LONDON: Madonna's Like a Prayer was voted the most groundbreaking video of all time in a survey by 24-hour music channel MTV, beating Britney Spears' Baby One More Time and Michael Jackson's Thriller.
The top 10 videos that broke the rules was released on Monday ahead of an MTV broadcast of the top 100 videos on August 1 to mark the channel's 25th anniversary.
Three Madonna tracks appear in the top 10, with Ray of Light and Vogue in fourth and fifth positions.
Featuring burning crosses, statues crying blood and Madonna seducing a black Jesus, (Like a Prayer) even brought condemnation from the Vatican for its use of religious imagery, MTV said.
In sixth position were Michael and Janet Jackson with Scream, followed by Robbie Williams and Rock DJ in which the singer appears to be peeling off his skin.
More than 10,000 MTV viewers voted in the poll.
Top Ten Videos That Broke The Rules:
1. Madonna - Like A Prayer (1989)
2. Britney Spears - Baby One More Time (1999)
3. Michael Jackson - Thriller (1983)
4. Madonna - Ray of Light (1998)
5. Madonna - Vogue (1988)
6. Michael & Janet Jackson - Scream (1995)
7. Robbie Williams - Rock DJ (2000)
8. Eric Prydz - Call On Me (2004)
9. Jamiroquai - Virtual Insanity (1997)
10. Spice Girls - Wannabe (1996)