When music videos came on the scene they were like watching a movie in several minutes describing the song. The following videos listed below are some of the best ever that represent the 1980's.

"Vacation" The Go-Go's - 1982

A euphoric video that begins with a magazine that is opened to a page that has the word Vacation written across the top and a picture of palm trees on it while a man is standing outside reading it just as a yellow cab drops off lead singer Belinda Carlisle (as she's carrying a duffle bag) at what appears to be a bus terminal as she joins the rest of her bandmates. As the five girls are sitting down waiting for their transportation to arrive, while their instruments and luggage surround them they are very bored and begin to fantasize about being someplace else followed by rhythm guitarist Jane Wiedlin who is reading a magazine (as Belinda Carlisle who is leaning aganst her luggage closes her eyes) which is then placed on a table close by that happens to be turned to a page with a picture of palm trees and a beautiful sunset. As the group members are singing and playing instruments it's as if they are transported directly into the magazine and the next scene has them water-skiing while wearing pink and white tutus, white opera gloves and white feathered tiaras truly making it a vacation for the group with the video ending as the girls become pictured inside the magazine water-skiing followed by the glossy which is then swept up by a janitor in the now empty station.

"Vacation" had to be listed in the category for best music videos because it allows five girls to escape from a dismal place and go to an exhilarating beach enabling them to be on their very own summer getaway and who could forget the majorly '80s hot pink watermelon wedge earrings Belinda Carlisle wore in the video? It has always been one of my wishes to depart from everyday life and dress up as a ballerina while on water-skis.

*In the "Vacation" video it is not actually The Go-Go's water-skiing but rather five professional water-skiers.

"Gypsy" Fleetwood Mac - 1982

A captivating video that is like watching a fantasy take place as Stevie Nicks, who's in her bedroom is surrounded by antique dolls, lace and paper flowers (of course) and other delicate items while on a nearby table there are figurines, a picture frame and a crystal ball that has the singer dancing inside it dressed as a ballerina and as she looks into mirror she sees herself as a gypsy in various time periods. The first is during the depression as she walks down a street, the second is set in the 1930's in black and white as she is dancing with a man (Lindsey Buckingham) followed by her going outside into the rain to sing which then turns into a framed picture set perfectly on her dresser and the third period of time is absolutely spellbinding as Stevie Nicks is in a vibrantly colored enchanted forest on the edge of a cliff while the group is sitting down and suddenly glitter begins falling onto the singer as she's dancing and is then surrounded by three little girls who merrily play "Ring Around the Rosie" while Stevie Nicks is in the middle and it's as if they are all in a magical kingdom. The video continues its ingenuity by flashing various scenes from each time period as well as flashing Stevie Nicks in front of her mirror to create an almost illusionary effect.

"Gypsy" is an incomparable music video because not only is the concept completely different from any other music video ever made, each scene is so intriguing it permits viewers to travel to an entrancing yet make-believe world.

"Thriller" Michael Jackson - 1983

Directed by John Landis and narrated by Vincent Price this fourteen minute video was and always will be one of the most legendary music videos ever made that stars Michael Jackson who is on a date at a movie theatre watching a horror movie but his date (Ola Ray) becomes too frightened and leaves as he quickly follows her outside. As the two walk down a heavily fogged street Michael Jackson begins singing "Thriller" and as they pass a cemetery corpses start to rise from their graves while one even emerges from the sewer. Suddenly Michael Jackson and his date become surrounded by zombies and as they all begin reaching toward the couple Michael Jackson becomes one of them followed by the singer who, along with the zombies perform an unforgettable choreography which is still phenomenal to this day while his terrified date runs for her life into an old abandoned house. As the zombies start pounding and trying to get into the house (while chilling music is being played) and the girl attempts to block the door with a chair Michael Jackson along with the zombies break inside the house and as they all begin reaching toward the girl Michael Jackson is about to grab her when she lets out a ghastly scream but when she looks up it's the real Michael Jackson. Believing it was just a dream the girl is relieved so the singer offers to take her home but just as they are leaving the King of Pop turns around and smiles at the camera with piercing bright yellow eyes appearing as if he's some kind of monster while the rest of the music to "Thriller" plays followed by the ending credits similar to that of a movie which ponders the question "Was it really just a dream?"

"Thriller" is an all-time classic video because it's literally like watching a short film combining a remarkable song with striking dance moves and exceptional make-up effects along with a suspenseful storyline that no other music video can compare to.

