Scenes and Locations From the 20 Best Music Videos Shot in L.A.

Jared CowanUncategorized

Interscope" data-rightCaption="">The opening shot of the Beck music video for "Girl" (2005); Credit: InterscopeThe opening shot of Beck's "Girl" today: looking west toward DTLA at E. 1st Street and S. Boyle AvenueInterscope" data-rightCaption="">Beck sits with a group of street musicians in "Girl"; Credit: Interscope2215 E. Cesar Chavez Ave. in Boyle Heights2215 E. Cesar Chavez Ave. in Boyle Heights2215 E. Cesar Chavez Ave. in Boyle Heights2215 E. Cesar Chavez Ave. in Boyle Heights2215 E. Cesar Chavez Ave. in Boyle Heights2215 E. Cesar Chavez Ave. in Boyle Heights2215 E. Cesar Chavez Ave. in Boyle Heightslocated at 615 S. Broadway in DTLAlocated at 615 S. Broadway in DTLAGirlsGirlslocated at 7180 Sunset Blvd. in Hollywoodlocated at 7180 Sunset Blvd. in Hollywoodlocated at 7180 Sunset Blvd. in Hollywoodlocated at 7180 Sunset Blvd. in Hollywoodlocated at 7180 Sunset Blvd. in Hollywoodlocated at 7180 Sunset Blvd. in Hollywoodlocated at 7180 Sunset Blvd. in Hollywoodlocated at 7180 Sunset Blvd. in Hollywoodlocated at 7180 Sunset Blvd. in Hollywoodlocated at 7180 Sunset Blvd. in Hollywoodand after a couple of different businesses operated out of the buildingseen here on Sept. 9which was located at 14333 Ventura Boulevard in Sherman Oakswhich was located at 14333 Ventura Boulevard in Sherman Oakswhich was located at 14333 Ventura Boulevard in Sherman Oakslocated at 14401 Ventura Boulevard.Geffen Records" data-rightCaption="">Guns N' Roses meet up at the Rainbow Bar & Grill in "November Rain" (1992); Credit: Geffen RecordsThe Rainbowwas a longtime hangout for the bandwas a longtime hangout for the bandwas a longtime hangout for the bandwas a longtime hangout for the bandwas a longtime hangout for the bandEcho Park closed for two years during a $45 million rejuvenation. The Queen of the Angels statuehad been in storage for a number of years and was returned to its original locationhad been in storage for a number of years and was returned to its original locationhad been in storage for a number of years and was returned to its original locationhad been in storage for a number of years and was returned to its original locationhad been in storage for a number of years and was returned to its original locationhad been in storage for a number of years and was returned to its original locationhad been in storage for a number of years and was returned to its original locationlocated at 307 S. Broadway in DTLAlocated at 307 S. Broadway in DTLAlocated at 307 S. Broadway in DTLAlocated at 307 S. Broadway in DTLAlocated at 307 S. Broadway in DTLAjust on the west side of the 4th Street bridge.2Pacgets picked up by the girls in the convertible.; Credit: Death Row Records/InterscopeE. 4th Street and Merrick StreetCapitol Records" data-rightCaption="">Belinda Carlisle in the music video for The Go-Go's' 1981 single "Our Lips Are Sealed"; Credit: Capitol RecordsThe Go-Go's are seen driving through West Hollywood and Beverly Hills in the "Our Lips Are Sealed" videoThe Go-Go's are seen driving through West Hollywood and Beverly Hills in the "Our Lips Are Sealed" videoThe Go-Go's are seen driving through West Hollywood and Beverly Hills in the "Our Lips Are Sealed" videoThe Go-Go's are seen driving through West Hollywood and Beverly Hills in the "Our Lips Are Sealed" videoThe Go-Go's are seen driving through West Hollywood and Beverly Hills in the "Our Lips Are Sealed" videoThe Go-Go's are seen driving through West Hollywood and Beverly Hills in the "Our Lips Are Sealed" videoThe Go-Go's are seen driving through West Hollywood and Beverly Hills in the "Our Lips Are Sealed" videothe stone wall was restored.Capitol Records" data-rightCaption="">"Sabotage"; Credit: Capitol RecordsLooking east on the 7th Street bridge toward the east L.A. interchangeSire" data-rightCaption="">Against Me! lead singer and guitarist Tom Gabel (now Laura Jane Grace) is chased by a cop in the music video for "I Was a Teenage Anarchist." (2010). The video was shot on the Venice Beach