Top 10: The Best Spike Jonze Directed Music Videos

If you haven’t heard the buzz for Spike Jonze’s film adaptation of “Where The Wild Things Are” then you must be living in some remote cave in Antarctica. It has to be the most buzzed movie for the fall season and team Revivl is stoked to say the least! With the release date (Oct. 16th 2009) still a month away, we thought we would look back and pick out some of our favorite music videos directed by Mr. Jonze and rank them by the ones that had the biggest impact on us as musicians. Seeing as how most of the videos below were released by one of the Big 5 music labels, the higher quality versions have “embed disabled”. Oh RIAA, why do you make it so difficult. Regardless you will get the point. Enjoy and enlighten us if we missed one of your favorites!

10. “Fully Flared” for Lakai (2007)

I realize this isn’t a music video but it deserves to be on this list. The opening sequence for the skate video “Fully Flared” was directed by Spike and features some jaw dropping video work. The slow motion skating with epic explosions equal big WIN! The music ties everything together which happens to be one of my favorite bands M83 with the song “Lower your eyelids to die with the sun” off of the album “Before the Dawn Heals Us“.




9. Sonic Youth – 100% (1992)

My first introduction to Sonic Youth and surprise surprise, it also features skateboarding. This was Spikes second video he directed and has a very raw garage feel to it which seems fitting being a Sonic youth song. Did you see the Jason Lee (My Name Is Earl, Mallrats) cameo?




8. Beastie Boys – Sure Shot (1994)

Great song and great video! The idea for the video is very straight forward. Fish eyed lens pointed at the Beastie Boys and film it. Sometimes when the music is just that good, simple is all you need to do.

Beastie Boys - Sure Shot
by hydearck

7. Fatboy Slim – Praise you (1998)

This video seems to foreshadow what the internet/Youtube would become. Guerrilla style film making done in a way never before seen on MTV. I know I had a “WTF” moment the first time I saw this.




6. Tenacious D – Wonderboy (2000)

A bit of Lord of the Rings with a spoonful of Meatloaf best describes this epic video for the always funny Tenacious D. Spike went under the name “Marcus Von Beuler” for director which seems fitting.

Tenacious D - Wonderboy
by JayKill

5. Wax – California (1995)

The video made famous thanks to Beavis and Butthead. What can I say other then brilliant idea. One shot of a guy running in slow motion on fire. The “Less is More” approach here works perfectly and after nearly 15 years, I still think about this video.




4. Pavement – Shadylane (1997)

Spike Jonze has had one amazing career just by the sheer fact of the bands he has gotten to work with. Cult indie fav Pavement is one that just makes you go Damn It! You are one lucky dude!




3. Bjork – It’s Oh So Quiet (1995)

My love for Bjork begins with this video. Stunning, beautiful and elegant! Who would have thought this song and video could break into the mainstream. I guess when you have a combo of Bjork and Jonze…….You can’t miss.

Bjork - It's Oh So Quiet
by scopitones

2. Beastie Boys – Sabotage (1994)

This video took a mid 80’s all white hip-hop band that had faded from MTV, to becoming one of the biggest bands in the world for a second time. A very rare thing to happen. Watch the video and its quite obvious why this was a breakout hit.

Beastie Boys - Sabotage
by hushhush112

1. Weezer – Buddy Holly (1994)

1994 was the breakout year for Spike and this video made him one of the top music video directors in the world. I remember watching this for the first time and being blown away. I had never seen anything like this before. How did he blend Happy Days and Weezer together? The song and video are perfect which is why this gets the numero uno spot on the list.

Weezer - Buddy Holly
by Weezer