Very few things can inspire the feeling of youth like a music video that immortalizes the trends and culture of the times. And they’ve come a long way from projections of still images paired with a live performance.
People were wildin’ out with their puffy leg-of-mutton sleeves in 1894, part of the decade called the “Gay Nineties” to the song, “Little Lost Child.”
We have the ’60s and ’70s to thank for advancing us from the methods of the “Naughty Nineties.” These are real names for the 1890s. Let that sink in.
Due to its namesake, it didn’t take long before film and TV became the special sauce in crafting some visual masterpieces.
Over the years, that trend has only grown, with artists of countless genres jumping on the bandwagon.
From shows like Friends and Sex and The City to films like Legally Blonde and Death Becomes Her, music videos are the perfect love child between music and film/TV.
And let’s be honest. We eat it up! Oh, we love seeing references to the movies and shows we can’t get enough of.
Obviously, we can’t have a list of culturally impactful music videos without kicking it off with one of the most iconic and legendary music videos of all time.
Prepare to revisit some timeless classics and discover a hidden gem or two!
Michael Jackson – Thriller (1982)
An American Werewolf in London (1981)
If you haven’t rewatched this masterpiece, I definitely suggest giving it another go. It absolutely feels like a mini-movie! And at thirteen minutes, with a few more, it could be an episode of some musical horror anthology show.
Think American Horror Story meets Glee. Actually, that might not be that hard to imagine since Glee did a whole Thriller segment.
It doesn’t matter because this song is a timeless bop! Now, I’ve never learned the dance because I am as coordinated as Bambi on ice, so if you have the choreography on lock, give us a flex in the comments!
One thing I did not know about this video is that it was inspired by the 1981 cult classic An American Werewolf in London.
If you’re like this TV Fanatic, you’re likely scratching your head because zombies, right?
Granted, I was just a kid when this video came out, but I forgot it was a video within a video.
There’s the first part with Wolfy Jackson, the movie he and his date are watching.
Then we get Michael Jackson ready to chomp on his lady friend. Classic!
Watch An American Werewolf in London Online
Madonna – Material Girl (1984)
Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953)
Fun fact about this video: I have never seen it. What was the point, right? Everyone knew the song long before seeing a still of the video.
The idea for this music video was born from Madonna’s love and admiration of Marilyn Monroe. A rich, blonde, famous woman relating to another rich, blonde, famous woman? Groundbreaking.
This was a massive surprise because, according to RuPaul, “Madonna is only a fan of Madonna.” At least she has good taste in movies.
I’ve never met Madonna, but the grapevine tells me I may be better off just loving her music. Never meet your idols, right?
As for the music video, it is a timeless classic. It continues to live on in one form or another, such as in Birds of Prey when Harley Quinn hallucinates a dance sequence.
Side note: does Madonna’s video feel like the intersection between the Marylin Monroe and Margot Robbie versions? Just me?
It’s wild to think that Madonna was inspired by a movie over thirty years old at the time, but that’s the power of film and TV. The stories stir something within us. Something deeply human that rises up when we feel that spark.
Diamonds may be a girl’s best friend, and gentlemen may prefer blondes, but inspiration never goes out of style.
Watch Gentlemen Prefer Blondes Online
Beastie Boys – Sabotage (1994)
Hawaii Five-0 (1968 – 1980), The Streets of San Francisco (1972 – 1977), S.W.A.T. (1975 – 1976), Baretta (1975 – 1978), Starsky and Hutch (1975 – 1979)
You guys, I’m mind-blown! I had no idea this song was by the Beastie Boys!
This is some kind of weird coincidence because I only know this song from films.
Specifically, the song is heard early in 2009’s Star Trek, played on a car stereo by an adolescent Kirk.
However, if you check the song’s cultural impact, it has been used A LOT.
Considering all the shows that inspired the music video, it’s no wonder it’s been used in various media, including comics.
That’s right. This song plays in the background of a club in X-Force Vol 1 #43. I guess the artist was a fan.
Interestingly, the song itself is about how terrible their producer was. There’s a lot to unpack there, but that’s what Wikipedia is for.
Fun fact: I had a blonde moment when I was reading the list of TV show influences and thought, “They based it off Shemar Moore’s S.W.A.T.?” Nope — one point for the S.W.A.T. franchise and zero points for this TV Fanatic.
Watch S.W.A.T. Online
Weezer – Buddy Holly (1994)
Happy Days (1974 – 1984)
I clearly need to expand my musical horizons because I thought Weezer was Foo Fighters.
I’m just happy I found it out before I embarrassed myself. You all aren’t going to say anything, right?
The music video itself was a trip!
There is so much history behind this video, but what is likely the most impressive fact is that it was made without computer graphics.
All it took was clever camera work and editing!
That is bonkers because the music video looks and feels EXACTLY like an episode of the ABC series Happy Days, except for the song.
