Hey Ya! - OutKast

Song: Hey Ya!
Artist: OutKast
Year of release: 2003
Director: Raymond Wilkins
 
Genre: alternative hip hop, funk


Characteristics: Live crowd, green, stage, live band, screaming women, 70s, black and white TV
 
Relationship between lyrics and visuals: the lyrics talk about Andre and about the girl he wants to be in a relationship with but she doesn’t feel the same. The music video focuses on Andre and the multiples of himself performing a concert to a screaming crowd of women. The women are running on to the stage, fainting and going crazy to see OutKast.
 
Relationship between music and visuals: the music is quite simple and contains an electric guitar, piano and drum kit. There is no edited music and sounds simple which is also reflected in the video, as it is simply eight versions of Andre playing instruments on stage. The loud screaming of girls is playing constantly through the song to get the effect that the performance is live. This drowns out some of the music. Whenever there is clapping in the song, there is also clapping on stage rhythmically with the band playing instruments.  
 
Close up of artist: there are a couple close ups of the different versions of Andre playing the different band member characters that mainly just show him singing and performing.


Intertexual references: Andre performed the music video in comparisons to The Beatles by mimicking their 1964 performance on The Ed Sullivan Show.  
 
Concept based: as the band mimickers The Beatles performance of The Ed Sullivan Show the video is mainly concept driven, and has taken the idea of someone else and made it their own.












Youtube hits: 12 million

Sound Of The Underground - Girls Aloud

Song: Sound of the underground

Artist: Girls aloud

Year of release: 2003

 

Genre: Pop, dance pop

Characteristics: Dark, electric guitars, cage, underground train platform, un-glamouress, crop tops and heavy make up.

 

Relationship between lyrics and visuals: the chorus ‘sound of the underground’ is the main aspect to the music video, as the band members all sing in a grotty underground train station. The metal cage the band members are singing in throughout the music video also portrays the dull, dark and neglected area the underground train station is. ‘waters running in the wrong direction’ lyric is portrayed in the music video through water dripping off a dirty light bulb in reverse from the underground station.  

 

Relationship between music and visuals: the song starts with electric guitars and then the tempo and the beat increases, and becomes more sharp and edgy. The visuals to the music video match up to the sharp and fast beat of the song as the band members are collectively singing in what appears a dark and dreary cage in a underground tunnel. The drum beat slows down whilst the girls sing the verses around different parts of the underground and the beat then picks up again when they sing the chorus in their cage.

 

Close up of artists: there is no major close ups of the artists as the main type of shop is a medium shot with the girls torso included in the shot. The only major close up in the entire video is that of the light bulb dripping water, which focuses on the lyric, waters running in the wrong direction.

 

Performance based: as there is no real plot or concept to this video, it is mainly performance based. This is because the girls are performing in a dirty underground station, in black and cheap looking clothing. Along with their heavy, dark eye makeup, the whole image is portrayed of the band as being quite dark, sexy and mysterious. The whole music video contrasts highly with other female groups videos, as the norm is very glamouress and perfect, which this video is not.

Youtube hits: 1 million

5, 6, 7, 8 - Steps

Song: 5, 6, 7, 8

Artist: Steps

Year of release: 1997

 

Genre: pop

Characteristics:  Sun, beach, America, swimwear, quad bikes, holiday, sand, bar, dance routines, simple dance moves

Relationship between lyrics and visuals: the girls in the pop sing about their dream man they have met and how much they want to be with him, whilst they dance in synch to obviously rehearsed dance routine. These dance moves are very simple and are nothing harder than an average person could perform. When the male singer begins his verse some of the lyrics match the clips from the video, such as ‘hands clapping’ and ‘body spinning’. Other wise the video mainly consists of male and female band members dancing on a beach and having a good time.

 

Relationship between music and visuals: the music to the song sounds very western with the violins playing in an old fashioned way. This ties in well with the lyric ‘obsession for a western’. The beat is fast with a high tempo which works well as the men and women are travelling to the beach.  The music is very easy to dance to, and is simple and allows the video to focus mainly on dance routines and teenagers having fun on the beach. The same beat continues for the whole song.

 

Close up of artist: there are multiple close ups of the different performers in the band. The same style of close up is used, where the camera focuses in on the singers singing. There are no male close ups which shows that the close ups are just focusing on the females beauty rather than the males.

 

Performance based: there is no storyline to this video and is simply just male and female friends/couples having fun on holiday, enjoying the sunny beach in America and doing whatever they want. The rehearsed dance routines that are constantly used add to the performance.

Youtube views: 661 thousand

Scream - Michael Jackson

Song: Scream
Artist: Michael and Janet Jackson
Year of release: 1995
Director: Mark Romanek
 
Genre: R&B, pop


Characteristics: Black and white, manga, space ship, studs, black PVC, artwork, sculptures
 
Relationship between lyrics and visuals: the lyrics at the start of the video are quite angry and powerful, which is reflected in Michael and Janet’s facial expressions and body movements especially when Michael sings ‘these lies are disgusting’. When Michael sings about confusion the video is edited to make the viewer feel confused, with the rotating camera lens and Janet and Michael walking up the walls, and lying on the ceiling etc. ‘you make me wanna scream’ lyrics is visualised in the video by Janet and Michael clasping their hands over their ears screaming. An edited shake on the clip makes the clip seem even more confusing.
 
