Amusing music videos
July 6, 2020 10:33 AM Subscribe
While doing boring indoor exercise, I watch music videos. These must be fun and distracting while also musically appealing. I'm all out of new ones.
I mostly listen to gloomy nerd music where there is no music video and the only exercise you do is either to rock back and forth on your heels while frowning and nodding (at a show) or turn pages with terrible ennui (at home) so I have quickly exhausted the upbeat-fun music videos I know.
The kind of thing I like for this purpose has fun costumes, maybe an ensemble cast, maybe something interesting going on. I am a prudish and easily bored person and find videos that are about minimally dressed people flailing around/making out/etc to be both kind of gross and basically dull.
Favorite olde tyme videos:
The Smiths Ask, directed by Derek Jarman - uptempo, ensemble, little bit of plot, great costumes
Dream Warriors My Definition of A Boombastic Jazz Style - about dancing, full of retro video clips
Favorite newish ones:
Janelle Monae, Tightrope, as far as I am concerned possibly the Greatest Of All Time, since it has fantastic dancing, fantastic costumes, excellent politics, great narrative and cinematic references and is basically irresistible.
The Moonlandingz, The Rabies Are Back. Interesting song, strangely compelling video, unsettling costumes
Sadly I'm familiar with the sort of eighties greatest hits - I've seen all the famous Smiths ones, most famous Talking Heads ones, Total Eclipse of the Heart, Karma Chameleon, etc. So if it's from the eighties, it needs to be a little more obscure.
Because I don't even own a TV (I mean, not literally, obviously I"m watching these) I am totally unfamiliar with music videos after about 1992 except for Janelle Monae and the sorts of bands reviewed in The Quietus, so there's a lot more scope there.
Amuse me! I'm desperately afraid that I'll watch "The Rabies Are Back" so many times that I will cease to love it, and then the light will have gone from my life.
I mostly listen to gloomy nerd music where there is no music video and the only exercise you do is either to rock back and forth on your heels while frowning and nodding (at a show) or turn pages with terrible ennui (at home) so I have quickly exhausted the upbeat-fun music videos I know.
The kind of thing I like for this purpose has fun costumes, maybe an ensemble cast, maybe something interesting going on. I am a prudish and easily bored person and find videos that are about minimally dressed people flailing around/making out/etc to be both kind of gross and basically dull.
Favorite olde tyme videos:
The Smiths Ask, directed by Derek Jarman - uptempo, ensemble, little bit of plot, great costumes
Dream Warriors My Definition of A Boombastic Jazz Style - about dancing, full of retro video clips
Favorite newish ones:
Janelle Monae, Tightrope, as far as I am concerned possibly the Greatest Of All Time, since it has fantastic dancing, fantastic costumes, excellent politics, great narrative and cinematic references and is basically irresistible.
The Moonlandingz, The Rabies Are Back. Interesting song, strangely compelling video, unsettling costumes
Sadly I'm familiar with the sort of eighties greatest hits - I've seen all the famous Smiths ones, most famous Talking Heads ones, Total Eclipse of the Heart, Karma Chameleon, etc. So if it's from the eighties, it needs to be a little more obscure.
Because I don't even own a TV (I mean, not literally, obviously I"m watching these) I am totally unfamiliar with music videos after about 1992 except for Janelle Monae and the sorts of bands reviewed in The Quietus, so there's a lot more scope there.
Amuse me! I'm desperately afraid that I'll watch "The Rabies Are Back" so many times that I will cease to love it, and then the light will have gone from my life.
OH BOY do I have a treat for you! Miike Snow's Genghis Khan
Truly the greatest music video of all time.
What about the OK Go videos? I loved those.
posted by goodbyewaffles at 10:56 AM on July 6, 2020 [2 favorites]
Truly the greatest music video of all time.
What about the OK Go videos? I loved those.
posted by goodbyewaffles at 10:56 AM on July 6, 2020 [2 favorites]
OK Go is peppy music + super wacky and entertaining videos. Old faves include Here It Goes Again (on treadmills) and This Too Shall Pass (giant Rube Goldberg machine). I'm sure their newer ones are along the same lines.
