The Most Popular MTV Music Video, Ranked
Voting rules: Choose the video you think is the most popular!
Updated on Apr 18, 2024 07:21
In the ever-changing landscape of music, MTV has been a definitive cultural marker, showcasing the trends and tastes of generations. Knowing which music videos rise to the top can provide insight into what captivates audiences and sets the tone for popular culture at any given time. It's not just about the catchy tunes; the visual artistry and creativity in these videos play a massive role in their popularity.
By participating in voting for your favorite music video, you contribute to a collective judgment, carving out the history of music video popularity. This dynamic ranking reflects real-time preferences and shows how the community's taste evolves. It's more than just giving a thumbs up; it's about watching your personal favorites move up the rankings and potentially become the top cherished video among viewers.
What Is the Most Popular MTV Music Video?
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167votes
"Thriller" by Michael Jackson
Michael JacksonThis iconic music video revolutionized the music industry and set a new standard for music videos. It has over 600 million views on YouTube and is considered one of the greatest music videos of all time.Thriller is a song by Michael Jackson, released in 1982 as the seventh and final single from his album of the same name. It is widely regarded as one of the most iconic and influential songs in popular music history. Thriller is a thrilling combination of pop, rock, and funk genres, with a distinctive sound that incorporates elements of disco and R&B. The song tells the story of a young couple who are stalked by a werewolf and explores themes of horror, fantasy, and the supernatural.- Release Date: November 30, 1982
- Album: Thriller
- Genre: Pop, rock, funk
- Duration: 5 minutes and 57 seconds
- Lyricist: Rod Temperton
"Thriller" by Michael Jackson in other rankings- Position 1 of 10 in Most popular rap album of all time
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240votesThis music video captured the essence of the grunge era and became a cultural phenomenon. It has over 1 billion views on YouTube and is considered one of the greatest songs of all time."Smells Like Teen Spirit" by Nirvana in other rankings
- Position 1 of 10 in Most popular Grunge song
- Position 4 of 10 in Most perfect rock song
- Position 5 of 10 in Most famous song lyrics
- Position 5 of 10 in Most successful rap song of all time
- Position 9 of 10 in Most popular rock-and-roll song of all time
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330votes
Sire / Warner Bros. Records · Public domainThis music video showcased Madonna's fashion sense and dance moves and became a cultural touchstone. It has over 185 million views on YouTube and is considered one of the greatest music videos of all time. -
417votes
"Billie Jean" by Michael Jackson
Michael JacksonThis music video revolutionized storytelling in music videos and solidified Michael Jackson's status as the King of Pop. It has over 800 million views on YouTube and is considered one of the greatest music videos of all time.Billie Jean is a song by Michael Jackson, released in 1982 as the second single from his legendary album Thriller. It is widely regarded as one of the most successful and iconic songs of all time, and it solidified Jackson's status as a global pop superstar. The song combines elements of pop, funk, and disco, with a captivating bassline and infectious rhythm. Lyrically, Billie Jean tells the story of a woman who claims that Jackson is the father of her child, leading to a tale of denial, suspicion, and personal struggle. The song's strong beats, catchy melody, and Jackson's captivating vocals contribute to its timeless appeal.- Album: Thriller
- Release Date: January 2, 1983
- Genre: Pop, Funk, Disco
- Length: 4 minutes and 54 seconds
- Songwriter(s): Michael Jackson
"Billie Jean" by Michael Jackson in other rankings- Position 6 of 10 in Most popular single of all time
- Position 10 of 10 in Most famous song lyrics
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514votesThis music video captured the hearts of millions of fans and became a cultural touchstone of the late 90s boy band era. It has over 1 billion views on YouTube and is considered one of the greatest boy band songs of all time.
