Top 10 Good Songs With Bad Music Videos

#10: “Paradise” (2011) Coldplay

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It was a huge hit in 2011, so what in the hell went wrong with the music video? Well, it’s never a good thing when the director receives only one day’s notice, which is what happened when Mat Whitecross stepped in to direct “Paradise.” Clearly under the impression that it’s always cute when grown men wear animal outfits, lead singer Chris Martin roamed about the gorgeous South African landscapes before teaming up with his fellow bandmates. While the song is arguably one of Coldplay’s most beautifully anthemic, the video no doubt has us scratching our heads.

Have you ever set up a camera in your room and just rocked the heck out to your favorite song? Well, for this Madonna track she did basically that resulting in a stripped down, 2-camera production that may or may not have been shot in someone’s basement. Yes, it’s one of the best dance songs of all time, however the music video raises a few intriguing questions: Have the background dancers been sedated and who is that creep in the background? In the end, Madonna produced a visual document of definitive 80s dancing, but should she have?

#8: “E.T.” (2011) Katy Perry feat. Kanye West

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It’s no secret that sexuality has been a key ingredient to Katy Perry’s success, but this time around, she silenced all raging hormones with a slightly insane music video featuring a Yeezy himself. With the film “Avatar” playing as the video’s inspiration, director Floria Sigismondi capitalized on the otherworldly trend with a combination of visuals that lacked cohesiveness and innovation, but did include Kanye West floating around, aimlessly. Maybe Kanye was just trying to live up to Beyoncé’s ‘best music video of all time’?

You know how some people don’t like the word “moist?” Well, the Oxford band Glass Animals expanded on this concept with their video for “Gooey,” in which a sexed-up group of individuals exchange fluids, seemingly for the sake of art. The song alone can put one into a beautiful trance, however the Caravaggio-like music video could put one into a deep state of shock thanks to a saliva torture scene. Featuring two men grappling around with ill-fitting leotards, a grown up Velma from Scooby Doo and a Rubenesque red-head the message seems to be: “Taste the Goo.” We'll pass.

If you haven’t heard of this song: congratulations on coming out of your coma! “Radioactive” first hit the charts in 2012 and conjures up images of a post-apocalyptic world, but Imagine Dragons imagined something more surrealistic for the music video: underground puppet fighting…oh, and 80s star Lou Diamond Phillips. Yes, this happened, and among the chaos of a music video walks the blue-eyed bombshell Alexandria Daddario, who will either save Imagine Dragons from the madness or perhaps feed them to the psychotic animals. It’s purely subjective yet undeniably asinine.

#5: “I’m Still Standing” (1983) Elton John

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Filmed in the south of France, the original video for “I’m Still Standing” was almost lost after director Russell Mulcahy fell into the sea on the first day of shooting. If he had, the world wouldn't have to endure images of Dancing with the Stars’ Bruno Tonioli and his aggressive camel toe. It’s unclear what exactly Elton John is trying to say with this video, but given the various accounts of him being completely wasted during the shoot, the entire fiasco starts to make sense.

#4: “If I Could Turn Back Time” (1989) Cher

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Believe it or not, MTV actually banned this video in 1989, mainly because of Cher’s exposed butt cheeks. Troubling as that may be to some viewers, more troubling is that her 12-year-old son appeared in the music video, supporting her on guitar. Filmed on the USS Missouri, the U.S. Navy must have been a tiny bit surprised when Cher showed up on set with her junk hangin’ out, but hey – whaddya gonna do? Let the woman do her thing! Ok, maybe Cher’s chart-topping singles haven’t always been visually stimulating, just look at her 1998 hit “Believe”.

With the arrival of MTV in the early 80s, rock bands could typically earn a larger following through dynamic music videos, but in this case, a beloved 80s band took a ill-advised “journey” in the form of a visual trainwreck. Pick your poison – it might be the fashion or perhaps the outlandish posturing of Steve Perry, but while these errors can be forgiven over time, nobody can forgive the devastating display of air instruments. Ultimately, the synchronized head shot sums it all up, as the faces of Journey convey their inner turmoil and realization of the lasting effects.

Directed by Russell Mulcahy – the man responsible for Elton John’s “I’m Still Standing” - this music video featured Welsh singer Bonnie Tyler in a room full of candles and doves…among other things, you know, like a creepy kid and male swimmers, for some reason. It’s probably best if we all agree to forget this video, as the five minutes of imagery will surely ruin anyone’s day and certainly their memories of the song. Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions. - “Tennis Court” (2013) Lorde - “The Edge of Glory” (2011) Lady Gaga - “Say You’ll Be There” (1996) Spice Girls - “Jenny from the Block” (2002) Jennifer Lopez

#1: “Rock Me Tonite” (1984) Billy Squier

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Back in the early 80s, Billy Squier conceived the premise of his infamous hit while swimming the waters of Greece, which may or may not have caused severe brain damage given the unfortunate sequence of events that followed. It’s not necessarily the pole dancing or the plethora of pink of “Rock Me Tonite,” it’s the fact that Billy Squier seems at odds with the concept of dancing itself, which is made abundantly clear throughout the five brutal minutes. Just as the sun rises with each morning, this psychologically damaging experience will always sit atop the mountain of miserable music videos. So, do you agree with our selections? What is your favorite good song with a stupid music video? For more mind-blowing Top 10s published daily, be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com.