Research Into Goodwin's Theory

Goodwin’s music video analysis

Andrew Goodwin writing in ‘Dancing in the Distraction Factory’ (Routledge 1992)

1. Music videos demonstrate genre characteristics
2. There is a relationship between lyrics and visuals

(either illustrative, amplifying, contradicting).
3. There is a relationship between music and visuals
(either illustrative, amplifying, contradicting).

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 (a visual style).
5. There is frequently reference to notion of looking (screens within screens, telescopes, etc) and particularly voyeuristic treatment of the female body.
6. There is often intertextual reference (to films, tv programmes, other music videos etc).
It is also worth considering:
7. Whether the video is primarily performance based, narrative based or concept based and how elements of each is used in it. 

Goodwins theory is based on 7 points, and with these 7 points within a music video it will be successful. 

Rihanna We Found Love Ft. Calvin Harris

This song would come under dance/pop from this it has included an outdoor night club and but it hasn’t stuck to the conventions of a pop video because of the scenes of drugs and a destructive relationship. Its hasn't got a dance sequence, but it does have a part where they are raving in a field, this shows that it is aiming at an older target audience, this could also be said because of its dark start with a poem which links in with the lyrics talking about a destructive relationship. But it has stuck to pop conventions by having Rihanna showing off her body, this keeps males interest but also gets females to aspire to have a body like hers.  Having interesting shots keeping the audience interested e.g. them in the baths and fireworks going off in the back ground all this get the audiences attention. This is used of Goodwins theory because they are both conventions. 

With the lyrics saying ‘we found a love in a hopeless place’ it is shown that the relationship between both characters is destructive with them both constantly taking drugs, getting drunk and violent arguments. With the words ‘as your showing cross’s mine’ ‘standing side by side’ with them happening while there being sang. It also happens when she sings 'We found a love in a hopeless place' when this lyric is being sang they are arguing or fighting, this gets the audience to feel the lyrics more and get them more connected to the artist. This is good use of Goodwins theory because the visuals and lyrics are connected giving more fluency and makes the audience feel more connected to the artist.

The beat of the music is timed with the moving frames, this makes the music seem more affective and attractive to the eye keeping the audience more interested. When the beat drops drugs are shown or there is some sort of destruction, this amplifies the though of there being nothing good coming from this relationship. The music and visuals are in sync though out the video. This is use of Goodwins theory because of the connection between the visuals and music. 


There are 2 artist in this song but the main person used is Rihanna this is because she is more famous then Calvin Harris but it also is because he is a Dj and it is a common thing for them to only show up in there music for a few seconds. Rihanna has constant close ups though out this video this is because of what the fans want. They also have many close shots of Rihannas legs so that she still has sex appeal. This is what the network wants so that her image is implanted within the audiences head so that if they see an album or merchandise they will want it more.



Though out Rihanna is in tight revealing cloths giving the male audience what they want to see keeping them interested. The label has included a male thats looks like Chris Brown to make them more interest.  They keep close ups of the artist lips and the actors, and then there in pain the have images of there eyes, these are some of the most attractive parts of them both so the emphases there best features.This video is mostly narrative based with features of performance form the acting of Rihanna though out.

With the research I've done on this video when doing storyboards I will try to include as much Goodwins theory within it, using close ups of my artist and keeping visuals and music and lyrics tied together so it flows better keeping the audience more interested. I will also try to used some sort advertisement for a product so that it will seem more realistic.