Opulent, over-the-top eye candy music videos
October 15, 2021 6:37 AM Subscribe
I've been stretching in the morning while watching music videos lately, and I'd like to find some more to enjoy. My favorites are one with super-fancy costumes, lots of dancing, and at least a nod towards a narrative. I prefer upbeat pop music but don't really care as long as the costumes are good. My favorites so far are Katy Perry's Dark Horse and Cardi B's Money.
I know 'fancy costumes, lots of dancing and a bit of a story' covers a lot of videos, but I'm particularly looking for the ones that are the most glorious, opulent costume porn imaginable!
I know 'fancy costumes, lots of dancing and a bit of a story' covers a lot of videos, but I'm particularly looking for the ones that are the most glorious, opulent costume porn imaginable!
Dirty Computer might fit. Also, much of Michel Gondry's stuff.
posted by eotvos at 6:48 AM on October 15, 2021 [1 favorite]
posted by eotvos at 6:48 AM on October 15, 2021 [1 favorite]
Beyoncé’s Lemonade is an opulent visual album with a story (husband cheated and she basically goes through the stages of grief)
posted by nouvelle-personne at 6:52 AM on October 15, 2021 [5 favorites]
posted by nouvelle-personne at 6:52 AM on October 15, 2021 [5 favorites]
Army of Lovers - Let the Sunshine in
Deee-Lite - Groove is in the Heart
posted by cali59 at 6:56 AM on October 15, 2021 [2 favorites]
Deee-Lite - Groove is in the Heart
posted by cali59 at 6:56 AM on October 15, 2021 [2 favorites]
Pretty much all of Lady Gaga's videography (videodiscography?). Here's Poker Face and Telephone.
posted by Rock Steady at 7:01 AM on October 15, 2021 [3 favorites]
posted by Rock Steady at 7:01 AM on October 15, 2021 [3 favorites]
No dancing exactly, but I was struck by the old-school video-movie (and I believe there is actually a whole album-movie) big budget vibe of Halsey's I am not a woman, I'm a god.
posted by Lyn Never at 7:01 AM on October 15, 2021 [1 favorite]
posted by Lyn Never at 7:01 AM on October 15, 2021 [1 favorite]
Eurythmics’s “There Must Be an Angel” or the related Annie Lennox classic “Walking on Broken Glass.”
posted by The Underpants Monster at 7:04 AM on October 15, 2021 [3 favorites]
posted by The Underpants Monster at 7:04 AM on October 15, 2021 [3 favorites]
KT Tunstall, "It Took Me So Long To Get Here"
Sara Bareilles, "Brave" (admittedly doesn't fully hit the "opulent" button, but the rest is there!)
Vienna Teng, "Level Up"
posted by humbug at 7:05 AM on October 15, 2021 [2 favorites]
Sara Bareilles, "Brave" (admittedly doesn't fully hit the "opulent" button, but the rest is there!)
Vienna Teng, "Level Up"
posted by humbug at 7:05 AM on October 15, 2021 [2 favorites]
In the Upbeat Pop genre, the remake of Lady Marmalade has some terrific, opulent costuming. You might also want to peek at Harry Styles' Treat People with Kindness and Taylor Swift's Me, both of which have lots of dancing, a nice mini-narrative and great clothes.
posted by nkknkk at 7:06 AM on October 15, 2021 [2 favorites]
posted by nkknkk at 7:06 AM on October 15, 2021 [2 favorites]
Lowell’s The Bells is an absolute treat. I marvel every time at how the cast and crew managed to pull it off.
posted by armeowda at 7:12 AM on October 15, 2021
posted by armeowda at 7:12 AM on October 15, 2021
Todrick Hall? Some of his visual albums and early stuff are remarkable esp "Straight Outta Oz" as a modern gay-themed visual album retelling of The Wizard of Oz
posted by beaning at 7:58 AM on October 15, 2021 [2 favorites]
posted by beaning at 7:58 AM on October 15, 2021 [2 favorites]
K-pop. Elaborate choreography and multiple costumes are essential to boy group music videos. Often times there's a theme or a narrative arc across several videos. ATEEZ is very dramatic, Seventeen has nearly perfect synchronization in their dancing, Stray Kids are my fave--God's Menu and Back Door are full of awesome visuals.
posted by danielleh at 8:10 AM on October 15, 2021 [6 favorites]
posted by danielleh at 8:10 AM on October 15, 2021 [6 favorites]
All Missy Elliot videos basically qualify.
I really like the video for Dora by Tierra Whack.
