Andrew Goodwin

Narrative Theory

Goodwin's narrative theory is fuelled by the notion that music videos don't follow a traditional narrative structure. Goodwin has created three categories in which all music videos fall. These are:

Illustration -  Where the video tells the story of the lyrics, dance may be used to express feelings/moods in the song.



In the case of the music video for Ed Sheeran's "Bloodtream" there is a clear narrative that follows an ex musician that has reached the end of his career and dwells in the loneliness of his current living situation, seeking comfort in prostitutes and alcohol. The Reason why this video falls under the category of Illustration is that there are many visual links to the lyrics being sung, for example: "I've been spending all my time, couple' women by my side, I've got sinnin' on my mind, sippin' on red wine" What we see on screen is a man drinking reflecting upon his antics. The video accompanies the song and makes sense to the audience.

Amplification - The images amplify the lyrics as a narrative to convey a deeper meaning that would not be picked up from the lyrics alone. The artists may take on fictional roles within the narrative.



In the case of this music video by A$AP Rocky, a rap artist, the visuals AMPLIFY the lyrics, making the meaning of the music video more obvious to the audience. Rocky raps about taking the hallucinogenic substance "LSD", of which the stereotypical mental effects are bright colours and a distorted view of the regular world. The whole video is shot through the perspective of someone on the drug, and though the actions on screen may not match the lyrics exactly the music video supports the song strongly and its clear what the rapper is singing about.
Disjuncture - When there is no connection between the lyrics and the video, or when the song and the video totally juxtapose one another.



As for this music video, the visuals don't match the lyrics whatsoever. This tends to be a theme with Die Antwoord, the artist responsible for this music video. The essence of the disjuncture category is total juxtaposition and contrast between the music video and the lyrics of the song.