"Love Is A Battlefield" Pat Benatar - 1983

This riveting five minute video describes what can happen when someone is in a difficult situation and starts off featuring several different scenes beginning with Pat Benatar (born Pat Andrzejewski) as she's walking at night near a busy street, the next has a bus driving down a road and she is then in the back seat of a bus singing and recalling how she angrily moves out of her parent's home while rebelliously singing the words to "Love Is A Battlefield" as her father is yelling at her regarding the circumstances under which she is leaving (during which her mother stands helplessly by) then looks up and sees her younger brother watching through his bedroom window as she waves goodbye to him then turns around and goes. She then finds herself in a place she has never been to before where she knows no one and while her parent's worry and miss her she writes to her brother but at the same time comes to the realization that she has nobody to depend on but herself as she learns to get tough and become streetsmart. Dressed in a positively fierce '80s outfit she walks into a bar where there are prostitutes all around and a seedy pimp sitting at the bar and after the singer finishes dancing with a guy someone else asks her to dance but she refuses. When one of the working girls screams at the pimp to leave her alone he attempts to grab her when Pat Benatar steps in front of him warning the pander to back off followed by the singer who, along with the girls behind her perform a sensational dance routine and decide they will not be pushed around anymore (as the procurer is now backed up against the bar frozen with fear) whether it's by a pimp, boyfriend or anyone else. When he tries to dance with the singer she throws a glass of water in the guy's face in disgust and when she turns away from him he grabs her at which point she pulls away confirming her refusal to be controlled by anyone while she continues to dance along with the prostitutes as they all join together to prove that love is indeed a battlefield. As Pat Benatar and the girls walk outside they are much stronger than they were before and as the sun is beginning to set they all hug her and give her a thumbs up indicating that they'll be alright and while they go their separate ways and she goes hers she turns and waves goodbye to them. The final scene is of the singer on the same bus as she is now reminiscing of the recent occurrances which ends with her closing her eyes as if to forget everything that has happened.

"Love Is A Battlefield" is veritably an impressive as well as honest music video because it explains how rough life can be for anyone when they're on their own and what choices they are sometimes forced to make.

"She Works Hard for the Money" Donna Summer - 1983

A commendable video that begins with a woman gracefully dancing which then has her waking up to an alarm clock at 5:30 a.m. appearing as if she had been dreaming while a framed picture of herself as a ballerina she once was sits on her nightstand. She then walks to the first of her three grueling jobs in New York City which consist of scrubbing floors in a building, waitressing at a coffee shop and working as a seamstress at night and when she looks at the picture of herself as a ballerina the single mother of two is reminded of how things don't always turn out as planned. One day everything goes wrong for her while she is at her waitressing job as she drops a plate that shatters then the woman falls down (as Donna Summer tries to help her but she refuses) followed by her coming home from work exhausted and carrying grocery bags in both arms to a house that is completely trashed and she just can't take it anymore so as she drops both bags and puts her hands on her head in absolute despair she suddenly finds herself dancing in the middle of a street surrounded by others who, just like her are working women such as doctors, police officers, construction workers and many others whose dreams were also to become dancers that finally, if only for a few minutes come true (while Donna Summer is on a fire escape looking at all the admirable ladies as she sings).

Truly an eye-catching music video because it not only describes the exact meaning of the song but also may give viewers a better understanding and appreciation of women who work and the sacrifices they must often make at times.

* The song "She Works Hard For The Money" is widely regarded as a feminist anthem and is inspired by a real-life incident that occurred when a woman named Onetta Johnson who worked as a restroom attendant fell asleep one day at the restauruant where she worked at while Donna Summer was there dining. Not only is Onetta's name mentioned in the song she also appears with the singer on the back cover of the album titled "She Works Hard For The Money."

"When Doves Cry" Prince and the Revolution - 1984

An unparalleled video that is altogether '80s from start to finish that incorporates clips from the dynamic musical/drama Purple Rain begins with a guitar playing a riveting intro while at the same time two doors to a bathroom open and as several white doves are flying around, Prince (born Prince Rogers Nelson) is in a steam-filled bathtub then slowly crawls across the floor that is covered with lilacs as more white doves fly by. In the next setting the singer is standing up holding a picture of his father while looking into the mirror which turns into an emotional and violent scene from the film. As more excerpts are shown the video becomes extremely artistic by featuring a mural painting of a woman on a wall as a door opens by itself and white doves suddenly fly out while another clip features Prince & the Revolution who are dancing and playing instruments and whose images, along with the mural painting behind them become doubled which then split apart and superbly come back together adding creativity and illusion to the video. The last scene appears to be a kaleidoscope effect of the band dancing together in a uniquely blurred picture with a vibrant purple as the color of the background. The video ends just as amazing as it originates with Prince who is once again in the bathtub as a guitar is standing upright against the tub and the mural of the woman now has a purple tear streaming down the left side of her cheek expressing the significance of the song as the synthesizer plays its final and most profound note.

An unsurpassed music video in that no other has such mesmerizing imagery along with incredibly vivid colors and by including various scenes from Purple Rain it becomes even more dramatic.

