Detailed analysis of music videos

Use the below table to help structure your notes when analysing music video. High grade responses make sustained reference to appropriate theory.

Andrew Goodwin - 7 key ideas to identify

1. Music videos demonstrate genre characteristics (e.g. Stage performances in metal videos, dance routines for boy/girl bands)

2. There is a relationship between the lyrics and the visuals (Either illustrative, amplifying or contradicting)

3. There is a relationship between the music and the visuals (Either illustrative, amplifying or contradicting)

4. The demands of the record label will include the need for lots of close-ups of the artist and the artist may develop motifs which recur across their work (e.g. A visual style)

5. There are frequent references to the notion of looking (screens within screens, telescopes, etc) and particularly voyeuristic (sexual) treatment of the female body

6. There is often intertextual references (to films, TV programmes, other music videos, etc)

7. Whether the video is primarily performance-based, narrative-based or concept-based and how element of each is used in it

Artist:JAMES BLUNT

Song title:HEART TO HEART

Concept/narrative:SOFT ROCK: LOVE STORY THAT ENDED

Features Observations Examples

Genre characteristics

Follows: Focus on narrative Simple concept

and narrative Simple cuts

Defies: Fast motions Bright colours Narrative did not

match the lyrics as much

High key lighting Short shots A live performance

Relationship between lyrics and visuals

Does not have a strong relationship most of the time, but at certain times they link slightly.

Relationship between music and visuals

Shots usually cut on the 4th/8th beat, which follows conventions.

Some parts cut on the 3rd beat (e.g. to the right).

25 seconds into the song

Are there close ups of the artists and star image motifs?

Several close up imagesNo star image motfs.

Is there reference to the notion of looking?

One example. Creates like an insight to people’s lives and makes the audience understand people’s social behaviour.

Are the examples of intertextual references?

None

Is the video category illustration, amplification or contradicting? How much of each?

Not illustrativeAmplification s represent on several occasionsContradicting is used most as the video portrays a journey

See second box for examples