This document analyzes and summarizes key features in Justin Timberlake's music video for "My Love". It discusses how the lyrics and visuals are related throughout the video. Specific examples are given of how imagery appears when certain lyrics are sung. The document also notes how the dance routines follow the beat of the music and how lighting and sounds sync up with the tone. Costuming and individual styles are described, as well as some close-up shots of Timberlake and a female dancer. The document concludes by pointing out intertextual references to Michael Jackson in some of the dance moves.

1. Goodwin’s Features in Music Videos
Justin Timberlake
“My Love”
By Olivia Kelly

2. Relationship between lyrics and
visuals
Throughout the music video, there is often a relationship between the lyrics and the visuals seen. On the
first verse, whilst the artist sings the words, “If I wrote you a symphony”, orchestral violins appear from
behind him, whilst he uses gestures to indicate a conductor within an orchestra. Then, on the second
verse, the artist sings “If I wrote you a love note”, pens and pieces of paper – presumably love notes,
appear from behind him as he, once again uses gestures, this time to indicate him writing a love note.
Once again, a relationship between the lyrics and visuals is noticed as a wedding appears, gradually
getting bigger as it nears the camera when the artist sings, “This ring here represents my heart”.

3. Relationship between music and
visuals
Throughout the video, the dance routine follows the beat of the music, often seeing the artist and
dancers replicating dance moves in which go along with the rhythm and pace of the song. In one
particular clip of the video, symbols can be heard faintly, this being brought to the fore-front of the video
when symbols then appear from behind the artist. Continuously through parts of the background, strobe
lights flash according to the beat, in one particular clip as the music appears to get lower in tone, the
strobe lights individually go off one at a time.

4. Style & Iconography
All costumes within the music video contrast with the background, the main colour scheme throughout
being that of black and white. The main artist, Justin Timberlake, has his own unique individual style in
which he has possessed within his career, that being mixing formality with casual. In this video,
Timberlake is seen wearing a white shirt, loose black tie, checked waistcoat and jeans – this clearly
replicating the ‘cool’ image he represents both in his music and style. The rapper within the video, T.I.,
is seen wearing a white suit jacket, black shirt and tie and smart black pants. This is something in which
can be seen as typical within rappers, however contradicting the baggy jeans and over-sized T-shirt
look, as this particular image allows them to expose their wealth and how well they may be doing within
the music industry.

5. Close-ups of main artist
There are occasional close-up shots of the main artist and one in which he is seen with a female. The
lack of close-up shots within the music video is largely based upon the fact that it is mainly dance
routine based throughout, as it is a pop -influenced, hip hop R&B song. Also, Timberlake is known for
his dancing, often including dance routines or influences of dance within his music videos. The close-up
shot of the main artist and a female, replicates one of the stereotypical features of a hip hop R&B song
– a some what female ‘love interest’ or partner, dancing suggestively together.

6. Intertexual References
Within the music video, there can be noticeable intertexual references to some of another artist, that being Michael
Jackson. There is a large dance routine in which some of the dance moves appear to replicate moves in which have
been seen by Jackson previously. Also, a clear intertexual reference is seen when Timberlake and the other dancers
appear to perform a familiar move famously performed by Jackson; the tip-toe pose. As Jackson is known as being the
‘King of Pop’, it is clear why other of artists such as Timberlake would be influenced by his work.