Girlfriend - Avril Lavigne

Song: Girlfriend

Artist: Avril Lavigne

Year of release: 2006
Director: The Malloys

Genre: pop, punk pop

Characteristics: pitch and putt, dodgem cars, photo booth, school toilets, Avril playing three different characters, teenage, live band, geeks and Goths.

Relationship between lyrics and visuals: this music video has the largest link to the lyrics to visuals than any other music videos I have deconstructed. Most of the song lyrics link visually to the music video is some way or another. E.g. ‘hey hey, you you, I don’t like your girlfriend’ is paired with an image of Avril dressed as one of her characters grabbing the attention of the protagonist male and ignoring his ‘geek’ girlfriend who appears shocked. (The ‘geek’ female character is also played by Avril in a ginger wig). Also the lyric ‘I could be your girlfriend’ is paired with Avril grabbing and playing with the male characters shirt in a playful and provocative manner. Avril mimes a lot of the words to her song to the male character. Such as her miming ‘No it’s not a secret’ and then putting her finger to her lips. This makes the lyrics and visuals tie together nicely.

Relationship Between music and visuals: the song doesn’t begin in the music video until Avril kicks the male characters leg and he and his girlfriend both turn around. This focuses the audience’s attention on the Goth character and how she is trying to seduce the male character. When the electric guitars begin the play the visuals are matched with Avril and her band members playing guitars, on what appears to be a stage with a back drop. The drums and guitars that are being played are also matched with jump cuts of the band members and Avril playing on the stage.

Close ups of artist: the music video has certain close-ups of Avril playing herself with her long blonde extensions and fishnet tights. Other close-ups include Avril playing her different characters the close-ups are mainly used to show the characters facial expressions.

Narrative and performance based: this music video tells a story that is explained through characters Avril plays. The story is about a girl who likes a boy who has a girlfriend. This girlfriend doesn’t have much in common with the male and the story explains that actually the girl who likes the boy has much more in common with him than his current ‘geeky’ and snooty girlfriend. The music video is also performance based as it includes Avril playing her guitar with a live band on a stage. Other performance elements include the locations and the actions of the characters.

Youtube hits: 160 million!