boardwalk in one continuous take.; Credit: SireOcean Front Walk at Windward Avenue in Venice BeachSire" data-rightCaption="">"I Was a Teenage Anarchist"; Credit: SireVenice BeachPu$haz Ink." data-rightCaption="">YG in the video for "I'm Good" (2011); Credit: Pu$haz Ink."I'm Good" was partially filmed in Compton including this spot along the Compton Creek at N. Kemp Avenue and W. Cedar Street.Pu$haz Ink." data-rightCaption="">A cop pulls into the liquor store parking lot and the group scatters in "I'm Good"; Credit: Pu$haz Ink.The liquor store from the "I'm Good" video is just up the street from the Compton Creek spot at 840 W. Rosecrans Avenue.Geffen Records" data-rightCaption="">The Orpheum Theatre in Guns N' Roses' "November Rain" video; Credit: Geffen RecordsA view from the Orpheum Theatre mezzanineGeffen Records" data-rightCaption="">Conductor Jonathan Merrill in "November Rain." Merrill also conducted the orchestra for the Guns N' Roses-Elton John performance of the song at the 1992 MTV Video Music Awards.; Credit: Geffen RecordsThe Orpheum TheatreGeffen Records" data-rightCaption="">The church from "November Rain"; Credit: Geffen RecordsSt. Brendan Catholic Church at 310 S Van Ness Avenue in Windsor SquareGeffen Records" data-rightCaption="">After the wedding in "November Rain"; Credit: Geffen RecordsSaint Brendan's Catholic Church. These doors are also seen in the 1953 film The War of the Worlds.The Spike Jonze-directed video for Fatboy Slim's 1998 hit "Praise You" was shot completely guerrilla-stylewhich he also directed.; Credit: Astralwerks"Praise You" was filmed entirely in the front of the Fox Bruin Theater in Westwood Village.Astralwerks" data-rightCaption="">Jonze and his fictitious Torrance Community Dance Group perform an interpretive dance routine to "Praise You."; Credit: AstralwerksThe Fox Bruin Theater is located at 948 Broxton Avenue in Westwood Village.Geffen Records" data-rightCaption="">Tom Petty in "Free Fallin'"; Credit: Geffen RecordsTop of the Westside PavilionTop of the Westside PavilionTop of the Westside PavilionTop of the Westside PavilionTop of the Westside PavilionTop of the Westside PavilionTop of the Westside PavilionTop of the Westside PavilionTop of the Westside PavilionTop of the Westside PavilionTop of the Westside PavilionTop of the Westside PavilionTop of the Westside PavilionTop of the Westside PavilionTop of the Westside PavilionTop of the Westside PavilionTop of the Westside Pavilionlocated at 1324 S. Berendo Streetlocated at 1324 S. Berendo Streetlocated at 1324 S. Berendo Streetlocated at 1324 S. Berendo Streetlocated at 1324 S. Berendo Streetlocated at 1324 S. Berendo Streetlocated at 1324 S. Berendo Streetat the time a musical instrument shop called Guitar Villa-Drum City. N.W.A recorded across the street at Paramount Recording Studiosat the time a musical instrument shop called Guitar Villa-Drum City. N.W.A recorded across the street at Paramount Recording Studiosat the time a musical instrument shop called Guitar Villa-Drum City. N.W.A recorded across the street at Paramount Recording Studiosat the time a musical instrument shop called Guitar Villa-Drum City. N.W.A recorded across the street at Paramount Recording Studiosat the time a musical instrument shop called Guitar Villa-Drum City. N.W.A recorded across the street at Paramount Recording Studiosat the time a musical instrument shop called Guitar Villa-Drum City. N.W.A recorded across the street at Paramount Recording Studiosat the time a musical instrument shop called Guitar Villa-Drum City. N.W.A recorded across the street at Paramount Recording Studiosat the time a musical instrument shop called Guitar Villa-Drum City. N.W.A recorded across the street at Paramount Recording Studiosat the time a musical instrument shop called Guitar Villa-Drum City. N.W.A recorded across the street at Paramount Recording Studiosat the time a musical instrument shop called Guitar Villa-Drum City. N.W.A recorded across the street at Paramount Recording Studiosat the time a musical instrument shop called Guitar Villa-Drum City. N.W.A