The document discusses Andrew Goodwin's 6 features of music videos and analyzes how the music video for "Glad You Came" by The Wanted illustrates these features, such as showing relationships between the lyrics and visuals through scenes that match what is being sung and having visuals and editing that amplify the tone of the music. The video also demonstrates genre characteristics of a typical boy band through shots of the group and close-ups of individual members, as well as some treatment of women that promotes voyeurism. Intertextual references in the opening credits help establish the band's brand identity across their videos.
1. The Wanted – „Glad You Came‟
Andrews Goodwin‟s Theory
By Abbie Yapp
2. Andrew Goodwin‟s 6 Features of Music Videos
1. The relationship between lyrics and visuals. The lyrics are
represented with images.
2. There is a relationship between music and visuals. The tone
and atmosphere of the visual reflects that of the music. (
Illustrate, amplify and disjuncture)
Illustrate – Music videos can use a set of images to illustrate the
meaning of lyrics and genre.
Amplify- The meanings of the song are added to by the
visuals. The visual aspects add an extra layer of meaning.
Disjuncture- This is where the meaning of the song is
completely ignored.
3. Music videos demonstrate genre characteristics.
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.
5. There is frequently reference to notion of looking and
particularly voyeuristic treatment of the female body.
6. There are often intertextual reference.
3. Relationship between lyrics and visuals
“The sun goes down” “I'm glad you came”
“And I decided you look well on me, well on me” “Now I'll take you by the hand”
4. Relationship between lyrics an
visuals
Within the video there is a clear link shared between lyrics
and visuals which relates back to Goodwin‟s theory.
Examples of this include the band members interacting
with various people in the video in the certain ways that
are mentioned in the lyrics. For example, when the lyrics
say „Take her by the hand‟ the video shows one of the
band members joining hands with a woman.
The lyrics are clearly depicting how the band members are
happy that they are joined by various attractive women.
The visuals display each band member with beautiful
women surrounding them and enjoying various holiday
activities such as on the beach and partying.
5. Relationship between music and lyrics
The visuals relate to the music as it changes as the music does. After
the short vocal and piano intro the music fades out and the main beat
kicks in. when this happens the visuals fade out in time with the music
and a montage of various shots are cut as the beat kicks in and each
shot matches the changing of the beat.
The way in which the video responds to the music is via amplification.
The visuals on screen add to the meaning of the song and emphasis
what the band is singing. The editing of the video is relatively quick cut
to match the music. The video also cuts between the performance of
the band and various party scenes that are illustrating the lyrics o the
song, and creating a type of montage effect.
6. Genre Characteristics
The Wanted display a typical pop genre boy band, this is
demonstrated through the use of characteristics within the video.
The Wanted appearance displays a laid back look which reflects
a relaxed and informal atmosphere. The Wanted don‟t subjectify
women in their video instead they idolizing this rejects the typical
boy band video you usually see within the music industry.
The genre of video is categorised under pop genre when
searching in iTunes. The video displays typical group shots and
individual shots of the band members to allow the audience to
interact with each member. The montage of shots displaying
party scenes feature typical generic features commonly seen
within the boy band pop genre.
7. A common theme boy bands focus on is love, this is a clear theme through
out the video. A variety of mid shots are used to show close and sexual
relationships shared between the band members and the beautiful women.
Throughout the video we are displayed with mid close ups showing band
members embracing beautiful women.
8. Demands of the record
label
The record label has gone for a variety shots varying from close up‟s
of each band member to a group shot of the whole band. As there is
no dominant singer within the band each member has equal amount
of camera time allowing each member to be recognized. This is
done to demonstrate the importance each band member has within
the video.
The Wanted don‟t contain a visual style but follow with a casual
clothing style within their music videos. This allows them to be
known for their music rather their visual style which allows the
audience to focus on the lyrics of the song rather than the visuals.
9. Frequently reference to notion of
looking
Selected parts of the video shows
women in a voyeuristic ways. In this
mid shot a woman is being
represented in a voyeuristic manor
this promotes the notion of looking.
Throughout the video woman are being
presented in voyeuristic ways by wearing
minimal clothing which centers our eyes to the
women's bodies.
10. Intertextual
Reference
The opening credits to the video apply
intertextual reference to an opening
credits of a film. The name of the band is
the first text to be displayed within a shot
which applies the importance of the band.
This is becoming a common feature of
their videos which allows them to create a
brand image for the band. Similar styled
fonts are used throughout their videos
which is another way to create a brand
identity.