Happy anniversary to MTV, which first launched August 1, 1981! Here is the full list of the first songs played on MTV, thanks to Stereogum.com:
- The Buggles – Video Killed the Radio Star
- Pat Benatar – You Better Run
- Rod Stewart – She Won’t Dance
- The Who – You Better You Bet
- Phd – Little Susie’s on the Up
- Cliff Richard – We Don’t Talk Anymore
- The Pretenders – Brass in Pocket
- Todd Rundgren – Time Heals
- REO Speedwagon – Take it on the Run
- Styx – Rockin’ the Paradise
- Robiin Lane & The Chartbusters – When Things Go Wrong
- Split Enz – History Never Repeats.
- .38 Special – Hold on Loosely
- April Wine – Just Between You & Me
- Rod Stewart – Sailing
- Iron Maiden – Iron Maiden
- REO Speedwagon – Keep on Loving You
- The Pretenders – Message of Love
- Lee Ritenour – Mr. Briefcase
- The Cars – Double Life
- Phil Collins – In the Air Tonight
- Robert Palmer – Looking for Clues
- The Shoes – Too Late
- Stevie Nicks & Tom Petty – Stop Draggin’ my Heart Around.
- Rupert Hines – Surface Tension
- Madness – One Step Beyond
- Gerry Rafferty – Baker Street
- Pat Benatar – I’m Gonna Follow You
- Tom Johnson – Savannah Nights
- Rockestra – Lucille
- Styx – The Best of Times
- Carly Simon – Vengeance
- Iron Maiden – Wrathchild
- Blotto – I Wanna Be a Lifeguard
- Rod Stewart – Passion
- Elvis Costello – Oliver’s Army
- REO Speedwagon – Don’t Let Him Go
- The Silencers – Remote Control/I’m Too Legal
- Juice Newton – Angel of the Morning
- Rockestra – Little Sister
- Bootcamp – Hold on to the Night
- Cliff Richard – Dreaming
- Lee Ritenour – Is it You?
- Fleetwood Mac – Tusk
- Michael Stanley Band – He Can’t Love You
- REO Speedwagon – Tough Guys
- Blondie – Rapture
- The Who – Don’t Let Go the Coat
- Rod Stewart – Ain’t Love a Bitch
- The Pretenders – Talk of the Town
- Rainbow – Can’t Happen Here
- Andrew Gold – Thank You for Being a Friend
- Gerry Rafferty – Bring it all Home
- April Wine – Sign of the Gypsy Queen
- Kate Bush – The Man With the Child in His Eyes
- David Bowie – Ashes to Ashes
- April Wine – Just Between You and Me
- The Specials – Rat Race
- Talking Heads – Once in a Lifetime
- Bootcamp – Victim
- Rod Stewart – Tonight’s the Night
- Nick Lowe – Cruel to be Kind
Check out the videos of the first three videos EVER played on MTV!