13 Of The Most Amazing One-Shot Music Video Wonders This Century
From Sia's 'Chandelier' to OK Go's tread-tastic 'Here It Goes Again' here's some of our fave one-shot music vids...
It’s almost time for you to name your Greatest Music Video Of The Century, but before you make your decision, maybe you’ll consider one of these one-shot musical wonders?
From OK Go throwing some shapes on a treadmill to Pharrell’s epic 24-hour promo, here are 13 amazing one-shot music videos that’ll leave you open-mouthed…
1. OK Go – 'Here It Goes Again'
First up, it’s the kings of the one-shot music video, OK Go. The band are well known for their elaborate, unbroken, single-shot clips, using the technique for the likes of ‘White Knuckles’ and ‘A Million Ways To Die’. However, our favourite is ‘Here It Goes Again’, which sees the group perform the song and accompanying dance routine on treadmills. It took a total of seventeen attempts to complete the video, and you can see why below…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dTAAsCNK7RA
2. Kiesza – 'Hideaway'
Canadian songstress Kiesza unleashed the one-shot promo for ‘Hideaway’ in 2014, which saw her dancing through the streets of Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Her brother filmed the clip, with Kiesza later revealing that she had great trouble making the promo thanks to a broken rib! Now, that’s dedication…
I'm holding it back, just want to shout out, give me more
You're just a hideaway, you're just a feeling
You let my heart escape beyond the meaning
Not even I can find a way to stop the storm
Oh, baby, it's out of my control, what's going on?
But you're just a chance I take to keep on dreaming
You're just another day that keeps me breathing
Baby, I love the way that there's nothing sure
Baby, don't stop me, hide away with me some more
Ooh, aah, aah, ooh, ooh, aah, aah, ooh, ooh, aah, aah, ooh, ooh, aah, aah, ooh
You send me the shiver up my spine, might overflow
You're bringing me closer to the edge of letting go
You're just a hideaway, you're just a feeling
You let my heart escape beyond the meaning
Putting my head into the clouds I'm floating home
When you get me going I can't find a way to stop
You're just a chance I take to keep on dreaming
You're just another day that keeps me breathing
Ooh, aah, aah, ooh, ooh, aah, aah, ooh
Baby, I love the way that there's nothing sure
Baby, don't stop me, hide away with me some more
Hide away with me some more
Bringing me higher than I've ever been before
I'm holding it back, just wanna shout out, "Give me more."
You're just a hideaway, you're just a feeling
You let my heart escape beyond the meaning
Not even I can find a way to stop the storm
Oh, baby, it's out of my control, what's going on
You're just a chance I take to keep on dreaming
You're just another day that keeps me breathing
You're a day that keeps me dreaming
Ooh, aah, aah, ooh, ooh, aah, aah, ooh
Baby, I love the way that there's nothing sure
Baby, don't stop me, hide away with me some more
Hide away with me some more
3. Pharrell Williams – 'Happy'
Perhaps one of the most elaborate stunts in music video history, in 2013, Pharrell Williams created the first ever 24-hour promo for his Despicable Me 2 song, ‘Happy’. While the final edit isn’t technically one-shot, the 24-hour epic version saw filming commence continuously for a day and sees the likes of Kelly Osbourne, Jimmy Kimmel and more all making cameos…
Sunshine she's here, you can take a break
I'm a hot air balloon that could go to space
With the air, like I don't care baby by the way
Because I'm happy
Clap along if you feel like a room without a roof
Because I'm happy
Clap along if you feel like happiness is the truth
Because I'm happy
Clap along if you know what happiness is to you
Because I'm happy
Clap along if you feel like that's what you wanna do
Here come bad news talking this and that
Yeah, well, gimme all you got and don't hold back
Yeah, well I should probably warn you I'll be just fine
Yeah, no offense to you don't waste your time
Here's why
Because I'm happy
Clap along if you feel like a room without a roof
Because I'm happy
Clap along if you feel like happiness is the truth
Because I'm happy
Clap along if you know what happiness is to you
Because I'm happy
Clap along if you feel like that's what you wanna do
(Happy) bring me down
Can't nothing (happy) bring me down
My level's too high (happy) to bring me down
Can't nothing (happy) bring me down
I said
(Happy, happy, happy) bring me down
Can't nothing bring me down
My level's too high (happy) to bring me down
Can't nothing bring me down
I said
Because I'm happy
Clap along if you feel like a room without a roof
Because I'm happy
Clap along if you feel like happiness is the truth
Because I'm happy
Clap along if you know what happiness is to you
Because I'm happy
Clap along if you feel like that's what you wanna do
