The Relationship Between Lyrics & Visuals

The relationship between lyrics and video is significant because it aids both visual and auditory story telling. Andrew Goodwin proposed that the relationship between lyrics and visuals can be divided into three different categories; 

Illustrative 
Amplification
Contradicting/Disjuncture 

Illustrative

Illustration is is the simplest technique out of the three categories because it is the easiest concept to base a music video around. This is due to the fact the video offers a visual representation of what is being said in the lyrics. 

An example of a music video that is illustrative is Fireflies by Owl City. In this video when the artist sings certain lyrics within the song, such as ‘fireflies’ the word appears on the screen of a electronic toy. Also when he mention certain objects such as the disco ball there is a shot to that item within the room he is in. 

The music video for Everybody’s Changing by Keane is also an example of an illustrative music video. Throughout the whole of the music video the band members change into different people of different ages, races and genders. 

Amplification

Amplified music videos keep a link with the lyrics of a song however the director is more creative and explores and develops the meaning of the song in more depth. The music video might combine narrative and performance or just be largely narrative based. 

The music video for The Scientist by Coldplay is an example of an amplified music video because it shows the lead singing of the band lip-syncing to the song whilst his actions are in reverse. The line ‘lets go back to the start’ is repeated throughout the song and it is therefore suggested that his actions are being played in reverse in order for him to get ‘back to the start’.  

Another example of a music video which follows amplification is Imitation Of Life by R.E.M. This music video features a 20 second shot which is repeated forwards and backwards throughout the whole of the music video. It features various different people and focuses on each person with a range of close-ups on what these people are doing. This is almost to show the ‘imitation of life’.

Contradiction/Disjuncture

A music video that use contradiction/disjuncture intentionally ignores the lyrics and genre of the song and therefore creates a new set of meanings for it. This kind of music video often doesn't make a lot of sense because it doesn't link to the lyrics of the song at all. This is a unconventional way of portraying a music video which makes the video and the artist or band appear unique, experimental and interesting. 

An example of a music video which follow contradiction/disjuncture is Florescent Adolescent by Arctic Monkeys. This music video has no relation to the song and features a fight between various characters wearing clown costumes and suits. 

The music video for Da Funk by Daft Punk also follows contradiction/disjuncture. The video follows a dog walking around a city with his leg in a cast. The music for this video doesn't have any relation to the video.