MTV launched on August 1, 1981 at 12:01 am EST with these words from John Lack, “Ladies and gentlemen, rock and roll!”. The first music video played on MTV was the Buggles’ ‘Video Killed the Radio Star’.
- “Video Killed the Radio Star” by The Buggles
- “You Better Run” by Pat Benatar
- “She Won’t Dance With Me” by Rod Stewart
- “You Better You Bet” by The Who
- “Little Suzi’s on the Up” by Ph. D.
- “We Don’t Talk Anymore” by Cliff Richard
- “Brass in Pocket” by The Pretenders
- “Time Heals” by Todd Rundgren (Video not available online)
- “Take It on the Run” by REO Speedwagon
- “Rockin’ the Paradise” by Styx
Enjoy this look back at the first ten music videos ever played on MTV!
Thank you!