[Task 3] Examples of Andrew Goodwin's theory in practice - Mehmet Tarhan

Examples and analysis of

Illustration: Video has some form of narrative that relates to the lyrics

The video that best represents this in my opinion is Cheryl Cole – Parachute. The song gives the impression that the meaning behind the lyrics is that the character, played by Cheryl Cole, is part of a secret relationship. The lyrics ‘I don’t tell anyone about the way you hold my hand’ are a good example because she participates in a very physical and passionate dance with a performer. Also, when she says ‘Your gonna catch me if I fall’ is said at the exact same time she imitates falling, and the performer catches her. Straight after that, we hear ‘Down, down, down’ and her opening some windows and presumably walking through. Therefore the lyrics and visuals are linked in this music video, however towards the end of the performance, we only see her in a bed and she just sings, so it at the same time, does not have any real associations with the lyrics. Another example of this type of video would be Jay Z ft. Alicia Keys – Empire State of Mind

Amplification: Video has narrative linked to the lyrics and gives additional meaning to the lyrics.

I think that for this type of video, Jason DeRulo’s ‘Whatcha Say offers the best enactment. The video shows DeRulo flirting and getting affectionate to a woman, while at the same time, being in a relationship with another. This narrative is a great personification of the lyrics, such as where he says ‘I was caught up in her lust’ and ‘only tryin’a please my self’. The video shows this perfectly, and Jason DeRulo also gives a dance at points during the video and testifies ‘give me another chance to really be a man’. The points where he slams the door and turns back on it then says ‘me and you were meant to last forever’ also shows his regret. There is a deeper emotive aspect of the video, as well as the meaningfulness of the lyrics and the visuals together, it offers the audience more emotion, like regret and moving on as well as embarrassment at having an affair.

Disjuncture: The video has no relation to the lyrics.

There are many examples of this, such as Tonight, by Jay Sean and Get Me Outta Here by Esmee Denters. But the perfect example for this would be I Wish I Was A Punk Rocker by Sandi Thom. The lyrics are about her eulogising the times of peace and freedom of speech and how she regrets not being born earlier by saying ‘I was born too late’. The video has no relation to the lyrics. It is just her walking through the streets and singing out the lyrics. One interesting point I think is that, as she progresses through the song and tells us about her not liking the modern society, more and more people follow. I think this is because they share the same opinion as Sandi Thom and join her, but it still has no relation to the lyrics.