12 retro-style videos to convince you that you were born in the wrong decade
Ever find yourself listening to a vintage record or playlist and feeling like you may have been born in the wrong place at the wrong time? We know—we’ve been there! Inspired by variety shows such as The Ed Sullivan Show and The Hollywood Palace, this dynamite list of music videos is here to send you back throughout history to some of our favorite classic decades:
“MR. BRIGHTSIDE” – THE KILLERS (2004)
Based on the film Moulin Rouge!, the Killers transport us to the early 20th century in the heat of a sultry burlesque scene, where lead singer Brandon Flowers narrates the lamentable story of a love triangle between himself, his love interest and another suitor… ooh la la!
“DEATH OF A BACHELOR” – PANIC! AT THE DISCO (2015)
Just when we thought Brendon Urie couldn’t get any sexier, he goes and pulls a Sinatra on us! In what could be described as a “coming-of-age” song, he croons in black and white about his journey into marriage and his own personal future, leaving his former self behind.
“SUPERSOAKER” – KINGS OF LEON (2013)
An artful daydream brimming with nostalgic imagery, the family members of Kings Of Leon strived for a teen angst-fueled ’50s Americana theme. Using a slew of pop art-inspired visual effects, this video is as trippy as it is playfully effortless.
“PRETTY LITTLE DISTANCE” – AS IT IS (2016)
A bright and cheerful approach to both contrast and distract from the song’s rather dreary lyrics, the boys of Λ take it back to a ’50s “Under The Sea” themed school dance. Reminding us of Grease, the band hypnotizes their adolescent audience to jump, jive an’ wail to their infectious beat!
“DROWN” – BRING ME THE HORIZON (2014)
BMTH add an unexpected (and downright spooky) twist to an intimate performance at a mental hospital, with a sound quite different from their previous heavier albums. This is one vintage vid you probably won’t want to watch with the lights off!
“IN BLOOM” – NIRVANA (1992)
Dressed as “thoroughly alright and decent fellas,” the famed ’90s act show us their goofy side for a change in this ’60s variety show parody. Their fuzzy, amplified sound is bound to have you screaming… no really, the screaming just doesn’t stop!
“SINGING IN THE RAIN” – SIMPLE PLAN (2016)
The Canadian rockers pay homage to the 1996 musical film That Thing You Do!, rocking and rolling at a local talent show. A catchy melody with a powerful message, it’s the perfect feel-good song for any occasion!
“FRIENDS IN THE SKY” – THE DIRTY NIL (2016)
This punk song comes with a Technicolor music video that is loud, fast and totally sardonic. The members of the Dirty Nil (or simply “the Nil”) take to primetime, where they simultaneously take out the host with jokes and the electricity with their rock-ocity!
“BUDDY HOLLY” – WEEZER (1994)
A tribute to the ’50s singer for whom the song is titled, the video portrays the band performing at the original Arnold’s Drive-In from the popular ’70s show Happy Days. It switches between band shots and TV clips, featuring several cameos from music bigwigs.
“FLORAL AND FADING” – PIERCE THE VEIL (2017)
This throwback vid is a perfect strike! Teenaged chaos ensues as PTV take the stage at a ’70s bowling alley, complete with bad haircuts and patterned shirts. Maybe next time the manager should spare himself the trouble and hire a tamer act…
“LAST NITE” – THE STROKES (2001)
The music video that almost didn’t happen: The Strokes were reportedly a bit reluctant to film a video for their early 2000s hit. Nevertheless, it’s a simple concept that showcases the band’s style and also gives the microphones quite a beating!
“DANI CALIFORNIA” – RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS (2006)
From rockabilly to grunge, RHCP cover it all with nods to some of rock ’n’ roll’s greatest. With obvious nods to late legends like Elvis Presley, Jimi Hendrix and David Bowie, the original band tie it all together at the end for one hell of a trip down memory lane.
