ResearchAnalysing Music Videos

By Amber Foster

Emeli Sandé: Next To Me

Music Video 1

1. The artist Emeli Sandé is presented as a very down to earth artist who focuses solely on her music and that's what comes across in the video, she isn't wearing outfits which make people look at her she wears simple clothes suggesting she isn't really desiring a visual impact , unlike pop based artists, just a audio one; she's more determined on the importance of people listening to the lyrics. How she is in a empty warehouse with nothing in but her, the instruments she plays and a drummer, furthering the idea she focuses on music rather than visual impacts. When she is laying down on the sofa shows that she is a very laid back artist and this is expressed also through costume choices.

1. How are the band/artist represented?, is this similar across the videos?

2. What exists between the images and the lyrics in the chosen video?

3. What relationship exists between the music and the images?

2. ‘ You’ll find him next to me’ is repeated constantly through out this song, this lyric is usually accompanied by the only other person in the video, the drummer, who is in fact next to her emphasising the lyrics. Additionally, when the two artists are in spotlights the lyrics that accompany this effect are yet again ‘Next to me’ showing that he is both physically next to her but also next to her in personality and talent.

3. The establishing shot shows her walking into the warehouse when there's no music, just her footsteps echoing, the music starts when she starts to play the piano showing that not only can she sing but she can also perform her own songs unlike many artists in different genres. Moreover, the colours used are quite dull and dark but used to a good effect as they are more emotive than gloomy and the only colour is the costume she's wearing and the instruments so the spot lights provide excellent emphasis to both video and the pitch in the chorus.

Music Video 1: LyricsYou won't find him drinking at the tablesrolling dice and staying out til 3you won't ever find him being unfaithfulyou will find him, you'll find him next to meyou won't find him trying to chase the devilfor money, fame, for power, out of griefyou won't ever find him where the rest goyou will find him, you'll find him next to menext to me, oooohnext to me, oooohnext to me, oooohyou will find him, you'll find him next to mewhen the money's spent and all my friends have vanishedand i can't seem to find no help or love for freeI know there's no need for me to paniccause i'll find him, i'll find him next to mewhen the skies are grey and all the doors are closingand the rising pressure makes it hard to breathewell, all i need is a hand to stop the tears from fallingI will find him, I'll find him next to menext to me, oooohnext to me, oooohnext to me, oooohI will find him, I'll find him next to mewhen the end has come and buildings falling down fastwhen we spoilt the land and dried up all the seawhen everyone has lost their heads around usyou will find him, you'll find him next to me

next to me, oooohnext to me, oooohnext to me, oooohyou will find him, you'll find him next to menext to me, oooohnext to me, oooohnext to me, oooohyou will find him, you'll find him next to me

Paloma faith: Picking Up The Pieces

1. How are the band/artist represented?, is this similar across the videos?

2. What exists between the images and the lyrics in the chosen video?

3. What relationship exists between the music and the images?

Music Video 2

1. Firstly, the artist is presented as a two different women, a woman who has just broken up with her lover and the woman he has replaced her with . Paloma Faith and her lover are both exceedingly emotionally unstable and clearly long for each other, yet her lover has found another woman; the other version of her who represents the perfection she lacked. This ‘perfect’ woman is presented as a women who isn't genuine, as instead of relaxing when she is sat on the bed she sits straight suggesting she doesn’t know how to not be perfect its all an act one in which the man ( the lover) can clearly pick up on, explaining his lack of love towards her. Later on in the clip she melts into the chair, suggesting that she was never real just as perfection isn't real; the fact that she melted in the chair suggests the man is still materialistic but is no longer materialistic about women. Her costumes are detailed, complex and look rather uncomfortable which completely contrasts to the other woman, the woman he still loves, who's costumes look cosy, comfortable yet still stylish. The woman who has broken up with her partner is never shot in the house, she is in the garden or in a taxi looking up at her old life, suggesting that she doesn’t want to let go and is just waiting for him to realise there is no such thing as perfection. At the end they both kiss suggesting that the artist believes lovers have blips like this and lessons are learned through them.

2. There are various times when the images on screen relate to the lyrics. Firstly, the clip starts with ‘do you think of her, when you are with me’ relates to what's happening on screen as the man has just stormed out of the car with her to be with his other woman. Additionally, the camera uses shot reverse shot between the image of her on the bench to an expensive looking vintage painting of a man like he's accusing her knows her secrets; whilst at the same time the lyrics are ‘to cover up, all there doubts’. Finally, the video has a vintage look to it with both setting and costume and this creates a certain emotion quirky feel that is also expressed through the lyrics.

3. Both of the images on screen and the music express the quirky nature and personality of the artist . Also how the when the tempo and pitch increase the shots become faster and vice versa, the music also has a gentle quality to it which is also seen in the vintage costumes and rich lavish settings.

