Andrew Goodwin

Andrew Goodwin has a theory which defines a music video. He believes all music videos have similar

contents and follow a specific structure in order for music videos to portray their message. He stated all

music videos have specific 7 principles which are: links between lyrics and visuals, links between the music and visuals, genre characteristics, notion of

looking and voyeurism, multiple close ups and intertextual reference. He felt all these features

allowed record labels to sell their artist and develop star construction for their artists.

Links between lyrics and visuals

“You in the dark, I’ll be the bright light to guide you”

There isn’t many links between the lyrics and visuals and the music video however, Cher Lloyd does do hand movement which match the lyrics. When she says “you in the dark” she covers here eyes to symbolize darkness and when she says “bright light to guide you” she open her hands to represent the light.

Links between music and visuals

In this scene the cuts match the to the drum beat of the music. There is a beat played six times and the camera cuts to the beat. The cuts are also very quick.

Genre characteristicsThe genre for this music video is Pop,and throughout the music video thereare multiple characteristics. There arefriends in the music video which istypical for a pop music video as theyrepresent happiness, laughter andfun. The music video is located inschool because the song is about‘best friends’ and school is associatedwith that. But throughout the video itcuts to Cher Lloyd outside on a car asshe is the main focus, selling herimage. Her image is shown to befashionable and bubbly. It is commonfor pop music videos to be set outsideas pop music are usually about havingfun.

Also, she is wearing short,fashionable clothes withflawless make up which isanother conventions asthe girls are usuallyportrayed as fun, sexy andperfect looking.

Notion of looking and voyeurism

In her music video Cher Lloyd is continuously shown asthe main focus. The camera always cuts back to her backand forth and in this scene when she is walking with herfriend the boys stop and stare at her so there us areinforced idea of this notion of looking. Cher Lloyd isframed at the front which again emphasizes on her as themain person but also her ‘sexy’ image.

Here there girls are in awe of her as she walks by. Againshe is being shown to be perfect and young girls want tobe like her. This impacts her star construction as

Multiple close ups of the artists/ record labels need to sell the artists

imageIn this music video multiple close ups of Cher Lloyd is being used. The close ups allows us to see her flawless makeup and attractive face. Her image is shown to be attractive and somewhat perfect.

Intertextual reference

In this music video I could not spot any intertextual references.