Favorite Music Videos of the '70s and '80s

Here are some of my favorite music videos and songs from the '70s and '80s.

“October Love Song”: Chris and Cosey

This song makes me want to cry, but in a happy way.  It’s such an adorable song.  This music video is, well, special.  Especially with the weird mask and bondage/S&M thing going on.  I have no idea what that’s about, but it’s entertaining.

“Teenage Riot”: Sonic Youth



Sonic Youth - Teenage Riot
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This music video pretty much reminds me of my life: the generation before mine, and the generation I grew up in.

“Dr. Martens Boots”: Young Ones

This song is so true (except they are much more expensive than 19 pounds).  Also, it reminds me of watching the Young Ones with my friends in college.  I love the brief random lapse into the "Don't You Want Me" Human League song.

It's not class or ideology,
Color, creed, or roots
The only thing that unites us
Is Dr. Marten's boots
Dr. Marten's boots of the world
So that everybody can be free
They're classless, matchless, ageless and waterproof
And retail for only 19 pounds and 99p

What should everyone be wearing?
Those boots with the air-flow soles
And your boots will have a meeting
And your boots will take control

Thanks to Dr. Marten everyone will have warm feet
Thanks to Dr. Marten they'll be dancing in the street
No. Don't You Want Me.
OK, Boots. Do your stuff!

Dr. Marten's, Dr. Marten's, Dr. Marten's boots
Dr. Marten's, Dr. Marten's, Dr. Marten's boots
Dr. Marten's, Dr. Marten's, Dr. Marten's boots!

“Send Me an Angel”: Real Life

I love this song.  The music video is awesome--there's some kind of creepy beauty and the beast theme going on.  Sometimes the band members look like they are about to burst into laughter.  This is the earlier promo video from '83.  They redid the video in '89 and that one is not as good.

“Spasmolytic”: Skinny Puppy

A metaphorical music video.  You decide what it's about.  I love the part when the man on the bicycle comes out (I think it's Cevin Key) and hands Nivek Ohgr a note that says "U owe me an apology". 

“Der Kommissar”: Falco

Wow.  A guy in aviator shades dancing around in front of police and traffic.  It kind of makes me sad because Falco died in a car accident in real life.

“Voices Carry”: Til Tuesday

I love the part when she starts singing in the theater at the end of the video.  And as someone who has dated people who probably weren’t right for me and who rolled their eyes at my little eccentricities, I can relate to this video.

“Gary Gilmore’s Eyes”: The Adverts

This song and video makes me feel like jumping around on couches.

“House of Fun”: Madness

This whole video is fun.  I actually like Madness quite a lot.  But if I hear “Our House” one more time...

“Attitude”: Bad Brains

Classic.

“Cruel Summer”: Bananarama

This video makes me miss wearing overalls.  I don't care if they make me look like a midget farmer.  I’ve always felt I was the fourth undiscovered member of Bananarama.  Oh, and what was up with overalls in ‘80s music videos?  This video also reminds me of “C’mon Eileen”.