Synopsis

Richard Marx performs amid a troubled romance in which he becomes involved with a woman whose marriage is kept secret from him. As the relationship unfolds, affection gives way to confusion, betrayal, and regret. The video's narrative mirrors the song's central confession: Marx realizes that he ignored warning signs while falling for someone unavailable. Performance footage is intercut with the drama, giving the clip the polished, emotionally direct feel associated with late-1980s pop-rock videos.

Factoids & Trivia

• "Should've Known Better" was Richard Marx's second music video.

• Marx said the song was inspired by a woman he fell in love with when he was 20. The relationship ended painfully, but he later turned the experience into a hit.

• The track was released as the second single from Marx's 1987 self-titled debut album.

• The single became a major breakthrough, reaching No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100.

• The video's storyline adds a specific secret-marriage plot to lyrics that otherwise focus more generally on romantic misjudgment and heartbreak.

• A remastered alternate version of the video was released through Marx's official channel in 2024.