Remember when MTV still played music videos? I do. And I remember, too, that there were plenty of those videos in which office towers, skyscrapers, grocery stores and other commercial real estate played a big role.
Sure, characters or monsters were often destroying this real estate, but that’s OK.
Here is a look at some of the all-time best starring — or supporting — roles played by commercial buildings in the coolest music videos out there (or at least the ones I like best.)
Elastica, Car Song
Don’t remember Elastica? That’s OK, they’re from the ’90s. But this charmingly goofy video was directed by Spike Jonze and features the band members driving through a sparkly and enchanting Tokyo as they chase ghosts. All those Japanese buildings look great!
Muse, Uprising
The real estate here doesn’t look as charming. It’s downright seedy, actually. But you can’t dispute that all those shops and water towers make a big impression when the giant Teddy bear starts knocking them down. Plus, the beginning of this song sounds a lot like the Dr. Who theme song, so that’s fun, too.
Los Campesinos, You! Me! Dancing!
Once again, the commercial real estate on display here is being destroyed, this time by space monsters. And, yes, this isn’t even Earth real estate, it’s outer-space properties. But this is an amazingly catchy song — once you get past the loooong intro — and I couldn’t fathom not including it here.
Fatboy Slim, Weapon of Choice
This video stars Christopher Walken dancing around an office building. What else could you want? If you can watch this real estate-centric video without smiling, you’re really having a bad day.
New Radicals, You Get What You Give
A quick warning: After watching this video, shot in the Staten Island Mall in New York City, you’ll definitely have this song stuck in your head the rest of the day. But that’s OK, it’s a great song. You might also get the urge to head to your local shopping mall. That’s OK, too — It could probably use your business.
