Top 10 Most Expensive Music Videos
You Don't necessarily have to spend a mountain of cash to make an effective music video, but You try telling that to these artists...
"Scream" by Michael Jackson and Janet Jackson (1995): "Scream" by Michael Jackson and Janet Jackson was reported to be the most expensive music video ever made, with an estimated production cost of $7 million. The music video was directed by Mark Romanek and features futuristic sets and special effects. It was released in 1995 and received critical acclaim, winning multiple awards, including a Grammy for Best Short Form Music Video. The music video for "Scream" was produced by Jackson and Terry Fitzgerald and directed by Mark Romanek, who also directed some of the most iconic music videos of the 90s, including "Closer" by Nine Inch Nails and "Criminal" by Fiona Apple. The video was filmed in black and white and features Jackson and his sister Janet in futuristic sets, with high-tech gadgets and special effects.
The video was shot over four days in Los Angeles in June
1995, and the production involved over 50 crew members, 20 dancers, and various
special effects teams. The set design and costumes were inspired by science
fiction films, and the choreography was developed by Jackson and his longtime
choreographer, Travis Payne.
The "Scream" music video premiered
simultaneously on MTV, VH1, BET, and Fox on June 14, 1995, and it became an
instant hit. The video won multiple awards, including the Grammy Award for Best
Short Form Music Video in 1996, and it remains one of the most iconic music
videos of all time.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0P4A1K4lXDo
"Die Another Day" by Madonna (2002) -Die Another Day" by Madonna was one of the most expensive music videos ever made, with an estimated production cost of $6.1 million. The song was the theme for the 2002 James Bond film of the same name, and the music video was directed by Traktor.
The "Die Another Day" music video features Madonna
in a number of different roles, including a prisoner, a geisha, and a fencing
champion. The video features a number of high-tech gadgets and special effects,
including a car that transforms into a plane and a sword fight on a frozen
lake.
The music video was shot in Los Angeles and London over a
period of six days, and it involved a team of over 300 crew members and extras.
The special effects in the video were created by a team of visual effects
artists, and the video features a number of references to the James Bond
franchise, including the gun barrel sequence and the famous "Bond
Girls."
Despite the high production cost, the "Die Another
Day" music video was a commercial success and received positive reviews
from critics. It was nominated for several awards, including a Grammy for Best
Short Form Music Video, and it remains one of Madonna's most iconic music
videos.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VlbaJA7aO9M
"Black or White" by Michael Jackson (1991) -
The "Black or White" music video features Jackson
dancing in various locations around the world, including Africa, the United
States, and Russia. The video also includes a number of special effects,
including morphing technology that transforms Jackson's face into a panther and
a series of people of different races morphing into each other.
The video was shot over a period of six weeks and involved a
team of over 100 crew members and extras. The special effects in the video were
created by Industrial Light & Magic, the company founded by George Lucas,
and the video was edited by Tom Rolf, who had previously worked on films like
"Taxi Driver" and "The Right Stuff."
The "Black or White" music video was a commercial
and critical success, breaking records for the number of viewers who tuned in
to watch it on its premiere night. The video was nominated for several awards,
including three MTV Video Music Awards, and it remains one of the most iconic
music videos of all time.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F2AitTPI5U0
"Express Yourself" by Madonna (1989) -
The "Express Yourself" music video features
Madonna in various costumes, including a masculine suit and a metallic corset,
and it includes references to the Fritz Lang film "Metropolis." The
video also features a number of intricate sets and special effects, including a
sequence where Madonna dances in front of a steam engine.
The video was shot over a period of three days in Los
Angeles and involved a team of over 200 crew members and extras. The set design
was inspired by the Art Deco style of the 1920s, and the video was
choreographed by Vincent Paterson, who had previously worked with Madonna on
the "Like a Prayer" music video.
The "Express Yourself" music video was a critical
and commercial success, and it won several awards, including the MTV Video
Music Award for Best Art Direction. The video is often cited as one of the most
influential music videos of all time, and it remains a fan favorite among
Madonna's fans.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GsVcUzP_O_8
"Bedtime Story" by Madonna (1995) - "
The "Bedtime Story" music video features Madonna
in a number of surreal and dreamlike settings, including a desert landscape and
a room full of floating feathers. The video includes a number of groundbreaking
special effects, including computer-generated imagery and morphing technology.
