Lip-Sync Videos: 11 Best Fake-Singing Music Videos Featuring Celebs and Kids

Ah, the notorious lip sync! It can spell disaster when the record skips on stage (think "Girl, you know it's ... girl, you know it's ..."). But, when done right -- i.e. in a music video, preferably with adorable children or attractive celebrity cameos -- this time-tested cinematic technique can produce some quality audio-visual entertainment. Of course, sometimes the shtick won't fly, no matter how many celebs you pack your video with (ahem ahem, Nickelback). Here are our top 11 all-time favorites that actually rocked the lip-sync bit.



For his first post-rehab acting gig, Robert Downey Jr. lip-synced Elton John's 2001 single 'I Want Love' like he meant it. Director Sam Taylor-Wood used the 16th take of this nonchalant, one-shot, eye-contact-filled video. Elton John loved it and bragged to MTV, "I was able to stay in France on holiday while Robert was doing it." He really enjoyed that convenience, so he did it again with Justin Timberlake and 'This Train Don't Stop' video.




Sara Bareilles's video for 'Uncharted' is chock full of cameos, including Pharrell, "Professor" Ben Folds, Adam Levine, Laura Jansen and Tegan and Sara -- mostly Tegan, in full fan mode. All the lip syncing was filmed video-diary style and, naturally, guest starring the memerrific YouTube lip-sync king himself, Keenan Cahill.



This Godley and Creme 1985 jam covered by Gayngs is a straight-up tribute, but buzzier, textured and ssslllooowwweeerrr. That made the tribute video longer, with more time for more band members and musician comrades to have cameos in this classic sequence of monochrome, morphing faces.



Please point your attention to the rapping Macaulay Culkin. Between the face-morphing Tyra Banks cameo, the traditional African/Thai/Russian/Indian/Native American dancers and its triumphant anti-racism message, there is a lot going on in Michael Jackson's 1991 video for 'Black or White,' but really, rapping Macaulay Culkin is just adorable. Did we mention the rapping Macaulay Culkin?



From Naomi Campbell to Cindy Crawford, George Michael had a myriad of supermodels mouthing his anthem in the video for 'Freedom! '90.' Meanwhile, items tied to George Michael's 'Faith'-era image -- a leather jacket, a jukebox and a guitar -- explode and/or burn. The liberating video was directed by none other than 'Fight Club' and 'The Social Network' big shot David Fincher in his music video days. Classic '90s!



This skit video for Weezer's 2002 single 'Keep Fishin'' features Kermit the Frog on guest "vocals," Animal on drums and all kinds of peripheral Muppet ruckus. Something tells us Jim Henson would have been thoroughly amused.



You're wondering what Miley Cyrus is doing on here, aren't you? Whether mainstream pop is your thang or not, this video for her 2008 break-up ballad '7 Things' featuring a thrashing, crying, jumping army of lip-syncing girls is kind of hypnotic. Imagine the throngs of Miley fans that stood in line for that casting call. The video will remain a social artifact of heartbreak and idol worship of the modern tween.




Foals fans know that their music videos are always something special, but this kid really rocks the talent show in their 2010 video for 'Blue Blood.' He may be mouthing lyrics that are beyond his years -- "You've got the blood on your hands, I think it's my own" -- but he does it damned earnestly. And the moves, the attitude and the confidence are all legit, not to mention spectacular. Bravo!




Released in 1997, after Biggie's tragic death, this striking Spike Jonze-directed video for 'Sky's the Limit' features convincing lookalikes starring as the late rapper, his bodyguards, a girl posse and other social fixtures of an opulent, hip-hop mansion kick back.




First released in 1999, Jon Spencer Blues Explosion jam got a real boost from the video wherein the band swaps roles with terrifically competent guest stars Winona Rider, Giovanni Ribisi and John C. Reilly. The musicians act out some sort of street heist scene and we're sure it's super exciting but honestly, we were too transfixed with darling Winona to really pay attention.




Kanye West premiered this alternate, unscripted, low-budget music video for 'Can't Tell Me Nothing' on his website in 2007. Kanye's signature bombastic lyrics take on a new context when lip synced by comedian Zach Galifianakis and folk singer-songwriter Will Oldham, aka Bonnie Prince Billy, as they ride tractors, imitate baptism and get down with some local talent at Galifianakis' North Carolina farm. If you don't die laughing, check out Fiona Apple's video for 'Not About Love' for even more Galifianakis awesomeness.

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