The Foo Fighters - Everlong (Michel Gondry surrealist monster-fighting dreamscape) (if you like this, you may find a playlist of Michel Gondry music videos entertaining)
Sia - Chandelier (just a single young dancer in a plain costume but it's total Sia genius weirdness)
Fatboy Slim - Weapon of Choice (ditto above but the single person is Christopher Walken, and also he flies around)
Lady Gaga ft. Beyonce - Telephone (Pulp Fiction diner heist vibes with top-notch Haus of Gaga costuming)
Taylor Swift ft. Kendrick Lamar - Bad Blood (futuristic femme spy thriller)
posted by wintersonata9 at 10:57 AM on July 6, 2020 [7 favorites]
The Foo Fighters - Everlong (Michel Gondry surrealist monster-fighting dreamscape) (if you like this, you may find a playlist of Michel Gondry music videos entertaining)
Sia - Chandelier (just a single young dancer in a plain costume but it's total Sia genius weirdness)
Fatboy Slim - Weapon of Choice (ditto above but the single person is Christopher Walken, and also he flies around)
Lady Gaga ft. Beyonce - Telephone (Pulp Fiction diner heist vibes with top-notch Haus of Gaga costuming)
Taylor Swift ft. Kendrick Lamar - Bad Blood (futuristic femme spy thriller)
posted by wintersonata9 at 10:57 AM on July 6, 2020 [7 favorites]
M83's music video trilogy starting with Midnight City!
posted by foxfirefey at 10:59 AM on July 6, 2020 [1 favorite]
posted by foxfirefey at 10:59 AM on July 6, 2020 [1 favorite]
All the WORLD ORDER music videos! so much fun! HAVE A NICE DAY is a perfectly good place to start!
posted by CarolynG at 11:15 AM on July 6, 2020 [1 favorite]
posted by CarolynG at 11:15 AM on July 6, 2020 [1 favorite]
Good as Hell, Lizzo, this version filmed at a high school is super fun and sweet
also Juice by Lizzo features her in '80s workout gear!
Think About Things, by Daði Freyr of Iceland
also from Eurovision is Uno by Little Big of Russia (their other videos are similarly ridiculous)
A lot of KPop is bouncy, fun and colorful and often features large groups with many many costume changes and high production values; try ICY by ITZY but there's hundreds of videos out there.
posted by castlebravo at 11:17 AM on July 6, 2020 [3 favorites]
also Juice by Lizzo features her in '80s workout gear!
Think About Things, by Daði Freyr of Iceland
also from Eurovision is Uno by Little Big of Russia (their other videos are similarly ridiculous)
A lot of KPop is bouncy, fun and colorful and often features large groups with many many costume changes and high production values; try ICY by ITZY but there's hundreds of videos out there.
posted by castlebravo at 11:17 AM on July 6, 2020 [3 favorites]
World's best aerobics video: This Is Serious Mum - TISM - Whatareya? (You're A Yob or You're A Wanker)
posted by flabdablet at 11:28 AM on July 6, 2020 [2 favorites]
posted by flabdablet at 11:28 AM on July 6, 2020 [2 favorites]
Ghostkeeper, “Haunted” (fun, upbeat song, costumes, not scary despite the name)
posted by hurdy gurdy girl at 11:46 AM on July 6, 2020
posted by hurdy gurdy girl at 11:46 AM on July 6, 2020
On a similar classy tip to Christopher Walken in Weapon of Choice, Sam Rockwell stars in this beauty which never fails to cheer me up.
posted by Flora Poste at 11:47 AM on July 6, 2020
posted by Flora Poste at 11:47 AM on July 6, 2020
Peaches by Presidents of the United States of America
posted by any portmanteau in a storm at 11:58 AM on July 6, 2020
posted by any portmanteau in a storm at 11:58 AM on July 6, 2020
Superorganism is a bouncy fun international pop collective with a gen Z lead singer and lots of interesting videos.
