When music videos are said to break the rules, it should be a rewarding experience for viewers who can expect to see all things spectacular and outrageous. MTV recently released a list of the Top 10 groundbreaking videos, ahead of their 25th anniversary celebrations, which would also be marked by a run of the 100 greatest videos of all time this month. The Top 10 list was rounded up following a poll that had 10,000 viewers punching up their favourite videos. Let us also touch upon some of the songs that we think are worthy, not so worthy and also include those that deserved to be right up there (see boxes).

Madonna: Like a prayer (1989)

Burning crosses and a twirling, ecstatic Madonna. Jeez! Great beats, tight as hell editing and primetime Madonna make it a worthy top rocker. This video turned up the heat in many ways in the 80s. It earned the wrath of the folks at the Vatican who took offence to the burning crosses and also the heated up lady playing seductress to a Black Jesus-like personification. The world loved the video for the same reasons. The track, being absolutely brilliant, took the deal to a different level.

By the way, Madonna has made it a bit of a habit to irk the folks at the Vatican — recently she was pulled into yet another controversy concerning her onstage theatrics during her Confessions tour. What got the holy folks cross was her ‘blasphemous’ act of wearing a crown of thorns and enacting a mock crucifiction. The fact that the concert was finally held at Rome’s Olympic Stadium, enraged the purists even more as they now demand her ‘excommunication’ from the Catholic church. So? Is Madonna concerned? When controversies take her to the No. 1 position, could she really be bothered?

Britney Spears: Baby one more time (1999)

This one beat Michael Jackson’s Thriller for the No. 2 spot — and is it unfair? You bet it is. Apart from orchestrating Britney’s arrival on the scene, the video doesn’t break any new ground. But the video did help her gather a legion of fans with the raunchy school-uniform dance routine. The choreography was skintight and the video did have repeat value. But it still makes us scratch our heads as it sits at the No. 2 spot, towering above the rest. Britney power, eh?

Michael Jackson: Thriller (1983)

This was groundbreaking, all right. The album, Thriller, constructed what went on to be the biggest pop success stories of all time, and the video (the longest ever of all time) was instrumental in making Jackson a superstar with its movie-like delivery. In desi terms, you could call it the Sholay of all music videos. The eerie music, the catchy lines and the spectacular zombie dance, not to forget this really scary part when Jacko suddenly turns around and terrifies the hell out of his female costar (not too many can forget the grotesque face with yellow eyes — quite scary for its time). This video also had another version — The Making of Thriller — that showed exactly how the video was made. It was all very new at that time for us folks in India, and people got the impression that Thriller was actually an about-to-be released movie — till the concept of such videos set in.

Madonna: Ray of light (1998)

The Queen of Pop dominates this list and Ray of light is quite deservedly at the No. 4 position. The Ray Of Light album was itself groundbreaking for it had the biggest female popstar of all time foraying into techno territory with aplomb. The video is a racy visual treat that has its share of blazing camerawork and ahead-of-its-time technical wizardry. The song being such a huge hit, gave further mileage to the red-hot (otherwise unsexy) video.

Madonna: Vogue (1988)

Madonna yet again in this classic retro-feel black-and-white video — here we see an old-fashioned set-up with male models in snazzy suits and our lady in a sexy, see-through body gripper. Full-blooded Madonna moves make for a smart dance routine, as the lady does a Marilyn Monroe yet again, enjoying every bit of herself being pampered like a superstar on cloud nine. Not much groundbreaking here, except for the black-and-white theatrical treatment that was followed up with a number of colourless videos in the scene.

And what was the pointed fashion statement she made in this? Something remembered till this day, sharply? The conical bra, you know that one!

Michael and Janet Jackson: Scream (1995)

The Scream video cost nearly $7 million to make, and though the song was quite a sucker, it was the video that gave it some kind of credibility. The silvery, futuristic set-up had the Jackson siblings jiving together — Jacko didn’t need to try hard, and looked quite alienish. Janet, too, looked other-worldly in her spacesuit kind of dance gear. Predictably, the song sank without a trace but when the video appears even today, people do recollect watching it nearly a decade ago. But $7 million? Where did it all go?

Robbie Williams: Rock D.J. (2000)

Sometimes it’s easy to break new ground. All you need to do is get really outrageous like Mr Robbie Williams who still has to try really hard to woo the Americans. This twisted video has the crazy rocker stripping off his clothes, then his skin, till there are only bones left to play with. And, of course, there are lots of hot, scantily clad women skating around him. He does give them a bit of skin — the stuff that he peels off and chucks at the girls who start relishing it like a delicacy.

Eric Prydz: Call on me

What can you say about this one? More booty than you bargained for? The hottest gym dance sequence ever? Too hot for the screen? Yeah, you can watch your TV melt as nearly 20 hotties make smoke up a regular gym with a fabulously choreographed dance capsule. This one is undoubtedly the hottest video ever; hence it deserves its place of pride on the list.

Jamiroquai: Virtual insanity

The lead singer dancing up and down the walls like a funky lizard — the video was instantly noticed for its special effects. And that’s just what it will be forever remembered for.

Spice Girls: Wannabe

Nothing great when you watch the video today, but the Spice Girls were new at the time the video came out. Suddenly we had this vibrant bunch of five hot British women getting into the scene and creating history. That was more groundbreaking than anything at that time. Not really worthy on this particular list.