The first music videos appeared in the 1920s, alongside the advent of sound cinema. However, the form familiar to modern viewers didn't take shape until 1964, with the launch of the weekly hit parade Top of the Pops on the popular BBC channel.
Today, music videos are available both on popular music channels and online. Artists spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on filming to make a lasting impression on viewers. The most expensive music videos in history entered our top ten today.
10. Heartbreaker (1999) – $2.5 million
The music video for Mariah Carey's song "Heartbreaker" was filmed in collaboration with rapper Jay-Z. A significant portion of the production budget went toward creating a digital avatar of Jay-Z, as he was unable to physically attend the shoot.
The singer plays two different women in the video, and the song's message is that the heroine returns again and again to her beloved, who cheats on her and breaks her heart.
After its release on August 16, 1999, the "Heartbreaker" video became a hit not only in the US, but also in France, the UK, Spain, and New Zealand. Its success made Mariah Carey the only artist to release hits every year throughout the 1990s.
9. 1998 Victory – $2.7 million
The song "Victory," performed by rapper Puff Daddy (Sean John Combs), was written by the genius trio of The Notorious B.I.G., Jason Phillips, and Stephen Jordan.
Puff Daddy spent $2.7 million on the video's production. The high cost was due to the use of helicopters, a truck, and pyrotechnics. Although celebrities like Dennis Hopper and Danny DeVito appear in the video, they reportedly acted for free, as a favor to Combs.
8. Cartoon Heroes 2000 – $3.5 million
Danish-Norwegian dance-pop group Aqua spent approximately $3.5 million on the song "Cartoon Heroes," which was included on their second studio album, Aquarius.
The song was released as a retail single on January 31, 2000. In Denmark, "Cartoon Heroes" went platinum within 48 hours of its release. The song became the country's best-selling single of 2000. It also topped the charts in Italy, Norway, and Spain and reached the top 10 in at least nine other countries, including Belgium, Ireland, Sweden, and the UK.
7. Black or White 1991 – $4 million
The album "Black or White," released by Epic Records in November 1991, was written by the King of Pop, Michael Jackson. Among the other expensive music videos Jackson recorded and produced during his musical career, this was one of the most notable.
When "Black or White" aired on national television, it received nearly 500 million views, making it the highest-rated video on Fox. The song became one of the top 10 best-selling singles of 1991 in the US, and Jackson won an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Music Video for the video.
Actors Macaulay Culkin (Home Alone and its sequels), George Wendt (The Cheers, Fletch, etc.) and Tess Harper (The Jackal, No Country for Old Men, Breaking Bad, etc.) took part in the filming of the video.
6. Make Me Like You (2016) – $4 million
Gwen Stefani is one of the music industry's brightest stars. And much of the money spent on her music videos goes toward rapidly changing costumes and set designs. Stefani reportedly spent $4 million on the "Make Me Like You" video.
The song was featured on her third studio album, This Is What The Truth Feels Like, released in 2016. The video became wildly popular both on social media and on livestreams. In the US, the single peaked at number 54 on the Billboard Hot 100 for five consecutive weeks.
5. Estranged 1993 – $5 million (according to other sources – $4 million)
Guns N' Roses is known for making expensive music videos from the very beginning of their career. The "Estranged" video, however, broke all records, with production costs estimated at $5 million according to The Richest and $4 million according to Wikipedia.
The band spent over $2 million on their previous single, "November Rain." But while filming "Estranged," the team realized they wanted to incorporate fresh elements, such as dolphins and waterwalking, without compromising the cost. The video also earned critical acclaim for its stunning visuals.
4. Bedtime Story (1995) – $5 million
Michael Jackson truly was the King of Pop, and Madonna is worthy of the title of Queen. And like a true queen, she spares no expense when it comes to creating a masterpiece.
The single, written by Björk, Nellee Hooper, and Marius De Vries and produced by Maverick Records, was one of the most expensive music videos in history. It shared the same title as the album, released in 1994, because it was intended as a promotional video.
The song's rhythm is hardly danceable, and its lyrics are atypical for Madonna, who typically focuses on carnal pleasures and material things. As a result, the single flopped in the US market, although it enjoyed a warmer reception in the UK and Australia.
3. Express Yourself, 1989 – $5 million
Another super-expensive music video by Madonna was inspired by the 1927 German film Metropolis, directed by Fritz Lang.
The song was first performed at the 1989 MTV Video Music Awards. The "voguing" style, performed by Madonna and her two backup singers, later became a well-known dance style.
2. Die Another Day (2002) – $6.1 million
The song may have received mixed reviews from music critics, but it certainly served its purpose, becoming one of the most popular songs among casual listeners.
The video received a Grammy nomination and its popularity was partly due to its inspiration from the James Bond franchise.
1. Scream 1995 – $7 million
Michael Jackson and Janet Jackson's collaboration became an instant sensation and entered the Guinness Book of World Records as the most expensive music video ever produced. Another significant aspect of this video release was its premiere on ABC Primetime Live.
The lion's share of the $7 million cost went toward the extensive props used in the video. But the success of this 13-minute monochrome clip completely recouped the costs.
The single entered the top five of the US Billboard Hot 100 and reached number two on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. It topped the charts in Hungary, Finland, and New Zealand, reached number one on the European Hot 100, and was nominated for a Grammy for Best Collaboration with Vocals.