The Love Me Harder video is pretty and Ari looks stunning in it of course but I'm glad it missed the top 10. It's nice but not one of her best.

 

11 Break Free (feat. Zedd)

My Everything

 

Total Score: 70.5 - Average Score: 7.67 (more 10s)

 

Into You it: Michael, LewisGT (10)

thank u, next: Bré (2)

 

 

Just missing out of the top 10 is what is probably one of her most iconic videos in Break Free. Intentionally looking cheap and exploitative the video is based on old sci-fi B-movies, with particular inspiration coming from the early Star Wars films and Barbarella. The video starts with the George Lucas-esque opening crawl that welcomes you and sets up the premise of the video before we’re transformed to an alien planet where Ari leaves her spaceship and spots her back-up dancers have been kidnapped and locked in cages by hostile aliens. Ari rescues them before realising it’s a set-up and getting outflanked. After just about surviving, she defeats a giant robot using her boob missiles before being captured and chained-up by a villain who looks a lot like Ming the Merciless from Flash Gordon. After breaking the chains and pushing Ming down a hole to his death. After this adventure, Ari meets Zedd and her back-up dancers in her spaceship and they party the night away. Zedd looks a little out of place just bopping away at his DJ decks, seemingly unaware of the craziness that surround him. As this is also a video from the early 2010s, there is, of course, still room for a Beats by Dre product placement with a baby alien plays some music. Other movie references in this video include 2001: A Space Odyssey (the look of the hallway), Planet of the Apes (the cages) and Star Trek (the beaming for transport).

 

I do think I need to talk about the alien with the Beats speakers a little bit more because that thing is horrifying. A weird and nightmarish Primate-Proboscidea blend, the creature looks like a hornless baby elephant that’s been stuck in a fire. The creature a short and scaly trunk, Dobby-esque ears, four fat arms, one visible leg and wrinkly skin; but the absolutely most frightening feature is its unnaturally large and human-like eyes that stare into your soul. To make it even worse, this thing is supposed to be cute with Ari even giving it a little kiss.

 

The video was directed by Chris Marrs Piliero who has worked with Ari before (and after) this on the visuals for Popular Song, Santa Tell Me & Everyday. With Popular Song not being included in this rate, this makes Break Free officially our favourite Ariana video of his.

 

The aesthetic to this video is divisive but I think it suits the song so well. The whole video is extravagant and overdramatic by design and has some vocal haters. In fact it would have been a top 3 contender if it wasn’t for Jade (4) and Bré (2) dragging the average right down. The highest scores come from Michael and myself but mostly everyone else rated it highly with three 9s and a 9.5.

 

 

 

Here are your top 10 in alphabetical order. Any predictions?

 

7 Rings

Bang Bang

Breathin

Don’t Call Me Angel

Focus

God Is A Woman

No Tears Left To Cry

Rain On Me

Side To Side

Thank U, Next

The 'Break Free' video is a mess so I'm not mad that it missed the top 10 :lol: the biggest surprise of that list is 'Bang Bang', that's done so well :o

I love the Break Free video just for how camp and ridiculous it is, plus the beauty shots are amongst her best, that face art is stunning!

I really like Break Free’s video. She looks gorgeous in it.

 

At that point in her career it was probably her best video.

 

I agree with the majority of that top ten. Bang Bang being so high was a shock though.

 

Really holding out for a God is a woman win!

In fact it would have been a top 3 contender if it wasn’t for Jade (4) and Bré (2) dragging the average right down.

 

Thank god for me and Jade having taste then x

 

I can't believe people actually like the 'Break Free' video. It's immensely tacky and not in an endearing way.

10 Don't Call Me Angel (feat. Miley Cyrus & Lana Del Rey)

Charlie's Angels: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

 

Total Score: 72 - Average Score: 8

 

Into You it: JulianNial, Tafty, Bré & Jade (9)

thank u, next: Michael (6)

 

 

It's serious business now as the averages have reached 8+. Kicking off the top 10 tonight is the highest placing soundtrack song in the rate. 'Don't Call Me Angel' was released as the lead single from the 2019 film 'Charlie's Angels'. Ariana was heavily involved with the curation of the soundtrack and contributed vocals to several songs. She is joined by good friend Miley Cyrus and the more surprising choice of Lana Del Rey for this collaboration. This became one of many singles to peak at #2 for her in the U.K. It unfortunately did not experience much longevity on the chart though. The trajectory on BuzzJack is similar as it initially received a warm reception on here but does not seem to be retaining the same amount of love a year on. However, the video is a different story. That is looked back upon fondly as reflected by this position. It currently has 176 million+ views, gaining around 3 million in the past month, which means it's currently her 17th most popular music video.

