Top 10 Music Videos with the Best Storyline

Some music videos do more than just fill time between radio plays and live shows. They pull you in like a short film, twisting through plot turns, shifting perspectives, and dropping emotional grenades with every verse. These are the ones you don't skip after the first chorus.

You watch them all the way through, then maybe hit replay just to pick up on the little things you missed the first time. Maybe a look. Maybe a lyric timed perfectly with a plot twist.

You're not just hearing the story. You're watching it unfold, frame by frame. Maybe it wrecks you. Maybe it gives you goosebumps. Maybe you sit there afterward in stunned silence, wondering what you just experienced. That's the magic of a well-done music video with a real story behind it.

Here's your chance to call out the ones that nailed it. Vote for the videos that grabbed your attention and didn't let go. The ones where the narrative matters just as much as the music.

The Top Ten

  1. A Beautiful Lie - 30 Seconds to Mars

    Jared makes amazing music videos. This music video, although it has a story told in 5 minutes, the scenes are much better edited and show much more character development than all the very choppy, irrelevant, and quick scenes full of weird filters that Jared had in Suicide Squad.

    Mars makes the most powerful videos ever. What I like about their videos is that they always convey a certain message. They definitely deserve the number one (and two) spot.

  2. Breaking the Habit - Linkin Park

    The storyline and animation are truly amazing and make this video deserve the number one spot. The message is really deep since it relates to Chester's former substance addiction. This could probably even be the best music video of all time, and it's definitely Linkin Park's best music video.

    LP Soldiers, unite!

  3. Hurt - Christina Aguilera

  4. The Power of Good-Bye - Madonna

    It's so sad, but it tells a great story. Madonna is the queen of pop!

  5. Bring Me to Life - Evanescence

    It's a good song. The song matches the music video, and Amy Lee's vocals are very well done.

  6. Bad Romance - Lady GaGa

  7. Tears Don't Fall - Bullet for My Valentine

  8. Beethoven (I Love to Listen To) - Eurythmics

  9. The Unforgiven - Metallica

    This is one of the best songs ever made.

  10. So Far Away - Avenged Sevenfold

    11. The Newcomers
  11. ?

    The Shore - A Killer's Confession

  12. ?

    Fear and Loathing - Marina and the Diamonds

    13. The Contenders

  13. Youth of the Nation - P.O.D.

  14. Take a Bow - Madonna

  15. Bad Girl - Madonna

    All of Madonna's music videos are unique in their own way, and Bad Girl is not Madonna's best song or music video. But the concept, execution, and direction of the plot are applaudable.

    I thought it was a soundtrack. It looks like a real movie. Brilliant video!

  16. The Kill - 30 Seconds to Mars

    Beautiful song with an amazingly put-together storyline and is incredibly thoughtful with how it's placed. Truly an amazing tribute to the original storyline.

  17. Because of You - Kelly Clarkson

    Got a good value on this music video. Growing up with a mom that was really so weak and couldn't stand on her own. She grew almost like her mom, realizing that in the end, she does blame her mom for everything.

  18. November Rain - Guns N' Roses

    Such a sad storyline, but very powerful. My dad always watched it and told me he wanted this for his funeral. Now I understand it may be from the dramatic effect of the music video. It's purely beautiful.

    Axl Rose in a wedding ceremony with his wife, band, orchestra, and other known pals. They enjoyed the wedding and the honeymoon, and then it just goes to November rain, having his spouse die and being buried. A nightmare.

    This is classic music with a great music video. This should be number one.

  19. The Diary of Jane - Breaking Benjamin

  20. Stan - Eminem

    Man, this should be higher on the list. It has a disturbingly crazy awesome storyline. I felt like I was watching a movie. Eminem is a musical genius.

    This should definitely be in the top 5. Loved the concept behind the video! And to some extent (apart from the obsessive and psycho part), I'm sure a lot of us can relate to the storyline.

    This should be in the top 5, man. I mean, just watch the video. It really has a storyline. Peace.

  21. National Anthem - Lana Del Rey

  22. Cool - Gwen Stefani

  23. The One That Got Away - Katy Perry

  24. Falling Away From Me - Korn

  25. We Belong To The Sea - Aqua

  26. All the Things She Said - t.A.T.u.

    Lena Katina and Julia Volkova are the best.

  27. Beautiful - Christina Aguilera

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