So Many Cars, So Little Time

We’ve seen some pretty great music videos over the years, but there’s something special about car-centered ones. From The Weeknd in a McLaren to Bruce Willis in a Chevrolet El Camino, we’ve narrowed down some of our faves.

Photo by Tim Sessinghaus on Unsplash

1. “Gimme All Your Lovin’” by ZZ Top

Iconic music, a stunning 1933 Ford Coupe, and a trio of bombshells? Petrolheads and classic rock enthusiasts have plenty of eye candy in this music video. There’s nothing quite like the Eliminator emerging from the road’s heat haze. 

Whpq on Wikimedia Commons

2. “Shake it Up” by The Cars

A stunning red Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz stars in this music video (though we also love Ric Ocasek’s nighttime shades). Of course, it was also the ‘80s so we needed a blonde bombshell shaking drinks—and we got it. 

AlfvanBeem on Wikimedia Commons

3. “Needing/Getting” by OK GO

OK GO fans recognize their catchy tunes, but just about everyone knows the unique videos that accompany them. “Needing/Getting” is no different, featuring a Chevy Sonic driven around a course lined with over 1000 instruments. It took at least four months to set everything up and the lead singer even took stunt driving lessons to get the job done. 

Captainmorlypogi1959 on Wikimedia Commons

4. “Here I Go Again ‘87” by Whitesnake

This chart-topper featured not one, but two iconic cars in its music videos. Spliced with footage of Whitesnake live in concert, the rest of the video dedicated screen time to Tawny Kitaen dancing atop a white Jaguar XJ (and a black one). 

papurojugarpool on Wikimedia Commons

5. “Starboy” by The Weeknd ft. Daft Punk

Though the first half of this video follows The Weeknd and his trusty neon cross, a sleek car collection appears near the end. It’s hard to appreciate their beauty until he takes one for a spin—the stunning McLaren P1.

Ank Kumar on Wikimedia Commons

6. “Bad Girls” by M.I.A.

You’ve got BMWs, you’ve got Mercedes’, but the pièce de résistance is an incredible see-through Peugeot 404 Break lined with neon lighting. Amid the fascinating stunts and cool cars was M.I.A.’s solidarity with the Women to Drive Movement, a campaign started by Saudi women calling for their right to drive. 

Charles01 on Wikimedia Commons

7. “Protovision” by Kavinsky

Kavinsky’s synth tunes often make the perfect cruising music—there’s a reason he popped up on the Drive soundtrack! We may love “Nightcall,” but “Protovision” is the video that featured a gorgeous 1989 Ferrari Testarossa. Caught in a police chase against a ‘78 Ford Mustang? It’s a thing to see. 

Thesupermat on Wikimedia Commons

8. “Show Me How to Live” by Audioslave

Speaking of police chases, Audioslave’s classic tune springs to mind! Their video follows the boys in a 1970 Dodge Challenger R/T as they escape the man, swerving through desert roads and flairs until their impromptu concert. 

Jeremy on Wikimedia Commons

9. “Diane Young” by Vampire Weekend

Okay, so their official music video might not have any cars, but that’s not true of the song’s streamed version. If you can stomach watching two SAABs on fire for a couple of minutes, at least you’ll also hear a great song. 

IFCAR on Wikimedia Commons

10. “Cosmic Girl” by Jamiroquai

Lambos? Ferraris? Jamiroquai! What more could you ask for? The entire video is basically a catchy advertisement for the Ferrari F355 Berlinetta, Ferrari F40, and Lamborghini Diablo SE 30—but nothing tops that silhouette against flames and sparks. 

Rutger van der Maar on Wikimedia Commons

11. “Stylo” by Gorillaz

There’s so much to like in this video, we’re not sure where to start. As if the band in a Chevy Camaro wasn’t enough, Bruce Willis of all people eventually appears in a Chevrolet El Camino. Paired with a terrific song and cool visual effects, the video’s everything we ever wanted. 

Michael Barera on Wikimedia Commons

12. “Fuel” by Metallica

Give us fuel, give us fire, give us that which we desire! Sure, there are a lot of lens flares and jump cuts in this video, but it was the ‘90s. Push past all that and enjoy the classic cars—everything from a ‘70s Dodge Challenger to a ‘81 Oldsmobile Cutlass await you. 

Greg Gjerdingen on Wikimedia Commons

13. “My Favorite Game” by The Cardigans

Is there anything cooler than Nina Persson behind the wheel of a Cadillac Fleetwood Eldorado? Her car was just the tip of the iceberg, though! This video features all sorts of goodies from a Pontiac Grand Prix and Dodge Durango to an Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme. 

Spanish Coches on Wikimedia Commons

14. “Steve McQueen” by Sheryl Crow

With a song name like that, you knew this video was going places. Sheryl Crow did not disappoint as she recreated iconic scenes from McQueen’s movies, and we just can’t get enough of that ‘67 Mustang.  

MercurySable99 on Wikimedia Commons

15. “Otis” by Jay-Z and Kanye West

On the surface, this video isn’t as flashy as it could’ve been—but we’re still captivated by Otis Redding’s intro and that poor chopped-up Maybach. At least everyone had fun in what that car became. 

Thomas doerfer on Wikimedia Commons

16. “Still D.R.E” by Dr. Dre ft. Snoop Dogg

It’s only fitting that one of the most iconic rap songs has an equally iconic car in its video. Dre and Snoop cruise the streets in their ‘63 Chevy Impala, accompanied by impressive Impala convertibles throughout. And who could forget the hydraulics? 

Bull-Doser on Wikimedia Commons

17. “I Can’t Drive 55” by Sammy Hagar

The hair, the yellow pantsuit—the 1982 Ferrari BB 512i we all fell in love with. All this and more star in Hagar’s music video, though our eyes usually drift to the impressive collection of vehicles. 

Charles on Wikimedia Commons

18. “Sabotage” by Beastie Boys

Beastie Boy fans continue to indulge in the comb-overs, aviators, and old-school cars featured in “Sabotage.” Why shouldn’t they—this popular tune’s video had car chases and explosions, not to mention beauties like the Nissan Sentra and a Ford LTD Crown Victoria!

IFCAR on Wikimedia Commons

19. “Desert Rose” by Sting

Join Sting on his ride through the desert and Las Vegas strip, all in the backseat of a sleek Jaguar. We eventually have to say goodbye as he dons the stage for a concert, but the first half is all car, baby. 

RL GNZLZ on Wikimedia Commons

20. “Teenage Dream” by Katy Perry

Say what you want about Katy Perry…or that one girl’s questionable headdress, but that BMW 1600 Cabriolet made a memorable appearance. It’s not in the video for very long, but we still love to catch a glimpse of it on the road. 

Wleiter on Wikimedia Commons