2. Andrew Goodwin identified 7 key ideas
that we should look for to identify:
1. Music videos demonstrate genre characteristics (e.g. stage performance in metal
video, dance routine for boy/ girl band.)
2. There is a relationship between lyrics and visuals. (Either illustrative, amplifying and
contradicting.)
3. There is a relationship between music and visuals. (Either illustrative, amplifying
and 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 screen,
telescopes, etc. ) and particularly voyeuristic (sexual) treatment of the female
body.
6. There is often intertextual reference (to films, TV programmes, other music
videos etc.)
7. Whether the video is primarily performance based, narrative based or concept
based and how elements of each is used in it.
When considering album covers, no. 1, 4, 5 and 6 are the only points within
Goodwin’s theory which apply to album covers.

3. ‘Music videos demonstrate genre ‘ The demands of the record label will include the need for lots of close ups
characteristics’. The genre of the artist.’ These close ups are essential for new artists as the audience
characteristics of Hip Hop is fancy need to get use to a new face. This isn’t a close up but a mid shot. This may
cars and background and money. In have been used to show us the artists position; he is sitting on his car which
the album cover, the artist is suggests an east life for the artist which audience may aspire to this. This
presented in a nice looking album is the second album of this artist ‘Fabulous’ so the audience still need
background with a flashy car which to get of to his face. The eye contact suggests that he maybe looking at the
suggests he is rich, not much people audience. This will make the audience feel closer and connected to the artist.
can afford a car like this. Also the
way the artist is dressed also ‘Frequently reference to notion of
suggests he has money. looking and particularly
voyeuristic treatment of the
female body.’ This may apply to
Blue connotates tranquillity this album cover as the artist is
and calmness. So this might wearing a fur coat. This may
suggest the artist is living the represent him being a ‘pimp as
easy life and the audience may most pimps wear fur coats. This
aspire to this lifestyle; the may be so there is a focus on the
jacket and the car matches, artist and not the women as
this may suggest that the artist women can take the focus of the
has enough money to match artist away.
his clothes with his cars.
The text first shows the name of the artist then the ‘There is often intertextual reference.’ This
name of the song. This shows what’s the most means there is reference to films or
important which is the artist. The name of the artist is programmes or other music videos. In this
also bigger, this also shows importance. The colour album cover there is no intertextual reference,
white stands out more that the grey writing, this may this may be because there should be more of a
suggest that the white text should be recognised more. focus on the artist than anything else.

4. ‘Music videos demonstrate genre characteristics’. The genre ‘ The demands of the record label
characteristics of R n’ B is fancy cars and background and money. In will include the need for lots of close
the album cover, the artist is presented in a plain background and ups of the artist.’ These close ups are
fancy clothing which suggests he is rich as not people can afford essential for new artists as the
jewellery like this. Blue connotates tranquillity and calmness. So audience need to get use to a new
this might suggest the artist is living the easy life and the audience face. This is the first album of this
may aspire to this lifestyle; the chain and the watch matches, this artist ‘Fabolous’ so the audience
may suggest that the artist has enough money to match these. need to get use to his face. The eye
contact suggests that he maybe
looking at the audience. This will
make the audience feel closer and
connected to the artist.
The text first shows the name of
the artist then the name of the
song. This shows what’s the most
important which is the artist. The
name of the artist is also
bigger, this also shows importance. ‘Frequently reference to notion
The wings near the name of the of looking and particularly
artist makes the name stand out voyeuristic treatment of the
more then the name of the album. female body.’ This doesn’t apply
to this album cover as there is
no females in the cover. This
may be to show that the artist
should be recognised before
‘There is often intertextual reference.’ This means there
women are seen in the albums.
is reference to films or programmes or other music
This may be so there is a focus
videos. In this album cover there is no intertextual
on the artist and not the
reference, this may be because there should be more of
women as women can take the
a focus on the artist than anything else.
focus of the artist away.

5. ‘Music videos demonstrate genre characteristics.’ The genre characteristics of ‘The demands of the record label will
Pop Rock is dark deep colours, hand held shots and emphasises on live include the need for lots of close ups
performances. Also is they appeal to a general audience rather than a sub- of the artist (in this case a band).
culture. In the album cover, the band aren’t on the cover. This may suggest These close ups will help the
that they are a recognised band. Although this is their second album it audience recognise a new artist and
doesn’t show their recognition. They were successful in winning best Irish get them noticed. In the album
band, best album and best live performance; this may have given them the cover, the band isn’t on the cover but
recognition they need to not put themselves on their next album cover. the image may show what the band
or the bands album is about; they
The text first shows the bands may be a music person rather than a
name. This shows what’s the people person; they’re more about
most importance then the name their music. The male and female
of the song. The size also shows hand may suggest that this album is
importance. The word “The” is about relationships and peace. This
smaller than “Script”. This shows that not all artists follow
suggests the name “script” is Goodwins theory, for example ‘The
more important. The colours Script.’
connotates calm and peace and
the lighter shade in the corner
suggests light. ‘Frequently reference to notion of
looking and particularly voyeuristic
treatment of the female body. This
doesn’t apply to this cover as there
‘There is often intertextual reference.’ This is no voyeurism or notion of
means there is reference to films, programmes looking. This may be because this
or other music videos. In the single cover there genre doesn’t focus on the female
may be intertexual reference with the hands, body as a sexual object. This shows
this could represent the ‘peace sign’ of shaking that not all artists follow Goodwins
hands. This will may suggest the band is about theory, for example ‘The Script.’
making peace.

