Take a trip around the world in 13 music videos…

Ever since I saw Enrique Inglesias’ music video for “Bailando,” I haven’t stopped thinking about dancing the night away on the cobblestone streets of Old Havana. While the music video days of MTV and VH1 may be a thing of yesteryear, luckily musicians themselves haven’t given up on this medium of film. More and more, artists have begun to break out of the confines of a studio set in favor of using the very best the world has to offer. In this repertoire, Charli XCX brings her British cool to the likes of Amsterdam, Nicki Minaj displays some hometown pride in Trinidad, and Justin Bieber becomes an unofficial tourism ambassador for Iceland. All you need to do is press ‘play’ to start your adventures. Happy listening! ♪

Enrique Inglesias, “Bailando”

Shot in: the Dominican Republic The king of Latin Pop brings his crooning to the streets of Santo Domingo. For a song all about dance, local performers take center stage. Flamenco meets reggaeton as the female protagonist, a vision in red, leads a troupe of elegant flamenco dancers in an encounter with a pack of soccer-savvy street dancers. The heady, seductive strums of the Spanish guitar will have you out of your chair in no time.

Coldplay feat. Beyonce, “Hymm of the Weekend”

Shot in: India Capturing the carefree vibes of the subcontinent, this romantic take on India will leave you in rapture. Beyonce plays an ultra-sensualized Bollywood film star while Chris Martin portrays the dreamy-eyed Westerner backpacker archetype, gazing out of his rickshaw in pure amazement. The ornate scenes delve into the world of Hindu mysticism and pay tribute to the traditions of Holi as streaks of light rain from the sky upon color-drenched individuals. 

Justin Bieber, I’ll Show You

Shot in: Iceland In the midst of Iceland’s haunting landscape of mossy hills and gushing waterfalls, we see a pop superstar completely unbothered and unhindered. The topographical masterpiece that is Iceland lends itself beautifully to the message of freedom, with Bieber engaging in (slightly) risky activities that attest to his need to just Be-ib. There’s nothing more honest than watching a public figure so jaded appreciating new surroundings with a childlike innocence.

Taylor Swift, “Begin Again”

Shot in: France Soft, muted pastels will make your heart ache in Swift’s “Begin Again.” The romantic tone is set the minute the video opens with a shot of her looking out onto the River Seine on the now-defunct Locks of Love Bridge. She traipses around Paris from public garden to boulangerie to cafe, living out every girl’s dream of visiting Paris in the springtime. The scenes of her on the rooftop with the Eiffel Tower in the skyline as she walks around with her lavender chiffon dress billowing in the breeze are exceptionally heavenly.

Rita Ora, “Shine Ya Light”

Shot in: Kosovo Although raised in the UK, Ora is a proud export of Kosovo and she affirms that pride in this music video venturing around the capital city of Pristina. The video shows footage of live performances around Pristina, as well as an exploration of the local neighborhoods with a crowd of starstruck children. The clips go back and forth between staged segments of Ora singing on the back of a motorbike, and candid moments with fans welcoming her back to her homeland and street scenes of everyday Kosovoan life.

The Killers, “Shot At The Night”

Shot in: Las Vegas, USA The Las Vegas-based rock band give us a tour of their hometown in this music video with artsy displays of the skyline through hotel room windows and a quick opening timelapse of Vegas by night. Departing from their usual penchant for debauchery, this video actually has a storyline. A disenchanted hotel maid played by actress Bella Heathcote gets her very own “shot at the night” when she encounters a charming hotel guest, played by Max Minghella. She’s whisked away by her new love interest and the two take a joyride around the glitzy city.

Vinz and Nico, “Am I Wrong?”

Shot in: Botswana and Zimbabwe The Norwegian duo highlight the rich beauty of the misunderstood African continent in their chart-topping hit, “Am I Wrong.” According to the artists, their desire to shoot in Bostwana and Zimbabwe was in an effort to combat the negative images of Africa showing a poverty-and-war stricken continent. Instead, only the positive is focused upon with images of a sundrenched landscape and its local people all smiles, surging with vibrant energy.

Kaiser Chefs, “Man on Mars”

Shot in: Japan Tokyo has been given the music video treatment for decades now but the Kaiser Chiefs’ “Man on Mars” won a spot on the list for a deeply personal view of the city. Consisting of footage entirely from their trip to Japan in 2011 where they performed at the Fuji Rock Festival, its plays out like a video diary of the experience. The group is given an insider’s look at Tokyo with the help of their fans, as seen in shots where they are dining izakaya-style and being entertained by a feel-good karaoke show.

Nicki Minaj, “Pound the Alarm”

Shot in: Trinidad and Tobago Nicki Minaj struts her stuff on the streets of her homeland in this music video rife with fun as depicted by the fire-breathers and steel-drummers . The Trini bombshell makes the video look more like a promotional video for the island’s Carnival festivities with an entourage of ladies dressed in their finest Carnival regalia, feather headdresses and all. The joy is palpable from this homegrown talent and if anything, we can see why: Trinidad and Tobago is just as electric as their beloved songstress. Summer vacation destination anyone?

One Direction, “One Thing”

Shot in: England Before the breakup, there was that time when this generation’s biggest boy band were happily frolicking about in London, in the vein of the greats before them. It’s reminiscent of those comical clips of Beatles running away from frenzied fans. They romp around the main tourist circuit giving some lucky, adoring fans a free sidewalk show (and possibly a heart attack — man, are prepubescent girls intense or what?) . Their escapade also features the classic British red double-decker bus that whisks them past the likes of the Big Ben and Trafalgar Square.

Solange Knowles, “Losing You”

Shot in: South Africa We venture on down to the township of Langa in Cape Town with Beyoncé’s equally talented younger sister to see a glimpse of a cultural scene that is rarely brought to attention. Inspired by the look of the Congolose Le Sape Society (Society for the Advancement of People of Elegance,) men gallivant down the streets in flashy pantsuits while Solange playfully dances around the neighborhood. She actually flew down the group of friends featured in her video to create a genuine sense of camaraderie. If anything, it’s a tribute to community, both local ones and our personal tribes.

Charli XCX, “Boom Clap”

Shot in: The Netherlands Charli XCX’s soundtrack contribution to the film, The Fault in Our Stars, was a catchy synth-pop tune that elicited the feelings of young love. To tie in the movie, Charli XCX brought her film crew to Amsterdam, a significant location in the book/movie for the two star-crossed lovers, Hazel and Gus. As she floats down the city’s famous canals, she sings her electro-pop ballad with footage from the movie interspersed throughout. You’ll have all the feels after watching this video!

Snoop Dogg feat. Pharrell Williams, “Beautiful”

Shot in: Brazil In the opening we see a little boy racing through the narrow alleways of Rio’s favelas to deliver a phone call to Snoop Dogg. The scene transitions to a quick scope of Rio de Janeiro and follows up with Snoop and Pharrell laying out some rhymes on the iconic Escadaria Selarón (The Selearon Steps). The song is meant to be a tribute to the most beautiful ladies in the world but my eyes are more drawn to the urban setting itself.

Anything you have to add to the list? Comment below! #wheretonext