The 12 Best Literal Music Videos

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The literal video trend took off way back in October 2008—that’s like 18 Internet years ago. But it hasn’t stopped being funny. The latest entry to come across our desk was Smashing Pumpkin’s “Today” featuring a great Burning Man reference. But to be one of the 10 Best Literal Music Videos of All Time (meaning since ‘08), you’ve gotta have an even-more-ridiculous music video to start with than Billy Corgan as the ice-cream man. Here are our 10 favorites:

12. “You’re Beautiful” by James Blunt
Literal Video by Deshem
Best Line: “Now you’ll see my chest/Isn’t it the best?”
The singing is painful, but not as silly as the original video, in which Blunt strips down in the snow.

11. “The Rainbow Connection” by Kermit the Frog
Literal Video by Rob O’Hara
Best Line: “Now I will wiggle/And try not to giggle/It’s hard with a hand in your seat.”
It takes a minute-and-a-half for the camera to finally zoom in on Kermie, and we get the play-by-play.

10. “Just a Friend” by Biz Markie
Literal Video by SeanieMic
Best Line: “Please buy me a Shamwow.”
The world needs more literal rap videos, but this is one’s pretty great.

9. “Making Love Out of Nothing at All” by Air Supply
Literal Video by David A. Scott
**Best Line: “Out the window, he sees himself with me… Is that a time portal/Or is that just where they put the T.V.?”
The music is painful, but worth it for the magic photo dance.

8. “Head Over Hells” by Tears For Fears
Literal Video by Dustin McLean
Best Line: “When I open this the cards all fly out/I saw Ghostbusters this copied that.”
It’s a library—BUT IT’S CRAZY!

7. “One Week” by Barenaked Ladies
Literal Video by David A. Scott
Best Line: “She’s so cute we’ve got to shoot her from a lot of different angles”
The machine-gun lyrics and random characters offer Scott plenty of chances to poke fun.