BEYOND THE NOTES
Photo by Tara Radmard
March 2, 2025 | Mia Kennedy
The world of artistry and content creation is a wild, relentless ride—everyone dreams of stardom, and no one wants to be forgotten. Viral sensations flash by in the blink of an eye, and our attention spans seem to shrink by the second. Yet through all the noise, one form of video content remains a constant: music videos.
Music videos have long been a staple of the cultural zeitgeist. Since the debut of Buggles’ “Video Killed the Radio Star” on MTV in 1981, music videos have gone from simple promotional tools to vehicles of visual storytelling. With each passing year, advancements in technology have led to higher-resolution cinematography, intense visuals, and massive budgets that push the creative boundaries in storytelling. Fast forward to 2025, and while music videos have grown into something bigger and bolder—their influence in shaping the music experience appears to be fading bit by bit.
So why is this happening in the first place? Much of it comes down to the rise of streaming platforms like Spotify and Apple Music, which favor quick, on-demand listening. Today, listeners can instantly stream a song without ever feeling the need to search for its video. With playlists and shuffle modes at our fingertips, we’re more likely to enjoy music in the background than sit down for a full visual experience. Gone are the days of rushing to YouTube for a first listen—now, a song’s debut is a quick tap away on Spotify.
Some artists have ridden the streaming wave so smoothly, proving that a killer track doesn’t always need a flashy music video to make a splash. Beyoncé’s powerhouse albums Renaissance and Cowboy Carter continue to top the charts without any accompanying visuals, and even Chappell Roan's smash hit “Good Luck, Babe!” has amassed over a billion streams on Spotify, thriving despite the absence of an official music video.
That’s not to say music videos have lost all their magic. On the contrary, they remain a vital way for artists to showcase their creative vision and promote their music in a way that stays true to their brand. Platforms like TikTok and Instagram allow snippets of an artist’s music video to go viral, boosting a song’s popularity without the audience needing to commit to its full length.
Moreover, music videos provide a playground for storytelling. They let artists experiment with the ideas and themes that go beyond the lyrics, transforming a tune into a mini-movie with narrative, set design, costumes, and even quirky symbolism. This enables artists to leave a lasting impression of their hit songs. Think of how Sabrina Carpenter dramatized a fiery feud with Jenna Ortega over a man in “Taste,” or how Taylor Swift created a surreal, introspective asylum to touch on the themes in The Tortured Poets Department album. Beyond their marketing value, music videos remind fans that artists are visionaries too, creating worlds where sound and visuals collide.
And let’s not forget the financial side: music videos still offer a tangible revenue stream for artists. YouTube monetization means that every view counts, and a viral video can bring in a significant return on investment—a bonus that keeps many artists invested in the medium.
While music videos might not command the pop culture spotlight as they did during the MTV era, they’re far from obsolete. Award shows like the Video Music Awards (VMAs) continue to recognize them, and artists who embrace visual storytelling still find ways to make an impact. With the rise of short-form content, the format is evolving, raising the question: will music videos continue to be relevant? Hopefully so. After all, there’s no reason why they shouldn't stick around. As long as artists have stories to tell, music videos will keep shaping how we experience music and express our identities well into 2025 and beyond.
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