Slightly Off Topic: Top 25 Music Videos of 1988

[Woops]

Slightly off topic, though three are from Deb, which two are in the top 10 with mostly hard rock and old school hip hop videos.

An original list and based on music videos I've actually seen. And some VMA winners.

Any opinions?





25. Erasure "A Little Respect"
Features images that literally matches the lyrics.




24. Big Daddy Kane "Ain't No Half Steppin"

Big Daddy Kane challenges some men to a game of poker (in a boxing ring), some old school dance moves, and hot female models.


23. Taylor Dayne "Don't Rush Me"
Performance video with Taylor wearing a hot outfit with rhinestone on the top.


22. Aerosmith "Angel"
Great visual/specil effects including an angel hovering Steven Tyler.

21. INXS "Never Tear Us Apart"
Great visuals that fits the mood of the song and shows Michael Hutchence (RIP) walking in Prague (Czech Republic).


20. Def Leppard "Pour Some Sugar On Me"
A typical concert video of a great song that spent the longest at #1 in "Dial MTV" for 68 days.

19. Run DMC "Mary Mary"

A fun video, part concert video, that pokes fun at the PMRC.


18. George Michael "Father Figure"
1988 Best Direction VMA winner.


17. Bobby Brown "Don't Be Cruel"
Fun R&B pop video with a bunch of tv screens and an attractive female dancer with tight clothing.


16. INXS "Devi Inside"
INXS and friends having fun at a pub (I think since the video's mostly dark)

15. Information Society "What's On Your Mind (Pure Energy)"
The band performing with instruments that look like colored contstruction paper cut-outs

14. Def Leppard "Love Bites"
 
Power ballad video with great camera angles/visuals and fits the mood of the song.

13. Debbie Gibson "Staying Together"
It's a concert video featuring clips from her "Out of the Blue" tour concert and candid backstage footage.

12. Rob Base & DJ EZ Rock "It Takes Two"
An old school hip hop video featuring Rob Base & DJ EZ Rock with lots of people having fun in New York including outside of the Apollo. Some scenes of the video appeared in the intro of "Yo! MTV Raps".


11. Kylie Minogue "The Locomotion"

Kylie and  friends at an airport. A typical fun '80's pop video.

10. Poison "Every Rose Has It's Thorn"
Like "Home Sweet Home" from Motley Crue & "Wanted Dead Or Alive" from Bon Jovi, it's a concert video that also shows some backstage footage.

9. Debbie Gibson "Out Of The Blue"
The video featured her relatives Monica & Denise and Jeff Russo, who later became one of the members of Tonic. Also a fun video with Deborah flipping through her scrap book with images moving. And first video to feature her trademark black hat.


8. Tone Loc "Wild Thing"
Only with a budget of $500, the black & white video is based from Robert Palmer's 1986  classic "Addicted To Love" video.


7. Neil Young "This Note's For You"
Released in later 1988, the 1989 VMA "Video of the Year" pokes fun of product endorsements with spoofs of Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, and Calvin Klien's Obsession perfume commercial.


6. Aerosmith "Rag Doll"
Basically a party in the streets of New Orleans  featuring hot female models.


5. LL Cool J "Going Back To Cali"
Classy black & white clip featuring LL Cool J driving around LA with attractive women, some great camera angles, and has a classic Hollywood vibe.


4. Bon Jovi "Bad Medicine"
A concert video that's filmed by the fans. Also includes a cameo from late comedian Sam Kinison in the beginning.

3. DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince "Parents Just Don't Understand"
Before Will Smith became a huge movie star, he was The Fresh Prince. "Parents Just Don't Understand" is a fun, campy video that shows Will Smith's comedic acting that would later be seen in his sitcom "Fresh Prince of Bel Air" in the early 1990's. Best rap video from the 1989 VMAs.


2. Michael Jackson "Smooth Criminal" (short version)
"Smooth Criminal" pays homage to the 1930's and features some of MJ's best moves like the leaning during the dance number.

1. Debbie Gibson "Foolish Beat"  
Beautifully done classic and Deb's first #1 hit ballad, which made her the youngest artist to write, produce, & record a #1 hit. The video also shows her acting, which she was actually crying in one scene. Should've been nominated for a Video Music Award in 1988.

[Out of the Blue]

Is that your list or one that you saw on another website?  That was a very good year in music.  Far better than 1998 and much better than 2008.

[Woops]

I created the list. As for many omissions, it's pretty much based from watching those video retrospects in MTV/VH1  in the 1990's and DVD/video compilations since I don't have VH1 Classics and can't go on You Tube.

Having Deb at #1 may appear if I'm "playing favorites", but I actually consider it as the best video from that year and also underrated with the acting, visuals, and the direction.


"Bad Medicine" is a bit unique since it featured footage that were  filmed by the fans. "Smooth Criminal" is actually my favorite Michael Jackson video ever.




A song list would be too much, though I also happen to enjoy watching older music videos for entertainment and that they're like a time capsule of a certain era.

[Out of the Blue]

You can't make a list for today because noboby plays music videos anymore.  Except for Youtube maybe.

[Woops]

I've seen some during the dusk on VH1 and scattered in MTV2.  Don't think I could even think of a top 10  for the decade and most I've seen aren't even good.

[Woops]

Top 25 Music Videos of 1988

A few changes though the Top 5 remains the same.

The artists' videos are limited to two.


There's now more choices...