40. Justin Timberlake, "What Goes Around . . . Comes Around" (2007)

An epically pretentious production, but Justin and Scarlett seducing each other has got to count for something. Directed by the same guy who did "Smells Like Teen Spirit" and co-written with Nick Cassavetes, this is actually more a short film in the vein of old Michael Jackson videos with big-name directors like Martin Scorsese. — B.F.

39. Poison, "Fallen Angel" (1988)

This is the story of a nice, small-town girl who gets sucked up and spat out by the Hollywood star system. Bret Michaels seems to rail against this classic tale in the song, but the video glorifies it anyway. We remain unsure if this is meta or just kind of dumb, but either way, it's sexy. In the end, she kicks the pervy producer in the balls, changes back into her original outfit and rides off into the sunset with Bret, destined to be dumped in time for the first season of Rock of Love. — B.F.

38. Katy Perry, "I Kissed a Girl" (2008) 

I know, I know. She's the worst. But journey back to 2008 and remember what this seductively thumping jam felt like to hear and see the first time. It remains, despite Perry's best efforts to become the cartoon character her music always hinted at, a candy-coated, sexy guilty pleasure. — A.H.

37. B-52s, "Love Shack" (1989)

If a better time was ever had in a music video, we don't know when it was. The unrestrained exuberance seen here is not something often found on MTV. Campy sexual energy made groovy by way of pure, delightful geeking out. — B.F.

36. David Bowie, "Boys Keep Swinging" (1979)

"When you're a boy, other boys check you out." That troublesome little line convinced RCA not to release Bowie’s '79 single in the U.S., and was censored by NBC when he performed the song on Saturday Night Live. But the video is well remembered for other, more important reasons. As one YouTube commenter put it, "[Bowie’s] the only guy I know that can look good in a dress." — B.F.

35. Rick James, "Give It to Me Baby" (1991)

Let’s be honest: Rick James is terrifying. But once this video gets going, you'll see why we had to include it. This sort of shamelessness deserves recognition. — B.F. 

34. Nikka Costa, "Like a Feather" (2001)

This girl should have been huge. With her sultry, sex-kitten delivery and monster stage presence, Costa rode "Like a Feather"'s indestructible groove into the spotlight. Unable to capitalize on it, she never quite reached the success this single hinted at, but its video, a virtual textbook on how to dominate a stage, will remain her longest-lasting legacy. — A.H.

33. J. Geils Band, "Centerfold" (1980)

We're embarrassed to say this cheesy video was one of the reasons we turned on MTV late at night. Peter Wolf's homeroom girls are actually random dancers from a studio in the same building where the shoot took place, and no, MTV's original VJ Martha Quinn was not, as was long rumored, among them. But we'd be honored to have any of these centerfolds as our angel. — B.F.

32. Blondie, "Hangin' on the Telephone" (1978)

For all of Debbie Harry's doll-like beauty, she could tear it up onstage with the best of them. That combination of picture- (and statue-) esque beauty and punk-rock intensity makes this clip a prime example of what made Blondie (and Harry) just so damn irresistible. — A.H.

31. The Police, "Don't Stand So Close To Me" (1980)

Sting once said that this song is based on a true story from his earlier career as a teacher, alleging (quite plausibly) that his students sometimes developed crushes on him. While it's a a great play on the dicey nature of student-teacher attraction; Sting’s wholesomeness keeps it from going too squirmy. — B.F.