Whether you think Vampire Weekend's new, star-studded music video for "Giving Up the Gun" is a work of delightful whimsy or the indie rock equivalent of a Blink-182 video, it's hard to deny that it's helped resurrect a trend that was in danger of dying: the art of stuffing celebrities into a music video. The Vampire Weekend clip can boast Jake Gyllenhaal, Joe Jonas, and the RZA among others, but can it hold a candle to these ten notable music videos that are best remembered for their star power? (Sorry, Martini Ranch. You almost made the list.)
"You Can Call Me Al"
Artist: Paul Simon
Celebrity: Chevy Chase
Simon's first video for "You Can Call Me Al" was a simple affair, taped off the video monitor when Simon performed the song during Saturday Night Live. Dissatisfied with the result, Simon commissioned a new clip, though the dry presence of Chevy Chase ensured that it would still be SNL-adjacent.
"Not About Love"
Artist: Fiona Apple
Celebrity: Zach Galifianakis
Before The Hangover made Zach Galifianakis an oft-misspelled household name, the comedian taped a larky clip with indie chanteuse Fiona Apple where he lip-synched to her single, "Not About Love." In fact, the low-fi effort (taped in one day) would go on to become the song's official music video.
"Cryin'"
Artist: Aerosmith
Celebrities: Alicia Silverstone, Stephen Dorff, Josh Holloway
Alicia Silverstone powered many an Aerosmith video as the band's muse, and while her work with Liv Tyler in the music video for "Crazy" may be their apex together, "Cryin'" is a lot more fun. And hey, who knew that was Sawyer from Lost as the guy who steals Alicia's backpack?
"Rush Rush"
Artist: Paula Abdul
Celebrity: Keanu Reeves
If you were tasked with remaking Rebel Without a Cause, you'd naturally cast Keanu Reeves and Paula Abdul, wouldn't you? A lot of the choices in this video shouldn't work (needlessly giving Keanu actual lines in a music video, shooting the nighttime sequences during the day), and yet, it's one delightful hunk of cheese.
"I Want Love"
Artist: Elton John
Celebrity: Robert Downey Jr.
For Elton John's album Songs From the West Coast, the singer called in favors from several stars to appear in his music videos, including Justin Timberlake, Elizabeth Taylor, and Mandy Moore. Still, the album's most striking clip is the most spartan one: "I Want Love," featuring a post-rehab Robert Downey Jr. and directed by a close friend of both men, Sam Taylor-Wood (Nowhere Boy.
"Mary Jane's Last Dance"
Artist: Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
Celebrity: Kim Basinger
How do you mask the fact that this Tom Petty song is commonly assumed to be about marijuana? Cast Kim Basinger! (Then again, Petty was never that celebrity-averse -- just check out the Johnny Depp- and Faye Dunaway-starring video for "Into the Great Wide Open.")
"Dancing in the Dark"
Artist: Bruce Springsteen
Celebrity: Courteney Cox
At the end of this music video, Bruce Springsteen famously pulls eventual Friend Courteney Cox out of the audience to dance with him. Just imagine if he'd plucked David Schwimmer from the crowd -- how might the course of human history have changed?
"Blame It on the Alcohol"
Artist: Jamie Foxx
Celebrities: Ron Howard, Jake Gyllenhaal, Forest Whitaker, Samuel L. Jackson
I could write an intro here about how "Giving Up the Gun" isn't Jake Gyllenhaal's first music video appearance, but who cares about Jake G, Samuel L, or Forest Whitaker when Ron Howard is gettin' crunk all up in this here club. If you're able to make it through Opie's title card without busting a gut, you're a more serious person than I am.
"Remember the Time"
Artist: Michael Jackson
Celebrity: Eddie Murphy, Iman, Magic Johnson
This nine-minute music video is so long and star-heavy that it's almost like Michael Jackson is the celebrity cameo in his own clip. Still, this was probably the biggest budget that director John Singleton got to work with until he remade Shaft.
"Weapon of Choice"
Artist: Fatboy Slim
Celebrity: Christopher Walken
Regarded as one of the best music videos ever made, Fatboy Slim's "Weapon of Choice" had the great fortune of two genius collaborators: director Spike Jonze and star Christopher Walken. Even gravity helped out!