The Motels - Only the Lonely (Official Music Video)

Step into the moody, new wave world of the early 1980s with The Motels’ iconic hit “Only the Lonely”. Released in 1982 on their album All Four One, this song became one of the band’s biggest hits, peaking at No. 9 on the Billboard Hot 100 and cementing lead singer Martha Davis as a defining voice of the era.

The music video captures the haunting, stylish aesthetic of early MTV, blending black-and-white performance shots with cinematic vignettes that reflect the song’s themes of heartache and longing. “Only the Lonely” is celebrated for its slick, atmospheric production, Davis’ emotive vocals, and the band’s moody new wave instrumentation that perfectly balances melancholy and groove.

Interestingly, the song was inspired by the universal experience of isolation and romantic frustration, which Davis channels with both raw vulnerability and sophistication. Its video, like many of The Motels’ early clips, helped define the visual language of new wave music videos—mixing performance, narrative, and stark visual style to complement the song’s emotional depth.

Whether you’re rediscovering 80s new wave or exploring The Motels’ catalog for the first time, this performance of “Only the Lonely” offers a timeless glimpse into the era’s music and style, and remains a must-watch for fans of classic rock, new wave, and 80s pop culture.