Goodwins Theory of Music Videos

When looking at music videos I analysed them using the principles of Andrew Goodwin’s theory of music videos which he wrote in ‘Dancing in the Distraction Factory’ (Routledge 1992)


I came across many of the characteristics that he identified which were:


1. Music videos demonstrate characteristics of the genre
2. There will be a relationship between the lyrics and the visuals
3. There will be a relationship between the music and the visuals
4. The artist may develop distinctive motifs that may reoccur throughout their videos.
5. There is often intertextual reference
6. There is frequent reference to the notion of looking and particularly voyeurtristic treatment of the female body.


I noticed a lot of these occurred which I then decided I would like to apply to my own video, things such as the motif reoccurring, the link between the on screen visuals and music and lyrics. I also wanted to be able to reflect the genre of the music in the video I produce.

Here are examples of different music videos that use each of these things:

1- Music videos display characteristics of the genre

To show this I looked at the video by the Metal band, Bullet for my valentine and their song called Waking the demon.

The genre usual consists of a lot of dark colours and a lot of the band performing the song with frequent close ups of the instruments, they also usually have a form of narrative running as well.

The whole band playing the song

The narrative story running parallel with the performance, in this case its about a boy who's getting bullied at school and who eventually cracks and flips on the bully.

Close up shots of the instruments being played are frequent.

2. There will be a relationship between the lyrics and the visuals.

This is a scene from the video to the song 'I predict a riot' by the band The Kaiser Chiefs. As you can guess the video shows a form a rioting when the lyrics "I predict a riot" Are sung. To the keep with the genre of indie, the rioting isnt violent as such but instead it is done using pillows to keep things light hearted.

3. There will be a relationship between the music and the visuals.

The pace and tempo of a song will usually dictate as to how the video for it flows in terms of its cutting rhythm and pace.

For example in the song "Rusted from the rain" By the band 'Billy Talent' and the majority of other rock bands whenever the hook in the song is played the visuals will shows the instrument being played. I found this happens nearly everytime a solo is played in a song. This shot was taken during the solo in the song.

4. The artist may develop distinctive motifs that may appear throughout their videos

Some artists may have a reoccurring motif thoughout their videos this could be from a certain character to a colour. A recent example of this is in the video to the song 'Fight for this love' by the artist 'Cheryl Cole' in this video there is a reoccurring motif of the colour red throughout, here are some examples of it.

5. There is often intertextual reference

A prime example of this is in the song by the artist 'Bashy' and the song called 'Kidulthood to Adulthood' the song was used in the film Adulthood and throughout the video it has frequent flashbacks to scenes from the film itself.

This is a shot of the artist performing the song

And this is a shot from the film which was put in which is a form of intertextuality

6. There is frequent reference to the notion of looking and particularly voyeurtristic treatment of the female body.

This final one is usually found in R&B and Hip Hop songs. Here is an example from the song 'Sexy Chick' by 'David Guetta ft. Akon'