Analyzing music videos using Goodwin's Points

Lady GaGa  - Poker face music video

One of Goodwin’s points is that the music video demonstrates the genres characteristics. Poker face is an electro-pop dance song so the video contains various dance routines by Lady Gaga and backing dancers.  Most female pop/dance artists have good figures and wear skimpy outfits – Lady GaGa wears a number of different bikini based outfits in this video. She has a very unique clothing style. Another one of Goodwin’s points is that the demands of the record label will include the need for lots of close up shots of the artist and the artist may develop motifs which develop across their work. Different camera angles and close up shots of her clothing and hair styles in different scenes are shown so the audience can identify with her characteristics. She has an iconic platinum blonde hair colour with a block fringe which makes her stand out from anyone else in the video. The song is poker themed so in the music video we see scenes of poker being played, this covers the point of lyrics and visuals having a relationship in the music video. Lady Gaga also does dance moves which demonstrate certain words in the song (eg. She moves her hand around her face when the word ‘poker face’ is sung). There is also a relationship between the music and visuals in this music video because the scenes always change on the beat and the dancers are dancing in time to the music. At one point in the video, Lady GaGa is seen wearing some weird psychedelic patterned sunglasses and the instrumental which goes with it sounds wobbly and alien-like so the visual and music go together in that way. Lady Gaga uses a lot of direct eye contact with the camera, this is so the audience can fully identify with her and gives them the sense she’s a confident performer. Her body is seen a lot whilst she is dancing in skimpy outfits, this is a voyeuristic technique used to draw in the audience.

Good Charlotte – The Anthem music video

Good Charlotte are a rock band so their music video contains the band and various other extras wearing dark clothing with tattoos and dark eye make up to demonstrate the genres characteristics. The band are seen performing in a skate park and riding bmx’s to show a skater/rocker image and lifestyle.  Rock stars lyrics are typically pretty negative and rebellious and so the scenes in the music video show the band having a party in the street with cars and music so it represents high school and youthful life. The lyrics and visuals link together because the things they are singing are about are care free and the band performing with crowds dancing and generally having a good time show this. The music and visuals also link together because the band are performing and dancing to the music being played. When the chorus is sung, the same scene of the band performing is seen and the camera is focusing mainly on the lead singer but also the band members playing their instruments, this is so the audience can get a feel for the bands image and identify with them all. When the band is seeing performing to the crowd, we can see their energy and enthusiasm as a band and how much the crowd are enjoying their music which may make the audience like them more as they seem like a good band to see live.