Goodwin's Theory

Andrew Goodwin writing in ‘Dancing in the

Distraction Factory’ (Routledge 1992) 

1. Music videos demonstrate genre characteristics

(e.g. stage performance in metal video, dance routine for boy/girl band).

2. There is a relationship between lyrics and visuals

(either illustrative, amplifying, contradicting).

3. There is a relationship between music and visuals

(either illustrative, amplifying, 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 (a visual

style).

5. There is frequently reference to notion of looking

(screens within screens, telescopes, etc)

and particularly voyeuristic treatment of the female

body.

6. There is often intertextual reference

(to films, TV programmes, other music videos etc).