Andrew Goodwin's theory

Goodwin’s Theory

Goodwin recognised that you cannot analyse a music video in the same way as a TV show or a film. This is mainly because a music video does not obtain a consistent narrative, whereas movies and TV shows are planned in order with a chronological order.  He gives an example on how a music video is different from a TV show, firstly the artist or bands are both the narrator and the character in the music video. And more importantly the entire music video is built around song so the footage is edited to the beat of the song; the costume and setting all have to be relevant to the lyrics.

Also Goodwin said the artist and record labels rely on the component of repetition in order for their audience to become familiar to the song or genre. So in this case the music videos are available on music TV channels such as MTV, Vh1, Chartshow etc. Also the song is heard on the radio and more recently they can be watched on demand on YouTube.  Interestingly Goodwin has stated that there is a structure to a music video in which it builds to create a climax and fades at the end. He also said that music videos have a purpose which could represent things for example in Lady Gaga music video  You and I she is in a tank in a lab completely surrounded by water which is symbolic of her new self or a rebirth.

The three relationships between the video and the song:

1.    Illustration – the video depicts a story which relates to the lyrics.

2.     Amplification – this comes about when the video introduces a new idea that does not contradict the song.

3.    Disjuncture – where there is little connection between the lyrics of the song to the idea of the music video.

An example which illustrates disjuncture is ‘Pumped up Kicks by Foster the People’ the lyrics of the song is about a boy but instead the set is a live performance of the band and its shot like a documentary where we get to see their life on gigs back stage and them enjoying the perks of fame. They also include a random sequence of them overlooking the sunset on the roof of a tall building.

An example of amplification is in the music video Nicki Minaj - Starships. I chose this video because I think it included element of illustration where in the beginning you have a UFO and then people covered in face paint which is supposed to make them look alien like. That is the new idea that has been brought into the video which blends in with the meaning and the theme of the song although its meaning is bizarre.

An example of illustration used in a music video is Neyo – Lets go the lyrics depicts the music video where different characters are taken through a journey and all end up at the same concert enjoying and dancing to the track.