In honor of MTV turning 30 today, we decided to show you what they used to play -- music videos. Over the many years of being on the air, MTV has re-invented itself with game shows, sitcoms, drama and reality shows. If you were part of the MTV generation, you may remember that they started with music based shows and music videos. Here's how MTV got its start on Saturday, August 1st, 1981 at 12:01 AM.

  • 1

    'Video Killed the Radio Star'

    The Buggles

    The very first music video to hit the airwaves on MTV. Trying to remember the reasoning behind this, we're pretty sure this was done to take a stab at radio, saying that the rise of music videos will kill the radio star.

  • 2

    'You Better Run'

    Pat Benatar

    Off Pat Benatar's second album released in 1980 -- Crimes of Passion -- 'You Better Run' was the second video to air. Pat Benatar ended up marrying her lead guitar player Neil Giraldo in 1982, who are still married to this day.

  • 3

    'She Won't Dance with Me'

    Rod Stewart

    Rod 'Hot Rod' Stewart was pushing 40 when this video appeared on MTV. Remember when 80s videos always had the singer dancing around and all those crazy video effects? Rod's video for "She Won't Dance with Me" shows off the quintessential 80s video feel.

  • 4

    'You Better You Bet'

    The Who

    MTV veterans, The Who, went through a makeover during the MTV debut -- Keith Moon was no longer on drums and was replaced by Kenney Jones. Coincidentally, Jones was in Faces with Rod Stewart. Way to tie the number 3 and number 4 videos together.

  • 5

    'Little Suzi's On The Up'

    Ph.D.

    A one-hit wonder from the UK, Ph.D.'s video for "Little Suzi's On the Top" takes the number five spot of MTV's on-air debut. Ph.D. consisted of two members from the Jeff Beck Group. Their self-titled debut album had a UK chart hit with the ballad 'I Won't Let You Down.'

  • 6

    'We Don't Talk Anymore'

    Cliff Richard

    Cliff Richard? If you don't remember or even know him, you're not alone. Richard was 41 when his video debuted on MTV, he was a big heartthrob in the UK, but in the US, he wasn't really a household name.

  • 7

    'Brass in Pocket'

    The Pretenders

    Off of the Pretenders' debut album Pretenders, 'Brass in Pocket' was a number one hit in the UK and reached #14 on the Billboard charts in the US. The Pretenders were one of the biggest female acts to come out of the post-disco era.

  • 8

    'Time Heals'

    Todd Rundgren

    Todd Rundgren, former front man of Utopia, stepped up the age of video production with this pre-computer video effects music video. These video effects would soon be used in multiple videos from the 80s.

  • 9

    'Take It On the Run'

    REO Speedwagon

    REO Speedwagon -- the 80s wouldn't be complete without them. Driving around in your 1980 Camaro with t-tops and rear louvered window just jamming REO's "Heard it from a friend who / Heard it from a friend who / Heard it from another you've been messin' around.

  • 10

    'Rockin' the Paradise'

    Styx

    Who wasn't a fan of Styx in the 80s? This video is no 'Mr. Roboto,' but it does top out the first 10 videos ever played on MTV. 'Rockin the Paradise' came off of Styx's 1980 concept album, which became their fourth consecutive platinum album.

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