Bakermat is a Dutch DJ with lots of solidly respectable wide-appeal dance music, and his videos usually feature him as a cartoon dog.
posted by SaltySalticid at 12:10 PM on July 6, 2020
Bakermat is a Dutch DJ with lots of solidly respectable wide-appeal dance music, and his videos usually feature him as a cartoon dog.
posted by SaltySalticid at 12:10 PM on July 6, 2020
Supernature by Cerrone
Music Takes Me Up by Mr Scruff
posted by Bloxworth Snout at 12:18 PM on July 6, 2020
Music Takes Me Up by Mr Scruff
posted by Bloxworth Snout at 12:18 PM on July 6, 2020
Postino "I Love It"
Some K-pop suggestions:
2NE1 "I am the best"
Twice "TT"
Sunmi "Heroine"
Some J-pop suggestions:
DAOKO × 岡村靖幸 "ステップアップLOVE"
Wednesday Campanella "Ikkyusan"
chelmico "Easy Breezy"
posted by needled at 12:22 PM on July 6, 2020 [1 favorite]
Some K-pop suggestions:
2NE1 "I am the best"
Twice "TT"
Sunmi "Heroine"
Some J-pop suggestions:
DAOKO × 岡村靖幸 "ステップアップLOVE"
Wednesday Campanella "Ikkyusan"
chelmico "Easy Breezy"
posted by needled at 12:22 PM on July 6, 2020 [1 favorite]
True Faith - New Order
The Way I Am - Ingrid Michaelson
What We Do - DEVO (The 360 degree version is cool too, use your mouse)
seconding wintersonata9: All the Gondry!
Around the World - Daft Punk
Let Forever Be - Chemical Brothers
Come Into My World - Kylie Minogue
posted by JoeZydeco at 12:24 PM on July 6, 2020 [1 favorite]
The Way I Am - Ingrid Michaelson
What We Do - DEVO (The 360 degree version is cool too, use your mouse)
seconding wintersonata9: All the Gondry!
Around the World - Daft Punk
Let Forever Be - Chemical Brothers
Come Into My World - Kylie Minogue
posted by JoeZydeco at 12:24 PM on July 6, 2020 [1 favorite]
We've Got to Try by the Chemical Brothers.
Lionheart by Monsters and Men.
Lone Digger by Caravan Palace. (CW: Cartoon gore)
Unexplainable Stories by The Cloud Cult
posted by BrashTech at 12:57 PM on July 6, 2020
Lionheart by Monsters and Men.
Lone Digger by Caravan Palace. (CW: Cartoon gore)
Unexplainable Stories by The Cloud Cult
posted by BrashTech at 12:57 PM on July 6, 2020
Do you like videos that have images that approximate or explain the lyrics, like the Sins of Memphisto by John Prine?
or Chocktaw Bingo by James McMurtry
Or in vaguely period costume like the Rabies are Back in Wolf Parade I'll believe in Anything
Or you mention the '80s. Have you caught all of The English Beat's videos, like Save it for Later
Or more obscure and more viking cosplay? Tenpole Tudor Wonderbar
Or Do You by Spoon where most of the scenery and action is out a car window?
Cool costumes? Little Red Riding Hood in You Say Party!'s song Monster
More silly and heartfelt?
Lavendar Diamond Open Your Heart
Feist Mushaboom
Or Bjork Human Behaviour
Or perhaps a parade:
Rev Peyton - Poor Until Payday
Or if you like The Smiths, have you heard of the American version, the Ocean Blue? Their videos and music were somewhat similar: Not sure I'd call them amusing tho.
Ocean Blue - Ballerina Out of Control
posted by The_Vegetables at 1:06 PM on July 6, 2020 [1 favorite]
or Chocktaw Bingo by James McMurtry
Or in vaguely period costume like the Rabies are Back in Wolf Parade I'll believe in Anything
Or you mention the '80s. Have you caught all of The English Beat's videos, like Save it for Later
Or more obscure and more viking cosplay? Tenpole Tudor Wonderbar
Or Do You by Spoon where most of the scenery and action is out a car window?
Cool costumes? Little Red Riding Hood in You Say Party!'s song Monster
More silly and heartfelt?
Lavendar Diamond Open Your Heart
Feist Mushaboom
Or Bjork Human Behaviour
Or perhaps a parade:
Rev Peyton - Poor Until Payday
Or if you like The Smiths, have you heard of the American version, the Ocean Blue? Their videos and music were somewhat similar: Not sure I'd call them amusing tho.
