10 Iconic Music Video Stills

Here are my pick of the 10 most iconic music video stills in alphabetical order, I tried to get a good mix of genres and time periods...

Beyonce - Single Ladies

I chose this still as iconic because although the video was fairly recent, it has already been imitated many times by different people. The dance itself is what makes the video so iconic, and I think this still best illustrates the choreography.

Bob Dylan - Subterranean Homesick Blues

This video could be seen as iconic because once again the style - where Bob Dylan holds up cards with lyrics written on them - has been emulated by many different artists. Additionally the look of the video is very memorable: the use of black and white, the sometimes crudely written words on shabby cardboard, Dylan's expressionless face.

Britney Spears - Baby One More Time

Possibly the most iconic thing about this music video is the outfit. As this was Britney's debut single, it was this schoolgirl look that defined her for a long time afterwards. The video contributed immensely to the hype surrounding her first album and this, I feel, makes it iconic. 

Lady Gaga - Telephone feat. Beyonce

I chose this video as iconic because I believe that Lady Gaga is a highly influential artist and this video especially exhibits her unusual style. Additionally, the collaboration between her and Beyonce (as seen in this shot) is in itself iconic due to the fact that they are both huge musical icons. The style of the video, which connotes Tarantino's work, also could be seen as iconic, and like Thriller, it has a cinematic feel to it.

Madonna - Vogue

I chose this video as iconic because although Madonna has released many highly influential videos, I felt that this one was most memorable, due to her make-up, the choreography, the use of black & white, etc.

Michael Jackon - Thriller

This was my first choice for this list, I don't think there is any video more iconic than 'Thriller'. It was pretty much the first video to mix music video with film, and the result is a highly cinematic feel. Everything about this video is iconic - the dance, the costumes, the opening, the voiceover - and this still best displays these elements.

Nirvana - Smells Like Teen Spirit

This shot is iconic because it captures the tone of the video perfectly: Cobain's hair, facial expression, striped jumper, guitar strap, etc, all work to make his iconic look, and the lighting and colour is typical of Nirvana's grunge style.

OK Go - Here It Goes Again

I chose this still as iconic because it is representative of the dance routine, and that is what makes the video so iconic. Like the other videos on this list, it has been parodied over and over, showing that it is influential. Additionally, the outfits of the band are very memorable: a mixture of bright colours and patterns

Queen - Bohemian Rhapsody

This still is iconic because it stands out so much, not only from other videos, because of the lighting, the artistic look, and the fact that they are all being shot in such close proximity, but also from the Bohemian Rhapsody video itself - it is a complete break in style of the song and video.

Radiohead - No Surprises

I chose this video as iconic because Radiohead are famous for their inventive and unusual videos, and this one stood out to me as one that was particularly interesting and memorable. I chose this shot because you can see clearly the way the water is filling up, the reflection of the lights and the lyrics moving down the screen, which are all the key elements of the video. Another thing that makes the video iconic is the way in which Thom Yorke's face has been filmed in extreme close-up for the entire video, and that it has been recorded in one take, without cuts.