20 Music Videos from the 90s We Still Love to Watch
Music videos changed a lot in the 1990s. They mixed music, fashion, and art in ways never done before. These videos showed the wide range of music from the decade through surreal stories and new effects. Their lasting appeal comes from the music they made and how they shaped the visual culture of the 1990s, affecting many artists and makers for years to come.
- Tricia Quitales
- 8 min read
They put together cutting-edge images, well-known clothes, and stories that people will never forget. These music videos, from grunge songs to pop stars, became essential to society and still affect today’s music business. Many of them pushed the limits of technology by using early digital effects and new ways of telling stories that had never been seen before. Here are 20 music videos from the 1990s that still amaze people with their imagination, ability to bring back memories, and ground-breaking new ideas.
1. Smells Like Teen Spirit – Nirvana (1991)
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Many say the Nirvana music video for “Smells Like Teen Spirit” defined the grunge movement and made it popular. Its chaotic high school pep rally style, full of unhappy teens, became a sign of defiance against social rules. Not only is this movie famous for its raw energy, but it also helped shape the visual language of a whole generation.
2. Vogue – Madonna (1990)
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Voguing is a glamorous dance style popular in New York’s drag ball scene. Madonna’s song “Vogue” introduced the world to it. The video, thanks to its simple black-and-white style and high-fashion glamour, stood out as an early example of how pop culture and high art could work together. It still affects fashion and music videos through dark lighting and sharp lines.
3. No Scrubs – TLC (1999)
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“No Scrubs” was more than just a catchy R&B song; its music video was about women’s freedom and staying away from bad relationships. With its future chrome-colored background, the video gives off an air of confidence thanks to TLC’s strong, stylish presence. This video was an essential part of pop culture in the 1990s because of its unique clothes and high-concept images.
4. Waterfalls – TLC (1995)
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TLC used strong, symbolic images in “Waterfalls” to discuss significant social problems like drug abuse and HIV/AIDS. The video’s message of being careful and responsible fit with its surrealistic style, which included bright and vague set pieces. It is still one of history’s most socially aware music videos. It’s a powerful visual representation of the song’s warning.
5. My Own Worst Enemy – Lit (1999)
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In the music video for “My Own Worst Enemy,” the main character keeps making bad decisions that make them feel like they don’t fit. The song’s strong beat and funky vibe fit well with the subject of hurting yourself. In “split-screen” movies, two forms of the main character talk to each other. This was an innovative way to tell a story visually.
6. Virtual Insanity – Jamiroquai (1996)
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The video for Jamiroquai’s “Virtual Insanity” is unforgettable because it shows the band playing in a constantly changing space, with moving walls and backgrounds. Innovative camera work, such as spinning shots and real-life effects, turned a simple idea into a fascinating show. The strange and futuristic tone of the film went well with the song’s message of being disappointed with technology.
7. Enter Sandman – Metallica (1991)
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“Enter Sandman” was one of Metallica’s most famous songs, and the movie shows how haunting and intense the song is. The images are horrifying, showing a child having scary dreams that are made worse by strange images and dark shadows. The spooky environment allowed the band to go from underground metal stars to mainstream rock stars.
8. …Baby One More Time – Britney Spears (1998)
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Britney Spears’ first music video made her a worldwide star in the pop world and helped define the late-1990s pop era. Her outfit, which has since become famous, was a shocking and alluring mix of innocence and sexiness. The simple but powerful idea behind the video—a lonely girl looking for love—hit home with millions of people and made Britney a hero.
9. November Rain – Guns N’ Roses (1992)
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People love “November Rain” because it has an oversized style, a love story, and a big musical score. The video is a lasting film gem because of its high production values. Scenes from the wedding and epic outdoor shots are just a few examples. It was more than just a rock music video because it was so dramatic and had a big budget.
10. Black Hole Sun – Soundgarden (1994)
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Soundgarden’s “Black Hole Sun” video features strange images, such as twisted faces and broken-down suburbs, that accompany the song’s creepy, haunting mood. Because of the disturbing images, people who saw it often said it reminded them of a fever dream. The mysterious words of the song went well with the dark and mysterious video, which became a classic of alternative rock in the 1990s.
11. Buddy Holly – Weezer (1994)
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The video for Weezer’s song “Buddy Holly” is famous for how well it mixes images from the 1950s with current band dynamics. The video cleverly uses early CGI to make a set for a 1950s TV show, where Weezer plays with animated versions of the band in black and white. It’s both a tribute to memories and a new way to look at the past, putting the future and the past in a new light.
12. Give Me One Reason – Tracy Chapman (1995)
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The video for Tracy Chapman’s song “Give Me One Reason” is straightforward but powerful. Chapman sings straight to the camera against a simple background. The simple style of the video goes well with the song’s honest feeling and soulful delivery. It will always be a classic because of the movie’s powerful performance and cozy feel.
13. The Sign – Ace of Base (1993)
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“The Sign” by Ace of Base is a catchy pop song. The music video looks like it was made in the 1990s, with its bright colors and dramatic backgrounds. The simple but stylish set design, full of geometric shapes and colorful lighting, makes it feel like a picture of the visual culture of the time. It became a pop hit, making the Swedish band famous worldwide.
14. Bitter Sweet Symphony – The Verve (1997)
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The Verve’s “Bitter Sweet Symphony” video became famous for its simple but moving idea: lead singer Richard Ashcroft walks through London without stopping as if the chaos around him didn’t bother him. People really connected with the video’s meaning of life’s constant battles. This video is one of the most remembered of the decade because of Ashcroft’s beautiful solo walk set to the song’s orchestral rock sound.
15. Wannabe – Spice Girls (1996)
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This song is full of energy and fun. It shows the group’s friendship, girl power, and playful rebellion values. It’s an instant pop hit because it shows the five band members dancing and having fun together in bright settings. The video’s happy, carefree vibe matched the song’s catchy energy, and both became substantial cultural hits worldwide.
16. Torn – Natalie Imbruglia (1997)
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“Torn” is still one of the most heartbreaking hits of the 1990s, and the video’s private, sad look matches the song’s emotional depth. Some sad music in the background and Natalie Imbruglia’s beautiful voice complement the song’s sad themes. The movie was shot in a simple way that let her feelings come through.
17. Creep – Radiohead (1992)
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Radiohead’s “Creep” film is a haunting look at social isolation. It combines strange visuals with live footage of the band playing. The artwork’s dark colors and odd angles match the intensity of the song’s words, which are about feeling like an outsider. Being a great example of the mood of the grunge era, the video has become linked to the existential angst of the 1990s.
18. I Want It That Way – Backstreet Boys (1999)
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The band members perform in stark, emotional black-and-white shots in the video for “I Want It That Way,” which looks like a movie about love and loss. Its timeless charm comes from its simplicity: there are no complicated plots, just heartfelt performances by the group. That picture symbolized the boy band era, and fans still like it decades later.
19. No Rain – Blind Melon (1992)
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“No Rain” was one of the first music videos to use silly, almost bizarre images to accompany a happy, catchy song. A girl in the video is dressed as a bee to represent how it feels to be an outsider but eventually find a place where she fits. Its strange, offbeat humor and upbeat message made it a classic of alternative rock in the 1990s.
20. Whitney’s I Will Always Love You in 1992
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The movie for Whitney Houston’s song “I Will Always Love You” is a simple but very moving story about love and loss. It was shot simply so that the attention was only on Houston’s powerful performance. Her voice does most of the work. The video will always be a societal touchstone because of the song’s purity and popularity.