Andrew Goodwin identified 6 key features of music videos in his 1992 theory: 1) They demonstrate genre characteristics. 2) There is a relationship between lyrics and visuals. 3) A relationship between music and visuals. 4) Record labels demand close-ups of artists and recurring motifs. 5) Frequent references to looking and voyeurism of female bodies. 6) Intertextual references to other media. Goodwin's theory can be used to analyze music videos by considering if they are performance, narrative, or concept-based and how elements of each are used. Students were instructed to analyze older music videos in pairs using Goodwin's categories over 7 slides with screenshots and clips.

1. Music Videos
Lesson 2: Goodwin’s Music Video
Theory - Presentations

2. Learning Questions
• What are the features of Andrew Goodwin’s
theory of music videos?
• Can I apply the theory to a music video of my
choice?

3. Andrew Goodwin, in Dancing in the Distraction Factory (1992, Routledge), has identified the following features
of music videos:
1. Music videos demonstrate genre characteristics (e.g. stage performance in metal video, dance routine for
boy/girl band).
2. There is a relationship between lyrics and visuals (either illustrative, amplifying, contradicting).
3. There is a relationship between music and visuals (either illustrative, amplifying, contradicting).
4. The demands of the record label will include the need for lots of close-ups of the artist and the artist may
develop motifs which recur across their work (a visual style).
5. There is frequently reference to the notion of looking (screens within screens, telescopes, etc.) and
particularly voyeuristic treatment of the female body.
6. There is often intertextual reference (to films, TV programmes, other music videos, etc.).
It is also worth considering:
Whether the video is primarily performance-based, narrative-based or concept-based and how elements of
each are used in it.
You can use Goodwin’s categories to analyse music videos for yourself.
Key features of music video

4. Presentations
• In pairs, pick any music video from 2014 or
earlier. Two groups cannot analyse the same
video!
• 7 slides – Introduction slide (name of song,
artist, record label, year, director etc. and one
slide on each element of Goodwin’s theory
• Screenshots & clip from video