 

The music video for 'Don't Call Me Angel' takes place in a mansion that was also used as the location for Camila Cabello's 'Liar' video. These visuals thematically act as a tool for the film release. Ariana mirrors her billing on the song as the mastermind of the video, taking centre stage. Miley brings physical strength to the table as we see her looking powerful in a boxing ring. Then Lana can be seen focusing on weaponry. Together they are a girl-power crime-fighting trio. Ariana is introduced to the video with white wings and a halo during her solo shots. By the end, all three of them are in sync with black wings. But before that, Lana is wearing devilish red, tying in well with her "living like a devil..." line, whereas Miley has a vest on for her boxing and lots of chains - one a defiant fit as it reads 'GOAT' aka "greatest of all time". They look glamorous in their group shots as they couple the black wings look with cat-walk style attitude. There is also some humour injected when the girls are stood in the room with a lot of food - look at Lana casually going straight in for the chicken when her company includes two vegans. It's all good though as all three of them seem to be giggling during that moment. It rounds off with Elizabeth Banks, an actress from the film, telling the girls to "get back to work". The whole effort is a good fit for the film with this cameo, the angel wings and a message of strength as individuals and unity as a team.

 

The 'Don't Call Me Angel' video hoovered up the 9s as myself, Bré, Jonjo and co-mod Julian all thought it was deserving of one. Michael dragged its average down a little with the lowest score of 6. However, this is probably a more generous opinion from him compared to the song, as we know all too well that he likes to refer to it as "clown music".

Did I not vote in this :frankie:

 

This is one of her best videos

Did I not vote in this :frankie:

 

This is one of her best videos

No :( glad it was able to make the top 10 even without your help!

She honestly has a disappointing amount of videos that always seem half arsed! I’m glad into you and one last time finished low because the songs are 11/10 but the videos are non event! Don’t call me angel deserved to finish top 5 tho

Don’t Call Me Angel seems like a weird one for the top. It’s fine but she’s not in it enough for my liking :lol:

09 Bang Bang (Jessie J, Ariana Grande & Nicki Minaj)

My Everything & Sweet Talker

 

Total Score: 73.5 - Average Score: 8.17

 

Into You it: Michael (10)

thank u, next: LewisGT (6)

 

 

Out next is one of the biggest girl-power anthem collabs of all time 'Bang Bang'.

 

The video was initially in a Beats by Dr. Dre commercial before being release after the three performed the song at the 2015 VMAs.

 

The video is another Hannah Lux Davis project that was filmed in Los Angeles, despite being set in New York. The three performers are seen in different locations throughout the city, with Ariana in a neon lit bedroom, Jessie strutting and dancing with backup dancers in the streets and Nicki is seen boarding and the dancing in front of a helicopter on a skyscraper roof top at night. At the end they all meet up and have a dance on the helipad with a little choreography thrown in for good measure. There's some pretty lighting and settings in the video with some gorgeous glamour shots.

 

The video became Vevo-certified (over 100 million views) in just 3 months and has since accumulated over 1.5 billion views making it Ariana's and Nicki's 2nd most viewed video of all time (Both 2nd only to Side to Side) and Jessie Js most viewed.

 

The video received a 10 from Michael with the lowest score being Lewis' 6, most of us scored it a 9 with a couple of 7s and 8s thrown into the mix.

I like the build-up of the video with all the singular shots amounting to all of them together for the final chorus. Reminds me a little of 'Rain On Me' and a similar joy when Gaga and Ariana start appearing together in shots. I love the lighting and settings too that you pointed out. Overall a fun, well-suited video.

 

'Rain On Me' vs. 'Side To Side' for highest collab video then!

Bang Bang didn't deserve top 10. It's nice to see them all together but the solo sections of the video for both Jessie & Ari aren't the best.

08 Focus

Non-Album Single

 

Total Score: 75.5 - Average Score: 8.39

 

Into You it: Cameron, LewisGT (10)

thank u, next: jlj, Bré (6)

 

 

I think it’s fair to say that Focus wasn’t her best received song but the video obviously has its fans as it sails into the top 10 in this rate. The video is one of her most distinct stylistically with a bright and blue colour-scheme that attacks the senses. It feels like a classic pop video with its exaggerated looks and focus on visually captivating shots over plot. Ariana makes it impossible not to focus on her, looking stunning with her platinum hair. The confidence exudes confidence and I think marked a bit of a turning point for her videos. I think it’s no surprise that every other video still to come in the top 7 were all released after this.