Relationship between music and visuals: the start of the music video begins with the sound of buzzing electrics, fusing of technical equipment and a high pitched sound like the boiling of a kettle. The visuals in the music video match this sound as the space ship is switching on and all the electrics are beginning to start. As the beat to the song picks up Michael and Janet start dancing around the crazy, white space ship. The screaming sounds reflect on how strange the music video is, with Michael running up walls and dancing on ceilings. The music gets much more quite and Janet whispers her words as Michael sits on a mat doing yoga.
 
Close up of artists: there are close ups of Michael and Janet at different points in the video. Such as when they are sat in the space ships pods at different points during the video.

Performance based: Michael and Janet Jackson are dancing around an extravagant spaceship. Their dance moves reflect their crazy behaviour. The spaceship includes a gallery which contains very famous and expensive pieces of work and sculptures by famous artists. This is one of the main reasons this music video is one of the most expensive of all time. The music video ends with the two going crazy and screaming because of the weirdness of the spaceship with reflects their crazy lives.

 

Youtube hits: 21 million

Better Off Alone - Alice DeeJay

Song: Better Off Alone
Artist: Alice DeeJay
Year of release: 1999


 


Genre: electronic dance music


Characteristics: Dessert, heat, rocks, sun, Middle East, car breakdown, mirage, dizziness, protagonist male


Relationship between lyrics and visuals: the song doesn’t have many lyrics as it is from the dance genre. So the few lyrics are mainly repeated throughout the song. A woman singes ‘don’t you think you’re better off alone’ and the video displays jump cuts from a man lost in a dessert and a woman sitting at home looking remorseful. The man in the desert looks very small compared with the vast quantities of dessert, which makes him look even lonelier. When the woman sings ‘talk to me’ the lost man in the desert looks like he can hear the voice and is looking to respond, so he can talk to the woman.

 Relationship between music and visuals: the song mainly has a techno beat and so contains very few lyrics. The beat of the music is faced paced and has a feel of movement to it. Which works well with the video as the male is travelling in his safari land drover, when the car breaks down the beat changes to a slower paced beat which reflects the males’ mood. The beat changes again as the man walks alone into the desert. The beat is fast paced again, like it was before when he was travelling in the car.
 
Close up of artist: there are a few close ups of the artist but mainly only shows half of her face, the back of her head, or her hands. You never clearly see the artists face which leaves a mystery to the viewer.
 
Narrative based: as the man wonders through the desert lost and alone, there are close ups of his broken dog tag necklace. As the mysterious female sits at home she holds the other half to the dog tag lovingly in her hands. As the man feels dizzier he hallucinates himself and this other woman kissing, holding each other. This confirms that at some point these two were in a relationship. The broken dog tag is meant to be significant in the video, as a broken dog tag on a man represents that they have died and the other half is returned to that persons family or partner. So in fact the man in the video is dead and is remembering him and his lover, and the mysterious woman was mourning him.

Youtube hits: 9 million

California Gurls - Katy Perry

Song: California Gurls
Artist: Katy Perry
Year of release: 2010
Director: Matthew Cullen
 
Genre: electro pop


Characteristics: Quirky, sexy, colourful, wigs, sweetie inspired, bright, candy, plastic.



Relationship between lyrics and visuals: The song is about the life of California girls and how perfect and easy their lives are. The backup dancers are portraying California girls, as how they are described in the song, as being toned, tanned, skinny and attractive. Outfits reflect the lyrics. E.g. daisy dukes, bikini tops.



Relationship between music and visuals: the music to the song is very upbeat, girly, pop and simple. This sickly sweet music is matched perfectly with the music video of Katy Perry running around a candy land, dressed in a candy costume, trying to save her friends who are captured by candy. The song slows down a pace as Katy starts saving her candy wearing friends, and then speeds up again when she has found them all.
 
Close up of artist: there are many close-ups of Katy showing her bright, colourful and heavily made-up appearance, then a lot of medium close-ups showing of her and the backup dancer’s costumes. The costumes to the music video are all inspired by sweets and are seen as childish and innocent, but are also provocative and revealing to attract male attention.




Designs: Will Cotton originally designed and drew the idea of a women lying in cotton candy clouds. Katy Perry then used this idea for her music video, and also for the design for her font cover of her album.



Narrative based: Katy Perry is trapped inside a candy board game, and is being controlled by Snoop Dog, who is the player of the game. Katy is walking around this candy world and has to save the girls trapped in the land by the candy to compete the game. Girls are trapped within jelly, bubble gum balls, and chocolate wrappers. When Katy has saved all the girls she must defeat Snoop Dog and his army of evil gummy bears. In the end she does so, and the California girls live happily ever after.
 

