Goodwin’s Theory

1. Links between lyrics and visuals

The visuals will illustrate, amplify or sometimes

contradict the lyrics.

“If you like it then you should have put a ring on it” sings Beyonce.

This links with the visual of the artist pointing to her hand

“we wake up” say Supergrass,and they are seen sitting up in a bed

2. Links between music and visuals

These will may compliment, contradict or amplify one

another

This is commonly seen when videos edit to the beat of the music

The music and visuals are linked here (Johnny Cash –Hurt) as we see him playing guitar along with the music

3. Genre Characteristics

These were once seen on album covers and are important in videos in placing the genre of the music as this attracts an audience.

Rock and indie characteristics include visuals of guitars and other instruments, as well as the artists being seen as rebellious

The Sex Pistols having a gig broke up by the police

4. Intertextual reference

This is a reference to some other form of media, often film or television but sometimes other musicians

Blur – The Universal, referencing A Clockwork Orange, wearing the unique clothes and make up of some of the characters

Oasis have always said that The Beatles were a large influence on themThere work includes many references. In their video, Around the World, they

reference several songs

The title is similar to Across the Universe, the white suits the band wear are similar to those in Your Mother Should Know, whilst the

bright colours are like those of the film Yellow Submarine and there is

also a yellow/submarine-like spaceship

5. Notions of looking (objectification of women)

Sexualising of women is a common feature in music videos and has been increasing recently.It attracts a male audience and a female audience often aspire to be like them

7. Voyeurism

This will involve an artist staring directly into the camera,

as though they are watching us. It can also be interpreted

as any way in which a video creates a personal connection

between the artist and audience. An audience may feel a

video has given them a look into the artists’ life

7. Demands of the record label

usually the representation of the artist

Guns and Roses are well known for being a rock band and the record label want to sell that so a video needs to focus on their rock style and like many rock videos, features them with their instruments.

The main audience for Justin Bieber is teenage girls and so his image is important. This means in videos he is featured almost constantly in shots with lots of close ups

8. Performance based, narrative based or concept based

a video will usually fall into one of the above categories,

although sometimes will be in more than one

Narrative videos tell a story, often following the song’s lyrics

Performance videos are often used for bands where the video’s focus is them

playing instruments

Concept videos frequently make use of CGI and can be surreal and abstract. They often have no relevance to a

song’s lyrics