recorded across the street at Paramount Recording Studiosat the time a musical instrument shop called Guitar Villa-Drum City. N.W.A recorded across the street at Paramount Recording Studiosat the time a musical instrument shop called Guitar Villa-Drum City. N.W.A recorded across the street at Paramount Recording Studiosat the time a musical instrument shop called Guitar Villa-Drum City. N.W.A recorded across the street at Paramount Recording Studiosat the time a musical instrument shop called Guitar Villa-Drum City. N.W.A recorded across the street at Paramount Recording Studiosat the time a musical instrument shop called Guitar Villa-Drum City. N.W.A recorded across the street at Paramount Recording Studiosat the time a musical instrument shop called Guitar Villa-Drum City. N.W.A recorded across the street at Paramount Recording Studiosat the time a musical instrument shop called Guitar Villa-Drum City. N.W.A recorded across the street at Paramount Recording Studiosat the time a musical instrument shop called Guitar Villa-Drum City. N.W.A recorded across the street at Paramount Recording Studiosat the time a musical instrument shop called Guitar Villa-Drum City. N.W.A recorded across the street at Paramount Recording Studiosat the time a musical instrument shop called Guitar Villa-Drum City. N.W.A recorded across the street at Paramount Recording Studiosat the time a musical instrument shop called Guitar Villa-Drum City. N.W.A recorded across the street at Paramount Recording StudiosDeath Row Records/Interscope" data-rightCaption="">plea bargain ain't an option now." - 2Pac in "To Live and Die in L.A."; Credit: Death Row Records/InterscopeOutside the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center at 210 W. Temple Street in DTLA. This corner of the buildingis at N. Broadway and Grand Park.Capitol Records" data-rightCaption="">Ad-Rock (Adam Horovitz) chases MCA (Adam Yauch) in the Beastie Boys' "Sabotage"; Credit: Capitol RecordsThe motel from "Sabotage" is the Hollywood Palms Inn & SuitesThe motel from "Sabotage" is the Hollywood Palms Inn & SuitesThe motel from "Sabotage" is the Hollywood Palms Inn & SuitesThe motel from "Sabotage" is the Hollywood Palms Inn & SuitesThe motel from "Sabotage" is the Hollywood Palms Inn & SuitesThe motel from "Sabotage" is the Hollywood Palms Inn & SuitesThe motel from "Sabotage" is the Hollywood Palms Inn & SuitesThe motel from "Sabotage" is the Hollywood Palms Inn & SuitesRecord Collection" data-rightCaption="">to the hills of Altadena": Watts Towers in the MURS music video for "L.A." (2006); Credit: Record CollectionWatts TowersWatts TowersWatts TowersWatts TowersWatts TowersWatts TowersWatts Towerslocate at 634 S. Alvarado Street near MacArthur Parklocate at 634 S. Alvarado Street near MacArthur Parklocate at 634 S. Alvarado Street near MacArthur Parkleftleftleftleftleftleftleftwhich opened in 1965 at 1714 W. Century Boulevardwhich opened in 1965 at 1714 W. Century Boulevardwhich opened in 1965 at 1714 W. Century Boulevardwhich opened in 1965 at 1714 W. Century Boulevardwhich opened in 1965 at 1714 W. Century Boulevardwhich opened in 1965 at 1714 W. Century Boulevardwhich opened in 1965 at 1714 W. Century Boulevard" he's actually driving over the 110 freeway on 5th Street just before it merges with 6th Street.

Whether we're talking about artists that were born and raised in L.A., or who were just passing through, many of them have used the city as a character in music videos for their most popular songs. From 2Pac driving up to Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza and Tom Petty riding the escalators at the Westside Pavilion, from Guns N' Roses playing at the Orpheum Theatre and Michael Jackson dancing with zombies in Boyle Heights, here's a then-and-now look at L.A. locations featured in 20 classic music videos. To learn more about each video, read our ranked list of the best music videos shot in Los Angeles. All photos by Jared Cowan except where noted.

Follow Jared on Twitter at @JaredCowan1.

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