 

In the video, Ari finds herself stuck in a box very reminiscent of the one Drake also found himself trapped inside of in the Hotline Bling video. It looks uncomfortable and tight, especially in the high-heeled boots she’s wearing, but she still manages to handle it like a boss. We also have a black and white interlude where Ari smashes some choreography in a way we didn’t see again until ‘Rain On Me’, aping the feel of Beyonce’s iconic Single Ladies vid. She even gives us some painful looking splits. However, I’m not convinced that Ari nor her backup dancers are really playing those trumpets though. :lol:

 

Just like Break Free before, there is some prominent product placement in this video. This time the Samsung Galaxy Note 5 pops up frequently, first to write on using a stylus (what year is this) and later to take some selfies. I’m sure it helped pay for the video and the money’s certainly been well spent elsewhere but it feels a little forced. At least the selfies do kinda fit in with the theme of the song.

 

Currently on 903 million views, it’s one of three Ariana songs within touching distance of joining Side to Side, Problem & Break Free in the billion club. Seeming that it had a bit of an underperformance as a single, I’m so happy to see have a bit of a second life on YouTube.

 

Cameron and I ranked it highest with both of us giving it 10s, jlj & Bré both give it an average score. We’re way past the time where low scores were popping up.

 

I really enjoy the 'Focus' video! The aesthetics are gorgeous from the general colour palette to Ari's hair and the stars in her eyes. The poster on the back of my door features looks from it *.* The dance routine and trumpets are fun too. I definitely agree that Ariana was starting to come out of her shell in videos here.

Focus is a bit high on here.

 

She does look stunning in this video though! But I think even the Dangerous Woman era visuals (bar Everyday) all beat this.

It is very pretty and I liked the hair! But it really was like a phone advert. However I always appreciate choreo and It's the black and white bit during the bridge I love the most.

07 7 rings

thank u, next

 

Total Score: 78 - Average Score: 8.67

 

Into You it: JulianNial (11)

thank u, next: Bré (6)

 

 

Well isn't this a satisfying result! Dropping out at the #7 position is the aptly titled '7 rings'. The videos from the 'thank u, next' era have placed in the opposite order of their release - with third single 'break up with your girlfriend, i'm bored' showing up earlier and now 2nd single '7 rings'. So that leaves title track 'thank u, next' standing as the highest placed video from this era. That video actually included an instrumental teaser for '7 rings'. Little did we know that this piece of music would become one of Ariana's biggest hits. It was a multi-week #1 smash on both sides of the pond. The video is the most popular from the 'thank u, next' era in terms of YouTube views - currently clocking in at over 867 million hits. This is her 6th most popular music video overall on the platform.

 

So - this video is very PINK. It's all about the aesthetics in a song as materialistic as '7 rings'. But, of course, that's not just what it's about. The rings are are a symbol for the close friendships that Ariana has maintained. Her break-up with Pete Davidson lead to her treating her friends to a shopping spree - where seven matching friendship rings were purchased. So this girl-power theme extends to the video as it's an all-female ensemble throughout. They open the video looking very fierce. But all eyes are generally on Ariana, who sports many different looks throughout the video. There is a jewellery heavy one with pink hair, a rapunzel-esque long ponytail when she's lying on the stairs, a pink latex outfit when she's in the Barbie-type house, then a Wicked-inspired look in a dimly lit room. Throughout the video she's just having fun as a newly-single (at the time!) woman, with her friends by her side. She can be seen dancing and participating in activities such as pouring a bottle of wine down a tower of cups. She's releasing her inhibitions in amongst her newly-found freedom. Totally embracing this new chapter. Then, at the end, she can be seen regrouping with her real life friends, back-up dancers and dog Toulouse with the words "my bitches right here" to close. It's a very aesthetically pleasing and light-hearted watch for an equally care-free song.

 

'7 rings' is the first video to drop out that received an 11 from someone! It was my co-mod Julian who picked it as the cream of the crop. It did receive a few 10s on top of this though, to give an impressive 8.67 average. Bré was the least keen once more with a 6. You couldn't even stretch it to a 7? :o :kink:

What a stunning video!

 

It's everything I want:

It looks expensive af with the most stunning looks, we even get choreo. LOVE the way it's edited, even at the 1:08 mark when she says "Yuh!" and it cuts to her lip syncing it, it is all just super satisfying for my eye. Also the fact she actually got her 6 "bitches" involved is SO great, that really shows how true her friendship is. I'm also in love with the front of house scene with the helicopter spot lights and flashing cars. It makes it feel so Hollywood and camp, urgh! Could watch it over all day! :lol:

 

I'm sad it wasn't a bit higher, but the fact '7 rings' ranked at 7 is kinda cool. :heehee: