The Most Bizarre Music Video Clips of the 80's: An Vaults of Obscenity

This era was full of all sorts of peculiar and bizarre music videos that today still beg for a second look. Let's dive into some of those that stand out for being incredibly unique and, dare we say, just plain weird.

Phillip Michael Thomas’s Miami Vice and the “Just the Way I Planned It” Video (1985)

When it comes to bizarre music videos, one title seems to reign supreme: Phillip Michael Thomas's video from Miami Vice, "Just the Way I Planned It." This misunderstood visual masterpiece is a gem of dated-ness through and through. The video is a sinkhole for bizarre elements, from strobe lighting to back-up dancers decked out in fake, shimmering sweat, and cheesy special effects. What truly seals the deal is the culmination of the video with a bizarre twist: the final scenes featuring a pregnant woman's belly revealing Thomas' face. It's every bit the 80's special effect montage, but exactly in the most artsy and strange way possible.

Billy Squier’s "Rock Me Tonight" (1984): The Video That Killed a Career

For those who prefer oddities that directly impact the career of the artist, we have to consider Billy Squier’s "Rock Me Tonight." This quirky video, in a funny yet haunting way, is so out of place and off-putting that it literally took a chunk out of Squier's career. Known for his hard rock hits like "The Stroke," Squier ventured into a more pop-oriented sound with "Rock Me Tonight" in 1984, but it was the video that was the real culprit. The video featured a seemingly naked, room-wandering Squier, with a look and attire that distinctly departed from his typical rockstar image. The video is so bizarre that it left fans and critics baffled, and it's surprisingly not far from reality. In fact, the lack of oversight from management and record company seems almost shocking today.

Tom Petty's "Don’t Come Around Here No More": An Alice in Wonderland Dilemma

Let's not forget the surreal journey into Alice in Wonderland-esque madness depicted in the video for Tom Petty's posthumous hit, "Don’t Come Around Here No More." This unsettling tale tells the story of an Alice-like character, played by actress Wish Foley, who at the end of the clip morphs into a cake, only to be sliced into pieces and consumed by Tom Petty. It's a visually arresting piece that defies the very nature of pop music video pop culture. This twisted tale creates a lasting impression that lingers asymmetrically in your mind.

These music video clips from the 80's are perfect examples of what made that era so odd and unique. They remain as a testament to the creativity that comes from the freedom of expression in early marketing endeavors and the technological limitations that informed their existence. Whether you view them as works of art or sheer madness, they are treasures of music video oddities that are hard to forget.

These videos continue to be intriguing and discussed, partly because of how they represent a snapshot of a time, but most importantly because they push the boundaries of what is considered acceptable in the realm of music video aesthetics. They are a delight for those who appreciate the cultural relics of a bygone era and a curiosity for newcomers to the music scene.