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15 Iconic British Rock Music Videos

Some of the most famous music videos from the 60's-00's

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15 Iconic British Rock Music Videos
1001 Things To See

British rock has delivered so much great music since the 60's that it's hard to wrap your head around. However, accompanying music videos weren't really a big thing until the 80's with the launch of MTV and subsequently in the 90's with the dawn of the Internet. British rock has also delivered many great music videos over the years and it was actually quite hard to try and come up with 15 of the most famous ones. Here's a definitive list some of the most iconic (and some of my most favorite) British rock music videos of all-time:


1. Dexys Midnight Runners - "Come On Eileen"

Dexys Midnight Runners is a quintessential British pop band who achieved great success in the 80's and this track is undoubtedly their most famous tune. The video for "Come On Eileen" shows the band donned in some pretty dodgy dungarees, but somehow it just works. A classic.


2. Blur - "Parklife"

Blur was (and still is) a huge band that achieved great success in the Britpop scene in 90's. Starring Quadrophenia's Phil Daniels, the video for the band's single, "Parklife" is probably one of the most famous British music videos of all-time. The video just screams "90's" and if you don't know every word of this song yet (including Phil Daniel's bits), you need to get on it.


3. The Specials - "Ghost Town"

The Specials are a classic British 2 Tone, ska band that achieved great success in the 80's. The band's textbook ska sound, their 60's mod/rudeboy attire, their political/social commentary, and their punk energy made them a group for the ages. The famous video for their song "Ghost Town", which is borderline reggae, shows the band driving through a deserted London.


4. Radiohead - "Just"

Radiohead is a huge alternative rock band from Oxford that first achieved success in the early 90's. Their song "Just" from their 1995 album, The Bends, is perhaps my favorite Radiohead song and the video shows off the charisma of frontman Thom Yorke. The video isn't famous simply because it's a great video, it's also because fans have been arguing for years over what the guy at the end is silently mouthing.


5. Coldplay - "The Scientist"

Coldplay is a hugely popular pop/rock band from London that became successful after the release of their 2000 debut album, Parachutes. "The Scientist" is a single from their second album (and my favorite Coldplay album), A Rush Of Blood To The Head and is famous for the way it was filmed. The video was filmed in reverse, meaning that lead singer, Chris Martin had to learn to mouth the entire song backwards!



6. The Verve - "Bitter Sweet Symphony"

The Verve was a classic alternative rock band from Wigan that were prominent during both the shoegazing and Britpop eras of the 90's. The video for their best-known song, "Bitter Sweet Symphony" is one of Britain's finest, most iconic music videos ever put out. If there's one song that makes you feel good walking down the street, it's this one.



7. The Smiths - "Stop Me If You Think You've Heard This One Before"

The Smiths were an alternative/indie rock band from Manchester that achieved great fame and success in the 80's. Their most famous video shows the band's lead singer, Morrissey, riding a bike with Morrissey look-alikes through the band's hometown. This video is one of the reasons that places like Salford Lad's Club have become must-see landmarks for Smiths' fans.



8. Arctic Monkeys - "Cornerstone"

Arctic Monkeys are an indie rock band from Sheffield that first achieved critical and commercial acclaim in the mid-00's. Their single, "Cornerstone" from their 2009 album, puts lead singer, Alex Turner's wit and charm on display. This video (filmed by Submarine director, Richard Ayoade) is iconic for Turner's ability to keep a straight face during such a funny video.



9. The Libertines - "Can't Stand Me Now"

The Libertines are an indie rock band from London that became successful (though they are a bit overrated, I must admit) in the early 00's. The band's duo of Pete Doherty and Carl Barat was infamous because of their rocky yet meant-to-be partnership. The video for their song, "Can't Stand Me Now" displays their high-energy, chaotic live performances and the kinship between Doherty and Barat.


10. The Style Council - "Shout To The Top"

The Style Council was an English pop/blue-eyed soul band that achieved success in the 80's. Fronted by former Jam frontman Paul Weller the band marked a departure from Weller's punk/mod rock sound and moved towards a more keyboard-centered, pop sound. The video for their song, "Shout To The Top", features a peppy Weller, Dee C. Lee, Steve White, and Mick Talbot who is one of the greatest keyboard players I've ever seen.


11. Electronic - "Getting Away With It"

Electronic were an alternative/dance supergroup consisting of former Smiths' guitarist, Johnny Marr, and ex-Joy Division/current New Order member, Bernard Sumner. The band also collaborated with members of Pet Shop Boys and Kraftwerk. The band's most famous song, "Getting Away With It", has an accompanying video that's got a classic 80's/90's aesthetic.


12. Small Faces - "Tin Soldier"

Small Faces were a British mod/beat rock band from the 60's. The band were probably the most famous and influential band from British mod era of the 60's and they basically became the poster child for the mod look. One of the band's best-known tracks, "Tin Soldier", has a great accompanying video of an incredible performance from the band, especially the late, great lead singer, Steve Marriott.


13. Supergrass - "Alright"

Supergrass was a Britpop band from Oxford and they were at the peak of their success in the 90's. Their video for their most well-known track, "Alright" features the band with t-shirts displaying just their first name and they decide to take a ride on a moving bed through the beach. The video also shows off lead singer, Gaz Coombes' iconic sideburns (which he still reps today as a solo artist).


14. Happy Mondays - "Step On"

Happy Mondays is an alternative/dance band from Manchester that achieved success during the Madchester era of the 90's. The band were signed to the famous Manchester indie record label, Factory Records, which was run by Tony Wilson. The famous video for the band's single, "Step On" features lead singer, Shaun Ryder, and dancer, Bez, dancing on a sunny rooftop.


15. Ian Brown - "Keep What Ya Got"

The Stone Roses' frontman, Ian Brown, went solo for about a decade after the Roses broke up in 1996. His solo material was a lot more experimental and less rock-oriented than anything he had done in the past. One of his greatest singles, "Keep What Ya Got", features a collaboration with Oasis guitarist, Noel Gallagher, and the video features the pair looking cool as ever, walking down the street.


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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
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