Because I'm happy
Clap along if you feel like a room without a roof
Because I'm happy
Clap along if you feel like happiness is the truth
Because I'm happy
Clap along if you know what happiness is to you
Because I'm happy
Clap along if you feel like that's what you wanna do
(Happy) bring me down
Can't nothing (happy) bring me down
My level's too high (happy) to bring me down
Can't nothing (happy) bring me down
I said
Because I'm happy
Clap along if you feel like a room without a roof
Because I'm happy
Clap along if you feel like happiness is the truth
Because I'm happy
Clap along if you know what happiness is to you
Because I'm happy
Clap along if you feel like that's what you wanna do
Because I'm happy
Clap along if you feel like a room without a roof
Because I'm happy
Clap along if you feel like happiness is the truth
Because I'm happy
Clap along if you know what happiness is to you
Because I'm happy
Clap along if you feel like that's what you wanna do
C'mon
4. Taylor Swift – 'We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together'
In 2012, Taylor Swift tried her hand at the one-shot music video for single, ‘We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together’. Directed by Declan Whitebloom, the promo was shot like a pop-up book in one continuous shot with no editing and features T-Swizzle appearing in multiple sets and in five different outfits throughout. Phew, we’re exhausted just watching it back…
Saying, this is it, I've had enough
'Cause like
We hadn't seen each other in a month
When you said you needed space
What?
Then you come around again and say
Baby, I miss you and I swear I'm gonna change, trust me
Remember how that lasted for a day?
I say, I hate you, we break up, you call me, I love you
Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh
We called it off again last night but
Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh
This time I'm telling you, I'm telling you
We are never, ever, ever getting back together
We are never, ever, ever getting back together
You go talk to your friends, talk to my friends, talk to me
But we are never, ever, ever, ever getting back together
Like, ever
I'm really gonna miss you picking fights
And me falling for it, screaming that I'm right
And you would hide away and find your peace of mind
With some indie record that's much cooler than mine
Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh
You called me up again tonight but
Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh
This time, I'm telling you, I'm telling you
We are never, ever, ever getting back together
We are never, ever, ever getting back together
You go talk to your friends, talk to my friends, talk to me
But we are never, ever, ever, ever getting back together
Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh (Yeah!)
Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh (Yeah!)
Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh (Yeah!)
Oh-oh-oh!
I used to think that we were forever, ever
And I used to say, never say never...
Ugh, so he calls me up, and he's like, I still love you
And I'm like, I'm just, I mean this is exhausting
You know, like we are never getting back together
Like, ever (No!)
We are never, ever, ever getting back together
We are never, ever, ever getting back together
You go talk to your friends, talk to my friends, talk to me
But we are never, ever, ever, ever getting back together
We (Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh), getting back together
We (Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh), getting back together
You go talk to your friends, talk to my friends, talk to me
But we are never, ever, ever, ever getting back together
5. Destiny’s Child – 'Emotion'
Destiny’s Child’s ‘Emotion’ is somewhat unique in the world of one-take wonders, featuring three continuous shots playing simultaneously. The Francis Lawrence-directed clip tells three separate stories, with Kelly, Beyoncé and Michelle coming together at the end, with the screen then returning to normal. Ah, this video still gives us ALL the feels…
Yeah, yeah, yeah
Ooh yeah
It's over and done
But the heartache lives on inside
And who is the one you're clinging to
Instead of me tonight?
And where are you now?
Now that I need you?
Tears on my pillow
Wherever you go, go
I'll cry me a river
That leads to your ocean
You'll never see me fall apart
In the words of a broken heart
It's just emotions taking me over
Caught up in sorrow, lost in the song
But if you don't come back
Come home to me, darling
Don't you know there's no-
(Nobody left in this world to hold me tight)
And don't you know there's no-
(Nobody left in this world to kiss goodnight)
(Goodnight)
(Goodnight)
I'm here at your side
A part up my all the things you are
But you got to find someone else
You gotta go find your shining star
And where are you now?
Now that I need you?
