10 ’90s Music Videos That Tried Too Hard to Be Edgy

The 1990s were a time when music videos became more than just promotional tools—they became bold artistic statements. Some artists used videos to push boundaries, but not every attempt worked. Many went overboard trying to look dark, rebellious, or shocking. These 10 music videos are remembered for trying too hard to be edgy.

1. Nine Inch Nails – Closer

Nine Inch Nails’ Closer video embraced a gritty, industrial aesthetic with disturbing imagery. Scenes of animal carcasses, old medical equipment, and religious symbolism filled the screen, creating a deliberately uncomfortable atmosphere.

While the song’s raw emotion matched the visuals, the video left many feeling it was shocking for shock’s sake. Its attempts to appear deep and provocative often overshadowed the music itself, with some critics calling it more grotesque than meaningful.

2. Marilyn Manson – The Beautiful People

Marilyn Manson became a symbol of rebellion in the ’90s, and The Beautiful People video amplified his eerie persona. It featured unsettling makeup, jerky camera movements, and grotesque visuals that felt designed to provoke.

While undeniably striking, the over-the-top presentation made it feel like it was trying too hard to scare viewers. The exaggerated aesthetic sometimes felt more like a horror movie gimmick than a serious statement on society.

3. Prodigy – Smack My B* Up***

The video for Smack My B*** Up* caused an uproar with its first-person perspective of a night filled with chaos, drug use, and violence. It aimed to shock, culminating in a twist ending that flipped expectations.

Despite its creative concept, critics felt the edgy content overshadowed the artistry. The controversy made it a cultural talking point, but many dismissed it as an attempt to provoke outrage rather than tell a compelling story.

4. Tool – Sober

Tool’s Sober video used eerie stop-motion animation and grotesque imagery to create a dark, surreal atmosphere. The unsettling visuals were hard to look away from but often felt confusing and overly abstract.

The video’s heavy symbolism and bleak tone felt more like an art school project than a cohesive narrative. While visually memorable, its efforts to seem profound often came off as needlessly complex and obscure.

5. Smashing Pumpkins – Zero

The Smashing Pumpkins’ Zero video leaned into gothic visuals, with dark clothing, dim lighting, and chaotic edits meant to feel intense and rebellious. It aimed to showcase the band’s anti-mainstream vibe but ended up feeling forced.

Some viewers felt the video lacked the emotional depth of their other works. Instead, it seemed like a deliberate attempt to appear edgy rather than authentically reflecting the song’s meaning.

6. Aphex Twin – Come to Daddy

The Come to Daddy video by Aphex Twin featured unsettling imagery, including distorted faces, screaming figures, and an ominous setting. Its disturbing visuals aimed to be thought-provoking but often felt overdone.

While its bizarre style fit the electronic music’s experimental nature, it left many viewers uncomfortable without a clear purpose. The shock factor made it memorable but also divisive.

7. Madonna – Human Nature

Madonna’s Human Nature video tried to push boundaries with its leather-clad outfits and provocative choreography. It featured a stark, black-and-white aesthetic meant to showcase empowerment and defiance.

While the theme of rejecting societal judgment was clear, the video’s heavy-handed visuals made it feel like it was trying too hard to prove a point. The result felt more performative than genuinely rebellious.

8. Korn – Freak on a Leash

Korn’s Freak on a Leash mixed animation and live-action to create a chaotic, angst-filled experience. It depicted a bullet traveling through various scenes of destruction, representing frustration and rebellion.

Though visually innovative, the video’s aggressive tone felt exaggerated at times. The heavy symbolism sometimes came across as more melodramatic than impactful, leaving some viewers unimpressed.

9. Soundgarden – Black Hole Sun

Soundgarden’s Black Hole Sun video used surreal, exaggerated visuals of smiling faces and melting landscapes to create a nightmarish vibe. While visually striking, the effects often felt like an attempt to be weird for the sake of it.

The video’s over-the-top style overshadowed the song’s deeper emotional tone. It became memorable for its odd imagery, but some viewers felt it lacked substance beyond the shock value.

10. Alanis Morissette – Ironic

In Ironic, Alanis Morissette played multiple versions of herself in a car, trying to create an introspective and edgy vibe. The concept aimed to be creative but came across as awkward and overly quirky.

While the song resonated with listeners, the video’s gimmicky execution didn’t match its emotional depth. Its attempt to be unconventional felt more distracting than meaningful.