The 50 Best Music Videos of the Decade (2000-2009)

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25. Radiohead - "Knives Out" (D: Michel Gondry) Much of Radiohead’s latter-day music is perfect for soundtracking the kind of twisted, surrealist dreamscapes Gondry loves to explore, and “Knives Out”—which comes to life here with a full-size human version of the board game Operation—works perfectly.

24. The Black Keys - “10 A.M. Automatic” (D: David Cross)

In this video directed by comedian David Cross, The Black Keys perform on a Hasidic Jew-hosted public-access TV show in front of an at-first-disinterested geriatric crowd. Hilarity ensues when slow-moving grannies rush the stage and are tackled by security.

23. The Racontuers - "Steady as She Goes" (Version 2) (D: The Malloys)

You’ve probably noticed by now the slew of videos on this list by Jack White-related projects. This is no accident. Collectively, White and the directors he’s worked with—Michel Gondry, The Malloys, Diane Martel, et al—have made more innovative, enjoyable and thought-provoking videos than anyone else this decade: For example, this campy but brilliant tribute to soapbox derbys and old-time movie villains.

22. Mastodon - "Divinations" (D: Roboshobo)

The most accessible metal band since Metallica’s best video, “Divinations” features Viking weapons, bondage, implied human sacrifice, guitars that shoot lightning and a magical yeti. And then the band is eaten by an unfrozen cavemen. In a word: Awesome.

21. Missy Elliott - "Get Ur Freak On" (D: Dave Meyers))

From the moment that funky little hook kicks in, Missy’s kung fu is good. And the elaborate, spider-web-and-hanging-moss-shrouded set is the perfect backdrop for her army of seemingly possessed dancers. Featuring cameos from a who's who of the last two decades of hip-hop, including Nate Dogg, Ludacris, Busta Rhymes, Spliff Star, Eve, Master P, Romeo, Timbaland, Ja Rule and LL Cool J.