What are some of the cheapest music videos to produce that have garnered the most success?

I just watched this one by James Blunt "You're Beautiful". It has over 100 million views on Youtube and most of the clip is him sitting in the snow singing the song. Here's that clip if you're interested (decent song);

"Yellow" by Coldplay is another one. The entire video is Chris Martin singing the song walking along the beach, over 100 million views on Youtube. I read one of the bandmates grandma passed away and the rest of the band was attending the funeral, but they'd already scheduled the video shoot, so they decided Martin should just do it himself;

Contrast these clips with Michael Jackson's "Thriller";

It's almost a short movie, 320 million views on youtube, one of the most successful records of all time (although that doesn't have much to do with the video..)


So I guess what I'm asking is, how much of an effect do you think the music video a band produces has on the overall success of the song? Is it absolutely imperative to have a video if you want to sell a song mainstream will consider "serious"?

Additionally, what are some of your favorite music videos and why? I always loved the Beastie Boys music videos! "Intergalactic" is amazing! In premise and execution;

I am pretty sure this whole video cost about $13, tops. Definitely not successful though, unless you count the punk scene's vote. All the Dog Patch whinos are dead now anyways...

edit: I think David Crosby is in the crowd at around 33 seconds in. He's dead too, right?

bruno mars "the lazy song" 895 million views recorded in buddies apartment with already owned crap.