7 ’80s Music Videos That Are Embarrassing to Watch Now

The 1980s brought a new era in music, with the rise of MTV and music videos becoming just as important as the songs themselves. Bands and artists embraced the visual medium, often with strange or experimental results. Looking back, some of these videos haven’t aged well, and what once seemed daring now appears awkward or over the top. Here are seven ’80s music videos that feel a bit cringeworthy today.

1. Billy Squier – “Rock Me Tonite”

Billy Squier was a successful rock artist in the early ’80s, known for his catchy melodies and guitar riffs. But the video for “Rock Me Tonite” is often cited as a career misstep. Released in 1984, the video features Squier dancing around a room, tearing off his shirt, and rolling on a bed in a way that seemed more comical than energetic.

Squier intended to create a raw and spontaneous performance, but the video’s awkward choreography and peculiar movements left viewers puzzled. Critics and fans found it difficult to take seriously, and many blamed it for damaging his rock-star image. Despite the song’s catchy tune, the visuals became a source of ridicule, overshadowing Squier’s musical talent.

2. David Bowie and Mick Jagger – “Dancing in the Street”

David Bowie and Mick Jagger’s duet of “Dancing in the Street” was meant to be a fun collaboration, bringing together two rock icons. Released in 1985, the video features the pair dancing energetically through empty streets. They perform in matching 80s-style clothing, taking turns lip-syncing the lyrics and bouncing off one another.

What was meant to be lighthearted now seems a bit absurd. The exaggerated dance moves, tight close-ups, and intense facial expressions come across as more theatrical than fun. While the duet raised funds for charity, its visuals have become a subject of mockery, leaving many to wonder what Bowie and Jagger were thinking.

3. Duran Duran – “The Wild Boys”

Duran Duran ruled the music video scene in the ’80s with their glamorous style and high-budget productions. But their 1984 video for “The Wild Boys” took things to an extreme. Directed by Russell Mulcahy, it featured futuristic settings, mechanical contraptions, and band members strapped to giant spinning wheels.

The video aimed to be edgy and dark, but it often feels chaotic and overdone. The elaborate sets and dystopian visuals create a sense of drama that now seems excessive. While Duran Duran’s ambition was clear, the result feels like an odd mix of sci-fi and fantasy that lacks coherence, making it difficult to watch without cringing.

4. Michael Jackson – “Say Say Say” (with Paul McCartney)

Michael Jackson and Paul McCartney were two of the biggest names in music during the 80s. Their collaboration “Say Say Say” was a chart-topping hit in 1983. But the accompanying video has not aged well. It features the pair playing con men in the Wild West, selling a miracle potion and performing stage acts.

The video’s concept aimed to blend humor with a touch of nostalgia, but the result feels more cheesy than charming. The skits between Jackson and McCartney seem overly staged, and the storyline drags out longer than necessary. Though their chemistry in the song remains undeniable, the video doesn’t capture the same appeal, leaving it feeling awkward to modern viewers.

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

Journey is known for their arena rock sound, but their video for “Separate Ways (Worlds Apart)” in 1983 has become a classic example of ’80s music video cheesiness. The band plays their instruments on an industrial dock, pretending to play invisible keyboards and guitars while a woman in a leather jacket walks around.

The video’s minimal budget is obvious, but what makes it hard to watch now is the earnestness with which the band members perform. Their over-the-top expressions and dramatic posturing come across as unintentionally funny. Although the song itself remains a fan favorite, the video seems like a relic of a different time, where production value was sometimes overlooked.

6. Billy Idol – “Dancing with Myself”

Billy Idol became an ’80s icon with his rebellious attitude and punk-inspired style. “Dancing with Myself,” originally released in 1981, became one of his signature hits. But the video, set in a dystopian future, features Idol performing on a skyscraper, surrounded by zombie-like dancers who climb up to join him.

Idol’s intention was to convey a sense of isolation and defiance, but the video’s theatrical makeup, foggy settings, and dramatic gestures feel more exaggerated than edgy today. The dance moves and expressions come across as overly intense, turning what was meant to be a statement into something that now feels a bit ridiculous.

7. Prince – “Batdance”

Prince was known for his unique style and musical genius, but the video for “Batdance,” a track from the 1989 Batman soundtrack, has puzzled fans for years. The video features Prince in different costumes, dancing around a set that mixes Batman imagery with flashing lights and dancers dressed as characters from the movie.

The video’s chaotic mix of themes and rapid cuts make it hard to follow, leaving viewers unsure of what they are watching. Prince’s attempt to blend his artistic vision with a superhero theme feels disjointed and over the top. While his music endures, the video is a reminder that not every experiment works out as intended.