The Music Video as History

MTV has posted its oeuvre of music videos on the Internet where they are free and legal to watch. As Very Short List says,

You’ll see spare-no-expense epics (Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” just celebrated its 25th anniversary), bare-bones relics (e.g., Joy Division’s “Love Will Tear Us Apart”), and early work by some of today’s most interesting directors (we’re especially fond of Michel Gondry’s videos for Björk). You can also revisit Unplugged and watch classic Video Music Awards performances by Madonna, TLC, and Kanye West.

We suggest you start with the list of Top Rated Videos and then work through Most Viewed. Rick Astley's "Never Gonna Give You Up" is the top-rated video, and only yesterday MTV Europe named Rick Astley the Best Act Ever at the European Music Awards.

Rick Astley |MTV Music

Yes, this is the Rick Astley who inspired the viral internet phenomenon of Rickrolling. The meme is a bait 'n' switch where a link purportedly will lead viewers to some relevant information but actually takes them to Astley's video for "Never Gonna Give You Up."