Is this the creepiest music video of the '80s?

The Cure's Robert Smith, 50 years old today, is eaten by a spider in Lullaby. And you wonder why people in the '80s generation have sleep issues.

But is Lullaby really the creepiest video of the '80s? Here are five more candidates:

SLEDGEHAMMER (Peter Gabriel): Groundbreaking? Sure. But defeathered, dancing chickens are partly what led me to become a vegetarian. [Watch it]

LAND OF CONFUSION (Genesis): Yes, most of know the disturbing puppet imagery is from the U.K. sketch TV show Spitting Image. Still, Phil Collins looks more like Jabba the Hutt. "This Mike Rutherford guy is my kind of scum: fearless and inventive." [Watch it]

ROCK ME TONITE (Billy Squier): Squier is a hard-rocking, guitar god that any '80s fans should crawl through broken glass to see play live. But his career imploded when this video hit MTV. [Watch it]

MISSIONARY MAN (The Eurythmics): Jerky robot effects! Stop it! Because it reminds us of the last video on today's list. [Watch it]

ROCKIT (Herbie Hancock): Seriously, this video is to a closet what Jaws was to the open water. After watching trousers come to life and dance on their own, I dressed myself from a laundry basket until I was 25. [Watch it]

Okay, let's name all the other creepy videos of the '80s. This should be a list befitting the longest sustained groan from the Stuck in the '80s nation since the reunion of New Kids on the Block.

Comments

[Douglas Arthur]

Andy Partridge of XTC worked on that album, too, now that I think about it, and a cool guitarist named Snakefinger.

[Douglas Arthur]

Plus, it should be mentioned, that it is a twisted cover of the James Brown classic. The Residents are really hit an miss with me, mostly miss, but they do have some cool stuff. I really like the Commercial Album, wherein all 40 tracks are exactly 1 minute long.

[Dr. Dim]

Douglas, I couldn't resist adding The Residents. When Spears suggested this category, that video immediately came to mind. However, I had to research it because I couldn't remember the name of the song. That's why I didn't include it in my first post.

I had seen the video a handful of times when it came out. First Avenue would play it from time to time then. (Yes, that First Avenue. The nightclub in 'Purple Rain'. That's right, I hung out there. No, I never saw Prince.)

Anyway, it may not be the creepiest video ever, but the image of the blue man (waaaay before Blue Man Group) has stuck with me ever since. Lurking in the deep recesses of my mind.

[Douglas Arthur]

Dr. Dim....you had to pull out the Residents card, didn't you? I actually saw that in one of my video classes back in my University of Buffalo days. Not the creepiest thing I saw in that class, but on the list, certainly.

Pretty much any Nine Inch Nails video is a creep-fest, too. Head Like A Hole was my intro to the band, and you could definitely tell right away that this was something different to behold.

This Cure video is right up there.

[DerekT]

I watched the Billy Squire video, the last minute was fine, and if the whole video was like the last minute, he would've been good. However the first 3 1/2 minutes or so was kinda weird. Afterall, he is dancing around like Richard Simmons. It's more sad then creepy. And he still kicks himself in the butt for letting someone talk him into doing this video I bet.

[DerekT]

For those who want to forget the Land of Confusion video, check out Disturbed's version of the song at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dKFIedvbAik
It is a good cover and the video blows Genesis' out of the water.

[DerekT]

Chad, I like the video too, however, seeing Bruce Hall in a dress was a bit creepy. Let's face it, he is the most manly looking guy in REO and they put him in the dress. Thinking of Papa Kevin and Momma Bruce making baby Alan is a little creepy. But you are right, so I withdrawl that video suggestion. However I am keeping with the Queen one, it is creepy that Roger Taylor actually looks like a girl and not a guy in drag.

[CHAD]

i never had a problem with land of confusion, i thought it was funny. although, i retrospect, the doll really looked like reagan. i loved the part where he's dressed up as superman, used to crack me up to no end.

[Christopher]

ack! Land of Confusion!

I think it still gives me nightmares. I just don't remember them.

