YouTube have teamed up with Universal Music Group to “change the way you see music” for hundreds of videos.

Since the first piece of music got an accompanying video a cultural phenomenon has spread across the world. The art of music videos has come a long way from its TV debut to sitting at our fingertips on smartphones.

YouTube are recognising their importance in the eyes of the music lover and respecting those eyes with high quality upgrades. For hundreds, thousands even, of music videos on YouTube the only version available is a grainy rip straight from the TV feed.

In partnership with major label Universal Music Group, YouTube are updating nearly 1000 music videos with high quality and remastered versions. In the past week they’ve added 100 music videos with new audio and video quality and plane to release new titles each week over the next year.

YouTube’s global head of label relations, Stephen Bryan said: “It’s really an honour to partner with Universal Music Group and change the way fans around the globe will experience viewing some of the most classic and iconic videos. The quality is truly stunning. It’s our goal to ensure that today’s music videos – true works of art – meet the high quality standards that artists’ works deserve and today’s music fans expect.”

The new videos will replace the old videos seamlessly transferring their URL link, view counts, and the videos likes. Videos remastered this week include Billy Idol, Beastie Boys, Boyz II Men, George Strait, Janet Jackson, Kiss, Lady Antebellum, Lady Gaga, Lionel Richie, Maroon 5, Meat Loaf, No Doubt/Gwen Stefani, Smokey Robinson, The Killers, Kiss, Tom Petty and more!

Executive vice president of digital strategy at UMG, Michael Nash said: “We’re excited to partner with YouTube to present these iconic music videos in the highest audio and video quality possible. Our recording artists and video directors imbued these videos with so much creativity; it’s great to enable the full experience of their vision and music. These videos not only look amazing on any screen now, they will be enjoyed by music fans for decades to come.”

There will be lots more “remastered” music videos being upgraded over the next year so keep your eyes and ears peeled.