Simon Frith

1. Simon Frith
Simon Frith theory states that music videos come in three
different types. These 3 types are Performance, Narrative and
Conceptual. This theory was created in 1988 therefore this
theory could not be as accurate as today’s music videos.
Performance
Simon Frith states that
“performance” videos are the most
common type. Performance relates to
how the artist performs in the video.
The goal of this video is to give
audience the idea of being in an
actual concert with the artist. An
example would be the music video to
“In Paris” by Kanye West & Jay-Z. In
this video we can clearly see that the
video is based on performing at a
concert that has an audience going
crazy for the song which is playing.
Narrative
These types of music videos tend to have more of
a storyline. These music videos are created with
storylines so you can relate to them personally
and have a connection with the artist like Dyers
star theory suggests of hegemony. Therefore, if
you can relate to an artist, for example going
through a break up if you have similar experiences
you can relate. A great example of this would be
RapMan “Blue Story Trilogy” this is because with
this song he raps on two people’s friendship
coming to an end. And this is shown in the music
video.
Conceptual
These types of music videos don’t have a
narrative however instead of telling a story or
showing a performance. These videos are for
giving the viewer a specific opinion on the video.
Each viewer will feel a different way to the video
due to the fact the video can be interpreted in
several different ways. A great example of this
would the music video DJ Khaled “I got the keys”
this is because this video doesn’t have a
narrative or a performance. However in the
video it based in a prison and an artist coming
out of prison. However, in the actual song he is
talking about having the keys which suggest
freedom. So it depends on how the audience
sees it.