[Wayne]

Definitely Peek A Boo, by Devo. The joker devils, monkey mask guys with the paddles, etc., etc. Performed in front of a giant screen on stage. Unfortunately, YouTube disabled the audio on it... fml...

[Bill in Nokomis]

'Head Like A Hole' by Nine Inch Nails used to bother me way back when.

[CHAD]

anything with boy george.

derek
i do wanna know is my fav reo video. it really shows their sense of humor, as does one lonely night.

[Walter Cox]

"Fire with Fire" by Kansas. That giant mosquito...*shudder*

[Milly]

Thanks hamptune & six!

BTW...
Children of the corn still scares the ever-lovin crap out of me!

[Mark in East Texas]

Spearsy, can you be a true vegetarian if there's Wild Turkey in your diet? Shouldn't you be poultry-free?

[joecool]

Definitely agree with Land of Confusion. My wife walks out of the room every time that video comes on and when we hear it on the radio she talks about how much she hates the video.

I would also add two others I haven't seen in any of the comments.

Men Without Hats - Safety Dance. Seems like it's supposed to be an upbeat, happy song, but you wouldn't know that by looking at lead singer Ivan Doroschuk's face. Very creepy. Then there's the weird freaky lady. And of course there's the midgets dancing around poles.

Dexys Midnight Runner - Come On Eileen. One of my favorite songs, but this group really just gives me the heebyjeebys. Everything from their haircuts to their overalls to their awful dances...I'd much rather just listen to it on the radio.

[DerekT]

I Want to Break Free by the great band Queen of course.

[DerekT]

All Michael Jackson videos from Thriller. Cause he looks so normal in the videos it is creepy thinking how can anyone change thier face like that. Creepy
Also I Dowanna Know by REO. It is creepy seeing thier bass player in a dress, with that in mind, I Want to Break Free, it is creepy seeing the band in dresses (especially with the 3rd place stach on Freddie's face), especially Roger Taylor actually looking like a real girl.

[Dr. Dim]

Hey, Gang.

Check out the creepy goodness of this video...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s2_sH64Fmac&feature=related

It's The Residents' 'It's a Man's, Man's, Man's World'.

Also, Pink Floyd's 'Another Brick in the Wall' might be a good choice.

[Michelle]

I stand corrected, Six. Thanks!
I'll add "Sat in Your Lap" by Kate Bush.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xEVMfG8z490

[Bassnote]

I had completely forgotten about Kate Bush's "Experiment IV" video. Good call.

[wuenchdog]

The video I remember creeping me out the most was the first Dead or Alive video of "I Would Do Anything". Didn't know if it was a guy, girl, human or alien. Of course, in time, Dead or Alive would prove as harmless as a puppy with cheesy videos like "Brand New Lover" - but at that time, this was very creepy with the eerie synth and voice distortions. Watch out for the Pete Burns pelvic thrust (yipes!)

Back to Spears list, it's funny that "Rock It" is on it. My 5-year daughter was feeling under the weather this weekend and one of the things we do together to cheer her up is watch happy YouTube videos, especially 80's music vidoes. Maybe her favorite (next to laughing babies and Madness) is Herbie Hancock's Rockit (or "robot" as she calls it). It's curious that a video can creep an adult out yet bring a smile to a pre-schooler.

Here is the Dead or Alive link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MVyynCS5vwk

[Vlad]

"Experiment IV" by Kate Bush. I remember the first time I saw it in college. I was studying with MTV turned down.

I looked up toward the last third of the video and got a serious case of the jibblies. The floating shape is just creepy.

Check it out:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a6hvNe11r9U

[Todd]

Hands down... Alphaville's "Forever Young"

[ryan in iraq]

blame it on the rain, milli vanilli.
those guys just creeped me out. the hair, the outfits...

[Bassnote]

I completely agree with Dr. Dim about "Ashes To Ashes" by Bowie, and "Owner Of A Lonely Heart" by Yes. Both very creepy videos. I was going to suggest "Shock The Monkey' by Peter Gabriel, but I thought "I Don't Remember" was creepier. Gabriel's "Games Without Frontiers" video is pretty creepy as well.
http://www.teenmusic.com/video/view/id/20409/Peter-Gabriel-Games-Without-Frontiers.html

This is the original 1980 version. The version on his Play DVD has the dinner party stuff edited out. I don't know why.

