Goodwin's Theory

‘Dancing in the Distraction Factory’

• This is a book written by Andrew Goodwin, it is the first comprehensive, integrated analysis of MTV (music television) and provides new ways to understand television and popular music narratives.

• Music videos demonstrate genre characteristics.

(e.g. stage performance in metal videos, dance routine for boy/girl band, aspiration in Hip

Hop).

• There is a relationship between lyrics and visuals. The lyrics are represented with

images.(either illustrative, amplifying, contradicting).

• There is a relationship between music and visuals. The tone and atmosphere of the visual

reflects that of the music.(either illustrative, amplifying, contradicting).

• 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). These include

CUs of the star’s face, iconography of band image, visual trademarks and motifs.

• There is frequently reference to notion of looking (screens within screens, mirrors, stages, etc) and particularly voyeuristic

treatment of the female body. (see hip hop genre in particular)

• There are often inter-textual reference (to films, TV programmes, other music videos etc).