If you’ve seen Happy Days, you know that tune was a little out of place, but that was the point.
I’m more familiar with the show that inspired the video than the song itself, but it had a vibe!
The music video rose to prominence because it was included with the Windows 95 installation CD-ROM. That is some next-level marketing.
Watch Happy Days Online
Outkast – Hey Ya (2003)
The Ed Sullivan Show (1948 – 1971)
Now you know when you hear that “1, 2, 3, my baby…” you hit that dancefloor with neither the speed nor grace of a gazelle because you’re too busy shouting, “This is my song!”
Girl, you are not wrong. It’s all our song! Grab that red solo cup and shake your ass like a Polaroid picture!
I had no idea this music video was based on The Beatle’s famous performance on the CBS variety show, The Ed Sullivan Show!
However, I was fourteen when this song came out with the attention span of a goldfish. All I knew was this was a bop that guaranteed people on the dancefloor.
It wasn’t a middle school dance or lock-in if no one was dancing to, “My baby don’t mess around because she loves me so.” I mean, that’s poetry right there.
Outkast had been prominent for years before this single, but this is the one that made EVERYONE pay attention.
The music video slaps in every possible way, down to the girl fainting from excitement. People really used to lose it over celebrities!
This is probably why the video took two days to film, with Andre 3000 performing the song twenty-three times.
Watch The Ed Sullivan Show Online
Destiny’s Child – Girl (2005)
Sex and The City (1998 – 2004)
Am I the last person on the planet to find out about this song? I had no idea it even existed!
For those who haven’t seen the music video, it’s a total recreation of Sex and The City.
But don’t expect anything meaningful to happen. Like the show, Destiny’s Child spends the video walking down the sidewalk and eating lunch.
That’s it.
Oh, and the real Destiny’s Child members are all watching the show with the cringiest expressions of shock and awe. To be fair, Beyonce had yet to truly dip her toe in the acting world.
Like the video, HBO‘s Sex and The City perfectly captured the late ‘90s and early 2000s vibe.
From the fashion, hair, and all-around casual energy, you can really tell that no one saw COVID-19 coming. Sorry, but that’s where my mind goes!
The song is amazing and has some really sweet and poignant lyrics.
Excuse me while I unzip my CD book and bust out my five-disk stereo with speaker attachments. How did we ever survive without phones and the internet at the ready?
Watch Sex and The City Online
U2 – Song for Someone (2014)
Rectify (2013 – 2016)
If you’ve seen this music video or heard this song, you may be asking yourself, “What is it doing on this list?” That is a very fair question.
For one thing, I was unfamiliar with the SundanceTV show Rectify, so I had no idea this video was based on a TV show.
However, Woody Harrelson and his daughter act their butt off! This is such an emotionally charged song and video.
It’s about a man struggling to adjust outside of prison. I wonder where they got the idea.
All joking aside, this music video feels more like a movie or show than any other music video on this list.
Sure, you won’t shake it to the melody, but it’ll still move you.
Grab the tissues because this one is all heart!
Watch Rectify Online
Iggy Azalea – Fancy (2014)
Clueless (1995)
Now, here is a movie that defined a generation!
Oh my god, I love Clueless so much. It is timeless, with issues that are no longer relatable. And that’s the best part!
I feel like I’m time-traveling any time I watch Clueless. A young Paul Rudd can steal the remote from me whenever he wants. He still looks so good on Only Murders in the Building.
However you feel about Iggy Azalea, you have to give it up to her.
That song doesn’t just slap. It’s a straight-up K.O.
And the music video?! It’s almost as classic as the movie itself.
From the choreography to the perfectly chosen scenes from the film, I could watch this music video over and over again.
Considering this was only Alicia Silverstone’s fourth movie, it’s no wonder she was THE it girl of the ‘90s. She was already on her rise, but this movie skyrocketed her fame.
Side note: Don’t play a drinking game to Clueless.
The rules always say to drink whenever you hear “as if.” Don’t do it. You’ll be wasted before Tai gets the red dye out of her hair.
Unfortunately, the music video is currently unavailable for viewing.
Watch Clueless Online
Bruno Mars – Finesse (2016)
In Living Color (1990 – 1994)
Do people know about this music video?! I was instantly transported back to the ‘90s, and I had never heard this song before or seen the music video.
Good for them for correcting the fashion faux pas of the ’90s because it was ROUGH. I was so entranced that I barely heard the lyrics.
So, I was too young to enjoy In Living Color, being only a few years old at the time.
However, I must ask: How did this show not stand the test of time?
It was quality comedic writing coupled with an exceptionally iconic costuming. Thankfully, the music video for “Finesse” color-corrected some of the “choices.”
Either way, between the song and the choreography, this music video will get you in the groove!
I’ll be binge-watching In Living Color from beginning to end because I feel I missed out on a culturally relevant event.