"Voices Carry" 'til tuesday - 1985

A video that expresses one's individuality, acceptance of who they are and the refusal to conform to the demands of other people. The concept of this video is how an overbearing boyfriend tries to convert his girlfriend/musician (lead singer Aimee Mann) to his upper-middle class lifestyle which includes taking her to fancy restaurants and buying her expensive gifts to trying to control her every move until she can no longer take it. One night during a concert at Carnegie Hall Aimee Mann begins displaying her inner feelings by singing and proclaiming her dissent to adapt to her boyfriend's way of life. While her boyfriend, who is seated beside her tactfully tries to tell her to be quiet and audience members turn around and angrily look at her Aimee Mann begins singing even louder which results her standing up and removing her cap to unveil her spiked hair and rat-tail signifying the end to an emotionally abusive relationship as her humiliated date crouches down in his seat avoiding further embarrassment and by now the entire crowd is staring at the singer in shock and dismay.

"Voices Carry" is a great music video that is well acted by Aimee Mann who no longer allows herself to be controlled by her dominating boyfriend and by standing up and singing at Carnegie Hall while articulating her emotions it may have even encouraged viewers going through their own identity problems to realize that they don't have to change anything about themselves in order to please others and should be happy just the way they are.

"Take On Me" a-ha - 1985

One of the most original and innovative music videos ever created which is filmed in black and white combines live-action and animation and is set in a coffee shop as a young girl (Bunty Bailey) is reading a comic book about a motorcycle race that lead singer Morten Harket is competing in when he suddenly winks at her then his hand reaches out of the comic book and pulls her inside. The waitress at the coffee shop goes to the girl's table, assumes she has left without paying and angrily crumples up the comic book then throws it in the trash while inside the comic book both the singer and the girl are able to see each other in live-action through a mirror. Angry because he has lost the race, one of the competitors shatters the mirror with a wrench which causes Morten Harket to punch him then he and the girl become chased down a hall by both competitors. The singer then tears open a hole in the wall (which is a way out of the comic book) for the girl to be set free while he fights the villains and in doing so the girl finds herself back in the coffee shop disheveled and dirty from the comic book print as the waitress and other patrons stare at her in bewilderedness. She then retrieves the comic from the waste basket and runs home. While in her bedroom she begins to smooth out the crumples in the comic book and as she turns one of the pages Morten Harket appears to be unconscious and the girl starts to cry at which point the singer begins escaping out of the comic book. As the girl turns around, Morten Harket becomes thrashed against the door from side to side while interchanging from animated to live-action (as the terrified girl stands nearby unable to help him) and is finally freed from the comic book drenched with sweat but unharmed as the video ends with the two holding each other.

The video for "Take On Me" is positively brilliant because not only is it the first music video ever to incorporate both live-action and animation enabling viewers to see both unique images it tells a very fascinating story that keeps people in suspense from the opening scene to the conclusion. There have been plenty of times when I have wanted to be drawn into another place by someone's hand whether it be a music video, television program or a movie but for some reason it just hasn't happened.

*In addition to winning eight awards at the 1986 MTV Awards for the video "Take On Me" a-ha made a sequel music video titled "The Sun Always Shines on T.V." that blended live-action and animation for the second time and also starred the same actress from the "Take On Me" video but it was not nearly as popular.

"Papa Don't Preach" Madonna - 1986

This is an insightful music video that had rarely been the subject matter in songs and caused numerous debates from many people. Set in New York, Madonna portrays a teenage girl who is on her way home walking and reminiscing back to when she was a little girl being raised by her father (actor Danny Aiello) and how good of a parent he's always been. On her way home she sings of how she plans on telling her father that she is pregnant and is going to keep her baby as well as how her boyfriend says they're going to get married and have a family. When she gets home the singer tells her father her intentions and he is very upset as he gets up and walks into the other room. The video describes the emotions both people are going through when they are in different areas of their house thinking about what has just occurred. The ending is truly moving as Madonna is sitting on her bed scared and confused when her father comes in and extends his left hand out to her acknowledging that he supports her decision and still loves her followed by Madonna embracing him.

"Papa Don't Preach" is a very important video because it brings attention to a serious issue pertaining to teen pregnancy and possibly has young girls as well as others thinking twice about the consequences that follow.

"Fallen Angel" Poison - 1988

A noteworthy yet at the same time realistic video about how a young girl (model Bobbie Brown) decides to move to California on her own hoping to become a "star" and meets a sleazy manager making her empty promises. While she is wined and dined by the manager and introduced to a life she has never experienced before she misses her family and soon begins to realize that things aren't as perfect as she'd thought or had hoped they would be. Once the girl discovers the true price of fame and that she doesn't belong in a place that's just as fake as it is pretentious she makes the right decision to leave and seconds after she gets on the back of lead singer Bret Michaels' motorcycle and they take off another young girl steps off of a bus in search of the same dream as viewers realize the exact thing will happen to her.

"Fallen Angel" is without a doubt one of the most straightforward music videos ever made that depicts what can result when people have ambitions of stardom or any career for that matter and pursue them yet later discover that things as well as people are not always as they seem. It could even have people consider the repercussions that may follow and become reluctant about wanting to move to a place that is entirely different from where they're accustomed to living and acquiring a profession that appears easier accomplished than it really is.