Who is Andrew Goodwin?

Andrew Goodwin studied at the university of Birmingham where he received a Ph.D. in Cultural Studies. He is best known as the author of the book ‘Dancing in the Distraction Factory’ which is about music and television.

In this book he identified six key points that are used in music videos. These are;

-Genre Characteristics-There is a relationship between the lyrics and visuals-There is a relationship between music and visuals -The star image of the artist-Voyeurism-Intertextuality

Genre CharacteristicsGenre Characteristics means that different types of music videos often have certain features that they always use.

For example boy bands often use dance routines in their videos and look into the camera if they are singing to a girl.Rock and metal bands will often perform their songs with their guitars and instruments. Love songs will most usually feature a girl and boy singing about one another.

Relationships between the lyrics/music and the Visuals

The relationship between the lyrics/music and the visuals is either ILLUSTRATIVE, AMPLIFYING or CONTRADICTING.

An illustrative relationship is when the music video physically shows the meanings of the lyrics or music. For example dance routines that fit with the lyrics.

Amplifying is when they emphasise themes or meanings. For example when a shot is repeated.

Contradicting is when the music video has no connection to the lyrics or the music.

The star image of the artist The star image of the artist is when the artist or band are very popular and famous, that not only is the video about promoting their song, its about promoting them too. For example, The Beatles created a logo which they used on their drum kit in videos, and then when anyone saw their logo, they knew it represented the band.

Usually lots of close up camera shots are used, so the viewer can see the artist or bands face, so they recognise and know them more. Lady Gaga is a good example, as people know her and are fascinated by her outrageous outfits, so lots of close ups are used in her videos.

IntertextualityIntertextuality is when an artist or a band use an idea from another iconic song or music video.

This can either be a sign of respect, or mockery as they are making fun of a previous artist’s idea.

For example Sinead O’Connor’s Nothing Compares 2 U is an iconic video, as it only features her face singing into the camera. Janelle Monae used the same idea in her video for Cold War. This would have been a sign of respect as Janelle’s video is very serious.

Voyeurism Voyeurism = pleasure gained from watching, particularly when the object is unaware.

Andrew Goodwin released that voyeurism is frequently used in music, where the viewer is watching the artist without them realising. This can either be done using a mirror, over the shoulder shot or simply when the object is unaware. Most of the time this is used in videos where men spy on the female body without them realising.

This is backed up by Laura Mulvey and the theory of the ‘male gaze’.