In the world of music, there are some of the best choreographed music videos that are not just about the music itself but also about the incredible dancing that goes along with it. These music videos feature talented dancers and choreographers who bring the songs to life with their moves. From classic hits to modern pop sensations, these videos have made a lasting impact on the world of dance and entertainment. Let’s explore some of the most iconic ones.
Let’s Dive into 10 Best Choreographed Music Videos of All Time
Uptown Funk (2014) Mark Ronson feat. Bruno Mars
In this video, there’s a guy named Phil Tayag, also known as S.B. He’s the one who came up with the cool dance moves you see in the video. He describes the song as something that’s not too fancy but makes you feel good. The video is super popular on YouTube, with over 4 billion views. The dancing in the video is groovy, and when you hear the song, it makes you want to join in the fun and dance along.
Did You Know ?
The song was originally inspired by a riff that Bruno Mars’s horn section jammed on tour. Mars and Ronson took the riff and developed it into the song during a freestyle studio session.
| Title | Uptown Funk Video |
|---|---|
| Artists | Mark Ronson feat. Bruno Mars |
| Description | Iconic dance moves by Phil Tayag. The song is feel-good and funky. Over 4 billion YouTube views. Groovy dance and catchy rhythm make you want to join in the fun. |
If (1993) Janet Jackson
This video is one of Janet Jackson’s best. She worked with a famous choreographer named Tina Landon to create the dance moves. In this video, Janet explores the idea of women being strong and free in a way she hadn’t done before. The dancing in the video is really impressive and challenging. Janet makes it look easy, though. The video is a classic, and it still influences many artists today. Some artists even refer to this video in their own work. It was a groundbreaking piece of media, and its impact is still felt today.
Did You Know ?
The original version of the song was over seven minutes long, but it was edited down to four minutes for the album.
| Title | If by Janet Jackson |
|---|---|
| Artist | Janet Jackson |
| Description | Choreographed by Tina Landon. Empowers female sexuality. Impressive and influential choreography. A groundbreaking piece of media. |
Elastic Heart (2013) Sia
This video is unique because it doesn’t have a lot of dancers. Instead, it stars two actors, Maddie Ziegler and Shia Labeouf, who dance to the music. They’re inside a big cage, and they’re wearing clothes that make them look like they’re not wearing anything. The dancing might seem a bit random, but when you watch their faces, you can see that they’re showing a lot of emotion without saying a word. Even though the video had some controversy when it was released, it was nominated for an award in 2015. It didn’t win, but it became the eighth most viewed video on YouTube in 2015.
Did You Know ?
The song was originally written for Katy Perry, but she passed on it.
| Title | “Elastic Heart” (2013) |
|---|---|
| Artist | Sia |
| Description | Emotional and unique. Stars Maddie Ziegler and Shia Labeouf. Expresses emotions through dance in a cage. Nominated for a VMA Award. |
Try (2012) Pink
Pink’s performances are often daring, but this one is really special. She dances with a guy named Colt Prattes, and together, they tell a passionate love story in the video. The people who created the dance routine for this video, known as the Golden Boyz, got inspiration from a kind of dance called French Apache, which mixes acrobatics with intense movements. They also worked with someone who’s an expert in stunts and fights to make sure the dance and the story fit together well. The dancing in this video is passionate and a bit risqué, which means it’s a bit bold and daring. But there’s also a hint of sadness in it. Pink has said that this is her favorite video ever, and many people agree with her.
Did You Know ?
The song was originally written for Rihanna, but Pink fell in love with it and decided to keep it for herself.
| Title | “Try” (2012) |
|---|---|
| Artist | Pink |
| Description | Passionate love story with intense choreography. Daring and powerful, with a hint of sadness. Pink’s favorite video. |
Cold Hearted (1989) Paula Abdul
Paula Abdul has always been a fan of a famous dancer and choreographer named Bob Fosse. She loved his style, which is all about unique and detailed movements. In this video, “Cold Hearted,” which was directed by David Fincher, Paula Abdul brings together art and sensuality perfectly. The dance is so detailed that it almost looks like a kind of hypnosis. In fact, the dancing is so mesmerizing that it almost makes us forget who Paula Abdul is singing about in the song.
Did You Know ?
The music video was directed by David Fincher, who would later go on to direct films such as “Se7en,” “Fight Club,” and “The Social Network.”
| Title | “Cold Hearted” (1989) |
|---|---|
| Artist | Paula Abdul |
| Description | Directed by David Fincher. Balances artistry and sensuality. Hypnotic, detailed choreography. |
Smooth Criminal (1988) Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson, often called the King of Pop, changed the way music videos were made. He created many famous dance moves that people still imitate today. But in this video, “Smooth Criminal,” he’s at his best. He got inspiration from another famous dancer, Fred Astaire, and combined storytelling with dance in a perfect way. Michael worked with two other dancers, Jeffrey Daniel and Vincent Paterson, to come up with the iconic move where they lean forward at a crazy angle. This move was a big deal, and it took a lot of time and effort to get it right. But when you see it in the video, you’ll agree it was worth it. This video is legendary and still one of the best dance videos ever made.
