How Goodwins Theory is Applied to Music Videos

To begin with, Goodwin's theory consists of a music video having to demonstrate genre characters (e.g. a stage performance in a metal video or a dance routine for a stereotypical pop band). There also has to be an amplifying relationship between the lyrics and visuals, as well as between the music and visuals. This relationship has to be preferably illustrative and contradicting. Due to demands of the record label, the music video has to include plenty of close up shots in order to promote the band/artist, and the artist may develop motifs which shall recur across their work. Goodwin also proposes that there will be frequently referenced to the notion of looking and voyeuristic treatment of the female body. Finally, there is often inter textual references to films and TV programmes etc. For example, with an "Indie band," such as Razorlight "Wire to Wire" uses the image of a match which is contrasted against the black mise en scene and close up of the lead singers face. This is a sign of using shots to promote the artist, thus also a sign of amplifying the relationship between the lyrics and visual. The use of the match is also very symbolic and connotes a theme of love and passion.