Detailed analysis of music videos

Use the below table to help structure your notes when analysing music video. High grade responses make sustained reference to appropriate theory.

Andrew Goodwin - 7 key ideas to identify

1. Music videos demonstrate genre characteristics (e.g. Stage performances in metal videos, dance routines for boy/girl bands)

2. There is a relationship between the lyrics and the visuals (Either illustrative, amplifying or contradicting)

3. There is a relationship between the music and the visuals (Either illustrative, amplifying or 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 (e.g. A visual style)

5. There are frequent references to the notion of looking (screens within screens, telescopes, etc) and particularly voyeuristic (sexual) treatment of the female body

6. There is often intertextual references (to films, TV programmes, other music videos, etc)

7. Whether the video is primarily performance-based, narrative-based or concept-based and how element of each is used in it

Artist: Jason Mraz Song title: I’m Yours

Concept/narrative: Pop Rock

Features Observations Examples

Genre characteristics

Mixes catchy, upbeat rhythms and beats with a rock style instrumental.Appeal to a general audience.Traditional structure.

Relationship between lyrics and visuals

‘It’s our godforsaken right to be loved, loved, loved, loved, loved’. Jason makes the shape of a heart with his hands.

Relationship between music and visuals

When the beat and rhythm is slower e.g. at the start of the video the lighting is quite dark but as the video goes on and the rhythm increases the visuals are lighter and there a more cuts.

Are there close ups of the artists and star image motifs?

There are a number of close ups of Jason Mraz n this video to make him the focus of this video. It increases the relationship of the song and the artist.

Is there reference to the notion of looking?

There is very little reference to Goodwin’s theory of ‘notion of looking’. Throughout the video there are merely small glances towards the camera but Jason predominantly is looking past the camera or away from the camera.

Are the examples of intertextual references?

There are not many examples of intertextual references in the video.

Is the video category illustration, amplification or contradicting? How much of each?

This video category is mainly amplification as it does not directly link to the lyrics by telling a narrative, but the idea of having a group of friends links with the song ‘I’m yours’.