6. ‘there is often intertextual ‘frequently reference to notion of looking and particularly voyeuristic
reference.’ This means there is treatment of the female body. There is a female in a long dress. This
reference to films, programmes doesn’t apply to this cover as there is no voyeurism. The notion of
or other music videos. In the looking is the female looking away hugging a man with no face. This
single cover there may be may be because this genre doesn’t focus on the female body as a
intertexual reference with the sexual object.
hand, this could represent the
‘power’ of the band. This will
may suggest the band is about
taking over the world.
‘the demands of the record label
will include the need for lots of
close ups of the artist (in this case
a band). These close ups will help
the audience recognise a new
artist and get them noticed. In the
album cover, the band isn’t on the
cover but the image may show
‘music videos demonstrate genre what the band or the bands
characteristics.’ The genre characteristics of album is about. The hand may
Pop Rock is an emphasises on recording, suggest that this album is about
production, technology and live performances. relationships and peace. Also this
Also is they appeal to a general audience shows not all artists follow
rather than a sub-culture. In this album cover, Goodwin’s theory.
the band aren’t on the cover. This may suggest
that this is what they are about.

7. ‘Music videos demonstrate genre ‘ The demands of the record label will include the need for lots of close ups of
characteristics.’ There isn’t no defined the artist.’ These close ups are essential for new artists as the audience need
genre characteristics of Alternative to get use to a new face. This isn’t a close up but a mid shot. This may have
Indie as this is a new genre; the main been used to show us the artists position and props used; the lungs. The
characteristic is they don’t follow the artists isn’t looking at the camera. This suggests the artist may be trying to be
mainstream. unconventional. This may show the artist isn’t connected to the audience; the
audience might not feel closer and connected to the artist.
‘There is often intertextual reference.’
The text first shows the name of This means there is reference to films
the artist at the top then the or programmes or other music videos.
name of the song at the In this album cover the artist is
bottom. This shows what’s the wearing lungs. As the name of the
most important which is the album is ‘Lungs’, the reference is to
artist. the album. Also this album suggests
sleeping beauty. This is because the
artist looks like she’s sleeping on
something soft.
‘Frequently reference to notion of looking and particularly voyeuristic treatment of the female body.’
This may apply to this album cover as the artist is wearing an outfit that is low cut and see-through.
This may represent her in a seductive way. This may be used to attract a male audience although this
isn’t as seductive as other artists. This may show that this isn’t the artists main way to attract
audience. The notion of looking of the artist looking down suggest that she may be sleeping. This
shows that there may be more to the album; a narrative behind it.

8. ‘Music videos demonstrate genre ‘ The demands of the record label will include the need for lots of close ups of
characteristics.’ There isn’t no the artist.’ These close ups are essential for new artists as the audience need
defined genre characteristics of to get use to a new face. This isn’t a close up but another mid shot. This may
Alternative Indie as this is a new have been used to show us the artists position. The artists isn’t looking at the
genre; the main characteristic is camera; this is similar to the previous album. This suggests the artist may be
they don’t follow the mainstream. trying to be unconventional. This may show the artist isn’t connected to the
audience; the audience might not feel closer and connected to the artist.
‘There is often intertextual reference.’
The text first shows the This means there is reference to films
name of the artist at the or programmes or other music videos.
top then the name of the In this album cover the artist costume
song at the bottom. This is similar to what people wore in the
shows what’s the most 1940’s; especially the hair. There is
important which is the reference to the 1940’s to celebrities
artist. Also the text of the such as Rita Hayworth.
artist is the same in the
previous album. This may
suggest that this is a theme
they’ll always follow.
‘Frequently reference to notion of looking and particularly voyeuristic treatment of the
female body.’ This may apply to this album cover as the artist is wearing an outfit that is
low cut. This may represent her in a seductive way. This may be used to attract a male
audience although. The notion of looking of the artist looking down suggest that she may
be sleeping. This shows that there may be more to the album; a narrative behind it as this
was a similar action in the previous album cover.

9. This can help us in developing an idea for our artwork. For
example to include certain features such as intertextual
reference and close ups of the artist. Also this helps us to
consider the size of the text of the artist’s name compared to
the song name. From this research we now know to include the
name of the artist at the top as this is the most important. I
believe intertextual reference will take the distraction away
from the artist. As this is our band’s first album, they should be
the main focus and I feel intertextual reference will take some of
that focus away. Different from The Script’s album covers, we
are going to make sure our band is on the album cover because
this will help their faces to be recognised as artists.