5 Music Videos Directed by David Lynch
David Lynch directed numerous music videos throughout his career, blending his surreal cinematic style with music. This article highlights five key videos: Chris Isaak's "Wicked Game" (1990), featuring footage from Lynch's film Wild at Heart; Thought Gang's "A Real Indication" (1992), a collaboration with Angelo Badalamenti shot on Hi8; Moby's "Shot In The Back Of The Head" (2009), with crude animation reminiscent of Lynch's Dumbland; Nine Inch Nails' "Came Back Haunted" (2013), a strobe-heavy montage; and Lynch's own "Crazy Clown Time" (2012), depicting grotesque characters in a backyard. Lynch's relationship with music was integral to his art, treating it as essential as fire, water, or air. He also produced music and directed the 2011 documentary Duran Duran: Unstaged. The article was published on Artribune on the occasion of what would have been Lynch's 79th birthday.
Key facts
- David Lynch directed music videos for Chris Isaak, Thought Gang, Moby, Nine Inch Nails, and himself.
- "Wicked Game" by Chris Isaak (1990) used footage from Lynch's film Wild at Heart.
- Thought Gang was a collaboration between Lynch and Angelo Badalamenti, born during Twin Peaks.
- "A Real Indication" (1992) was shot on Hi8 and features Badalamenti as an ex-convict.
- Moby's "Shot In The Back Of The Head" (2009) has a crude, childlike style referencing Lynch's Dumbland.
- Nine Inch Nails' "Came Back Haunted" (2013) uses heavy strobe effects and disturbing imagery.
- Lynch's own "Crazy Clown Time" (2012) shows grotesque characters in a backyard, reminiscent of Inland Empire.
- The article was published on Artribune on January 20, 2025, for Lynch's 79th birthday.
Entities
Artists
- David Lynch
- Chris Isaak
- Angelo Badalamenti
- Moby
- Trent Reznor
- Nicholas Cage
- Laura Dern
- Isabella Rossellini
- Willem Dafoe
- Valerio Veneruso
Institutions
- Artribune
- Nine Inch Nails
- Thought Gang
- Duran Duran
Locations
- California
- United States