The video was shot over a period of three days in California
and involved a team of over 50 crew members and extras. The special effects in
the video were created by a team of visual effects artists, and the video was
edited by Robert Duffy, who had previously worked with Madonna on the
"Vogue" music video.
Despite its high production cost, the "Bedtime
Story" music video was not a commercial success, and it received mixed
reviews from critics. However, the video has since become a cult favorite among
Madonna's fans, who appreciate its avant-garde visuals and experimental style.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CSaFgAwnRSc
"Remember the Time" by Michael Jackson (1992) -
The "Remember the Time" music video is set in
ancient Egypt and features Jackson as a pharaoh who falls in love with Iman, a
beautiful queen. The video includes elaborate sets and costumes, as well as
intricate dance sequences and special effects.
The video was shot over a period of five days in California
and involved a team of over 100 crew members and extras. The special effects in
the video were created by Industrial Light & Magic, the company founded by
George Lucas, and the video was edited by Bruce Cannon, who had previously
worked on videos for Prince and Janet Jackson.
The "Remember the Time" music video was a
commercial success and received positive reviews from critics. It was nominated
for several awards.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LeiFF0gvqcc
"Estranged" by Guns N' Roses (1993) -
The "Estranged" music video is a continuation of
the story told in the band's previous music videos for "Don't Cry"
and "November Rain," and it features lead singer Axl Rose diving off
a tanker ship and swimming with dolphins. The video also includes scenes of the
band performing on stage and interacting with fans.
The video was shot over a period of several weeks in various
locations, including Florida and California, and involved a team of over 500
crew members and extras. The special effects in the video were created by a
team of visual effects artists, and the video was edited by Scott Richter, who
had previously worked on videos for Michael Jackson and Madonna.
"Victory" by Puff Daddy and the Family (1998) -
The "Victory" music video is set in a futuristic
city and features Puff Daddy and the Family in a high-stakes game of football
against a team of robotic players. The video includes elaborate sets and special
effects, as well as intricate choreography and action sequences.
The video was shot over a period of several weeks in Los
Angeles and involved a team of over 150 crew members and extras. The special
effects in the video were created by a team of visual effects artists, and the
video was edited by David Rawlins, who had previously worked on videos for
Janet Jackson and Madonna.
Despite its high production cost, the "Victory"
music video was a commercial success, and it received positive reviews from critics.
The video won several awards, including the MTV Video Music Award for Best Art
Direction, and it remains a fan favorite among Puff Daddy's fans.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r2KQVTYB2rE
"Bad" by Michael Jackson (1987) -
The "Bad" music video is set in an urban landscape
and features Jackson as a tough street gangster who gets into a confrontation
with a rival gang. The video includes elaborate choreography and dance
sequences, as well as scenes of Jackson performing on a subway platform.
The video was shot over a period of several weeks in New
York City and involved a team of over 500 crew members and extras. The special
effects in the video were created by a team of visual effects artists, and the
video was edited by Thelma Schoonmaker, who had previously worked on films for
Martin Scorsese.
The "Bad" music video was a commercial and critical success, and it received several awards, including the MTV Video Music Award for Best Choreography. The video has since become a cultural touchstone, and it is often cited as one of the most iconic music videos of all time.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sd4SJVsTulc
"Heartbreaker" by Mariah Carey (1999) -"Heartbreaker" by Mariah Carey was also one of the most expensive music videos ever made at the time, with an estimated production cost of $2.5 million. The music video was directed by Brett Ratner and features a number of celebrity cameos, including Jerry O'Connell and magician Criss Angel.
The "Heartbreaker" music video is set in an urban
nightclub and features Carey as a seductive woman who is pursued by a man
played by actor Jerry O'Connell. The video includes elaborate dance sequences
and costume changes, as well as scenes of Carey performing on stage.
The video was shot over a period of several days in Los
Angeles and involved a team of over 200 crew members and extras. The special
effects in the video were created by a team of visual effects artists, and the
video was edited by Jeff Selis, who had previously worked on videos for Madonna
and Pearl Jam.
The "Heartbreaker" music video was a commercial
success, and it received positive reviews from critics. The video won several
awards, including the MTV Video Music Award for Best Female Video. It remains a
fan favorite among Mariah Carey's fans, and it is often cited as one of her
most iconic music videos.
Top 10 Most Expensive Music Videos Charts