[Bassnote]

I completely agree with Dr. Dim about "Ashes To Ashes" by Bowie, and "Owner Of A Lonely Heart" by Yes. Both very creepy videos. I was going to suggest "Shock The Monkey' by Peter Gabriel, but I thought "I Don't Remember" was creepier. Gabriel's "Games Without Frontiers" video is pretty creepy as well.
http://www.teenmusic.com/video/view/id/20409/Peter-Gabriel-Games-Without-Frontiers.html

This is the original 1980 version. The version on his Play DVD has the dinner party stuff edited out. I don't know why.

[Six]

@ Milly

Cry is by Godley and Creme, a group formed by former members of the band 10CC.

[Six]

@ Michelle

You've got your corn mixed up with your village, and your children, hon. LOL ;)

The kids' eyes glowed in Village of the Damned and Children of the Damned, but not in Children of the Corn. They had that fugly red-headed kid, Malacai! OUTLANDER!!! *shudders*

[Six]

Metallica's video for their song "One" used to really give me the frickin' creeps every time I saw it, but the song was so rad, I couldn't stop myself from watching it. Afterwards, I would feel really uncomfortable and creeped out. lol. It was one of those videos that made me want to say "Puppies" like Cathy Woz. ;p

Now, I own the movie that most of the footage which was used in that video was taken from, Johnny Got His Gun (1971), so I'm used to it, but back then, puppies all the way. LOL

[hamptune]

Cry was by Godley & Creme, yeah pretty creepy faces...

[Pam from Rochester]

Definitely Land of Confusion. I couldn't even listen to that song on the radio without being creeped out by the thought of the video.

Hello by Lionel Richie comes in a close second.

[Jay]

Don Johnson Heartbeat

[Milly]

The worst for me has gotta be Tom Petty's "Don't Come Around Here No More" When they cut up the "Alice" cake and start eating her always freaks me out!

The other video that always freaked me out was "Cry" by... I can't remember who, but in the video it's just faces morphing into eachother lip-synching the song. I don't know why but when the faces morph always creeped me out!

[Miguel]

Creepy i would say Hello by Lionel Richie. Very creepy!

[Jen in Korea]

Clowny Clown Clown

[Dr. Dim]

Once again Bassnote displays his deep well of 80's knowledge. I never knew that video existed. Very creepy.

Here's my list...

Shock the Monkey - Peter Gabriel (Peter has an uncanny knack for the creepiness factor.)

Ashes To Ashes - David Bowie (The harlequin, the "priests", the highly saturated, post-apocalyptic glow and the song all add up to very creepy.)

Undercover of the Night - The Rolling Stones (Mick Jagger with a mustache.)

Owner of a Lonely Heart - Yes (One word: Maggots)

Physical - Olivia Newton John (Sweaty fat dudes turning into hard-bodied boys more interested in each other than in ONJ.)

Say, Say, Say - Paul McCartney & Michael Jackson (Uh, Michael, that's your sister.)

[Tim from Rock Island, IL]

Puttin' on the Ritz by Taco always freaked me out as a kid. I agree with your number 1 though.

[Spears]

Twilight Zone by Golden Earring belongs on the list. When the hotties hit him with that syringe, I want to hurl every time.

[Chris]

The video for Greg Kihn's "Jeopardy" was a little creepy.

[Bassnote]

I Don't Remember by Peter Gabriel

http://www.musicsrc.com/video/Peter_Gabriel_-_I_dont_Remember.php?id=OArZ9N0Ptg8&artist=Peter+Gabriel&song=I+Don%5C%27T+Remember

[Michelle]

"Total Eclipse of the Heart" with the glowing-eyed children of the corn.

[DerekT]

Somebody Watching Me by Rockwell comes to mind.
99 Red Ballons (99 Luft Ballons) with Nena's armpit hair hanging to her waist was also a little creepy.