Yesterday, MTV tried to wake us up early with its 2010 Video Music Awards nominations. Didn't happen. But with 13 nominations, Lady Gaga just broke the record for "most nominated female solo artist in a single year." Way fancy. Since "Bad Romance" is this year's "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)" -- garnering 257 million YouTube views -- we can assume it'll win Video of the Year. But where will it rank among all other Videos of the Year? Or better yet: Does it even deserve to be mentioned with the other winners? Join us for the historical rankings!
After examining all of MTV's Video Music Award winners for Video of the Year, here's a comprehensive ranking from best to worst.
1. Peter Gabriel, "Sledgehammer" (1987)
2. Pearl Jam, "Jeremy" (1993)
3. Sinead O'Connor, "Nothing Compares 2 U" (1990)
4. Jamiroquai, "Virtual Insanity" (1997)
5. The Smashing Pumpkins, "Tonight, Tonight" (1996)
6. REM, "Losing My Religion" (1991)
7. TLC, "Waterfalls" (1995)
8. Madonna, "Ray of Light" (1998)
9. Don Henley, "The Boys of Summer" (1985)
10. Lauryn Hill, "Doo Wop (That Thing)" (1999)
11. Beyonce, "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)" (2009)
12. Dire Straits, "Money for Nothing" (1986)
13. The Cars, "You Might Think" (1984)
14. INXS, "Need You Tonight/Mediate" (1988)
15. Missy Elliott, "Work It" (2003)
16. Neil Young, "This Note's for You"
17. Outkast, "Hey Ya!" (2004)
18. Van Halen, "Right Now" (1992)
19. Rihanna (featuring Jay-Z), "Umbrella" (2007)
20. Aerosmith, "Cryin'" (1994)
21. Eminem, "The Real Slim Shady" (2000)
22. Green Day, "Boulevard of Broken Dreams" (2005)
23. Eminem, "Without Me" (2002)
24. Panic! at the Disco, "I Write Sins Not Tragedies" (2006)
25. Britney Spears, "Piece of Me" (2008)
26. Christina Aguilera, Lil' Kim, Mýa and Pink, "Lady Marmalade" (2001)
You're allowed to disagree, but not by much; the best and worst really speak for themselves. I still remember the chill that ran through my underfed teen body when Mick Jagger read that "Lady Marmalade" had beaten Fatboy Slim's "Weapon of Choice" for 2001's top honors. "Weapon of Choice" could've easily cracked the top ten on this list. It still burns.
As for "Bad Romance," I'd place it just ahead of Outkast's "Hey Ya" and after Neil Young's "This Note's for You." Gaga's icy, grotesque imagery outclasses Outkast's technicolor romp, but it lacks the bite and consumerist evisceration of Neil Young's banned opus. Still an admirable rank.
Let's look at that top ten for a moment. MTV really used to honor the best in music video -- I mean, Don Henley won the Video of the Year. He was not cooler than many other people in 1985. Now he'd have to shake his moneymaker in a bustier while covering a Patti LaBelle hit to get anywhere. This note's for him.
Watch "Bad Romance" for the 1,152nd time below.