Seconding all the Beyonce and Janelle Monae recs, and adding Juice by Lizzo.
Maybe these fall a little less on the opulent and a little more on the bright and punchy end of the scale.
posted by Lawn Beaver at 8:22 AM on October 15, 2021 [2 favorites]
I really like the video for Dora by Tierra Whack.
Seconding all the Beyonce and Janelle Monae recs, and adding Juice by Lizzo.
Maybe these fall a little less on the opulent and a little more on the bright and punchy end of the scale.
posted by Lawn Beaver at 8:22 AM on October 15, 2021 [2 favorites]
Rainin’ Fellas by Todrick Hall. The story is minimal, but the costumes and dancing are amazing. Note: numerous butts.
posted by Comet Bug at 10:00 AM on October 15, 2021
posted by Comet Bug at 10:00 AM on October 15, 2021
Here’s a list of music videos set in the 18th century in all its costumed glory.
posted by pinkacademic at 10:32 AM on October 15, 2021 [3 favorites]
posted by pinkacademic at 10:32 AM on October 15, 2021 [3 favorites]
Till the Love Runs Out. My god the costumes. And prancing horses! And atmosphere out the ears.
posted by evilmomlady at 12:02 PM on October 15, 2021 [1 favorite]
posted by evilmomlady at 12:02 PM on October 15, 2021 [1 favorite]
Florence and the Machine, "Shake it Out"
Laura Mvula, "That's Alright"
Almost any music video by Jon Batiste, but maybe start with "Freedom." My goodness, he can wear the heck out of a suit.
posted by humbug at 4:02 PM on October 15, 2021
Laura Mvula, "That's Alright"
Almost any music video by Jon Batiste, but maybe start with "Freedom." My goodness, he can wear the heck out of a suit.
posted by humbug at 4:02 PM on October 15, 2021
I think of Lindsey Stirling as the scrappy, lower budget version of this, but her production gets fancier as she gains traction. Roundtable Rival has a complete story and sure works for HIIT for me. Skyrim is more "we have a state park and a Mac, let’s put on a show" but still good energetic music, though more impressionistic as plot.
posted by clew at 4:42 PM on October 15, 2021 [2 favorites]
posted by clew at 4:42 PM on October 15, 2021 [2 favorites]
I second the k-pop (korean pop) no suggestion. Their videos really tick all your boxes, including narrative. And if you find a k-pop band or a few you like, chances are they release new music and new videos frequently.
Also, I realize it can be hard to sell people on this who haven't already drunk the cool-aid, but you could absolutely train tiktok to give you dance videos in the style you like. The slice of tiktok that ends up in the news is only a specific slice, like youtube's trending page or the default front page of reddit.
posted by Zephyr at 6:37 AM on October 16, 2021 [1 favorite]
Also, I realize it can be hard to sell people on this who haven't already drunk the cool-aid, but you could absolutely train tiktok to give you dance videos in the style you like. The slice of tiktok that ends up in the news is only a specific slice, like youtube's trending page or the default front page of reddit.
posted by Zephyr at 6:37 AM on October 16, 2021 [1 favorite]
I thought the list of MTV Video Music Award Best Choreography winners might be helpful, but it wasn't especially. Then I thought the list of the most expensive music videos ever made might be good, but, again, not so much.
So, here's Michael Jackson's 'Remember the Time.'
posted by box at 10:13 AM on October 16, 2021 [2 favorites]
So, here's Michael Jackson's 'Remember the Time.'
posted by box at 10:13 AM on October 16, 2021 [2 favorites]
So, here's Michael Jackson's 'Remember the Time.'
We did the group dance from that in the last jazz class I ever took. I’d put myself in traction if I ever attempted it now, but I still got flashes of motor memory watching it.
posted by The Underpants Monster at 8:00 PM on October 16, 2021
We did the group dance from that in the last jazz class I ever took. I’d put myself in traction if I ever attempted it now, but I still got flashes of motor memory watching it.
posted by The Underpants Monster at 8:00 PM on October 16, 2021
Montero (Call Me by Your Name) by Little NasX is a fucking visual delight IMO!
posted by Hermione Granger at 4:22 AM on October 18, 2021 [2 favorites]
posted by Hermione Granger at 4:22 AM on October 18, 2021 [2 favorites]
This thread is closed to new comments.
The band hated the video, for what it's worth, and made fun of Freddie for looking like an oversized shrimp. But I think it's fun.
posted by phunniemee at 6:47 AM on October 15, 2021