I was told this video looks like it was directed by yours truly. I have to agree. What do you think?

Update: Embedding the video was disabled by YouTube, so you’ll have to check it out here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iSULGQorFjM

I’ll clarify the criteria here so I don’t get a whole bunch of comments like, “that’s not really that good a video.” These are all videos that I like, not necessarily YOU like. I’m not claiming these to be the greatest music videos ever made, I just happen to really enjoy them. There’s no real point system, but I tried to judge by how much I like the song, the ability of the video to portray the song, and just the overall coolness of the video itself.

#10 – Our Lady Peace – Thief

Why is it on the list?

For me, Our Lady Peace is the greatest band ever, so you had to know they were going to make the list eventually. Unfortunately, the quality of their videos has never been stellar with the exception of Thief. The video may seem to be tedious, but it’s the simplicity that does it for me. The mood of the song is captured flawlessly.

#9 – Stabbing Westward – Save Yourself

Why is it on the list?
Stabbing Westward is a great band that should have never broken up. They got me through a lot in the 90′s. I wanted so badly to be Chris Hall screaming into that vintage hanging mic. Visuals like that are what put this video in the 9 spot.

#8 -Powerman 5000 – When Worlds Collide

Why is it on the list?
Powerman 5000 is simply put…”fun rock”. So if you’re going to be fun, go all the way with it. Let’s make a music video on a spaceship in cool industrial gear. While we’re at it, let’s have Spider One blast an alien emperor with cheesy looking laser beams while he’s singing. Sheer brilliance.

#7 – Jamiroquai – Virtual Insanity

Why is it on the list?
While I like the song, in comparison to the others on the list it’s nowhere near as good. So how did it make it? The video…this one’s all about the video. It’s almost hypnotic to watch. When making the list, it was one that just popped into my head and couldn’t be left out. It’s just far too creative and executed so well. Who knew a moving floor was capable of so much?

#6 – Guns N’ Roses – November Rain

Why is it on the list?
This video is friggin epic. Guns N’ Roses had a lot to offer in the form of videos back when MTV was still ruled by rock and roll. This was the best of those offerings. It’s got everything from a cool story, to Stephanie Seymour, to Slash cranking out a solo in front of the church (argueably the most badass scene in a music video ever). The better question is, how could it NOT make the list?

#5 – The Offspring – Gone Away

Why is it on the list?
I can’t totally explain it. Whenever I’ve thought about what videos I really like this one always seems to pop into my head. Maybe it’s the song. Maybe it’s a nostalgia thing. Maybe it’s the imagery of the swinging orb of a lightbulb casting shadows along the walls, or maybe it’s simply a predilection for hanging microphones.

#4 – KoRn – Freak on a Leash

Why is it on the list?
Bullets busting through shit looks cool…really cool. KoRn playing in a room lit by bullet holes in the walls…really cool. Intro and outro animations by “Spawn” creator Todd MacFarlane…insanely cool. There’s simply nothing “un-cool” about this video. (additional coolness: The ending of this video flows directly into the beginning of KoRn’s video for “Falling Away From Me”, which I’ve included as well to illustrate this point)

#3 – Disturbed – Land of Confusion

Why is it on the list?
Easily one of the best cover songs I’ve ever heard. (the original was by “Genesis” if you’re that out of it) This video should feature familiar-looking animation if you’ve been following along. Todd MacFarlane makes a 2nd appearance on the top ten as the animator of this masterpiece. There are so many subtleties to notice when he does something. For instance, the “S” paper getting blown into “the disturbed one” at the appropriate moment. Also, notice how the Nazi-like logo is a modification of a dollar sign. It actually glows green at one point when the fat man puffs his cigar. After watching this, don’t you just want to riot? How has that not happened yet?

#2 – Goo Goo Dolls – Iris

Why is it on the list?
This is the song and video that caused me to both take a guitar class and add blonde highlights to my hair in college. For me, it’s one of the most beautiful songs ever written combined with a beautifully made video. Every time I listen to the song now, I feel like I’m the one in the tower looking down on a world that doesn’t notice me. The familiarity is almost creepy…

#1 – Pearl Jam – Do The Evolution

Why is it on the list?
Is it really a surprise that 3 of the 10 videos on this countdown featured cartoons? It shouldn’t be. This one is also done by Todd MacFarlane, although this was his first and best venture into the music video realm. The transitions are flawless and the overall message conveyed by the video matches the song perfectly. If you pay attention, you’ll also quickly see a Yield sign making a nod to the album cover towards the end. It’s that creativity and attention to detail that makes this our 1.