The best of YouTube: #43

Every Friday, the MusicRadar team submits its own personal favourite music videos and clips on the net.

Some clips we really like, others are simply comedy classics or oddly intriguing. But all are worth watching.

This week we've got a birthday for Motown, stupid hat electro, Baez and Dylan and plenty more besides.

Enjoy the clips…

Marvin Gets It On

On Monday, Motown will celebrate the 50th anniversary of its foundation - has any other record label been so influential or so closely associated with a specific sound? You can kick off your celebrations by watching Marvin Gaye, one of Motown's biggest stars, performing an extended version of his 1973 hit Let's Get It On. Ben Rogerson

A simple drum remix + stupid hat = insane electro pop

Ronald Jenkees makes crazy tunes with synths. He was asked by the band STS9 to remix one of their songs, but ended up borrowing the drum parts for a little project of his own. Jenkees describes it as "fun", but don't let that put you off. Tom Porter

Joan and Bob duet

Folk icon Joan Baez is 68 years old today. Here's footage of her with Bob Dylan in 1976 on the Rolling Thunder Revue concert tour. The song is Woodie Guthrie's Deportee (Plane Wreck At Los Gatos). If you like the Dylan and Baezversion, check out this interpretation by Arlo Guthrie and Emmylou Harris, or this 1969 cut by The Byrds. Chris Vinnicombe

Microsoft Songsmith will change your life

We reported on Microsoft's new semi-auto-songwriting program Songsmith a few months ago, but never in our wildest dreams did we imagine that the advert would be so funny. The video tells the story of a glow-in-the-dark-towel-making-company executive whose work and home life is transformed by Songsmith. Personal highlight - the bit at 1:56 where an inquisitive bypasser asks "Microsoft huh? So it's pretty easy to use?". Chris Wickett

Darth Vader Rocks Out

After a long hard day causing intergalatic death and destruction, Darth Vader loves nothing more than coming home to his one-bedroom apartment in Torrance, California, strapping on his Strat and laying down some blues. True, he's no Jimi or Stevie Ray, but it's the passion that counts. (Sadly, the part where his wife tells him to "turn down that damn guitar!" was edited out.) Joe Bosso

The Soft Pack: Bright Side

January means every website ever is busy tipping bands the world over as The Next Big Thing. Currently, it looks like you either have to come from Brooklyn or be called Florence and the Machine to have a chance but one of the best of the rest has to be San Diego's The Soft Pack. Previously known as The Muslims (a quick Google will get you the backstory), this lot are pretty much a Strokes for 2009 but with some added Jonathan Richman slouch for us oldsters. Here's a live version of the b-side from their new single, Nightlife - we're st(r)oked, are you? Mike Goldsmith

The Smiths' How Soon Is Now?: solo cover

I like The Smiths. But not as much as this guy. Here's a one-man recreation of How Soon Is Now? Johnny Marr was wobbling four Fender amps' tremolo knobs on the original. Here's how to do it 'easy' PC.
This dude is lacking the original's guitar harmonics hit on the fretboard with a knife, but we'll forgive him that 'oversight'. MusicRadar will even forgive his not-pressed shirt. This is a dedicated, and intriguing, fanboy tribute. Michael Leonard