Happy 30th Birthday MTV

Thirty years ago today, America experienced a moon landing like no other. On August 1, 1981, the little network known as MTV burst forth onto television sets across the country with a countdown and footage of previous NASA space missions. Like the astronauts who embarked on those missions, the team behind MTV took giant leaps into the great void, only their challenge was to convince the world that they needed music videos.

It was only appropriate that the first video played on MTV was The Buggles’ “Video Killed the Radio Star.” The song’s message resonated over the years as the network grew and with it their video stars stepped into the spotlight and became world renowned music icons.

To celebrate the 30th birthday of MTV, I’d like to put out a list of my Top 5 all-time favorite music videos. I’d like to encourage you to take a moment to leave your personal Top 5 list in the comments section below this thread. Without further adieu, here is my cream of the crop.

5. Weezer, “Buddy Holly” (Directed by Spike Jonez)

4. Nirvana, “Smells Like Teen Spirit” (Directed by Samuel Bayer)

3. Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, “Don’t Come Around Here No More” (Directed by Jeff Stein)

2. Beastie Boys, “Sabotage” (Directed by Spike Jonez)

1. Michael Jackson, “Thriller” (Directed by John Landis)
 

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