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10. Britney Spears, "I'm a Slave 4 U" (2001)


Say what you will about Ms. Spears, this 2001 video is permanently filed away in the dirty minds of straight men the world over. Intended to shift Spears's image from girl-next-door to depraved, totally accessible sex symbol, it was an unarguable success on that front, if only for a while.

9. 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.

8. George Michael, "Freedom! '90" (1984)


Linda Evangelista, Cindy Crawford, Naomi Campbell, Tatjana Patitz and Christy Turlington are here to distract you from the fact that at no time does George Michael actually appear in this video (though a somewhat George Michael-ish looking double writhes in partial shadow). Michael's refusal to participate was part of a general rebellion at the time — he'd recently split from Wham!, and had had numerous conflicts with Sony Music over the production of his previous album, Listen Without Prejudice.


7. Chris Isaak, "Wicked Game" (1989)


If you don't remember this one, you're too young to be watching many of the videos on this list. Directed by Herb Ritts, it features a topless Isaak and a topless-but-never-totally-exposed Helena Christensen wrapped in each other's arms in teasing black-and-white. David Lynch directed an alternate, less-racy version comprised of scenes from his movie, Wild At Heart.

6. Billy Idol, "Cradle of Love" (1990)


During the time it aired, many guys considered this the sexiest video on MTV. Long imitated, never equaled, this utterly pointless story of a computer nerd who gets a visit from a hottie looking to show him some dance routines (huh?) features the sexiest split ever. Directed by David Fincher, who went on to glory with Seven, Fight Club, and Zodiac.

5. Aerosmith, "Cryin'" (1993)


A video so hot it made a movie star out of Alicia Silverstone. Some prefer the follow-up, "Crazy," with Alicia and Liv Tyler swimming in their underwear, but that always seemed like a rip-off of this one to us.

4. Madonna, "Justify My Love" (1990)


Banned by MTV and defended by Madonna on Nightline, "Justify My Love" eventually became the #1 video single of all time. And though we have no idea what a "video single" is, this clip probably best represents the '80s Madonna: all melodrama and angst, rubbing and writhing on the floor in a fit of uncontrollable lust. It all seems a little silly until you notice you're completely aroused.
3. Prince, "Little Red Corvette" (1983)


The split Prince does just before the two minute mark just might be the sexiest nanosecond in the history of the world. And we have it on good authority that Prince is pointing at you. Yes, you.

2. 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.

1. Robert Palmer, "Addicted To Love" (1985)


An argument for the ages: Is this Palmer's sexiest video, or does that honor belong to "Simply Irresistible"? After much debate, we settled on this one — a monument to '80s deadpan sexuality. The models, which appeared in three other Palmer videos, aren't even trying to look like they're playing the instruments. According to VH1's Pop-Up Video, a musician was hired to teach them basic guitar-fingering techniques, but gave up after an hour.

Comments ( 69 )

I understand that it is hard to come up with a list that will please everyone but it is unforgivable not to have even one of these; "Love would never do" Janet Jackson, anything by Mariah Carey (especially "Loverboy"), "Promise of a new day" Paula Abdul, etc.

ss commented on Sep 08 08 at 9:04 am

A "video single" is a video released for the public to buy. Since Madonna wasn't getting airplay, just controversy, for the video it was released on VHS at the time and sold like crazy. I'm not understanding why a music critic doesn't know this and would even be prepared to write a 50 sexiest music videos list???

ATB commented on Sep 12 08 at 4:05 pm

B.O.N (Band Ohne Namen) from Germany - BOYS is the video. Look for the uncensored version...sure it's silly but LOVE SHACK!?!?!?! is just ridiculous.

Good call on Wicked Game, though. Should be number 1.

JBS commented on Sep 13 08 at 2:47 pm

Pound Cake by Van Halen

Nuff said.

JB commented on Nov 01 08 at 5:29 pm

I Don

commented on Dec 28 08 at 5:06 pm

Great presentation, but you forgot Milk Shake, I believe

NIL commented on Jan 18 09 at 6:00 am

Hmm, wheres Alex Gausinos "Destination Unknown"?

Dii commented on Mar 14 09 at 9:41 am

Where is ONJ "Let's get Physical"?

XX commented on Apr 23 09 at 8:25 am

Bilal "Soul Sista"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e9fcNjqK5Pk

Maxwell "Pretty Wings"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7mLfC2kkvPw

I used to be so angry about that D'Angelo "Untitled" joint...haha, though you really couldn't fight it, just talk to your girl again after it was over.

AJS commented on Aug 07 09 at 7:56 pm

How Do you overlook DIRRTY, C Aguilera......Totally ruins your list. Top five hands down

JL commented on Sep 21 09 at 12:02 pm

How did Staci's Mom not make this list?

rv commented on Nov 17 09 at 3:12 am

George Michael's "Father Figure" should certainly be in the Top 5!

Pepe commented on Mar 30 10 at 11:51 pm

What do you think?

sexw commented on Apr 03 10 at 4:14 pm

I think is more like a 40+y/o woman's choices

X13 commented on Apr 05 10 at 11:44 pm

I think is more like a 40+y/o woman's choices

X13 commented on Apr 05 10 at 11:44 pm

What do you think?

class room commented on Apr 21 10 at 1:04 am

What do you think?

class room commented on Apr 21 10 at 1:04 am

Christina Aguilera's Dirrty needs to be up here. But I think Justify My Love should be #1, that vid still makes me blush

MistressVanilla commented on Apr 21 10 at 6:33 pm

What do you think?

bejo commented on Apr 24 10 at 10:32 am

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