1. David Bowie: Life on Mars? (1971)
Link; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v--IqqusnNQ
Lyrics:
It's a God-awful small affair
To the girl with the mousy hair
But her mummy is yelling no
And her daddy has told her to go
But her friend is nowhere to be seen
Now she walks through her sunken dream
To the seat with the clearest view
And she's hooked to the silver screen
But the film is a saddening bore
For she's lived it ten times or more
She could spit in the eyes of fools
As they ask her to focus on
Sailors fighting in the dance hall
Oh man, look at those cavemen go
It's the freakiest show
Take a look at the lawman
Beating up the wrong guy
Oh man, wonder if he'll ever know
He's in the best selling show
Is there life on Mars?
It's on America's tortured brow
That Mickey Mouse has grown up a cow
Now the workers have struck for fame
'Cause Lennon's on sale again
See the mice in their million hordes
From Ibiza to the Norfolk Broads
Rule Britannia is out of bounds
To my mother, my dog, and clowns
But the film is a saddening bore
'Cause I wrote it ten times or more
It's about to be writ again
As I ask you to focus on
Sailors fighting in the dance hall
Oh man, look at those cavemen go
It's the freakiest show
Take a look at the lawman
Beating up the wrong guy
Oh man, wonder if he'll ever know
He's in the best selling show
Is there life on Mars?
The music video for the glam rock song "Life on Mars?" is made in a way so that it matches its abstract lyrics. It also only features David Bowie in front of a white background all the way through.
Representation: Bowie is the only person in the entire video. He wears a blue suit with lots of makeup, including hair dye, making his face white and eye makeup. This is used to make him look androgynous and fit within the surreal nature of the song. He doesn't use much hand gestures except on a few occasions (such as the third picture).
Audience Aspirations/Expectations: What the audience would expect to see depends on whether one knows David Bowie and the genre or not. If they do the video wouldn't be that surprising for them, however if they only made expectations based on the song title it would not be what actually happens in the video which has no visuals that actually match the title.
Target Audience: I would say that the primary target audience would be teenagers however the connotations suggest that it is aimed at all ages with no particular gender or race. I think that it would be aimed at those who come from a working class background due to some of its lyrics.
Camera Shots: The video makes use of medium shots, close-ups, extreme close-ups (see the first image) and aerial shots with a zoom (third image). One particular example is an extreme close-up of Bowie's eyes with camera moving to see his face again.
Codes and Conventions: "Life on Mars?" is a glam rock song and it does follow the codes and conventions of the genre. This is because glam rock is described as being performed by musicians who wore outrageous costumes, makeup, and hairstyles, particularly platform shoes and glitter which does fit with what how Bowie is represented in the video.
Modes of Address: Throughout almost the entire song, except for when the camera is in a position where it's impossible, Bowie makes direct eye contact with the camera the whole time. The reason for this is because it gives the impression that he is directly communicating with us.
Institutions: Filmed by Mick Rock.
Context: This video was released in 1971 when music videos weren't all that common and were usually simple. This fits with this video as it only feature Bowie in front of a white background.
Narrative: The lyrics and video are intentionally surreal and the narrative could vary depending on who is watching however Bowie himself said that the song is about "A sensitive young girl's reaction to the media." and that "I think she finds herself disappointed with reality... that although she's living in the doldrums of reality, she's being told that there's a far greater life somewhere, and she's bitterly disappointed that she doesn't have access to it."
Conclusion: I find this song and video to be very successful as this song is what got me interested in David Bowie and although the video is weird, it has a strangely hypnotic feel to it that grew on me very quickly.
2. The Jam: Going Underground (1980)
Link; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AE1ct5yEuVY
Lyrics:
Some people might say my life is in a rut
But I'm quite happy with what I got
People might say that I should strive for more
But I'm so happy I can't see the point
Somethings happening here today
A show of strength with your boys brigade
And I'm so happy and you're so kind
You want more money of course I don't mind
To buy nuclear textbooks for atomic crimes
And the public gets what the public wants
But I want nothing this society's got
I'm going underground (going underground)
Well the brass bands play and feet start to pound
Going underground (going underground)
Well let the boys all sing and the boys all shout for tomorrow
Some people might get some pleasure out of hate
Me, I've enough already on my plate
People might need some tension to relax
Me, I'm too busy dodging between the flak
What you see is what you get
You've made your bed, you better lie in it
You choose your leaders and place your trust
As their lies wash you down and their promises rust
You'll see kidney machines replaced by rockets and guns
And the public wants what the public gets
But I don't get what this society wants
I'm going underground (going underground)
Well the brass bands play and feet start to pound
Going underground (going underground)
So let the boys all sing and the boys all shout for tomorrow
We talk and talk until my head explodes
I turn on the news and my body froze
The braying sheep on my TV screen
Make this boy shout, make this boy scream!
Going underground
Going underground!
I'm going underground!
I'm going underground!
