Definition Of A Music Video

Defining what a music video is is never going to be a broad answer as everyone has their own interpretations and opinions in what a music video is. I personally would define a music video to being a way of visually displaying music. The way I see it, is that it is "placing a face to the name". I always feel like the video is there to visually represent/support the music. This could be to promote the song itself, a film or even a brand.

There are so many ways that a music video can be defined. It can be defined as being for promotion, concept or the artists interpretation of the song.

There are Theorists that look at Music Videos that have came up with some key Codes and Conventions that are shown in many Music Videos.

Andrew Goodwin:  

Andrew Goodwin studies hundreds of Music Videos while researching his book and came up with some key Codes and Conventions.

Andrew Goodwin highlights that there is a relationship between the lyrics and the visuals (with visuals illustrating, amplifying or contradicting the music) and there is a relationship between the music and the visuals.

Another point Andrew Goodwin makes is that particular music genres have their own music video style and iconography (such as live performance in heavy rock or choreographed dance routines in R&B) and that there is a demand on the part of the record company for lots of close-ups of the main artist/vocalist.

The artist may develop their own iconography in and out of their music video. This might then become a part of their star image over time and that there is most likely to be references voyeurism, particularly in the treatment of women, but also in terms of systems of looking (screens within screens, binoculars, film and movie camera, etc) Andrew Goodwin also points out.

 Finally, Andrew Goodwin mentions that there are likely to be inter textual references, either to other music videos or to films and TV texts (this may or may not feature actors/actresses from the original film or TV programmes).

Joan Lynch 

Joan Lynch'84 said there was 2 basic video structures.

Performance - based on live performance e.g. concert videos. Rock artists use this more.

Concept - videos based on concept art e.g Arctic Monkey - Do I Wanna Know?

Narrative - Purely like story telling, no lip syncing, linked to the lyrics

John Gow 

John Gow'92 identified 6 genres of music videos.

The anti-performance piece - videos that don't have performance of the song

Pseudo-reflexive performance - videos which display the process of video production

Performance documentary - videos which contain documentary footage of onstage/offstage performance.

The special effects extravaganza - videos in which human performance is over shadowed by imagery,

The song and dance number - videos which focus on the physical ability of the dancing performer and the vocal presentation of the song, normally through lip-syncing.

The enhanced performance - videos that blend performance elements with other visual elements. It's a blend through associational, narrative or abstract forms of motivation.