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619votes
"Like a Prayer" by Madonna
MadonnaThis music video tackled controversial themes of religion and race and became a cultural touchstone of the late 80s. It has over 200 million views on YouTube and is considered one of the greatest music videos of all time.Like a Prayer is a music video by Madonna, released in 1989. The video depicts Madonna witnessing a murder and later being falsely accused, as well as featuring religious and racial themes. It caused controversy at the time of its release due to its provocative content.- Release year: 1989
- Director: Mary Lambert
- Length: 5:38
- Genre: Pop
- Album: Like a Prayer
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76votes
"Beat It" by Michael Jackson
Director: Bob GiraldiThis music video showcased Michael Jackson's dance moves and became a cultural touchstone of the early 80s. It has over 600 million views on YouTube and is considered one of the greatest music videos of all time.The music video for 'Beat It' by Michael Jackson is a high-energy dance and narrative-driven video that tells a story of rival gangs and conflict resolution through dance. It features exciting choreography, memorable costumes, and an iconic performance by Michael Jackson.- Release Date: 1983
- Duration: 4 minutes and 57 seconds
- Genre: Pop
- Award: Won two Grammy Awards
- View Count: Over 630 million views on YouTube
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85votesThis music video launched Britney Spears' career and became a cultural touchstone of the late 90s pop era. It has over 600 million views on YouTube and is considered one of the greatest pop songs of all time.
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93votes
"November Rain" by Guns N' Roses
Guns N' RosesThis music video showcased the band's musical prowess and became a cultural touchstone of the early 90s rock era. It has over 1 billion views on YouTube and is considered one of the greatest rock songs of all time.November Rain is a powerful and emotional guitar solo performed by Guns N' Roses. It is part of their iconic ballad of the same name, featured on their 1991 album Use Your Illusion I. The solo serves as the climax of the song, showcasing both technical skill and intense emotion.- Album: Use Your Illusion I
- Release Year: 1991
- Length: 2 minutes and 43 seconds
- Guitarist: Slash
- Style: Rock ballad
"November Rain" by Guns N' Roses in other rankings- Position 4 of 10 in Most romantic music video
- Position 4 of 10 in Most beautiful guitar solo
- Position 5 of 10 in Most beautiful rock song
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101votesThis music video showcased Beyoncé's solo career and became a cultural touchstone of the early 2000s R&B era. It has over 430 million views on YouTube and is considered one of the greatest R&B songs of all time.
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Ranking factors for popular video
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Views and engagementThe number of views, likes, shares, and comments on the video on platforms like YouTube, MTV's website, and social media platforms. This indicates the reach and impact of the video among the audience.
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Reception and awardsThe critical reception of the video, including its performance in music award shows such as the MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs), Billboard Music Awards, or other industry accolades.
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Chart performanceThe performance of the associated song or album on various music charts such as Billboard Hot 100 or other international charts. High chart positions often correlate with a popular and well-received music video.
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Cultural impact and longevityHow long the video remains popular and relevant, as well as its influence on trends, pop culture, and other artists' work. Memorable scenes, concept, and aesthetics can contribute to a video's cultural impact.
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Production quality and innovationThe artistic and technical quality of the video, including visuals, special effects, cinematography, and editing. Unique or groundbreaking concepts and techniques can help make a video stand out.
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Artist popularity and star powerThe overall popularity and influence of the artist(s) involved in the music video can play a significant role in the video's success.
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Social and political contentVideos that tackle social issues, political messages, or controversial topics can gain more attention and spark discussions, leading to higher popularity.
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Virality and shareabilityThe potential of a video to go viral or be shared widely on social media platforms, making it more accessible to a broader audience.
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Collaborations and featuringCollaboration between popular artists or featuring well-known personalities can increase the appeal and reach of the music video.
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Integration with other mediaThe use of the music video in movies, TV shows, commercials, or other forms of media can also contribute to its popularity.
About this ranking
This is a community-based ranking of the most popular MTV music video. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or video is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!
Statistics
- 3679 views
- 200 votes
- 10 ranked items
Movers & Shakers
Voting Rules
A participant may cast an up or down vote for each video once every 24 hours. The rank of each video is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.
More information on most popular mtv music video
MTV has been a staple in the music industry since it first launched in 1981. Throughout the years, the network has played a significant role in shaping popular culture and the music industry. One of the ways MTV has done this is by showcasing music videos from some of the biggest names in the industry.
Over the years, MTV has aired countless music videos, each one unique and memorable in its own way. From Michael Jackson's "Thriller" to Madonna's "Like a Prayer," these videos have become iconic in their own right and have played a significant role in shaping music history.
So, what is the most popular MTV music video of all time? The answer is not a simple one, as it depends on various factors such as the time period and the audience. However, through the power of polls and rankings, we can get a better idea of what the general consensus is.
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