What makes an awesome music video?
It’s not the song, because we’ve all seen some bad songs made bearable by great videos, just as we’ve all seen great songs let down by a terrible video.
There have been a lot of really creative, original music videos made over the last 50 years or so, that have combined with the song to make a truly seminal, memorable experience. The music video should enhance, evolve and explain the track. They are the visual translation of the lyrics, the tone and the meaning of the song.
Animation is the perfect medium for Music Videos, because you have 3 minutes to try something totally new and innovative. Lots of new animation techniques have been pioneered in the Music Video Industry, because artists are given so much freedom to express themselves visually.
This is my list of the top 20 animated Music Videos ever. Some are old, some are new, all are awesome.
20. Jason Forrest – War Photographer
Directed by Joel Trussell
2D animation
2005
19. Keane – Bedshaped
Directed by Corin Hardy
Stop-motion animation
2004
18. Nizlopi – The JCB Song
Directed by Monkeehub
Hand drawn animation
2005
17.Weird Al Yankovich – Jurassic Park
Directed by Mark Osbourne
Claymation
1993
16. Pearl Jam – Do the Evolution
Directed by Kevin Altieri and Todd McFarlane
Handdrawn animation
1998
15. Oren Lavie – Her Morning Elegance
Directed by Oren Lavie
Pixelation
2009
14. Johnny Reubonic – Word of Mouth
Directed by Chris Oatley
2D animation
2006
13. Santogold, Julian Casablancas, and N.E.R.D – My Drive Thru
Directed by Psyop
Photography and CGI animation
2008
12. Gorillaz – Feel Good Inc.
Directed by Passion Pictures
CGI and 2D animation
2005
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DfadmxhY7UU
11. Royksopp – Remind Me
Directed by H5
Isometric shapes 2D animation
2002
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lBvaHZIrt0o
10. Oldelaf and Monsieur D – Le Cafe
Directed by Stephanie Marguerite and Emilie Tarascou
2D animation
2008
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pjmiap-uXug
9. Team William – You Look Familiar
Directed by Michélé De Feudis and Joris Bergmans
2D animation
2009
8. Junior Senior Move your feet
Directed by Shynola
Pixel Art (using Microsoft Paint)
2002
7. Fujiya and Miyagi – Ankle injuries
Directed by Wade Shotter
Dice stop motion animation
2006
6. White Stripes – Fell in Love with a Girl
Directed by Michel Gondry
Lego
2002
5. Streetlight Manifesto – Would you be impressed?
Directed by Jurjen Bosklopper
2D animation
2007
4. Michael Jackson – Leave me Alone
Directed by Jim Blashfield
Mixed Media
1987
3. BBC Children in Need – Children in Need
Directed by Chapman Studios
Mixed
2009
2. Peter Gabriel – Sledgehammer
Directed by Aardman
Stopmotion animation
1986
1. A ha – Take on me
Directed by Steve Barron
Rotoscope
1985
I hope that you enjoyed this list of the best animated music videos.
And here’s the shameless plug part: Check out our recent music video for Sam Roman’s song ‘The Best Day We Ever Had.’
