We recently asked members of our BuzzFeed Community which music video released between 2008 and 2018 was the absolute BEST, and they did not disappoint:
Entries are listed in no particular order.
1. "Bad Romance," Lady Gaga
I remember being intrigued by Lady Gaga but when this video came out, I was amazed. The song itself is timeless and the music video still entertains me to this day. I feel like THAT was the song and video that made her an icon.
2. "Fake Love," BTS
This is a masterpiece...no other words.
3. "Uptown Funk," Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars
Iconic. That's all.
4. "Gangnam Style," Psy
It was so popular and so over the top. Also, ONE BILLION VIEWS was record-breaking.
5. "This Is America," Childish Gambino
It has deep and relevant themes. Right now, it embodies the frustrations that a lot of black Americans are facing, and will stand as a time capsule for future generations to see just how America was in 2018.
6. "Runaway," Kanye West
I hate bringing Kanye West into this, but the music video (and the short film) for this song is a work of art, TBH.
7. "Humble," Kendrick Lamar
Every single shot is stunning and it gives you zero room to breathe. Truly Pulitzer-worthy stuff.
8. "Formation," Beyoncé
SOOO culturally relevant, and the visuals are just stunning. It will definitely go down as an anthem and a call to action for black women everywhere, while being a banger at the same time.
9. "Up in the Air," 30 Seconds to Mars
It reflects the inner battle between beauty and madness that goes on in each person's mind. The video itself seems like a piece of art.
10. "Django Jane," Janelle Monae
This one really did it for me.
11. "Girls Like Girls," Hayley Kiyoko
It came out the day same-sex marriage was legalized in all 50 states. It was the song of the summer for me, and the music video is so aesthetically pleasing!
12. "Girls Like You," Maroon 5
This one may be newer, but I've watched it at least once a day since the day it came out. It's so incredibly empowering.
13. “Elastic Heart,” Sia
This video does a great job of portraying an abusive relationship in a moving and powerful way. The video helped me in a time of personal need, because I knew that there were other people out there who feel trapped in bad relationships, too.
14. "1-800-273-8255," Logic
It sends out an important message that I could really relate to. Along with the message, it gave the hotline tons of publicity and gave people the chance to get help. The amount of lives that have been saved is unimaginable.
15. "The Ballad of Mona Lisa," Panic! At the Disco
It’s a classic song that every former emo kid knows. The visuals and music tell a compelling story of love and karma that’s not easy to forget!
16. "Telephone," Lady Gaga
It's more like a MOVIE than a music video. Seriously, what's more iconic than Lady Gaga and Beyoncé dancing side by side?
17. "Hello," Adele
Yes, the song was overplayed, but the video was her huge return to music after a break for her and her family. It wasn't so much about a guy as it was her return to music.
18. “Ride," Lana Del Rey
The monologue, the storyline, her voice...what’s not to love?
19. "New Rules," Dua Lipa
Besides the song being an absolute bop, the video shows us that we women don't need a romantic partner — our friends are the ones who've always got our backs.
20. "Hotline Bling," Drake
I don’t necessarily LIKE the song, but I can’t deny the viral success of the now-iconic Drake dance.
21. "America’s Sweethearts," Fall Out Boy
This is the best of the last decade, in my opinion. Some people find it too strange, but once you understand the meaning it all makes sense. It’s about how Hollywood and the paparazzi change people into these flamboyant, over the top personas.
22. "We Found Love," Rihanna ft. Calvin Harris
This music video is a straight-up time capsule. It's a textbook example of peak early-Instagram aesthetic (fireworks, fairy lights, cigarettes, Rihanna puking up streamers, all the filters), and the video really captures the melancholy hipster glamour of the "all we have is tonight" vibe. There's no denying that the video is perfect.
23. "The One Moment," OK Go
The effort that they put into any one of their music videos is unbelievable, and the result is always breathtaking.
24. "Look What You Made Me Do," Taylor Swift
I will never forget the amount of gasps I heard the night this premiered. The song was not one of her best, but every single thing in the video was so well thought out. The ending was insane too and a great clap-back to everything that had happened.
25. "Single Ladies," Beyoncé
This will ALWAYS be the best video of not only the last decade, but of all time. Forever and ever and ever.
