Analysing Music Videos 123

Analysing Music Videos

Goodwin’s theory of music video, states that all music videos contain either some or

all of these elements1) Have a link between visuals & lyrics

(compliment, contradict or amplify)2) Have a link between visuals & music

(compliment, contradict or amplify)3) Have certain genre characteristics4) Have intertextual references 5) Contain notions of looking6) Show voyeurism7) Include demands of the record label8) Whether the video is performance, narrative or

concept based.

Application of Goodwin’s theory

Lady Gaga – “Lovegame”

• Genre: Dance-pop/electro-popGenre Characteristics: dancers, unique clothing, bright colours, the video focuses on the single not the album, use of technology/recording & production, upbeat tempo, advertisement (sponsorship)

Lyrics & Visuals

• “Involves some heavy touching, yeah.” A few dancers have body contact with Gaga when she sings this line.

• The song is based on references to sex, which most visuals in the video represent, such as Gaga being naked and being in the middle of two men, which also have links to voyeurism.

Music & Visuals

• The dancing, editing, lip-synching, camera movements are also in time with the beat of the music.

• Also when there are police sirens it shows that there is something deviant is happening.

Intertextuality

• The opening copies a film type opening, it also shows the label company so the viewers can identify which company the video belongs to.

Record Company

• They use close-up on Gaga , this is evident of both male and female gaze on her and her dancers.

• The music video is a mixture of both performance and concept based.

Representation of Artist

• Focuses on Gaga’s style (hair & clothes)• Represents her sexuality – as she is

surrounded by men showing she gets male’s attention as well as showing she is an object of sex, she also kisses a girl to show she is openly bisexual .

Notions of looking

• All characters in the video are constantly looking at Gaga to show her popularity, people have an obsession with her and how attractive she is.

Guns & Roses – “Welcome to the jungle”

• Genre: Rock

Genre characteristics: videos usually shows a performance, there is band, the band always wear dark clothing which either is plain or have images on.

Lyrics & Visuals

• Because the video is based on the band performing, there are little or no links between the visual and lyrics.

• However, the meaning behind the lyrics is about how crazy people can be hence the additional footage of people with guns illustrates crazy people.

Music & Visual

• Editing is in time to the beat.

Record Company

• Use close-ups of the band and their instruments.

• They emphasis the performance visual

by having a crowd in the video.

Representation of the band

• They have a rock look (leather trousers, tight tops and big hair.)

Jay Sean – Down ft Lil Wayne

• Genre: R‘n’B

Genre Characteristics: dancers, clothing is either smart or casual, love, sex, jewellery, upbeat tempo, sponsorship, edited orientated, drinking & socialising locations like bars and clubs etc. The genre is very similar to POP.

Lyrics & Visual • “Bring your body close to me”, the female

character moves closer to Jay.• “She’s cold”, the background freezes.• “She’s not Miss America”, an image of the Union

Jack appears.• “Like baby cupid with arrows above”, Jay mimics

shooting an arrow which is enhanced by editing.

Music & Visuals

• Dancing, lip-synching, editing is all in tune with the beat.

Intertextuality

• Opening of the song uses the music from his previous song “Ride it” to show a link between his earlier songs.

Record Company

• There are close-ups on Jay & Lil Wayne.• The record label is placed at the end of the

video.

Representation of Artist

• Video emphasises the artists physique and clothing style.