My 15 All-Time Favorite Music Videos (15-13)

As an adolescent, I pretty much spent all of my time watching MTV. While my mom thought it would have a negative impact on my brain, it instead initiated my dreams of being a filmmaker. A lot has changed since those early days, as music videos have gone from gimmick to creative art form, with many of today's highly regarded filmmakers (Michel Gondry, Spike Jonze, Jonathon Glazer, Mike Mills) beginning as music video directors. I have seen a lot of videos over the years, and from that experience have compiled a top 15 that I will be revealing slowly over the next few days . . .

15). "Weapon of Choice," Fatboy Slim / directed by Spike Jonze

With quirky videos for the likes of Weezer, Bjork and the Notorious B.I.G., Jonze was a key player in music video's transition to respected art form. When Jonze found out that Christoper Walken had originally been trained as a dancer, he looked to immortalize it on film - and Fatboy Slim's funky single featuring Bootsy Collins seemed like the right place. It is a surreal experience seeing the often awkward Walken dance with confidence through a hotel, as Jonze manages to make a memorable video out of a forgettable song.

14). "Music" (2000), Madonna / directed by Jonas Åkerlund

Madonna has taken on many personnas in her carrer, but none more theoretically interesting than the typically male music video roles she adopts in "Music." She drinks kristal in a limo (driven by none other than Ali G), throws many at female strippers, and even becomes an animated super hero. As usual, Madonna challenges viewers, and this time she manages to subvert music video gender roles.

13). "Take Me Out" (2003), Franz Ferdinand / directed by Jonas Odell

A whole new take on the animated music video, "Take Me Out" draws influence for decades old art forms (including dada) and weaves them into something almost futuristic. The brilliant spot earned them, and Odell, the Breakthrough Video award from MTV.