These braying sheep on my TV screen
Make this boy shout, make this boy scream!
Going underground (going underground)
Well, let the brass bands play and feet start to pound
Going underground (going underground)
Well, let the boys all sing and let the boys all shout
Going underground (going underground)
Well, let the brass bands play and feet go pow, pow, pow
Going underground (going underground)
So let the boys all sing and let the boys all shout for tomorrow
Representation: Despite being a punk rock band, The Jam have always worn smartly tailored suits rather than ripped clothes that is normal with these bands. This makes them come across as more civil although the do have an aggressive nature to them. They are in front of a white background, possibly to make the audience focus more on the band. Occasionally, they use clips of a nuclear bomb and pictures of former Prime Ministers to represent what the lyrics.
Audience Aspirations/Expectations:
Target Audience: The main target audience for this music video would be teenagers and over of the working class who had been affected by the government's decisions.
Camera Shots: The main shots used are master shots in order to see the whole band and medium shots when it focuses on the singer Paul Weller.
Codes and Conventions: The codes of conventions of punk bands is that their songs are short or fast-paced, with hard-edged melodies and singing styles, stripped-down instrumentation, and often political, anti-establishment lyrics. This means that "Going Underground" does follow the standard codes and conventions of punk rock music.
Modes of Address:
Institutions:
Context: This video was made in 1980. By this point music videos had become more common place which is shown that while it still mainly features a white background, it is more creative then "Life on Mars" as it flashes to different images.
Narrative: "Going Underground" was made in 1980 during the time Margaret Thatcher was Prime Minister, the narrative talks about how they "Want nothing this society's got" and how politicians lie and that "Their promises rust" and that they are making the country worse. This song can be interpreted as Paul Weller's angry outcry against the British Conservative government. In particular of the government's policy on arms in which they seemed to be keener on spending taxpayer’s money on a nuclear arsenal rather than beneficial government programs.
Conclusion: I do find this to be a successful music video as it is able to get across its message with symbolism without it going overboard as the majority of the video is the band together which fits within the standard of music videos of the time.
3. Judas Priest: Breaking the Law (1980)
Link; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L397TWLwrUU
Lyrics:
There I was completely wasted, out of work and down
All inside it's so frustrating as I drift from town to town
Feel as though nobody cares if I live or die
So I might as well begin to put some action in my life
Breaking the law, breaking the law
Breaking the law, breaking the law
Breaking the law, breaking the law
Breaking the law, breaking the law
So much for the golden future I can't even start
I've had every promise broken, there's anger in my heart
You don't know what it's like, you don't have a clue
If you did you'd find yourselves doing the same thing too
Breaking the law, breaking the law
Breaking the law, breaking the law
Breaking the law, breaking the law
Breaking the law, breaking the law
You don't know what it's like
Breaking the law, breaking the law
Breaking the law, breaking the law
Breaking the law, breaking the law
Breaking the law, breaking the law
Breaking the law, breaking the law
Breaking the law, breaking the law
Breaking the law, breaking the law
Breaking the law, breaking the law
Representation: The band in the song are portrayed as criminals but also in a sympathetic light as they are doing this because it is necessary. They all wear black that gives off an impression of aggressiveness. The mise-en-scene is that the video uses actual locations in order to show what the lyrics are talking about.
Audience Aspirations/Expectations: The video and lyrics would match what the audience would expect from the title "Breaking the Law".
Target Audience: The main target audience are heavy metal fans who are in their teens and over. This song would attract working class workers over its narrative.
Camera Shots: This video uses multiple low angles which would have been quite innovative at the time.
Codes and Conventions: This song does follow codes and conventions of a heavy metal song as it does have loud music and an aggressive nature to it.
Modes of Address: The lead singer doesn't make direct eye contact with the camera.
Institutions: Directed by Julien Temple.
Context: This video is unique for the time as it actually uses locations for the filming instead of the typical white screen in a studio.
Narrative: The lyrics and video tell that someone has hit rock bottom in their life - out of work, unable to find work, frustrated, feeling that nobody cares if they live or die, eventually turning to crime for survival.
Conclusion: I do like this song because of it having very simplistic lyrics the music playing and the way it is sung does give it a lot of passion which is what makes it memorable. The video is unique among those of the time as it uses actual locations instead of filming in front of a blank background, this gives it a unique feel.
4. Queen: Bohemian Rhapsody (1975)
Link; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJ9rUzIMcZQ
Lyrics:
Is this the real life? Is this just fantasy?
