Is the music video a lost, but recoverable art form?

Over at 360 Junkies, I'm running this contest where I ask forum members to imagine (or reimagine) a music video. They are to name one of their favorite songs and then describe the video's concept. It's based upon this notion that there are some of us (myself included) who has heard a song that thought about what the music video for it would look like. Or we have watched the music video for a song and thought that we could do a much better job of designing and executing a concept.


On top of all of this, with the Zune update on XBOX 360 in the Fall, now you'll not only get to use your music directly powered through Zune, but you'll get to use the accompanying music video if you own it at the time the song is played. It's a great little feature that definitely can light up a party, but I couldn't help but wonder (as Carrie Bradshaw would say):


Sure, music videos haven't necessarily died, but with a feature such as the one being introduced on the XBOX 360, I found myself spending my last two batches of Microsoft Points strictly on music videos. Before that feature was announced, I wouldn't think too much about getting a video. I got a few back when they were announced as available but that was because I wanted to fully test purchasing and downloading a music video, plus watching it on my Zune device.

Now I have to admit, I've been a fan of the music video especially in just the sheer number of innovative ways people presented a song concept. Heck, there are plenty of Sunday Treasures posts here where we present several different, catchy and cool videos; and who can forget the incomparable "Thriller" by Michael Jackson, which in a lot of ways set the standard for videos. There were videos for "Take On Me" by A-Ha, "White and Nerdy" by Weird Al Yankovic and one of my current favorites "It's Not My Time" by 3 Doors Down (still can't get over the notion of free running).

However, part of me also believes that there was a definite lull in videos at one point. There were times when I looked around and wondered if musicians even gave a damn when they did their videos anymore. Some seemed half-assed, unimaginative and basically could just consist of the artist standing there reading the lyrics to you. I almost want to think that music videos have gone through something of a renaissance and resurgence, thanks to folks like Lady Gaga, M.I.A. and Erykah Badu (plus others...)

So weigh in with your thoughts about music videos. What makes a cool music video for you? Do you think they'll stay relevant even 3 years from now? Have any favorite music videos you want to share?