music video analysis

1. Goodwinmusic video analysis
I have chosen the music video ‘Single Ladies’ by Beyoncé. This music video is a
performance music video where Beyoncé performs a dance to the song whilst singing
it.
Identifying the 6 key features of a music video (Goodwin)
1) Genre Characteristics: The music video does conform to genre characteristic
of a generic ‘pop’ music video. There are three, near naked (in leotards) ladies,
they instantly start to dance; reasonably provocatively and continue this
throughout. Also, because this is a ‘Beyoncé’ music video we expect to see her
singing and dancing with back up dancers, which we do. The camera also
zooms in often on Beyoncé to single her out from the other women.
2) Relationships between lyrics and visuals: The choreography of the dance
relates almost exactly to the lyrics of the song. The first words are ‘All the
single ladies’ when 3 ladies appear on screen, we can infer that these are three
single ladies. The ladies are also shaking their left hands ‘the marriage hand’
again emphasising the word single. When Beyoncé sings ‘put your hands up’
the three women literally put their hand up above their heads. The main relation
of visuals and lyrics is when the words ‘if you like then you should have put a
ring on it’. The women physically point to the engagement finger on their left
hand. When the word ‘dip’ is sung, not only do the dancers dip there upper
body but the lighting dips from the spotlight to near black and then back to the
spotlight again. All the way through the music video the lyrics relate to the
dance.
3) Relationshipbetween music and visuals: The music instantly starts off
upbeat where the women move their feet to almost each beat, this continues
most of the way through the song. The music and visuals stay level the whole
way through.
4) Close ups: There are many close ups of Beyoncé throughout the music video,
focusing on her showing she is the main person.
5) Reference of notice and looking: There is no reference of notice and looking
in this music video because the women dance in only one white room. Beyoncé
sings mainly directly into the camera throughout the video.
6) Intertextual reference: There is no reference to other forms of media in this
music video.
5 key aspects:
1) Thought beats: Beyoncé has a unique voice and we can usually
distinguish this when she begins to sing. In this music video it is
Beyoncé only that sings with a few backup singers in the chorus.
Beyoncé sings about ‘Single Ladies’ almost letting the single ladies

2. aware that it is ok to be single and telling the men to keep their
woman if they like her.
2) Narrative and performance: The lyrics relate very well to the
dance. The dance is upbeat and fun to watch and therefore we can
watch this music video over again without becoming bored.
3) Star image: Beyoncé is always placed front and centre in her music
videos, usually dressed in obscure clothing and usually shows flesh
as is the case in this video. She mostly always dances and her unique
dance style features in this music video.
4) Relation of visuals to the song: This music video illustrates the
lyrics, they conform well to the choreography of the dance all the
way through.
5) Technical aspects: The camera follows the women as they dance, it
circles around them, zooms in at parts and moves up and down as
they do. The editing pace matches the music as do the cuts. The
video is in black and white giving the video an old effect. The
spotlight used helps the audience keep focused on the dancers. The
location is simple and professional, for this music video there is no
need to film in different places. The use of lighting and fades helps
the location stay professional and not become boring.