Youtube hits: 26 million

Bad Romance - Lady Gaga

Song: Bad Romance
Artist: Lady Gaga
Year of release: 2009
Director: Francis Lawrence
 
Genre: Pop


Characteristics:  Strange, eccentric outfits such as: monster-like outfits with long spiky head pieces and tight white PVC, Gaga being dressed as a mental patient in a vinyl, see through outfit, Gaga’s naked, distorted body looks as though it is meant to be that of a monster.

 

Relationship between lyrics and visuals:  lyrically the song does not have much relevance to the video. The song describes of what seems someone who is in love with their friend, which creates a difficult relationship ‘bad romance’. Whilst the music video was said to be inspired by Gaga’s paranoia she experienced whilst touring the globe. The only aspect that could be seen as relevant is that at the end of the video, when Gaga finds the man she loves sitting on a white bed and try’s to seduce him. Otherwise other aspects of the video seem to have no relevance to the lyrics. E.g. Gaga being forced to drink spirits out of a glass goblet by two women wearing vinyl, whilst she is sat in a bathtub.

 

Relationship between music and visuals: The strange, creepy music reflects the video is aspects such as Gaga and backing dancers emerging from coffins in monster outfits. The odd and weird parts of the song reflect some of Gaga’s contorted dance moves and hand and arm movements.  The louder and angrier parts of the song such as the ‘rah, rah, ah, ah, ah’ also have angrier dance moves to match. This includes Gaga forcefully having her coat removed by backing dancers to reveal her revealing, crystal outfit.

 

Close up of artist: Certain shots of Lady Gaga are a close-up shot, whilst most shots remain medium close-ups to show the viewer her extravagant outfits. The close ups of Gaga are limited to those in which she is portraying strong, facial emotions and is wearing minimal make-up compared with the rest of her costumes. This makes the viewer focus on her human side, which appears to be quite venerable.

 

Intertextual references: The song contains elements of the music from the 1980s and 1990s and influences of German house- techno music, and was described by Gaga as a pop experimental record.

 

Performance, narrative, concept: the Bad Romance video contains all three of these aspects. The video contains performance aspects as Gaga’s crazy costumes and outfits and distorted dance moves are all performing. The narrative aspect of the video is that Gaga tells different stories within her video, one of her trying to explain through her crazy concepts about the way she felt on her tour around the world. The concept idea of her video was that of the symbolic plot to the video, which received great compliments from critics.

 

Youtube hits: 411 million!

Umbrella - Rihanna

Song: Umbrella
Artist: Rihanna
Year of release: 2007
Director: Chris Applebaum
 
Genre: contemporary R&B and hip hop


Characteristics: Short, black, latex, revealing outfits worn by dancers and Rihanna. Dark, metalic, smoky, sexy make-up. Props include umbrellas, PVC fingerless gloves, ballet shoes.

 

Relationship between lyrics and visuals: quite clearly a link between umbrellas in the video and in the lyrics. Lyrically it refers to a romantic and platonic relationship and the strength of that relationship; this is shown through her sensual dancing. Rihanna sings about rain whilst rain is pouring, edited sparks, glitter falling like rain, edited pools of water move with Rihanna whilst she dances. E.g she flicks the water of her body and her hair, avoids waves of water.

 

Relationship between music and visuals: the music is synchronised well with the choreography and the special effects of the video. E.g. flicks of water and dance movements are edited well with the beat of the song. 

 

Close up of artist: large amount of close ups on Rihanna’s face and body which focuses in on the stars sex appeal. The camera pans her body which also focuses on her revealing outfit.

 

Performance based: Rihanna is dancing and wearing revealing costumes which attract attention to her performance. The music video includes edited splashes of water to the R&B singer dancing which adds more interest to the video, making it more entertaining. 

 

Youtube hits: 43 million

Lady Gaga controversial and crazy

 Lady Gaga is well known for causing controversy in the public eye, mainly for her outrageous and revealing outfits. The items of clothing the pop star wears causes a buzz in the media, as she remains the most talked about and the most easily noticed person by the messages her outfits seem to portray.

Lady Gaga has a whole wardrobe full of crazy and shocking garments, and has managed to take the fashion world by storm as well as the music industry.

Here are some of the most controversial and talked about outfits that Gaga has worn to get her noticed in the media:

 

One of the most controversial Lady Gaga statement outfits was that of her meat dress, worn at the MTV Music Video Awards 2010. The dress was hand sewn, made from layers of Argentinean meat.

 

 Gaga wore the outfit, which was designed by Franc Fernandez and Nichola Formichetti, during her acceptance for best video of the year, for Bad Romance. Gaga later told US talk show host Ellen DeGeneres that the dress had "many interpretations". She said: "If we don't stand up for what we believe in, and if we don't fight for our rights, pretty soon we're going to have as much rights as the meat on our own bones. And, I am not a piece of meat."

Another eccentric dress that Gaga wore was rumoured to be inspired by Giorgio Armani. Gaga wore the dress to the Grammy Awards, which looked like it was a planet of its own. The outfit included a silver planetary-orbit-style-dress accessorised with a pointy chandelier and yellow hair. The outfit also included the singer and fashion icon wearing heelless, platform, crystal studded shoes, which made the creation even more bizarre.