Andrew Goodwin’s

Theory

Applied to music videos

How to analyse a music video?Goodwin suggests that there are five important aspects Goodwin suggests that there are five important aspects to analysing a music video and these are:to analysing a music video and these are:

Thought beats – seeing the sound we hearThought beats – seeing the sound we hear

Narrative and performanceNarrative and performance

The star imageThe star image

Relationship between visuals and the songRelationship between visuals and the song

Technical aspects in the music videoTechnical aspects in the music video

Thought beatsThis is where the audience see the sound in their head and there are three steps involved here:This is where the audience see the sound in their head and there are three steps involved here:

First stepFirst step

This is where we look at the music itself by looking at the structure of the song, by looking at This is where we look at the music itself by looking at the structure of the song, by looking at the verses etc.the verses etc.

Second step Second step

WhoWho’’s voice is it? An artist has their own individual voice, which can define them as a singer. s voice is it? An artist has their own individual voice, which can define them as a singer. Another theorist has said that the singing voice is an expressive instrument that can make Another theorist has said that the singing voice is an expressive instrument that can make associations of itassociations of it’’s own. This is called Roland Barthes theory of the Grain of voice. s own. This is called Roland Barthes theory of the Grain of voice.

Third stepThird step

This is where the songs can be seen as a story. So therefore we as an audience are following This is where the songs can be seen as a story. So therefore we as an audience are following the story as well as listening to the music.the story as well as listening to the music.

Narrative and performance

This suggests that the audience do not get the full This suggests that the audience do not get the full narrative of a song and therefore end up making narrative of a song and therefore end up making assumptions about what is being told to us. Goodwin assumptions about what is being told to us. Goodwin says that music videos should ignore common narrative says that music videos should ignore common narrative to ensure that the audience donto ensure that the audience don’’t get bored and loose t get bored and loose interest after watching it once.interest after watching it once.

Because the artist is the singer and the narrator it Because the artist is the singer and the narrator it means that it looks more authentic. Also the lip syncing means that it looks more authentic. Also the lip syncing and other mimed actions are important in making the and other mimed actions are important in making the audience think that it is real. audience think that it is real.

Star Image

This is an important part of music videos because This is an important part of music videos because it includes Meta narrative. it includes Meta narrative.

This is where there is a big story that shows the This is where there is a big story that shows the starstar’’s development over time and during the video. s development over time and during the video.

Relationship between music and song

There are three ways that a music video works to promote a song: There are three ways that a music video works to promote a song:

IllustrateIllustrate

This is where the music video uses a set of images to illustrate the meaning This is where the music video uses a set of images to illustrate the meaning of the lyrics and genre. of the lyrics and genre.

AmplifyAmplify

This is where meanings and effects are constantly shown throughout the This is where meanings and effects are constantly shown throughout the video in order to video in order to ‘‘drumdrum’’ the ideas into the audience the ideas into the audience’’s mind.s mind.

DisjunctureDisjuncture

This is where the producers completely ignore the meaning of the song when This is where the producers completely ignore the meaning of the song when making it. making it.

Technical aspects

This is the basis of the music video as it holds it This is the basis of the music video as it holds it together through mise-en-scene, camera work, lighting together through mise-en-scene, camera work, lighting etc. etc.

Lighting and colour is used to highlight certain moving Lighting and colour is used to highlight certain moving points in a song and is mostly used for dramatic effect.points in a song and is mostly used for dramatic effect.

The mise-en-scene of the music video needs to look The mise-en-scene of the music video needs to look real in order for the audience to be indulged. real in order for the audience to be indulged.

Also the editing needs to be done carefully so that the Also the editing needs to be done carefully so that the cutting is in time with the beats of the song. cutting is in time with the beats of the song.