Music Videos Research

In His Book Dancing in the Distraction Factory Andrew Goodwin points out characteristics and features that can be found in music videos. I will analyse some music video's using Goodwin's theory


This video sticks to its genre characteristics (as Goodwin suggested). Rock videos typically focus on a performance or the band and their instruments. this video consists entirely of the band playing the song in the room which sticks to genre and Goodwin's theory.

Goodwin also suggests that there is a link between the lyrics but as the video is simple and around the band performing, there is no link between the visuals and lyrics. However there is a strong link between the music and visuals, there are a lot of cuts on the beat and the band jumps and moves in time with the music.

Goodwin also says that the demands of the record label (e.g. close ups of the artist) may create patterns that recur throughout all o the bands videos. i have had a quick look at other videos from this band and they all seem to be the same style, usually a video of a band in a room playing the track with lots of close ups and long shots to get the full band on screen, i dont know whether or not this is due to the record label's demands but it is a recurring theme.

Muse - Time Is Running Out (2003)

This video also sticks to the genre, focusing mostly on the band and vocalist rather on a big storyline, however unlike the first video it has more actors and props.

The lyrics and visuals do not have a direct link but they can be linked through a number of ways when you look deeper into the meaning of the song, the lyrics sing about time running out, about the government and about the planet and the visuals suggest a government meeting. The music is also linked go the visuals with lots of cuts on the beat and the band and actors moving in time with the music.

This video is also very similar to the others by the band, with lots of close ups of the lead singer while focusing on instruments and band members rather than stories, most likely due to the record labels' demands.

This music video also sticks to one of Goodwin's main points, the voyeuristic treatment of the female body seen through he male eyes. half way through the song, some of the female actors take off some of their clothes and start dancing more provocatively, so this video definitely sticks with Goodwin's theories.