Most can agree that 2016 sucked in nearly every respect, but the music videos this unholy year hath wrought were actually pretty damn great.
From Beyonce’s staggering “Lemonade” videos to David Bowie’s final goodbye “Lazarus,” many of our favorites from this year are, perhaps, some of the best ever made. And thank goodness, because we needed them.
HuffPost’s Arts & Culture and Entertainment writers teamed up to pay tribute to the best music videos of the year, from the unexpected slow jams that bring tears to your eyes to the club hits that make you immediately get in front of a mirror and watch your butt bounce. We’ve compiled the lot below, in no particular order, along with some very unofficial superlatives.
Put on your headphones and hit replay until this most trying 2016 has come to an end.
1. Mitski, “Your Best American Girl”
Best makeout session with a hand.
2. Anohni, “Drone Bomb Me”
Best devastating political commentary delivered by a supermodel icon.
3. Carly Rae Jepsen, “Boy Problems”
Best stylish sleepover party.
4. Sigma, “Find Me ft. Birdy”
Best surprise return of Eleven, sans Eggos.
5. Frank Ocean, “Nikes”
Best surprise appearance by a talking chihuahua.
6. Bat for Lashes, “Sunday Love”
Best bride in the headlights.
7. The Rolling Stones, “Ride ‘Em On Down”
Best Kristen Stewart being a bad bitch.
8. Big Baby D.R.A.M. featuring Lil Yachty, “Broccoli”
Best magic piano performance since Vanessa Carlton.
9. DJ Shadow featuring Run The Jewels, “Nobody Speak”
Best instance in which a crusty politician declares someone a “bag of dicks.”
10. Pussy Riot, “Straight Outta Vagina”
11. Jenny Hval, “Conceptual Romance”
Best nude body painting experience that is actually cool.
12. Solange, “Cranes in the Sky”
Best heaven-sent color palette.
13. Angel Olsen, “Shut Up Kiss Me”
Best excuse to crash a 12-year-old’s roller skating party.
14. Japanese Breakfast, “Everybody Wants To Love You”
Best geisha tearing up the town.
15. Neon Indian, “Annie”
16. David Bowie, “Lazarus”
Best Bowie being his genius self for us mere, unworthy mortals.
17. Chance The Rapper featuring Saba, “Angels”
Best use of a flying rapper.
18. Blood Orange, “I Know”
Best Dev Hynes being a stunning modern dancer.
19. Rihanna featuring Drake, “Work”
Best chemistry that will leave you thinking, BUT ARE THEY IN LOVE?
20. Chris Stapleton, “Fire Away”
Best way to cry your eyes out in under five minutes.
21. Hurray For the Riff Raff, “Rican Beach”
Best Jenny Holzer tribute.
22. Kanye West, “Fade”
Best Teyana Taylor/cat woman mashup.
23. Bruno Mars, “24K Magic”
Best way to have unrealistic expectations about your upcoming Vegas trip.
24. Beyonce, “Hold Up”
Best tribute to Pipilotti Rist.
25. Land of Talk, “It’s Okay”
Best portrait of a life in a moving vehicle.
26. Grimes, “Kill vs. Maim”
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
It's Another Trump-Biden Showdown — And We Need Your Help
The Future Of Democracy Is At Stake
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?
HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make — even as little as $2 — goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.
But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Support HuffPostAlready contributed? Log in to hide these messages.