I mean, Jim Carrey and Keenen Ivory Wayans, the latter of which will be returning to TV with Poppa’s House? Legends.
Watch In Living Color Online
Jay-Z – Moonlight
Friends (1994 – 2004)
If you ever thought Friends would be a better show with an African American cast, you should’ve watched Living Single. I mean, Queen Latifah?!
However, this music video can still scratch that itch.
It recasts the making of one of the most memorable episodes from Friends with some of the best comedic actors of color.
I’m not going to go on a whole rant, but you need to see these names in the music video: Issa Rae (Insecure), Tessa Thompson (Westworld), Tiffany Haddish (The Afterparty), Lil Rel Howery (Poker Face), Lakeith Stanfield (Atlanta), and Jerrod Carmichael (Ramy).
I’ll let you figure out which character these tremendously talented actors play.
Personally, I don’t think I need to discuss Friends’ cultural impact. If you’ve been alive for the last two decades, you already know.
People LOVE this show. Yes, I am one of them.
However, growing up, I was not allowed to watch Friends — only Living Single. So, ten points to my clueless parents.
They had no idea what a gift they gave me. As an adult, both Living Single and Friends still hold up.
Watch Friends Online
Ariana Grande – Thank You, Next (2019)
Mean Girls (2004), Bring It On (2000), Legally Blonde (2001), 13 Going on 30 (2004)
Listen, you can dislike Miss Grande all you want, but honey-kitty-boo-boo-child, you will give this music video the respect it deserves!
Ariana absolutely ate in Thank You, Next. She served ponytail and blonde bombshell realness throughout that whole damn video.
The girl already had a banger on her hands when she made this video and decided to slay the music industry.
Mama, I swear the whole world lost their minds over this music video. And why wouldn’t they?
Ariana used not ONE, but FOUR of the most iconic movies of the 2000s.
As far as I’m concerned, that was the only acceptable Mean Girls remake. Don’t even get me started.
Not only did she perfectly recreate the movie scenes, but she also brought in so many stars, like Jennifer Coolidge and her castmates from her Nickelodeon show, Victorious.
This ridiculously iconic music video even had a Kris Jenner cameo. Say what you want, but she was feeling herself.
Watch Mean Girls Online
The Jonas Brothers – What a Man Gotta Do? (2020)
Risky Business (1983), Grease (1978), Say Anything… (1989)
Okay, so I thought this was the music video for “Sucker” because of the wives being in it.
I had no idea they gave it another go.
And even though I don’t consider myself a Jonas Brothers fan, this music video was chock full of chemistry!
Granted, it’s three married couples (yes, I know about Joe and Sophie), but they seem to be having genuine fun! Which is great because the song is a bit mid.
So, in that regard, “What a Man Gotta Do?” wins when it comes to the video, but “Sucker” is way catchier.
The movies they chose are some legit classics, but I did have a favorite sequence.
Sophie Turner in the Grease reenactment was UH-mazing! I loved that she played Sandy and her version of “Cha-Cha.”
Also, I’m just going to throw this out there: The character “Cha-Cha” in the film is categorized as a student. Did you know that? Because all I see is a grown-ass woman.
The entire cast was adults, but “Cha-Cha” looked like she taught Spanish class. Come on, now.
Watch Grease Online
Sabrina Carpenter – Taste (2024)
Death Becomes Her (1992), Psycho (1960), Addams Family Values (1993), Ginger Snaps (2000), Kill Bill: Volume 1 (2003)
If you thought I went crazy for “Thank You, Next,” you are not ready to hear me talk about this unbelievable music video!
Granted, I don’t take to new music easily. I am very much that person who still listens to a playlist of songs they made ten years ago. However, I get curious now and then.
This time, curiosity killed this cat and brought me back to life with references to cinematic gold. First, Sabrina Carpenter and Jenna Ortega were painted for the gods!
Honey, the hair and make-up on those girls were unreal. Actually, they might be if A.I. was used.
It doesn’t matter because I would forgive anything for that Death Becomes Her reference.
I know “Taste” encompasses multiple movies as inspiration, but that video was dripping with Madeline Ashton and Helen Sharp’s fabulous pettiness.
From the voodoo dolls to the Kill Bill eye patch and the lingerie with feather boas, this music video will leave you as plucked as the iconic films that inspired it.
I know filming has wrapped on Wednesday Season 2, but how great would it be if Sabrina Carpenter flexed her acting skills again and made one little cameo?
I mean, with those eyes and that voice, she’s a siren all the way.
All I know is that I love many of these legendary films and TV shows. So, seeing them paired with bangers and bops is a memorable and uplifting experience.
Which was your favorite video from the list?
What film or show would you like to see referenced in a music video?
Please comment below to share your thoughts, and join me again when I bring you another list of impactful films and TV shows.
Watch Death Becomes Her Online
