Matt Northam

the prodigy – out of space (1992)

So the number 1 video in my chart is this Max Romeo & Kool Keith sampling, ultimate awesome dance favourite by The Prodigy. Words can’t really describe this video but seeing as this is a blog post, I’ll struggle through anyway. For me, the number 1 here had to be a Prodigy video; and it had to be this. It clearly lacks the polish of the other Prodigy contenders I had in mind – Voodoo People and No Good but that’s exactly why it’s number 1. It’s like their budget (post-pills) could only stretch to a hand held camera and petrol as far as the nearest farmyard. None of that stylised crack house jazz, just 4 blokes, dancing.

And what superb dancing it is. It’s literally what I based my entire dance style off. Amazing. There are clips of a live performance throughout, but its mostly just framed shots of Leeroy and Liam putting it DOWN. Mix that with a gas mask wearing, jumpsuit clad dance GOD and it really is one of the best examples of what every dance video should aspire to be like.

As if that wasn’t enough, the tinkering with the hues and saturation and the occasional scribbles across the screen provide ample visual candy to please even the most casual observer.

in a nutshell…

Got any salmon?
High++. Just LOOK at it..

de l’Épée factor
Medium-high. One or two space scenes keep the video linked to the song title, but at least there are no aliens or men in spacesuits.

Dworkin-ism
High++. Who needs girls when there’s dancing to do?

You’re not alone..
High. I like this video enough to go out on a limb and claim that it invented this dance style

Watch the video here or on YouTube.

And that’s that.

This is by no means a definitive list. It’s obviously my opinion, and admittedly, these videos just happen to be for songs that I like. There may well be other videos which should feature on this list and I did have a few other candidates but for me, this is dance music. And more to the point, these are what dance videos should be like. Bring back the strobes and the white jeans!