Tears on my pillow
Wherever you go
I'll cry me a river
That leads to your ocean
You'll never see me fall apart
In the words of a broken heart
It's just emotions taking me over
Caught up in sorrow, lost in the song
But if you don't come back
Come home to me, darling
Don't you know there's no-
(Nobody left in this world to hold me tight)
(Nobody left in this world to kiss goodnight)
Goodnight, goodnight
And where are you now?
Now that I need you?
Tears on my pillow
Wherever you-you go
I'll cry me a river
That leads to your ocean
You'll never see me fall apart
In the words of a broken heart
It's just emotions taking me over
Caught up in sorrow, lost in the song
But if you don't come back
Come home to me, darling
(Nobody left in this world to hold me tight)
(Nobody left in this world to kiss goodnight)
Nobody to kiss me
Goodnight
Goodnight
6. Bruno Mars – 'The Lazy Song'
It’s thought that Mars was given a “couple of thousand dollars” to make the promo for his 2010 track ‘The Lazy Song’, and what better way to blow the budget than on a couple of monkey masks! The star shot the video over two days and after filming twelve takes, Mars decided it was a case of tenth time lucky and that one was chosen as the final clip! Relive him monkeying around below…
I just wanna lay in my bed
Don't feel like picking up my phone
So leave a message at the tone
Today I swear I'm not doing anything
I'm gonna kick my feet up and stare at the fan
Turn the TV on, throw my hands in my pants
Nobody's gone tell me I can't
I'll be lounging on the couch just chilling in my snuggie
Turn to MTV so they can teach me how to dodge
In my castle I'm the freaking man
Oh yes I said it, I said it, I said it 'cause I can
Today I don't feel like doing anything
I just wanna lay in my bed
Don't feel like picking up my phone
So leave a message at the tone
Today I swear I'm not doing anything
Nothing at all
Whoa hoo, whoa hoo, hoo
Nothing at all
Whoa hoo, whoa hoo, hoo
Tomorrow I wake up do some p90x
Meet a really nice girl, have some really nice sex
She gonna scream out this is great
("Oh really yeah this is great")
I might mess around and get my college degree
I bet my old man would be so proud of me
But sorry pops you'll just have to wait
Oh yes I said it, I said it, I said it 'cause I can
Today I don't feel like doing anything
I just wanna lay in my bed
Don't feel like picking up my phone
So leave a message at the tone
Today I swear I'm not doing anything
No I ain't gonna comb my hair
'Cause I ain't going no where
No, no, no, no no, no, no, noh
I'll just strut in my birthday suit
And let everything hang loose
Yea, yea, yea, yea, yea, yeah
Today I don't feel like doing anything
I just wanna lay in my bed
Don't feel like picking up my phone
So leave a message at the tone
'Cause today I swear I'm not doing anything
Nothing at all
Whoa hoo, whoa hoo, hoo
Nothing at all
Whoa hoo, whoa hoo, hoo
Nothing at all
7. FKA twigs – 'Two Weeks'
In 2014, FKA twigs released the epic promo for single ‘Two Weeks’, which saw the singer dressed as a giant goddess while surrounded by tiny dancers – played by herself. The entire video is made up of one, long continuous panning-out shot and earned the star two nominations at the 2015 MTV VMAs.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3yDP9MKVhZc
8. Sia – 'Chandelier'
After the original version of the promo clocked up over 20 million views in a month, Sia later premiered a one-take version of ‘Chandelier’, with the clip jam-packed with even more footage of 11-year old Maddie Ziegler’s dance routine. Now, you don’t get more impressive than that…
Can't feel anything, when will I learn?
