Top 5 Music Videos That Changed the Game
A love letter to the loud, the legendary, and the visually iconic—through the eyes of a 27-year-old who just gets it. I didn’t grow up during the golden age of…
8th September 1976: British rock group Queen at Les Ambassadeurs, where they were presented with silver, gold and platinum discs for sales in excess of one million of their hit single ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’. The band are, from left to right, John Deacon, Freddie Mercury (Frederick Bulsara, 1946 – 1991), Roger Taylor and Brian May. (Photo by Keystone/Getty Images)
A love letter to the loud, the legendary, and the visually iconic—through the eyes of a 27-year-old who just gets it.
I didn’t grow up during the golden age of MTV, and I wasn’t blasting cassettes in a Camaro—but I did grow up with a deep love for classic rock. My music taste has always leaned toward the legends, and the visuals that came with their songs? Game-changers. These videos broke rules, told stories, and helped define what a music video could be. Whether you’re a lifelong fan or a newer listener, here are my picks for the Top 5 Music Videos that changed everything.
Let's Check Them Out
- Queen – “Bohemian Rhapsody” (1975)
Kicking off the list of Top 5 Music Videos is the one that arguably started it all. Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” wasn’t just ahead of its time—it created the time. This video brought harmonies to life visually, using eerie lighting and floating heads to match the operatic rock epic. It’s the blueprint for every performance-based music video that came after. - Bruce Springsteen – “Dancing in the Dark” (1984)
When it comes to the Top 5 Music Videos that merged live performance with pop culture, Springsteen’s “Dancing in the Dark” is essential. Directed by Brian De Palma and featuring a very young Courtney Cox, this video captured The Boss in all his sweaty, stage-owning glory. Also, It’s gritty, fun, and pure rock charisma. - Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers – “Don’t Come Around Here No More” (1985)
Easily one of the most surreal picks in my Top 5 Music Videos list. Tom Petty’s Alice in Wonderland-inspired fever dream brought costumes, storytelling, and a touch of weirdness to mainstream rock. It was bold, theatrical, and proof that music videos could be both bizarre and brilliant. - Michael Jackson – “Beat It” (1983)
While MJ isn’t typically filed under classic rock, “Beat It” earns its place thanks to Eddie Van Halen’s blazing solo. A major player in the evolution of the Top 5 Music Videos of all time, this one combined dance, drama, and street gang tension with unforgettable style. It blurred genre lines and turned the music video into an art form. - Guns N’ Roses – “November Rain” (1992)
“November Rain” is the most cinematic entry in my Top 5 Music Videos lineup. This video is pure 90s rock drama, complete with a church in the desert, rain-soaked solos, and emotional storytelling. It also showed that music videos could be epic, and that a band could go big without losing edge.
Top 5 Music Videos That Changed the Game
The Top 5 Music Videos listed here didn’t just support great songs—they also transformed how we experience music. Even if we weren’t there when they first aired, they still resonate. These visuals are timeless, powerful, and proof that rock music is just as much about the feeling as it is about the sound. From Queen’s operatic flair to Guns N’ Roses’ dramatic excess, these are the Top 5 Music Videos that didn’t just ride the wave—they made it.
