Arsenio Hall was back again hosting the 1989 MTV VMAs and this time he was famous. “The Arsenio Hall show” was quite popular and Americans all over loved his cheesy grin, his fist pumping and barking. Performances from Neil young and Weird Al Yankovic spiced up the show.
Former Choreographer to the stars Paula Abdul came out with Straight up and danced away with four Moonmen among which were Best Female Video and the Best Dance Video award (A brand new category, it looked like they needed one with the sudden increase in dancers in the music industry.) She also took the stage and mesmerized the audience for a full seven minutes with her medley of hits, Straight Up, Cold Hearted Snake and Forever Your Girl. True Paula was the star of the show, but MTV never forgot Madonna and she too went home with three awards. Guns N Roses received the award for Best Heavy Metal Video for their unforgettable Sweet Child O’ Mine.
Other performances during the night included ones from The Rolling Stones Mixed Emotions, Def Leppardwith Tear It Down, and even Cher with her nostalgic If I Could Turn Back Time. Another night at the VMAs and as usual MTV didn’t disappoint.
List of Nominees and Winners at the MTV Video Music Awards 1989
Video of the Year
- Neil Young - This Note's For You
- Fine Young Cannibals - She Drives Me Crazy
- Michael Jackson - Leave Me Alone
- Madonna - Like A Prayer
- Steve Winwood - Roll With It
Winner: Neil Young - This Note's For You
Best Male Video
- Elvis Costello - Veronica
- Bobby Brown - Every Little Step
- Lou Reed - Dirty Boulevard
- Steve Winwood - Roll With It
Winner: Elvis Costello - Veronica
Best Female Video
- Paula Abdul
- Tracy Chapman - Fast Car
- Madonna - Express Yourself
- Tanita Tikaram - Twist In My Sobriety
- Jody Watley - Real Love
Winner: Paula Abdul
Best Group Video
- Living Colour - Cult of Personality
- Fine Young Cannibals - She Drives Me Crazy
- Guns N' Roses - Sweet Child O' Mine
- Traveling Wilburys - Handle With Care
Winner: Living Colour - Cult of Personality
Best Rap Video
- DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince - Parents Just Don't Understand
- Ice-T - Colors
- Kool Moe Dee - How Ya Like Me Now
- M.C. Hammer - Turn This Mutha Out
- Tone Loc - Wild Thing
Winner: DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince - Parents Just Don't Understand
Best Dance Video
- Paula Abdul
- Bobby Brown - Every Little Step
- Michael Jackson - Smooth Criminal
- Jody Watley - Real Love
Winner: Paula Abdul
Viewer's Choice
- Madonna - Like A Prayer
- Fine Young Cannibals - She Drives Me Crazy
- Michael Jackson - Leave Me Alone
- Steve Winwood - Roll With It
- Neil Young - This Note's For You
Winner: Madonna - Like A Prayer
Best New Artist
- Living Colour - Cult of Personality
- Paula Abdul - Straight Up
- Edie Brickell & The New Bohemians - What I Am
- Neneh Cherry - Buffalo Stance
Winner: Living Colour - Cult of Personality
Breakthrough Video
- Art of Noise - f/ Tom Jones
- Paula Abdul - Straight Up
- Elvis Costello - Veronica
- The Escape Club - Wild Wild West
- Fine Young Cannibals - She Drives Me Crazy
- Michael Jackson - Leave Me Alone
- Jody Watley - Real Love
Winner: Art of Noise - f/ Tom Jones
Best Stage Performance
- Living Colour - Cult of Personality
- Bobby Brown - My Prerogative
- Def Leppard - Pour Some Sugar On Me
- Guns N' Roses - Paradise City
Winner: Living Colour - Cult of Personality
Best Heavy Metal Video
- Guns N' Roses - Sweet Child 0' Mine
- Aerosmith - Rag Doll
- Def Leppard - Pour Some Sugar On Me
- Metallica – One
Winner: Guns N' Roses - Sweet Child 0' Mine
Best Post Modern Video
- R.E.M. - Orange Crush
- The Cure - Fascination Street
- The Escape Club - Wild Wild West
- Love & Rockets - So Alive
- Siouxsie and the Banshees - Peek-A-Boo
Winner: R.E.M. - Orange Crush
Best Video From A Film
- U2 with BB King - When Love Comes To Town
- The Belle Stars - Iko Iko
- Ice-T - Colors
- Annie Lennox & Al Green - Put A Little Love In Your Heart
Winner: U2 with BB King - When Love Comes To Town
Best Direction
- Madonna - Express Yourself
- DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince - Parents Just Don't Understand
- Van Halen - Finish What Ya Started
- Jody Watley - Real Love
- Steve Winwood - Roll With It
Winner: Madonna - Express Yourself
Best Choreography
- Paula Abdul
- Bobby Brown - Every Little Step
- Michael Jackson - Smooth Criminal
- New Kids On the Block - The Right Stuff
Winner: Paula Abdul
Best Special Effects
- Michael Jackson - Leave Me Alone
- Adrian Belew - Oh Daddy
- The Escape Club - Wild Wild West
- Prince - I Wish U Heaven
Winner: Michael Jackson - Leave Me Alone
Best Art Direction
- Madonna - Express Yourself
- DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince - Parents Just Don't Understand
- Debbie Gibson - Electric Youth
- INXS - New Sensation
- Michael Jackson - Leave Me Alone
- Jody Watley - Real Love
Winner: Madonna - Express Yourself
Best Editing
- Paula Abdul
- Michael Jackson - Leave Me Alone
- Madonna - Express Yourself
- Jody Watley - Real Love
- Steve Winwood - Roll With It
Winner: Paula Abdul
Best Cinematography
- Madonna - Express Yourself
- Michael Jackson - Smooth Criminal
- Tanita Tikaram - Twist In My Sobriety
- Steve Winwood - Roll With It