The 1980s saw the invention of the music video thanks to MTV and it wasn’t long after that many of the videos started using sex as a selling point. Of course, everyone has their opinion, but here’s our list for the “The Top Ten Sexiest Music Videos of The 80s. Which ones did we leave out that you think should have made the list and what would your #1 be?
#10 Prince & The Revolution – When Doves Cry
Coming in at #10 is none other than his Purple Majesty himself, Prince. With the song and video from the movie Purple Rain, Prince and Apollonia generated some on-screen heat with some steamy scenes in this hit song and video.
#9 David Bowie – China Girl
David Bowie stirred controversy with this video for several reasons when it was released. The unrated version of the video showed some serious skin and kept it from being shown on MTV during the prime hours.
#8 The Fabulous Thunderbirds – Tuff Enuff
Featuring the brother of Stevie Ray Vaughan, Jimmy Vaughan and The Fabulous Thunderbirds flipped the tables on sexism with this video featuring sexy women construction workers hassling the band members, although to be clear the guys in the band don’t seem bothered.
#7 Whitesnake – Here I Go Again
Appearing in multiple Whitesnake videos, the late Tawny Kitaen practically coined the phrase “Video Vixen”. She was also married to Whitesnake singer David Coverdale during this time period, so any on-screen sparks between the two were the real deal.
#6 J. Geils Band – Centerfold
Imagine the surprise of finding out your High School sweetheart turned out to be the centerfold in a magazine years later. Well, that’s the premise of the song and the video with singer Peter Wolf imagining a classroom full of young ladies all clad in lingerie.
#5 Madonna – Like A Virgin
Madonna didn’t show an excess amount of skin in this video like she would do in later years, but the sexy writhing around and full-on innuendo throughout made this controversial at the time. These days it wouldn’t even cause a stir and probably seems tame by current standards.
#4 Duran Duran – Girls On Film
The R-rated version of this video would probably have taken the #1 spot, but it was deemed a little too sexy for television as it featured nudity throughout. Nevertheless, Duran Duran pushed the envelope with this video during the 80s and it was considered controversial when it was released.
#3 George Michael – I Want Your Sex
George Michael stirred things up when he released this video that blatantly discusses the subject of sex. It was tempered with a suggestion of promoting monogamy, but still raised a lot of eyebrows at the time.
#2 Joan Jett & The Blackhearts – Do You Wanna Touch Me (Oh Yeah)
Surprisingly, Joan Jett lets it all hang out in this video showcasing her in a two-piece bikini along with plenty of sexual innuendo sprinkled throughout the video footage.
#1 Cher – If I Could Turn Back Time
One of the most controversial music videos of the 80s starred Cher wearing an outfit that looks like an eyepatch with suspenders. Place it all on a battleship full of horny sailors while she rides a cannon and you’ve got the winner of the #1 sexiest music video of the 80s.
