2. Analysis of music videos
Goodwin identified 5 aspects of music videos
that we as the audience should look out for
when watching music videos and these are;
1. Thought beats
2. Narrative and Performance
3. The star image
4. Relation of visuals to song
5. Technical aspects of music videos
3. Though Beats
The first step is to look at the music itself. We as the
listeners must take into account the structure of the
song e.g. verses. Secondly, the voice of the song as
the artist who is singing the song is extremely
unique and can form identification. Finally Goodwin
points out that the artists mode of addresses. Songs
can be seen as stories and the artists are the story
tellers, making the music video a two
communication device, the artist/band telling the
story and us as the listeners.
4. Narrative and Performance
Songs always fail to give us the full meaning behind
it, we only get a hint of what it means and if we
don’t get it then we tend to make up our own
meaning of the song. Goodwin explains that music
videos should ignore common narrative as it is
important in their role of advertising if they want
their song to be popular. Narrative and
performance is a big key for music videos as it
makes it easier for the audience to watch it over
and over again without them losing interest.
5. Star Image
Star image is another vital aspect of music
videos if singers don’t look good and they don’t
match their target audience then they won’t
have any fans and they will lose money.
6. Relations of visuals to song
Illustrate: Music videos can use a wide range of
images to illustrate the meaning of their lyrics
and genre.
Amplify: This is where meaning and effects are
manipulated and constantly shown through the
music video and drummed into the vision.
Disjuncture: This is where the meaning of a song
is ignored.
7. Technical aspects of music videos
Technical aspects hold the music video together
through the use of camera work, Mise-enscene, movement, sound and the special effects.
