Synopsis

Yoko Ono performs in a surreal, stage-like world populated by figures whose extreme differences in height create a deliberately distorted sense of perspective. Two very small men and two very tall men appear alongside Ono as the imagery shifts between theatrical poses, colorful costumes, and stylized performance tableaux. The playful visual contrasts turn the song's warning about humanity creating its own "hell" into an eccentric piece of pop surrealism, balancing Ono's peace message with an intentionally artificial, dreamlike presentation.

Factoids & Trivia

• "Hell in Paradise" appeared on Ono's 1985 album Starpeace, a project built around peace activism and opposition to the militarized politics of the period.

• The clip was produced as a short, highly stylized piece running approximately three and a half minutes.

• Its cast includes Michael J. Anderson, Peter Risch, Daniel Richards, and Christopher Greener alongside Ono. Anderson later became widely known for his appearances in Twin Peaks.

• The video's unusual scale contrasts were central to its visual identity: Ono performs with both very small and very tall men, making the human figures look like elements in a moving collage rather than a conventional band performance.

• The clip was recognized as "Most Innovative Video" at the 1986 Billboard Music Video Awards.

• The song became one of Ono's strongest 1980s dance releases, reaching the upper levels of the US dance charts and helping Starpeace gain visibility beyond her established avant-garde audience.

• The song was later revisited through dance remixes, including releases in the 2000s and 2010s, which brought the title back to dance-radio audiences.