Music Theory Analysis

Music Theory Analysis
The work I have chosen to work with is from the theorist Goodwin. He suggested that a music video has to have certain key features which will make it successful and recognisable. Such as that music videos demonstrate genre characteristics and relationships between music and visuals. I personally agree with this theory which I why I have chosen to cover it. I am going to analyse a music video from ‘Fall out boy’ called ‘Thnks fr th Mmrs’ (thanks for the memories) as it falls under the same genre of the band I am doing for my coursework Paramore and it is Pop punk.

This music video uses Goodwin’s theory as it applies the genre characteristics in the video. For example as the genre is pop punk the video contains many scenes of a band look and also has a stage performance (alternative rock). The visuals match the lyrics which is also in the theory, the lyrics are about the guy who is singing being cheated on by his girlfriend with another guy. The band is aggressive and moves erratic like a rock video which links in with the emotions he will be feeling. The lyrics are also amplifying as well as the music, the guitars and drums make it effective and loud. Each member of the band is shown frequently throughout the video so that they are promoted as well as the band as a whole. You have scenes of them all together on stage then close ups of each member. This links in with the theory that the record label demands close-ups of the artists to get there visual style across to the audience. For example at the start of the video there is a close-up of the lead singer Patrick Stump starting the song with his facial expressions and body language. Also close-ups of the guitarists jumping around stage making it effective as well as the durmast playing his solo part. As the band consists of all males, to do with the narrative a girl does appear in the video and has a relationship with one of the members. There is voyeuristic treatment of the female body. It also uses Goodwin’s idea of screens within screen’s, the video is set out like it is the process of making it, and so it shows you it being filmed through the directors personal camera. The video also includes intertextual reference mainly to other bands of the same genre, such as ‘Paramore’ and the’ All American Rejects’. This video is mainly performance based mainly because of the genre however does show some narrative.

Overall this video does correspond with Goodwin’s theory as each of his features are applied in this video and so it approves it.