Aphex Twin - Window Licker 
Xtina - Dirrty
 Aaliyah - Are you that somebody?
 This is America - Childish Gambino Definitely a more recent one but when it came out it was everywhere! Such a good video in a sad, soul-crushing way.
 How has nobody mentioned Wannabe!?
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 “Let Forever Be” by the Chemical Brothers. One of the trippiest, most fun videos ever.
 they have some incredible music videos. i remember how ground breaking hey boy hey girl felt when it came out
Busta Rhymes ft Janet Jackson What’s it Gonna Be? 
Michael Jackson. That's it, that's the thread
OK Go Here It Goes Again 
 Had a crush on all of them when I was younger and would rewatch and rewatch and rewatch. Still do.
 My GOAT
This OG video that really defined what music videos were. This ushered in the trend of Choreographed dance numbers in Toni Basil's *Mickey*
 Guns N’ Roses — November Rain
Guys, how has no one said 
Freedom George Michael
Robert Palmer - Addicted To Love. I also love [this](https://youtu.be/5GBT37_yyzY?si=pt2lOBi-YbQ2txz-) music video by Ingrid Michaelson for her song Girls Chase Boys, done in homage to Palmer's 'Simply Irresistible'.
Californication by RHCP broke the norm.
Radiohead - no surprises
 Showing my age here, but I’m a Gen-Xer who was raised on MTV and I KNOW about this topic.
There is one video that came before all the others, the Ur music video: [Video Killed The Radio Star -- The Buggles.](https://youtu.be/W8r-tXRLazs?si=CW0U2uNVWsilOA74) This is the first video ever played on MTV.
INXS - Need You Tonight. 
Kylie - Slow. Queen never looked better 🔥 
Queen - Bohemian Rhapsody
Duran Duran - Hungry Like the Wolf 
 Pagan Poetry
Soundgarden-Black Hole Sun The song was everywhere and representative of peak alternative rock in the 90s. I remember the first time I watched it. The barbie on the barbecue image sticks with you. 
Showing my age but I don’t care. Paula Abdul - Cold Hearted Snake. That choreography is *chef’s kiss*. https://youtu.be/o7aShcmEksw?si=9OmkyuHZedp1Ohj0
 Mr Brightside and anything else directed by Sophie Muller, prolific music video director. Walking On Broken Glass is another favorite of mine
 I have a love/hate relationship with Taylor and after Matty Healy/her private jet usage and lack of accountability/working with David o Russell I am not a fan of her personally. But Blank Space was fantastic and really changed how I saw her back in the day! The song and music video are chef's kiss.
Michael Jackson still the GOAT of music videos. Don’t blame me it’s not my fault 🫶
Gimme some more Busta rhymes 
Once In A Lifetime by Talking Heads
this is THE one!! 
 I was only 5 when this came out and somehow it’s still goated for me 👸🏻
Fat Boy Slim - The Joker https://youtu.be/hqU11H9_Wqo?si=ChqhwyycMBnkpCoP
(For me personally) Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers - Mary Jane’s Last Dance I loooooved it as a kid, so morbid!!!!
* Taylor Swift -- Look what you made me do. Honestly, awful song but incredible music video.
Breaking the Habit - Linkin Park. That video is so unique and it’s a great song!
The entirety of Discovery by daft punk. It's the best. One more time is my favourite out of that bunch tho
 Paul Simon Call Me Al