Research on Music Video Theories

Following a group study assignment, we saw the following beliefs of theories on the topic of music videos: 

Andrew G. Goodwin
According to Goodwin, a powerful music video connects the lyrics and the imagery. This does not imply that each lyric must correspond with a specific situation. It does, however, imply that the story or performance in the music video should correspond with the lyrics. Goodwin also thought that the video's star was crucial since it drew viewers in and made the piece feel friendly. The celebrity should have a similar look to the video and be likable to the viewers.

Barthes Roland

All narratives, including those in music videos, are, in Barthes' opinion, either open or closed. He called the various elements of a music video codes. These are the codes he thought would work with any story.

Hermeneutic code: Any aspect that builds suspense in a story but is left unsaid is referred to as such. This keeps the audience interested.

Any action that suggests another action is referred to be proairetic code. This creates tension by letting the viewer wonder what might happen.

Symbols or components associated with a particular culture are referred to as cultural code. This makes an audience's attention more easily captured.

Elements that hint at or provide a hidden meaning are referred to as having semantic code. Another name for this is the connotative code. Since each person understands these codes differently, this gives the audiences the opportunity to contribute their own unique touch to their comprehension of the music video.

 
Symbolic code: This describes components that employ symbols to convey meaning. Because of this, viewers can relate to the video.

Michael A. Shore: 

Shore thinks that specific audiences are the target of music videos. He thinks that the repetitive images and styles found in music videos appeal to teenage boys' illusions of wealth, power, speed, and girls. As a result, music videos now feature stereotyped imagery and soft core pornography.