April 5, 2021

Yes, it’s self-referential Kanye. Yes, it’s half an hour long. Yes, that full version is technically nine songs from My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy stitched together. No, none of that matters.

Whether he’s dressed as a pope in a cope, sat in Christ’s seat in Da Vinci’s The Last Supper or mimicking a mustard commercial, Kendrick’s award-winning anti-conformist exercise in irony is a glorious middle finger to a streaming age in which music videos gain less traction

A masterpiece of sculpture ‘claymation’ and stop-motion animation, the video won a record nine gongs at the 1987 MTV Video Music Awards, including Video of the Year, as well as Best British Video at the 1987 Brit Awards

Jamie Thrave was hand-picked by the band to direct this video after they saw several of his experimental short films. Filmed near Liverpool Street Station in London, a businessman lies down in the middle of the pavement. 

A single shot of Robert Downey Jr., pre-sobriety, walking through Greystone Mansion in Beverly Hills, lip-syncing the song. Director Sam Taylor-Wood shot 16 takes of the video, but Elton John insisted that the last take be used because “The way he underplays it is fantastic”.

Another fine example of Petty in full Mad Hatter regalia (only bettered, perhaps, by his efforts in Don’t Come Around Here), the video for Into the Great Wide Open also features Johnny Depp as Eddie, showcasing his musician chops early on, plus Faye Dunaway as his coy manager

If imitation be the sincerest form of flattery, then witness 2005 flick Sin City prostrating itself at the feet of this red-white-and-black banger from Josh Homme and co.

OK, everyone remembers Freddie Mercury as Bet Lynch, Brian May as Hilda Ogden, Roger Taylor as Suzie Birchall and John Deacon as Ena Sharples, all from Coronation Street.

The late, great, mesmeric Alan Rickman in a suit, comforting lucky minx Sharleen Spiteri in a chauffered Bentley Azure. If this weren’t maddening perfection enough for one video, the car pulls in for petrol and Rickman reveals himself as a milonguero to boot, leading her through a tango on the station forecourt.