Did You Know ?
The music video for “Smooth Criminal” features Jackson’s iconic “anti-gravity lean”, which was achieved using a special pair of shoes with built-in cables and harnesses.
| Title | “Smooth Criminal” (1988) |
|---|---|
| Artist | Michael Jackson |
| Description | Inspired by Fred Astaire. Legendary 45-degree lean illusion. Critically acclaimed and legendary. |
Bad Romance (2009) Lady Gaga
Next on our list is Lady Gaga’s “Bad Romance,” which won an award for its choreography. Gaga’s dance moves were compared to legendary pop stars like Michael Jackson and Madonna. In this video, Gaga’s dancing is a bit strange, but it fits her unique style perfectly. She uses her outfits, the sets, and her hyper-sexual choreography to create a world that’s a bit quirky but also captivating. Some people even thought this video should be turned into a full-length movie. At one point, “Bad Romance” was the most-watched video on YouTube.
Did You Know ?
Gaga’s body was digitally edited in various scenes in the music video. For example, her eyes were made bigger and bolder, and her waist was made smaller in the shower scene.
| Title | “Bad Romance” (2009) |
|---|---|
| Artist | Lady Gaga |
| Description | Award-winning choreography. Unique and mesmerizing dance moves. Once the most-viewed video on YouTube. |
Oops!… I Did It Again (2000) Britney Spears
Britney Spears is known for her iconic music videos, and “Oops!… I Did It Again” is no exception. The video starts with Britney in a red jumpsuit on the surface of Mars. It has everything you’d expect from a Britney video: fantastic sets, cool costumes, and, most importantly, well-choreographed dance numbers. Britney dances in some unusual places, like lying down, and it’s tough to keep up with her. No wonder the video got nominated in four different categories at the MTV Video Music Awards. It also set the standard for pop music video choreography in the new millennium.
Did You Know ?
Britney was injured on the set of the music video when a camera fell on her head. She needed four stitches, but finished the shoot the same day.
| Title | “Oops!… I Did It Again” (2000) |
|---|---|
| Artist | Britney Spears |
| Description | Iconic red jumpsuit on Mars. Classic Britney with great choreography. Set the standard for 2000s pop music videos. |
U Can’t Touch This (1990) MC Hammer
“U Can’t Touch This” by MC Hammer became a massive hit. It mixed a catchy song with ’90s dance moves and those famous baggy pants Hammer wore. The choreography in the video isn’t super fancy, but it’s incredibly easy to dance to. It makes you want to do the “Running Man” or the “Hammer Dance” as soon as you start watching it. At the very least, you have to admire how fast MC Hammer’s dance moves are.
Did You Know ?
The song won two Grammy Awards in 1991 for Best R&B Song and Best Rap Solo Performance. It was also the first rap song to be nominated for Record of the Year.
| Title | “U Can’t Touch This” (1990) |
|---|---|
| Artist | MC Hammer |
| Description | Catchy song with ’90s dance moves. Fun and easy to dance to. Winner of multiple MTV Video Music Awards. |
Lose Control (2005) Missy Elliott
Now, let’s talk about Missy Elliott’s “Lose Control.” This video is one of the most energetic ones on our list. Missy and her crew go from one dance party to another, and the choreography changes smoothly from one style to another. They go from crunking to swing dance to dancehall to freestyle. But even with all these changes, the dancing never slows down. The video won a Grammy for Best Short Form Music Video, and it’s easy to see why.
Did You Know ?
The song has nine beat drops. This is more than any other song on Missy’s album The Cookbook.
| Title | “Lose Control” (2005) |
|---|---|
| Artist | Missy Elliott |
| Description | Energetic music video with various dance styles. High-paced and won a Grammy for Best Short Form Music Video. |
These music videos have shown us that dance is not just about moving your body; it’s about telling a story, expressing emotions, and creating unforgettable moments. From Michael Jackson’s legendary lean in “Smooth Criminal” to Beyoncé’s empowering moves in “Single Ladies,” these videos have left a lasting imprint on the world of music and dance. They continue to inspire artists and dancers today, reminding us of the power of rhythm and movement in the world of entertainment. So next time you watch these videos, don’t just tap your feet; get up and dance along because the magic of these choreographed masterpieces is truly timeless.
FAQs
- Who choreographed the dance moves in the music video for “Uptown Funk” by Mark Ronson feat. Bruno Mars?
Phil Tayag, also known as S.B., was the choreographer behind the dance moves in the “Uptown Funk” music video.
- Which music video allowed Janet Jackson to explore female sexuality and liberation?
Janet Jackson explored female sexuality and liberation in the music video for “If,” which was choreographed by Tina Landon.
- Who starred in the music video for “Elastic Heart” by Sia, and what was unique about the choreography?
Maddie Ziegler and Shia Labeouf starred in the “Elastic Heart” video, and the unique aspect was that they danced in a large cage, expressing the song’s emotions through body contortions.
- Which music video drew inspiration from the French Apache dance and featured passionate choreography?
The music video for “Try” by Pink drew inspiration from the French Apache dance and featured passionate and risqué choreography.
