Eminem - When I'm Gone
This is a good example of how Goodwin's theory can be used to analyze music videos. He says that a lyrics and music can either illustrate, amplify or contradict the music video.
The first example of illustration is a 1:18, the line is "Literally give a arm for" then Eminem shows his arm which has a tattoo of his daughter Hayley, which signifies how much he would give for his daughter.
From 1.33 the relationship between the daughter and protagonist which is described in the lyrics, is shown in the narrative of the video. It shows how their bond has become stretched due to Hayley's mum being gone (possibly due to rehab) and Eminem having to go on planes to perform to his fans.
1.46 "This song ain't gonna write itself" where there is a close up of the paper where the lyrics literally write themselves, in other words the video contradicts the lyrics. This could signify that he could give up more time to his daughter.
2.49, "She's piling boxes in front of the door trying to block it" the video illustrates the lyrics again where Hayley puts boxes in front of the door, where you can see bright lights coming through the holes and cracks in the box wall that Hayley's made. This shows that the way to the door leads Eminem to his stardom and success but Hayley can't understand why he has to leave.
3.15, "Just as I walk out my bedroom door it turns to stage, they're gone, the spotlight is on", the video once again does exactly what the lyrics says, this signifies that he is on stage pretty much whenever he steps outside the sanctuary of his own house.
4.52, Eminem has just seen his daughter in the crowd and has realized that he is in the wrong. Hayley lip sings along to the lyrics Eminem is rapping to, illustrating that it is Hayley speaking. The line "They're throwing roses at my feet", is shown in the video, which signifies how literal the lyrics are showing his life. Eminem is now wearing just a cap and a jacket, he looks into a mirror and see's himself wearing the suit in the reflection. He punches mirror, shattering it, whilst you hear a gunshot, illustrating that he is leaving the rapping part of his life behind him.
The way that the video here can be analyzed by Goodwin's theory is that the video illustrates pretty much all of the lyrics of the song. It shows how difficult it has become for him to equally share time with his family along with his rapping career.
The way that the video here can be analyzed by Goodwin's theory is that the video illustrates pretty much all of the lyrics of the song. It shows how difficult it has become for him to equally share time with his family along with his rapping career.
