Part 1 in a series.

In the 1980s, video killed the radio star. In the 2000s, MTV, Millennials and a whole new wave of mobile technology killed video. In between, though, we had the ’90s, the golden age of the form. While the ’80s were about pioneering a new genre of short film built around pop and rock songs, the ’90s were about exploring the deeper creative possibilities of an established genre. When we think about the greatest videos of all time, most of what comes to mind happened in the 1990s.

This week, S&R is going to feature some of our favorites of the decade. We’re not going to go all self-righteous and rank the 100 greatest of all time or anything – other sites have done that and we don’t want you laughing at us as hard as we’re laughing at them. But we are going to present some great moments, some artists, directors and vids that moved the needle. In no particular order. So enjoy yourself.

Let’s start with an ass-kicking or two, shall we? Up first, one of the most shocking and thought-provoking videos of all time, Prodigy’s “Smack My Bitch Up.” (Directed by Jonas Åkerlund.)

Nine Inch Nails went on to release videos that were arguably more accomplished artistically, but for me “Wish” was the wake-up call. (Directed by Peter Christopherson.)