Whether you’re here for the MJ-inspired choreography or the surreal glitter-gore, "Heads Will Roll" remains a definitive piece of late-2000s music video history. If you'd like to dive deeper,the video's narrative.
Richard Ayoade (known for The IT Crowd and Submarine ).
A censored UK version exists that swaps the violent ending for repeated clips of falling confetti. Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Heads Will Roll (Official Music Video)
The Glitzy Massacre: A Deep Dive into "Heads Will Roll" When the dropped the official music video for "Heads Will Roll" in May 2009, they weren't just releasing another indie-sleaze anthem—they were delivering a masterclass in stylized, comedic horror. Directed by the brilliant Richard Ayoade , the video perfectly mirrors the song’s evolution from garage punk roots into a synth-heavy "punk disco" sound. A Werewolf’s Night Out
More details on the (like the famous A-Trak version). A look at other Richard Ayoade-directed music videos. Whether you’re here for the MJ-inspired choreography or
Nominated for Best Breakthrough Video at the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards.
The video’s conclusion is as iconic as its lead singer. After the band is seemingly murdered, the camera reveals Karen O still singing—despite being completely decapitated. Her severed head and torso continue to belt out the chorus, embodying the song’s unrelenting energy. Fast Facts A censored UK version exists that swaps the
What keeps the video from being a standard slasher flick is its creative use of materials. Ayoade uses in place of actual blood, creating a "glamorous, glittery bloodbath" that feels both dark and celebratory. This choice highlights the song’s "ill-fated night on the dancefloor" theme, turning a massacre into a high-fashion spectacle. The Ending That Won’t Quit