Goodwin's Theory: Lykke Li 'Get Some'

Whilst researching for our music video, we thought it would be helpful to look into Andrew Goodwin's six point theory on music videos. I have researched 2 music videos and analysed them according to his six points.


1. Music videos demonstrate genre characteristics (e.g. stage performance in metal video, dance routine for boy/girl band).

Lykke Li is an ‘indie’ artist and her video conforms to the idea that majority of indie artists have very simplistic videos. Lykke Li is the only character who features in the video. The video, though simple, is very stylistic and stands out from the regular ‘indie’ videos. Her music is also in the category of ‘pop’ and the video does not quite conform to the stereotypical pop videos. It is filmed in black and white and the overall feel of the video is quite grungy and dark – even the lyrics, although they sound very ‘poppy’ are not upbeat at all. Her attire is also very gothic, which adds that element to the video. The subject matter is actually quite dark in comparison to most pop songs, as the main focus of the song is actually prostitution.

2. There is a relationship between lyrics and visuals (either illustrative, amplifying, contradicting).

When Lykke Li sings ‘I’m your prostitute, you gon’ get some’, she provocatively grabs her crotch.

When she sings ‘like a shotgun needs an outcome’ she makes a gun gesture with her hand.

When she sings ‘go ahead go way low’ she gets down low.

3. There is a relationship between music and visuals (either illustrative, amplifying, contradicting).

The music begins with some booming drum beats as Lykke Li stomps to her microphone, almost commoting her footsteps.

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).

Being a lesser known artist, close ups are especially important. Lykke Li’s video ‘Get Some’ features lots of close ups and extreme close ups of her face. The more the audience see her face, the more recognizable she will be. Close ups of the artist make their emotions very clear to see, and Lykke Li looks very passionate and serious throughout the video which could show how seriously she takes her music/career. She also wears very little eye makeup, but that which she is wearing makes her eyes look huge and drastically stand out – this almost contrasts to the content of the song, in which the artist sings ‘I’m your prostitute’, the artist is very under-made up, not generally a characteristic of a prostitute.  Lykke Li is also the only actual character to feature in the video, again being a less popular artist this helps the audience become more familiarized with her.

5. There is frequently reference to notion of looking (screens within screens, telescopes, etc) and particularly voyeuristic treatment of the female body.

Lykke Li stands infront of a large screen displaying images of women  dressed quite scantily clad and looking very sexual, but also all of the footage seems to have the same theme of cavemen/women and almost very animalistic acting from the men. I say animalistic as nearly every clip with a male in seems to involve him dominantly handling a woman. Lykke Li herself is dressed in very little, but her clothing is very similar to that of tribalware, with the large gold necklaces, unitard and various over-the-top jewellery. Throughout the video a kaleidoscope affect is used, which gives off a very disorientated, confused effect.

6. There is often intertextual reference (to films, tv programmes, other music videos etc).

The background footage I forementioned are very similar to the old ‘B’ movies. I say this as they seem quite cheaply shot, with grainy editing and very classically beautiful people, aswell as showing lots of ‘damsels in distress’. This could be seen as an intertextual reference as Lykke Li is showing that women have always been dominated; however her lyrics contrast to this as she is the one in control, the one with the power.

LYRICS

Don't pull your pants before I go down
Don't turn away, this is my timeDon't make demands, I don't take none
Just say a prayer that it gon' get done
Don't pull your pants before I go down
Don't turn away, this is my time
Like a shotgun needs an outcome
I'm your prostitute, you gon' get some
Like a shotgun needs an outcome
I'm your prostitute, you gon' get some

Go ahead, go way low, where I can do no harm
Go ahead, go way low in my honey lovin' arms
Go ahead, go way low, where I can do no wrong
Got you around my finger like a lonely lover's charm (like a lonely lover's charm)

And 'cause I can go, I'm gon' go west
Just like a man, I'm the fortress
Like a shotgun, I can't be outdone
I'm your prostitute, you gon' get some
Like a shotgun needs an outcome
I'm your prostitute, you gon' get some

Go ahead, go way low, where I can do no harm
Go ahead, go way low in my honey lovin' arms
Go ahead, go way low, where I can do no wrong
Got you around my finger like a lonely lover's charm

Go ahead, go
Go ahead, go
Go ahead, go
Go ahead, go
Go ahead, go!
Go ahead, go
Go ahead
Eh!

Go ahead, go way low, where I can do no harm
Go ahead, go way low in my honey lovin' arms
Go ahead, go way low, where I can do no wrong
Got you around my finger like a lonely lover's charm (like a lonely lover's charm)
Like a lonely lover's charm