In the 1980s, a period that saw a huge increase in the number of music videos being produced thanks to the creation of MTV in 1981, Fleetwood Mac began to produce music videos for their new album 'Tango in the Night', the last album to be recorded by the 'Rumours' lie-up of which 'Songbird' was from. This video of 'Little Lies' enhances the genre of rock but with country influence that is present throughout all of Fleetwood Mac's music.
Firstly, the video features many shots of the band playing the music within the scene, a feature that is common within rock videos, with many from the period being video's shot from a live show- a feature that is still common today. However, by placing the band in a barn, whilst using many typical props of a country life such as hay barrels and a horse, emphasises the country influences the music has. To add to this, the costumes each member of the band are wearing also represent this sense of country influence, whilst having enough of an edge to it that represents the rock genre as well.
There are many close-ups of each band member within this video, a typical convention of any genre of music video, whilst also proving Goodwin's idea's about music videos. These close-ups convey the emotion on each of the band members faces in relation to the song being played. However, these close-ups also draw the viewer into the video and each member of the band, making then feel the need to stick with the video til the end and then with the band. These close-ups also convey the sense of star persona for the band, another of Goodwin's ideas.
This video uses a lot of post-production editing in the sense that many shots are changed from 'normal' into what can be considered as a cartoon style in black and white, like that in the A-Ha's video 'Take on Me'. This post-production edit is used continuously throughout the video in varying moments, providing an interest point for the video as it differs to what is conventionally done in rock videos, whilst also emphasising the country feel the video portrays. To add to this, the post-production editing also indicates a older feel, like time is passing on, something which is reflected in the lyrics.
Goodwin's idea of the relationship between the music and visuals is very prominent within the video. Many edits happen on the beat and in regards to the lyrics, for example the use of jump cuts on the line "Tell me, tell me, tell me lies". To add to this, the link between the lyrics and visuals is also present such as the line "No more broken hearts" is coupled with a shot of one of the members of the band clutching his guitar towards his chest in a protective manner. These two points prove that Goodwin's idea's are present within any music video regardless of the conventions of the genre.
The convention of voyeurism is also very prominent within this video with many shots being tracking shots following the members of the band around the setting. A good example of this is when the camera follows the band members through the slates of a wooden barn wall. This enhances the feeling that the viewer is following the band in quite a secretive way, suggesting that they are true fans of the band. To enhance this even more, this shot is coupled with many jump cuts that also change each member. Although jump cuts are meant to disorientate the viewer, the use within this shot, and in fact within the video, makes the viewer feel closer to the band as they constantly cut to other members of the band. In addition to this, shots of each member are faded in and out of the scene, which on one level emphasises the point above, but also reflects the songs message.
To conclude, this video conforms to the typical rock video conventions such as the shots of the band playing together and separately. These are added to by the presence of some of Goodwin's ideas such as the enhanced sense of voyeurism and the link between lyrics, music and visuals. The use of editing both in the sense of cuts and special effects, adds to the video as it reflects both the genre of the song and the meaning behind the lyrics.
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