Ocean Blue - Ballerina Out of Control
posted by The_Vegetables at 1:06 PM on July 6, 2020 [1 favorite]
This is a little orthogonal to your request, but back in the Before, I used to treadmill along with the Netflix series Hip Hop Evolution, which is an interview-based Peabody-winning documentary that weaves in a fair amount of music, is compelling as hell and will educate you about the origins and development of hip hop.
posted by Homeboy Trouble at 1:50 PM on July 6, 2020
posted by Homeboy Trouble at 1:50 PM on July 6, 2020
Kate Bush's videos are amazing to watch and you might be tempted to try some of her crazy dance moves. I'd recommend Rubberband Girl, Hammer Horror, Big Sky, and definitely Wuthering Heights, the dance in that one being its own workout. There are a ton more I haven't linked, too. Oh, and The Red Shoes features Miranda Richardson and Lindsey Kemp as well!
posted by fiercecupcake at 2:30 PM on July 6, 2020 [2 favorites]
posted by fiercecupcake at 2:30 PM on July 6, 2020 [2 favorites]
Another K-pop recommendation - Left & Right by Seventeen might scratch your itch:
* ensemble cast
* fully dressed
* light physical comedy
* positive message about going easy on yourself
* similar shuffle-y beat as The Rabies Are Back
posted by Recliner of Rage at 3:17 PM on July 6, 2020
* ensemble cast
* fully dressed
* light physical comedy
* positive message about going easy on yourself
* similar shuffle-y beat as The Rabies Are Back
posted by Recliner of Rage at 3:17 PM on July 6, 2020
What a fun question! I second the recs for Lavender Diamond, Ok Go, Fatboy Slim, and Lizzo (there are actually two music videos for Good as Hell, and the original is good too).
The Fear - Lily Allen
Hopeless Wanderer - Mumford and Sons
Dick & Jane - Sidney York
Pretty Shining People - George Ezra
Safe and Sound - Capital Cities
I Really Like You - Carly Rae Jepsen
The Cowboy's Christmas Ball - The Killers
SOB - Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats
Gonna Get Over You - Sara Bareilles
Don't Leave Me (Ne Me Quitte Pas) - Regina Spektor
1234 - Feist
posted by panther of the pyrenees at 3:45 PM on July 6, 2020 [1 favorite]
The Fear - Lily Allen
Hopeless Wanderer - Mumford and Sons
Dick & Jane - Sidney York
Pretty Shining People - George Ezra
Safe and Sound - Capital Cities
I Really Like You - Carly Rae Jepsen
The Cowboy's Christmas Ball - The Killers
SOB - Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats
Gonna Get Over You - Sara Bareilles
Don't Leave Me (Ne Me Quitte Pas) - Regina Spektor
1234 - Feist
posted by panther of the pyrenees at 3:45 PM on July 6, 2020 [1 favorite]
Kate Bush's videos are amazing to watch and you might be tempted to try some of her crazy dance moves.
Speaking of which, 300 Kate Bush Impersonators Pay Tribute to the Wuthering Heights Video [previously on MeFi]
posted by Multicellular Exothermic at 3:58 PM on July 6, 2020
Speaking of which, 300 Kate Bush Impersonators Pay Tribute to the Wuthering Heights Video [previously on MeFi]
posted by Multicellular Exothermic at 3:58 PM on July 6, 2020
New Pornographers - Falling Down the Stairs of Your Smile and Mutiny, I Promise You
posted by JoeZydeco at 9:03 AM on July 7, 2020
posted by JoeZydeco at 9:03 AM on July 7, 2020
I think we have roughly similar tastes, and I have a whole playlist of music videos I like. You're welcome to browse through it!
A few highlights:
Everything Changes by Eytan and the Embassy is basically a bunch of clever costume changes.
Miya Folick - Stop Talking
And if you like dancing and you also like dogs, have I got the video for you!
posted by yankeefog at 1:26 PM on July 7, 2020
A few highlights:
Everything Changes by Eytan and the Embassy is basically a bunch of clever costume changes.
Miya Folick - Stop Talking
And if you like dancing and you also like dogs, have I got the video for you!
posted by yankeefog at 1:26 PM on July 7, 2020
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posted by Capt. Renault at 10:55 AM on July 6, 2020