Research - Andrew Goodwin

Goodwin proposes that there are different narrative structures of music videos depending on the genre of the music. He said that traditional narratives analysis doesn't apply to pop videos because of the following reasons:

• Pop videos uses the singer both as the narrator and character
• the singer looks directly into the camera to involve the viewer 
• Pop videos are built around the song itself

 Pop videos rely on repetition. They repeat images in a way the song repeats choruses or lines. Pop songs do have endings, the have a form of closure and ending which is usually built to a climax or constant repetition before faking away. 

Goodwin suggests that there are three types of relationships between songs and videos. These are:

• Illustration: tells the story of the lyrics. Dance is used to  express the feelings or moods in the song
• Amplification: video introduces new meanings that do not contradict the lyrics but add layers of meaning.
• Disjuncture: little connection between the lyrics and video or where the video contradicts the lyrics. 

Pop videos have recognisable features such as women being represented as objects of male desires and songs written for movies incorporate images from the movie; e.g. Celine Dion -> Titanic.

An example of a illustrative music video would be Pink - Perfect. 

 

This can be considered as a illustrative music video because the video tells the story of the lyrics - sometimes more literal than others. The video almost tells a story which mirrors the lyrics. There was a shot that showed the victims arm with the word 'perfect' carved onto it - evidently cut with a knife. Also, at the end of the video it shows the singer (who is also the narrator) looking at the victim and saying 'you are perfect'. Then we see the victim singing 'you are perfect' to her child in bed. 

An example of an amplified music video would be Where is the Love by The Black Eyed Peas. 

This is amplified because of the reoccurring motif used in the video. The question mark symbolises the question of 'where is the love?' and in the video the question mark s shown repeatedly in different locations and on different objects. This definitely reinforces the meaning of the lyric and add layer to it.

Lastly, an example that shows a disjuncture structured music video would be Bad Romance by Lady Gaga.

This is a great example of a disjuncture structured video as it clearly shows how the video hold little relevance, if any, to the lyrics. This can be an effective way to construct a music video as it easily engages the audience and draws in their attention.