MTV's First Day of Music Videos
A list of the first music videos broadcast on MTV's first day August 1, 1981.
List activity
8.3K views
• 54 this weekCreate a new list
List your movie, TV & celebrity picks.
- 209 titles
- DirectorRussell MulcahyStarsThe BugglesDebi DossGeoff DownesThe video for the Buggles' classic one-shot, about how the rise of television (and, by extension, music videos) hurt the careers of those performers whose looks would not translate well to the new medium.
- DirectorNick SaxtonStarsPat BenatarRoger CappsNeil GiraldoMusic video for Pat Benatar's "You Better Run".
- DirectorMike MansfieldStarRod StewartMusic video for Rod Stewart's "She Won't Dance with Me".
- DirectorJohn CromeStarsJohn BundrickRoger DaltreyJohn EntwistleThe Who perform their single "You Better You Bet".
- StarsJim DiamondTony HymasPh.D.Music video by Ph.D. performing "Little Suzi's on the Up".
- DirectorBrian GrantStarCliff RichardMusic video by Cliff Richard performing "We Don't Talk Anymore".
- DirectorMark RobinsonStarsMartin ChambersPete FarndonJames Honeyman-ScottPromotional music video from the self-titled debut album. Singer Chrissie Hynde plays the song working as waitress in a bar, serving to the band members.
- DirectorJay DubinStarsKevin CroninNeal DoughtyAlan GratzerMusic video for REO Speedwagon's song "Take It on the Run".
- StarRod StewartAnother music video for "Sailing" was shot in New York Harbor in 1978, and would become one of the first to be aired on MTV when it launched on 1 August 1981.
- DirectorBruce GowersStarsKevin CroninNeal DoughtyBruce HallThe music video for REO Speedwagon performing "Keep on Loving You".
- DirectorStuart OrmeStarPhil CollinsThe music video for "In the Air Tonight" by Phil Collins.
- StarRobert Palmer
- DirectorJim LenahanStarsStevie NicksMike CampbellTom PettyOfficial music video for "Stop Draggin' My Heart Around" by Stevie Nicks ft. Tom Petty.
