Goodwin's Theory - Post 8

Andrew Goodwin's theory

Illustration

Avril Lavigne - Girlfriend

• Music - Always cuts on the beat.
• Lyrics - Images Illustrate the literal meaning or the feeling of the lyrics, often just with the band singing and dancing.
• Image - The artist is dancing/singing/playing instruments. Dressed as would be expected.

Analysis of 'Girlfriend'
The artist in this video sings about wanting to be a boy's girlfriend and this is illustrated throughout the video in a situation that incorporates the main artist. The lyrics are shown through the acted out parts of the video that includes the main artist in the actual situation she is singing about, this is effective because we feel like she is really singing about the emotions she is feeling towards this boy so it narrates the lyrics really well. The artist makes hand gestures too that are very literal, for example when she says 'look at me' she points to herself, as though singing to someone standing right in front of her. When she says 'come over here' she beckons the audience and this illustrates her point very literally. The artist is dressed in very casual clothing which is relatable for the audience and she takes on some different personalities in the video. There is also performance from the artist which makes it a conventional illustrative music video.

Amplification
Lana Del Rey - National Anthem

• Music - Film cuts on the beat but also off to emphasize features.
• Lyrics - Images amplify the lyrics, a specific narrative maybe used that would not necessarily be picked up from reading the lyrics alone.
• Image - The artists take on fictional roles in the narrative. 

Analysis of National Anthem
This video roughly illustrates what she is singing about but in more of an abstract way that gives the song a meaning that you wouldn't have immediately thought of, some of the words such as 'National Anthem' do have some political aspects which are in the video but to me this is the only literal illustration and the rest of the lyrics can have a different meaning. This video is very cleverly edited to give it a build up, the beats are cut on and off of the music and Lana Del Rey takes on a fictional role in the video of a 'first lady' persona which is interesting because she is not stereotypically what you would imagine when thinking of a lady in a high level role such as this, the political elements to the video do tell the story well in giving it more of a classy atmosphere. This is a good amplification because it does tell a story but gives you more of a story that you wouldn't have expected to see.

Disjuncture
James Blake - Lindisfarne

• Music - Film cuts off the beat
• Lyrics - Images that do not relate to the lyrics are used, often occurs with artists that are already very well established and can afford to take risks.
• Image - Artists takes an image that is nothing like or the complete opposite of their expected image.

Anaylsis of 'Lindisfarne'
This video presents some very confusing images, the video and the music don't link in any way whatsoever. The film cuts off the beat in most places and this gives it a very alternative feeling and gives the music video a slower momentum. The images here are youthful and i think that this video would appeal to a younger audience, though this video does not link to the lyrics at all, the lyrics aren't clear unless you listen closely but the repetitive lyrics still don't link to the images even if you listen very closely. The artists take on a very creepy image and although the song is very slow this is unexpected because it comes across as though they are very feral, the music sounds quite modern and this isn't the type of image i would have expected to see from this artist. It is also unclear who is and isn't the artist so this gives it more of a confusing feeling.