10 Rock Music Videos In The 1980s That Will Give You Secondhand Embarrassment

The 1980s brought us some unforgettable music videos. But not all of them aged well. Fun was a priority, but that didn’t always translate on screen.

While some videos became timeless, others leave us cringing. Awkward moves, bizarre outfits, and poor choices defined many of them.

Let’s take a look at ten music videos from the 80s that will make you ask, “What were they thinking?”

10. “Separate Ways”, Journey

The 1983 music video for Journey’s “Separate Ways” was a pioneer in its time, but it also highlighted early missteps in translating music to visuals. One such mistake was the use of musicians pretending to play instruments.

The keyboardist’s exaggerated movements at the :54 mark were particularly cringe-worthy. It’s clear that the video could benefit from a redo with more authentic performances.

9. “Down Under”, Men at Work

Men at Work’s “Down Under” video attempted to visualize the song’s lyrics, but the results were often absurd. 

Scenes like playing the flute to a stuffed koala bear and digging and dancing in the sand were particularly silly. A redo with a more subtle or imaginative approach could have made the video more memorable.

8. “Look of Love”, ABC

ABC’s “Look of Love” video is a confusing mix, starting with the wardrobe choices. Then, there’s the odd cane dancing and random chattering teeth—none of it makes sense.

To top it off, there’s a guy messily eating pasta for no clear reason. How this video ever made it past the planning stage is a mystery.

7. “You Spin Me Round (Like a Record)”, Dead or Alive

With its synth-pop vibes, “You Spin Me Round (Like a Record)” is as 80s as it gets. Peter Burns’ exaggerated finger-wagging and random flag-waving throughout the video only add to the cheesy feel.

Dead or Alive clearly followed the formula of the time: an androgynous frontman, a catchy but safe tune, and a video that borders on ridiculous. And somehow, it worked, selling millions.

6. “Doing It All For Baby”, Huey Lewis

Huey Lewis & the News were never ones to take themselves too seriously, and usually, that worked in their favor. But after watching this video, maybe they should have toned down the humor just a bit.

Turning musicians into actors rarely works, and this video proves it. Frankenstein? Really? It’s a head-scratching choice that only adds to the cringe.

5. “We Built This City on Rock and Roll”, Starship

Some songs are just destined for cheesy videos, and this is one of them. The over-the-top visuals perfectly match the corny vibe of the track, making it hard to take seriously.

Even in the world of 80s music, this one stands out for all the wrong reasons. “We Built This City on Rock and Roll” has earned its place as an infamous piece of 80s pop culture.

4. “Safety Dance”, Men Without Hats

Here’s the pitch: a medieval setting in England, complete with Morris dancers, a dwarf, and a quirky frontman. Add a female lead who seems oddly out of it, and for good measure, toss in a puppet show.

What could go wrong, right? The result is a bizarre mix of elements that leaves you wondering how it all came together—and why.

3. “Lick It Up”, KISS

With a song title like “Lick It Up,” expecting high art was probably a stretch. Only in the 80s could men in velvet leopard print boots and exposed chests be seen as tough.

This was KISS in their post-makeup phase, and the look didn’t exactly age well. Fortunately, they eventually went back to the face paint.

2. “Dancing in the Streets”, David Bowie & Mick Jagger

It’s hard to imagine what drove two rock legends to create such a cringe-worthy video. You have to wonder if even they were embarrassed by the result.

Between Mick Jagger’s white leather Reeboks and David Bowie’s slow-motion jump, the whole thing feels like a cheesy cash grab. It also didn’t help squash the rumors surrounding their friendship.

1. “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go”, Wham

This song is pure cheese, even without the visuals. The video takes it to another level with its bright colors and over-the-top energy.

While short shorts may be making a comeback, one look at this video might stop that trend in its tracks. Wham’s “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go” is the definition of 80s excess.