10 Most Ridiculous Classic Rock Music Videos Ever Made

Once upon a time, music videos were all the rage, giving us a visual treat to accompany our favorite tunes. But like a recipe gone wrong, sometimes things didn’t quite turn out as expected. Here are 10 classic rock music videos that took a detour into the ridiculous.

1. “Dancing in the Street” – David Bowie & Mick Jagger

“The dancing. The clothes. The production values. None of it is good.” When these two legends teamed up for a rendition of “Dancing in the Street,” the result was a visual spectacle that left us scratching our heads.

2. “Rock Me Tonite” – Billy Squier

“Jaw-dropping. It killed his career in one fell swoop.” Billy Squier’s video for “Rock Me Tonite” was meant to be a hit but turned into a miss. With its questionable dance moves and flashy visuals, it’s a cringe-worthy relic of the ’80s.

3. “Separate Ways (Worlds Apart)” – Journey

“In which our heroes play imaginary instruments on a New Orleans dock.” Journey’s “Separate Ways” video has become legendary for all the wrong reasons. It’s a classic case of the band’s artistic vision clashing with reality, resulting in an unintentional comedy.

4. “Sweating Bullets” – Megadeth

Dave Mustaine’s “Sweating Bullets” video takes a bizarre turn into the cartoonish. This offbeat approach does little to convey the supposed menace of the song and leaves viewers puzzled.

5. “Can’t Fight This Feeling Anymore” – REO Speedwagon

REO Speedwagon’s saccharine ballad “Can’t Fight This Feeling” gets an equally syrupy video treatment. It’s a perfect storm of ’80s soft rock and sentimental visuals that may leave you reaching for the remote.

6. “Cherry Pie” – Warrant

Warrant’s “Cherry Pie” video leaves nothing to the imagination. It takes every lyric of the song and turns it into a literal, over-the-top visual experience filled with ham-fisted sexual metaphors. Even the late singer admitted to hating it.

7. “Balls To The Wall” – Accept

While Accept’s “Balls To The Wall” is a head-banging classic, the video takes things to an absurd level. From synchronized stage moves to bizarre imagery, this video is a wild ride.

8. “Hot Rockin'” – Judas Priest

Judas Priest may rock the stage, but their video for “Hot Rockin'” misses the mark. It features the band pumping iron and hitting the sauna and shower, leaving viewers bewildered rather than hot and bothered.

9. “Don’t Come Around Here No More” – Tom Petty

Tom Petty’s “Don’t Come Around Here No More” video is a surreal journey. With Petty donning a peculiar hat and a cake made out of a teenage girl, it’s a visual trip that defies explanation.

10. “We’re Not Gonna Take It” – Twisted Sister

– Twisted Sister’s “We’re Not Gonna Take It” video is a riotous comedy. Actor Mark Metcalf’s over-the-top performance as an enraged dad and the band’s clownish makeup turn this into a Three Stooges-meets-MTV extravaganza. It’s a reminder that music videos can be a source of laughter as well as music.