Top 10 Music Videos from the 90s

Here are some of the best videos from the 1990s – the decade when MTV dictated pop culture, clubbing was the ‘it’ thing and music genres like hip-hop and rock really blew up.

Guns N’ Roses – November Rain

Beating the 2 billion view mark on YouTube, this is one of the most ridiculous – and brilliant – music videos of the 90s. The video costed millions and included hiring a helicopter to swirl around Slash during his guitar solo.

Nirvana – Smells Like Teen Spirit

While this video lacks the special effects of other 90s music videos – it somehow is just perfect! Samuel Bayer was hired to direct the modern punk-rock pep rally scene where the characters seem almost disinterested in the rock gods playing before them.

Alanis Morissette – Ironic

Despite coming across as a reserved star, Alani Morissette showed off her acting chops by playing different versions of herself in a car. The alt-rock singer is best known for this 1996 hit.

Daft Punk – Around The World

The motif of this song was turned into a hypnotic, looping video. The electronic-pop duo rose to fame in the 90s. The faceless group’s biggest feat was this 1997 hit, the music video directed by Michel Gondry. Best known for several award-winning music videos.

Madonna – Vogue

Known as one of the most stylish music videos of all time. Vogue is a 90s club song inspired by New York’s gay ball culture. The black-and-white music video is directed by David Fincher.

READ MORE: Madonna’s 10 Greatest Music Hits

Lauryn Hill – Doo Wop (That Thing)

This video shows the growth and evolution of soul music and culture. It features a split screen where Hill is seen leading a block party in 1967 and 1998 respectively.

Snoop Dogg – Gin And Juice

Nothing screams 90s quite like this drug- and alcohol-heavy party video – broken up by angry parents. Gin and Juice is one of Snoop Dogg’s best hits, and was an early guide for gangster rap in the 90s and well into the 2000s.

Britney Spears – Baby One More Time

Baby One More Time seems like it was tailor made for this MTV era, launching Spears to star status. A then 16-year-old Spears was seen dancing and singing in this provocative video, garnering both negative and positive attention from the public. No doubt, it’s still iconic!

Eminem – My Name Is

While this hit is…creative and most definitely humourous, it does come off as a little gimmicky. But perhaps its one of the best gimmicks from the hip hop scene? The rapper takes on a number of roles in the video, from porn star to President Bill Clinton. For some, this is the best video coming in at the end of the decade.

Lenny Kravitz – Are You Gonna Go My Way

Many consider this to be Kravitz’s breakthrough hit. It is quite tame compared to a lot of the other videos from this decade. Despite this, director Mark Romanek creates a mesmerizing rock party with colourful lighting and a dazzling wardrobe.