The Goodwin theory

Goodwin argues that narratives in music videos are different to those in novels or films as they believe pop videos rely on repetition, the singer is used as a narrator as well as a character (practically playing two roles), pop videos are built around songs, for example songs don't propose a traditional narrative structure and that the singer often looks directly at the character during the performance to try and engage the audience with whatever he/she is doing. 

Goodwin argues that there are three different types of relationships between music videos and the lyrics of there songs. 

The first relationship; 'Illustration' is where the video tells the narrative of the lyric and dance movements are often used to depict feelings/moods in the song. 

Examples of these are in the music video 'Papa Don't Preach' - By Madonna as the lyrics are very closely matched to the video. 

'You always taught me right from wrong' 

These lyrics above depict what the image is showing as her father is teaching her how to do the washing up and how it is polite to help people. 

'Daddy, daddy if you could only see
Just how good he's been treating me'

This is another example of where the lyrics match the action in the music video as we can see she is clearly happy with her new boyfriend from her facial expressions as she is smiling. 

The second relationship 'Amplification' is where the images amplify the lyrics as a narrative which may be used to convey deeper meaning that would not necessarily by picked up from the lyrics alone. 

A music video which shows this is clearly is 'Where is your head at' - By BasementJaxx

'Where's your head at?'

This lyric above supports what is happening in the video as the character of the 'patient' is almost having halucinations as he is seeing human faces in monkeys bodies. The lyric 'Where's your head at?' links to the action as it is asking the character what is wrong with him as he is seeing weird things. 

'You have now found yourself trapped in the incomprehensible maze... '

These lyrics also support the action in the music video as the character of the 'patient' is trapped in a box being attacked by monkeys. As well as this these lyrics depict sanity as the audience watch a psychotic experience. 

The third relationship 'Disjuncture' is where there is little or no connection between the lyric and the music video or where the video contradicts the lyrics. 

An example of 'Disjuncture' is in the music video 'Man in a mirror' - By Michael Jackson. 

'I'm Starting With The Man In
The Mirror'

When Michael Jackson sings these lyrics above the audience see a girl fainting at one of is concerts. This is a clear example of 'Disjuncture' as there is no link as to why this happened. 

'If You Wanna Make The World
A Better Place'

The lyrics above contradict the action taking place in the music video as the artist Michael Jackson sings about about making the world a better place, however the audience see and hear police cars.