Music videos take on much different meaning within stan culture than they do in the general public. They’re not just a fun visual representation of a song, but also a crucial marketing tool that helps the artist reach a wider audience, provide memes and content for stan accounts, and ultimately propel the track up the charts with strong word-of-mouth. The best music videos will also spawn controversy or exciting looks that give stans even more excuses to promote their favorite online
And because stan culture is so aware of charts and streaming figures, it’s incredibly common for fans to feel like their favorite was “robbed” when a song isn’t promoted the way they originally expected. Producing an accompanying visual is a key indicator that a record label is putting their financial support behind a single, so we set out to ask our followers this simple question: what’s a song that deserved to get an official music video?
Name a song that deserved to get an official music video. 🎥
— Pop Crave (@PopCrave) January 20, 2021
Nearly 7,000 responses later, we’ve compiled some of the most popular stan responses indicating which tracks are deserving of an official music video:
“Getaway Car” by Taylor Swift
“Getaway Car” is Taylor Swift at the height of her storytelling abilities with its dramatic themes of heartbreak and betrayal, making it the perfect candidate for a music video in the vein of ‘Bonnie & Clyde.’ Many were convinced that Swift filmed visuals after fans spotted the track on Mediabase’s radio add boards, but alas, we’ll just have to settle for our imagination and Tumblr fan art.
“Sour Candy” by Lady Gaga feat. BLACKPINK
“Sour Candy” is notorious among the Little Monsters for its lack of promotion. A potential global hit thanks to the massive support of Gaga‘s fanbase and the streaming power of BLACKPINK, “Sour Candy” feels like the ‘Chromatica’ track that’s most deserving of a music video considering it’s garnered 180 MILLION Spotify streams and 92 MILLION views on the YouTube audio to date. If this doesn’t scream single potential, we don’t know what does.
“Wanna Be Startin’ Something'” by Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson pioneered the modern music video format with his record-breaking album, ‘Thriller,’ making it all the more disappointing that “Wanna Be Startin’ Something” wasn’t given an official visual. The funk-infused intro track peaked at #5 on the Hot 100, has accumulated nearly 100 MILLION Spotify streams and is currently certified PLATINUM in the US.
“Love On The Brain” by Rihanna
It’s possible Rihanna would’ve scored yet another #1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 had she filmed a music video for “Love On The Brain.” Serving as the fourth and final single off ‘Anti,’ this doo-wop influenced track broke Rihanna‘s tie with Elvis for the fifth most Top 5 tracks on the Hot 100, and has since been certified 3x PLATINUM in the US. Demand for a visual was so high that a fan-made video went on to accumulate over 300 MILLION views.
“Streets” by Doja Cat
Doja Cat strikes viral gold again with ‘Hot Pink’ track, “Streets” following its rise on TikTok and streaming platforms. It’s an unconventional choice for a single considering its dramatic, downtempo energy, but there’s still time for Doja to film an official visual that will further promote this fan-favorite track. In the meantime, check out her sensational Vevo Lift live performance that’s racked up 17 MILLION views to date.
“Set Fire to the Rain” by Adele
Perhaps the imagery in “Set Fire to the Rain” is too vivid and specific to be made into a music video. There’s really only one proper way to translate this song onto the screen…by setting fire to the rain. It’s certainly a daunting task, which might be why Adele opted to upload a live performance of the hit song instead.
“Breathe On Me” by Britney Spears
You could make the case that every Britney Spears song deserves an official music video, but “Breathe On Me” stands out from the pack given its erotic, sensual lyrics that further cemented her as a sex icon. Spears may have made the right choice in leaving things up the imagination, though, as a “Breathe On Me” music video would’ve demanded a lot – even for someone as fearless as this pop princess.
“Pretty Savage” by BLACKPINK
BLACKPINK‘s “Pretty Savage” has experienced great success despite not having a music video, earning over 100 MILLION Spotify streams as well as a viral YouTube performance back in October 2020. But it’s not a proper BLACKPINK single without a record-breaking video and killer choreography from the girls, making “Pretty Savage” feel like a gold mine of missed opportunities given its high-octane, accessible sound.
“Dis-ease” by BTS
The boys of BTS tackle issues related to mental health, anxiety and the struggles of fame amid the ongoing pandemic on ‘BE’ track #6, “Dis-ease.” With nearly 50 MILLION Spotify streams to date, the track still has potential for an official music video thanks to its timely message of hope as the world continues to grapple with life in lockdown.
“Legendary Lovers” by Katy Perry
Katy Perry has a supernatural skill for creating larger-than-life stadium anthems, and “Legendary Lovers” is no exception. With references to Cleopatra and Romeo & Juliet, this track begs for a cinematic, big-budget music video that sees Perry inhabiting different roles with her signature theatrics. “Legendary Lovers” went on to become the most-streamed non-single off ‘Prism’ on Spotify and remains a fan-favorite today.
“Supercut” by Lorde
One of the great things about Lorde’s ‘Melodrama’ is her ability to touch on specific emotions while allowing room for the imagination to take over, and “Supercut” is a prime example of this gift. Anyone who’s a fan of the song has likely created their own special version of a music video in their head, making Lorde‘s hypothetical visual for this track even more intriguing and in-demand.
“R.E.M.” by Ariana Grande
Ariana Grande produced some of her most inspired visuals during the ‘Sweetener’ era with the help of director Dave Meyers (“no tears left to cry,” “god is a woman”), making “R.E.M.” feel like a missed opportunity. There’s so much potential for a fantastical, surreal music video set within a vivid dream state, but at least fans can say they got a fragrance named after the track.
“Roman’s Revenge” by Nicki Minaj feat. Eminem
“Roman’s Revenge” was too unconventional and wickedly twisted to be given the official single treatment upon its release, so it makes sense why Nicki Minaj and Eminem never got around to shooting a visual. This fan-favorite still begs for a music video thanks to its star power and meme-potential.
“Souvenir” by Selena Gomez
Selena Gomez only filmed one music video off the ‘Rare’ deluxe edition, opting for the radio-friendly “Boyfriend” instead of atmospheric “Souvenir.” It makes sense why so many Gomez fans were holding out for an official visual, as “Souvenir” paints a picture of a chill-inducing New York romance that could’ve rivaled “Hands To Myself” as one of her most adult videos.
Additional stan picks: “Cruel Summer” by Taylor Swift; “Drive” by Halsey; “The One” by Mariah Carey; “my future” by Billie Eilish; “bad idea” by Ariana Grande; “Sober” by Selena Gomez; “Test Me” by Melanie Martinez; “Fav Gostoso” by Madonna feat. Anitta; “Real Groove” by Kylie Minogue & Dua Lipa; “Walking on Air” by Katy Perry; “Dance in the Dark” by Lady Gaga; “Too Good” by Drake feat. Rihanna; “Right Here” by Justin Bieber & Drake; “Invisible Chains” by Lauren Jauregui; “Savage” Remix by Megan Thee Stallion feat. Beyoncé; “The Louvre” by Lorde
