The 20 Best Videos of 2009

SPIN Lists



Yeah Yeah Yeahs, "Heads Will Roll"
Directed by Richard Ayoade

We imagine things went down like this in Warren Zevon's "Werewolves of London."

Handsome Furs, "I'm Confused"
Directed by Scott Coffey

Just when you think this house party's gonna be like every other—red cups, haggard blondes, puke -- there's an end-of-the-night hook-up that changes everything.

The Dead Weather, "Treat Me Like Your Mother"
Directed by Jonathan Glazer

One wonders what the motivation was for Jack White and Alison Mosshart to storm towards each other gripping machine guns. Domestic dispute? Blood feud? Too many Meg jokes?

Yeasayer, "Ambling Alp"
Directed by Radical Friend

It's impossible to tell nude hipsters apart! These ones could very well be the same as those in the Flaming Lips' "Watching the Planets." But thanks to Yeasayer for sparing us close-ups of crack.

Bat for Lashes, "Daniel"
Directed by Johan Renck

Soon, Natasha Khan will have paid homage to every moment that made growing up in the '80s so memorable. This time, it's rainbow make-up and The Karate Kid. Next, it'll be slap bracelets and The Legend of Billie Jean.

 

VIDEOS 20 - 16  |   VIDEOS 15 - 11  |  VIDEOS 10 - 6 |  VIDEOS 5 - 1 


 Also See:   40 BEST ALBUMS  | 20 BEST SONGS

 

Posted By Anonymous

05.01.10 9:25 PM

are u on crack? how can you not like it?

Posted By Anonymous

05.01.10 9:24 PM

i think that lady gaga should be number one!

Posted By Anonymous

03.28.10 12:49 AM

#1 is extremely memorable. good choice!

Posted By Anonymous

03.28.10 12:30 AM

Okay the gaga love is kind of ridiculous. "bad romance is the best video since thriller." Are you people on crack?
I like the list. Number 2 is perfect.

Posted By Casey Coleman

03.16.10 3:23 AM

your taste in music sucks.

Posted By Ja Rule

01.27.10 12:37 PM

Who made this list? and how they pick the videolist? on what grounds?

and What happen whid Matt Alonzo? or any of skee.tv video production?

Posted By Anonymous

01.08.10 11:10 PM

@Anonymous: Check out the 2008 best vidos list. Single Ladies is actually on there.

Posted By Anonymous

01.03.10 3:07 PM

hey !what the ****?
beyonce isn't there man,i thing she have moved her stuff pretty well in single lady,
atleast she should be there in top 15!

Posted By katy

01.02.10 6:07 PM

you guys need to chill with all that lady gaga ****,she isnt that great !!! SHE & HIM i love em.best video ever zooey deschanel & joseph gordon-levitt are awesomeeeeeeeeeee !!

Posted By Anonymous

01.02.10 6:04 AM

omg number 1 was awesome!

Posted By mandy

01.01.10 3:18 AM

Lady Gaga should be higher up on the list! I did a stint in a Mental Hospital this November(true story) and it was the only thing that I looked forward to every morning on VH1's jump start :) The other crazies didn't too much enjoy it but luckily they were too doped up to operate the remote. Go GAGA!

Posted By Anonymous

12.30.09 12:26 PM

What about "Cousins" by Vampire Weekend? That was a great video with a lot of energy. The rest on this list are appropriately placed. I think that all the Lady Gaga lovers need to lay off, and open your minds to new music and different videos.

Posted By We Fans!

12.30.09 1:14 AM

THIS is the best live music video/moment caught in '09. Have patience. Around the 2 minute mark things start to get nutty

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T7WxTP3ger8

Posted By Anonymous

12.29.09 7:03 PM

Where is La Roux!?

Posted By theumpteenthtimes

12.28.09 10:47 PM

Thirty-Something Man Asks Girlfriend, “Who in the Hell is Lady Gaga?”

Burlington, VT—While reading the paper Monday morning, Burlington resident, Frank Glumm, 37, stumbled upon an article concerning the attendees of MTV’s 2009 Video Music Awards, prompting him to turn to his girlfriend at the breakfast table and ask, “Who in the hell is Lady Gaga?” “He had no idea who she was,” said girlfriend, Hannah... »

READ MORE at theumpteenthtimes.com/?p=1344

"Music NEws That's Fit to Fake"

Posted By Eric Chicago

12.28.09 4:01 PM

The Chairlift video “Evident Utensil” is number one through twenty. I do not mean to denigrate any other video, but this work is beyond anything anyone else has created year to date. Comparing it to any other work is the same as comparing the genius of a Joan Miro to that of a childish scrawl. Please do not embarrass yourself.

This video has received a lot of attention. No one is surprised as the attention was fully expected, warranted, and justified. Although I do admire the “Evident Utensil” video, I must stop here and comment on the music of Chairlift. Chairlift creates music that can only be described as creative genius. I realize that my comments and praise are both cautious and conservative, but I see no need to torture the obvious. The music of Chairlift is challenging, beautiful, innovative, uncompromising, and original. Chairlift should be at the top of all your other lists staring today and moving forward. I strongly suggest you post all of your lists for the next decade with each number one spot held by Chairlift. The other spots can remain blank, as there is no way of knowing if anyone else will create anything approaching the abilities of Chairlift. As for the number one spots, Chairlift will hold them all and it will then become a matter of choosing which Chairlift song or video for that particular year for that particular category is most worthy. A formidable and unenviable task!

My fervent hope is that I have helped to simplify your workload.

-Eric Chicago

Posted By s

12.27.09 1:52 AM

Depeche Mode at 30 years as a band and counting is still pulling in #10 on the video list of Best 20 Videos of the year. Awesome! Really liking some of the other videos on the list as well.

Posted By gaga1234

12.22.09 4:40 PM

lady gaga at number 20?! think someone needs to sort this chart out!!
in the top 5 at least, if not number 1!!

Posted By Anonymous

12.21.09 6:17 PM

Major Lazer "Pon de Floor, skank it all night long!!

Posted By mimi

12.21.09 3:58 PM

so **** this chart

Posted By mimi

12.21.09 3:58 PM

so **** this chart

Posted By kylie

12.21.09 2:07 AM

DEPECHE MODE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! <3

Posted By Anonymous

12.20.09 8:54 PM

Good thing that came out in 2008...

Posted By Anonymous

12.20.09 8:45 PM

If Matt & Kim had the video of the year it was horrible year for music videos.

Posted By Anonymous

12.20.09 7:11 PM

thanks for putting gaga last. she sucks, I bt whomever compiled this list just put her cause they'd get **** from everyone if they didn't but gaga blows.

Posted By Benjamin49

12.20.09 5:20 PM

Charlotte Gainsbourg for ever!!

Posted By TheCosmicKiz

12.19.09 1:06 AM

AWESOME SELCTION!!!
LOVE ALL!!

Posted By Anonymous

12.19.09 12:55 AM

Let the beat Build!!!!! Finally something positive from the youth! I love that video :)

Posted By maribonpr

12.18.09 9:22 PM

what is this crap? ok i get it. u are like sooo indie. woohooo. omg.
but seriously. most -if not all- of this videos suck.
[im not criticizing the bands or their music. just their crappy videos]
and this shows some people are just plain haters and dont know how to appreciate artists of other genres.
bad romance is the best video since thriller.
nough said.

Posted By Anonymous

12.18.09 6:27 PM

The List is ****. Lady Gaga has the best Video

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