Ah, the 1990s. Truly, the decade was the golden age for music videos. Sure, the 1980s has its claim thanks to stars like Madonna and Michael Jackson. But the 1990s is when music videos became the epicenter of culture. People gazed at MTV for hours on end, watching for the next gem.
Here below, we wanted to highlight three music videos from that terrific era that we loved, but that also made us scratch our heads in wonderment. Indeed, these are three strange music videos from the 1990s that raise an eyebrow.
Videos by American Songwriter
“Black Hole Sun” by Soundgarden from ‘Superunknown’ (1994)
Soundgarden was a prototypical rock band. Their lead singer boasted a voice that could reach the heavens, and their songs were hefty and memorable. Perhaps that’s why the group decided to release a music video at their height that was more odd than typical. Just looking at the characters in Soundgarden’s “Black Hole Sun” video might make you feel a bit queasy. Their eyes grow, and their mouths feel grotesque. But it’s all in good rock fun!
“I’d Do Anything For Love (But I Won’t Do That)” by Meat Loaf from ‘Bat Out Of Hell II: Back Into Hell’ (1993)
Not only is the title of this song strange, but the music video for it is equally odd. Meat Loaf sang beautifully, as if he were in the middle of an opera, and this track proved his vocal prowess. But it also confused listeners—what is he talking about? And why is he dressed like a human bat in this over-the-top music video? What’s going on? And what won’t he do for love? There are so many eyebrow-raising questions!
“Breathe” by The Prodigy from ‘The Fat Of The Land’ (1997)
The 1990s—especially the late 1990s—were full of elaborate, spastic music videos. Some were pleasant, like those from Busta Rhymes or Missy Elliott. But others were downright strange and off-putting. While The Prodigy boasted several tremendous tracks in the 1990s, their music videos seemed to want to make you lose your lunch. For evidence, just check out the vid for “Breathe”, which is more nightmare than entertainment.
Photo by Jim Steinfeldt/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
More The List
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Mick Jagger performing at a Rolling Stones concert. Photo shows: Head and shoulder shot of Mick Jagger in performance. (Photo by © Hulton-Deutsch Collection/CORBIS/Corbis via Getty Images) -
The Monkees pop group Davy Jones, Micky Dolenz, Peter Tork and Mike Nesmith pose in their directors chairs for the 1966-68 tv series. (Photo by Screen Archives/Getty Images) -
(L-R) English musicians Rick Allen, Phil Collen, Rick Savage, Steve Clark (1960 – 1991) and Joe Elliott, of the English rock band Def Leppard, pose for a group portrait during the 1987 Hysteria Tour at the Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, Michigan, November 2, 1987. (Photo by Jeff Hochberg/Getty Images) -
Left to right: Jackie, Jermaine, Marlon and Michael Jackson of American pop group The Jackson 5, at ABC-TV studios, California, 9th July 1971. The Jacksons are fiming their ABC TV special 'Goin' Back to Indiana'. They will also meet cast members of the TV show, 'The Brady Bunch', for a promotional special entitled 'The Brady Bunch Visits ABC'. (Photo by Laufer/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images) -
George Harrison performs onstage circa 1982. (Photo by Lester Cohen) (Photo by Lester Cohen/Getty Images) -
CLARKSTON – JULY 14: Guitarist Porl Thompson, bass player Simon Gallup, musician, songwriter and lead singer Robert Smith, drummer Boris Williams and keyboard player Laurence 'Lol' Tolhurst, all members of the English rock band The Cure, pose for a portrait backstage at the Pine Knob Music Theatre on July 14, 1986, in Clarkston, Michigan. (Photo by Ross Marino/Getty Images) -
Rick Ocasek – The Cars in concert in Philadelphia in 1979 (Photo by MpiRock/MediaPunch via Getty Images)