Music Video 2: Lyrics

Do you think of herWhen you're with meRepeat the memories you made together Who's face do you see?Do you wish I was a bit more like her? Am I too loud?,I play the clown,To cover up all these doubts.Perfect heart, she's flawlessShe's the other woman,Shining in her splendor,You were lost,Now she's goneAnd I'm picking up the pieces,I watch you cry,But you don't see That I'm the one by your side.Cause she's gone,In her shadow is it me you see?Cause all that's left is you and IAnd I'm picking up the piecesShe left behind

I found a photograph behind the TVYou look so happy, are you missing the way it used be?And I have changed this room more often latelyIt's clear that me and these four wallsStill know it's hers and yoursPerfect heart, she's flawlessShe's the other woman,Shining in her splendor,You were lostNow she's gone,And I'm picking up the piecesI watch you cryBut you don't seeThat I'm the one by your side,Cause she's gone,In her shadow is it me you see?Cause all that's left is you and IAnd I'm picking up the piecesShe left behindAre we liars in denial?Are we smoke without the fire?Tell me please, is this worth itI deserve itCause she's goneAnd I'm picking up the piecesI watch you cryBut you don't see that I'm the one by your sideCause she's gone,In her shadow is it me you see?Cause all that's left is you and IAnd I'm picking up the piecesShe left behind

Jessie J: Who You Are

1. How are the band/artist represented?

2. What exists between the images and the lyrics in the chosen video?

3. What relationship exists between the music and the images?

Music Video 3

1. Firstly, the artist Jessie J is presented in this video as a character who is under great emotional stress and is clearly battling for her identity against what societies deems an ‘ok’ identity, which is why the lyrics state ‘Its okay not to be okay’ conveying the idea that she has come to terms with the fact that she isn't what society calls ‘normal’ and she is proud of it and by the end of the video relishes in it. This contrasts with her previous pop genre videos as she shows some in-depth emotion as the lyrics state: "I stare at my reflection in the mirror. Why am I doing this to myself? “

2. The lyrics which starts the video are ‘I stare at my reflection in the mirror’ the image on screen is Jessie J sitting in a chair with a simple setting, she is central with a media close up like she is looking in a mirror and this is what she's seeing; showing the intimacy and conveying that these are her emotions and she being upfront about the, confronting society.

3. In this video the music is quite sad, low it pitch and emotive, and this is conveyed through the images and colour on screen, as the colours are drained and quite dark. Additionally, the cuts used in the music video are relatively slow, there is a extended shot at the beginning where there are no cuts for roughly 30 seconds, when the tempo increases the shots increase to match the rythem showing her emotional distress and revelation.

Music Video 3: Lyrics

I stare at my reflection in the mirror:"Why am I doing this to myself?"Losing my mind on a tiny error,I nearly left the real me on the shelf.No, no, no, no, no...

Don't lose who you are in the blur of the stars!Seeing is deceiving, dreaming is believing,It's okay not to be okay.Sometimes it's hard to follow your heart.Tears don't mean you're losing, everybody's bruising,Just be true to who you are!(who you are [x11])

Brushing my hair, do I look perfect?I forgot what to do to fit the mold, yeah!The more I try the less it's working, yeah'Cause everything inside me screamsNo, no, no, no, no...

Don't lose who you are in the blur of the stars!Seeing is deceiving, dreaming is believing,It's okay not to be okay.Sometimes it's hard to follow your heart.But tears don't mean you're losing, everybody's bruising,There's nothing wrong with who you are!

Yes, no's, egos, fake shows, like WHOA!Just go, and leave me alone!Real talk, real life, good love, goodnight,With a smile, that's my home!That's my home, no...

No, no, no, no, no...Don't lose who you are in the blur of the stars!Seeing is deceiving, dreaming is believing,It's okay not to be okay...Sometimes it's hard to follow your heart.Tears don't mean you're losing, everybody's bruising,Just be true to who you are!Yeah yeah yeah

Is there and common features in the music videos?

There are various common features that are found through out the music videos that I have analysed and researched, they are as follows:

•The use of colour: Usually, the colours are dulled but not this does not necessarily mean that they are boring, they show an emotional struggle so therefore should be relatively dark as they convey how the artist is both presented and affects the visual impact on the audience; for instance if the colour was bright and vibrant it wouldn’t fit with the tone, lyrics and feel of the song.

•Minimalism: Both videos, ‘Who you are’ and ‘Next to me’ are relatively simple and only rely of visual effects rarely, unlike ‘Picking up the pieces’ which tells a story and uses intricate dated costumes and props to authenticate it. This use of visual minimalism allows the audience to be interested in the music video yet makes the audience listen to the music rather than completely concentrate on the video.

•Lyrics: The lyrics match, on some occasions, to the images shown in the video, usually this applies to the chorus in all three videos: ‘Next to me’, ‘Picking up the pieces’ and ‘Who you are’.