I push it down, push it down
I'm the one "for a good time call"
Phone's blowin' up, ringin' my doorbell
I feel the love, feel the love
One, two, three, one, two, three, drink
One, two, three, one, two, three, drink
One, two, three, one, two, three, drink
Throw 'em back 'til I lose count
I'm gonna swing from the chandelier
From the chandelier
I'm gonna live like tomorrow doesn't exist
Like it doesn't exist
I'm gonna fly like a bird through the night
Feel my tears as they dry
I'm gonna swing from the chandelier
From the chandelier
But I'm holding on for dear life
Won't look down, won't open my eyes
Keep my glass full until morning light
'Cause I'm just holding on for tonight
Help me, I'm holding on for dear life
Won't look down, won't open my eyes
Keep my glass full until morning light
'Cause I'm just holding on for tonight, on for tonight
Sun is up, I'm a mess
Gotta get out now, gotta run from this
Here comes the shame, here comes the shame
One, two, three, one, two, three, drink
One, two, three, one, two, three, drink
One, two, three, one, two, three, drink
Throw 'em back 'til I lose count
I'm gonna swing from the chandelier
From the chandelier
I'm gonna live like tomorrow doesn't exist
Like it doesn't exist
I'm gonna fly like a bird through the night
Feel my tears as they dry
I'm gonna swing from the chandelier
From the chandelier
But I'm holding on for dear life
Won't look down, won't open my eyes
Keep my glass full until morning light
'Cause I'm just holding on for tonight
Help me, I'm holding on for dear life
Won't look down, won't open my eyes
Keep my glass full until morning light
'Cause I'm just holding on for tonight
On for tonight, on for tonight
'Cause I'm just holding on for tonight
Oh, I'm just holding on for tonight
On for tonight, on for tonight
'Cause I'm just holding on for tonight
'Cause I'm just holding on for tonight
Oh, I'm just holding on for tonight
On for tonight, on for tonight
9. Coldplay – 'Yellow'
Coldplay’s music video for ‘Yellow’ was shot at Studland Bay in Dorset and features main man Chris Martin singing the song, as he takes a stroll along a very wet and windy beach. Filmed at 50 frames per second, the clip is one continuous shot as Martin battles the conditions with wet hair and dressed in waterproofs. Ah, how the Great British weather stops for no superstar…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yKNxeF4KMsY
10. Lorde – 'Tennis Court'
The video for ‘Tennis Court’ saw Lorde team up once again with ‘Royals’ director Joe Kefali, and sees the New Zealand-born singer staring into the camera as the song plays in the background. Shot in one-take, a gothic-looking Lorde does not lip-sync along to the track, instead, only miming the word “Yeah!” after each verse and during the chorus.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D8Ymd-OCucs
11. Will Young – 'Leave Right Now'
Taking it back to 2003, Will Young released the one-shot promo for ‘Leave Right Now’, which features the Pop Idol winner at a party where a fight starts. The video, which has no transitions, ends with Young getting caught up in the drama, as the guests at the party look on.
Just like I said
Though its breaking every rule I've ever made
My racin' heart
Is just the same
Why make it strong to break it once again?
And I'd love to say I do
Give everything to you
But I can never now be true
So I say
I think I'd better leave right now
Before I fall any deeper
I think I'd better leave right now
Feelin' weaker and weaker
Somebody better show me out
Before I fall any deeper
I think I'd better leave right now
I'm here
So please explain
Why you're openin' up a healing wound again
I'm a little more careful
Perhaps it shows
But if I lose the highs at least I'm spared the lows
Now I tremble in your arms
What could be the harm
To feel my spirit calm
So I say
I think I'd better leave right now
Before I fall any deeper
I think I'd better leave right now
Feelin' weaker and weaker
Somebody better show me out
Before I fall any deeper
I think I'd better leave right now
I wouldn't know how to say
How good it feels seeing you today
I see you've got your smile back
Like say your right on track but
You may never know why
Once bitten twice is shy
If I'm proud perhaps I should explain
I couldn't bear to lose you again
I think I'd better leave right now
Before I fall any deeper
I think I'd better leave right now
I'm feelin' weaker and weaker
Somebody better show me out
Before I fall any deeper
I think I'd better leave right now
Yes I will
I think I'd better leave right now
I'm feelin' weaker and weaker
Somebody better show me out
Before I fall any deeper
I think I'd better leave right now
12. Vampire Weekend – 'Oxford Comma'
In 2008, comedian Richard Ayoade took the directing reigns for Vampire Weekend’s video for ‘Oxford Comma’. The promo featured a continuous shot of the band performing the track as lead singer and guitarist Ezra Koenig walks through a farm, while a crew film a movie around him. Random but really great…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_i1xk07o4g
13. Kylie Minogue - 'Come Into My World'
Directed by Michael Gondry, who is famous for his one shot music videos, Kylie’s 2002 promo for 'Come Into My World' sees Minogue being cloned as she goes about her daily business in Paris. The clip took fifteen days to design and digitally master, ending with not one, but four Kylie’s together! Now, that’s a world we’d like to live in…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=63vqob-MljQ
What's your favourite music video of the century? Join the conversation with us on Twitter now @MTVMusicUK with #MTVGreatestVideo.
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