Caught in a landslide, no escape from reality
Open your eyes, look up to the skies and see
I'm just a poor boy, I need no sympathy
Because I'm easy come, easy go, little high, little low
Any way the wind blows doesn't really matter to me, to me
Mama, just killed a man
Put a gun against his head
Pulled my trigger, now he's dead
Mama, life had just begun
But now I've gone and thrown it all away
Mama, ooh, didn't mean to make you cry
If I'm not back again this time tomorrow
Carry on, carry on as if nothing really matters
Too late, my time has come
Sends shivers down my spine, body's aching all the time
Goodbye, everybody, I've got to go
Gotta leave you all behind and face the truth
Mama, ooh, I don't want to die
I sometimes wish I'd never been born at all
I see a little silhouetto of a man
Scaramouche, Scaramouche, will you do the Fandango
Thunderbolt and lightning, very, very fright'ning me
(Galileo) Galileo, (Galileo) Galileo, Galileo figaro magnifico
(I'm just a poor boy, nobody loves me)
He's just a poor boy from a poor family
Spare him his life from this monstrosity
Easy come, easy go, will you let me go?
Bismillah! No, we will not let you go
(Let him go) Bismillah! We will not let you go
(Let him go) Bismillah! We will not let you go
(Let me go) Will not let you go
(Let me go) Will not let you go
(Let me go) Ah, no, no, no, no, no, no, no
(Oh mamma mia, mamma mia) Mama mia, let me go
Beelzebub has a devil put aside for me, for me, for me
So you think you can stone me and spit in my eye?
So you think you can love me and leave me to die?
Oh, baby, can't do this to me, baby!
Just gotta get out, just gotta get right outta here!
Nothing really matters, anyone can see
Nothing really matters
Nothing really matters to me
Any way the wind blows
Representation: The video uses multiple techniques to create a surreal mise-en-scene which fits with the lyrics of the song.
Audience Aspirations/Expectations:
Target Audience: Fans of rock music, though it does contain different styles within it.
Camera Shots: Close-ups, medium shots, long shots.
Codes and Conventions: This doesn't fit the codes and conventions of normal rock music as it features no chorus, combines disparate musical styles and contains lyrics which eschew conventional love-based narratives for allusions to murder and nihilism.
Modes of Address: Indirect as shadows usually cover the eyes of the band when the camera focuses on their faces.
Institutions: Directed by Bruce Gowers. Produced by Trillion.
Context: This is the video that is credited for popularising the music video and is therefore much more innovative than others at the time.
Narrative: "Bohemian Rhapsody" does feature lyrics that can be interpreted as nihilistic. In their explanation, Queen states that "Bohemian Rhapsody" is about "a young man who has accidentally killed someone and, like Faust, sold his soul to the devil".
Conclusion: "Bohemian Rhapsody" is one of the most famous music videos of all time and is credited with bringing popularity to music videos as well. I can understand why that is the case, its effects (which made it very expensive to film) are so unique and so, coupled with the song itself, create an unforgettable video.
5. Coldplay: Viva la Vida (2008)
Link; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dvgZkm1xWPE
Lyrics:
I used to rule the world
Seas would rise when I gave the word
Now in the morning I sleep alone
Sweep the streets I used to own
I used to roll the dice
Feel the fear in my enemy's eyes
Listened as the crowd would sing
Now the old king is dead long live the king
One minute I held the key
Next the walls were closed on me
And I discovered that my castles stand
Upon pillars of salt and pillars of sand
I hear Jerusalem bells a-ringing
Roman cavalry choirs are singing
Be my mirror, my sword and shield
My missionaries in a foreign field
For some reason I can't explain
Once you'd gone there was never
Never an honest word
And that was when I ruled the world
It was a wicked and wild wind
Blew down the doors to let me in
Shattered windows and the sound of drums
People couldn't believe what I'd become
Revolutionaries wait
For my head on a silver plate
Just a puppet on a lonely string
Oh who would ever want to be king?
I hear Jerusalem bells a-ringing
Roman cavalry choirs are singing
Be my mirror, my sword and shield
My missionaries in a foreign field
For some reason I can't explain
I know St Peter won't call my name
Never an honest word
But that was when I ruled the world
Oh oh oh oh ohh oh [x5]
Hear Jerusalem bells a-ringing
Roman cavalry choirs are singing
Be my mirror, my sword and shield
My missionaries in a foreign field
For some reason I can't explain
I know St Peter won't call my name
Never an honest word
But that was when I ruled the world
Representation: The background features a blurry, warped version of Eugène Delacroix's painting La Liberté guidant le peuple, which was about the French Revolution.
Audience Aspirations/Expectations: Based on the title "Viva la Vida" (Spanish for Long Live Life) the lyrics and video may not be what the audience would be expecting.
Target Audience: Teenage rock fans.
Camera Shots:
Codes and Conventions: The video doesn't match the standard codes and conventions of a rock song as its effects show an artistic nature to the video.
Modes of Address:
Institutions: Directed by Hype Williams.
Context: This video came out in 2008 when music videos have been normal and almost always used for a song. Because of this different artists try harder to make the video feel more unique and have its own identity in comparison to what music videos were like a few decades ago.
Narrative: Based on the lyrics, the song is about a king who "used to rule the world" and ended up being corrupted by it ("People couldn't believe what I'd become") which results in him losing all his power as he now "Sweeps the streets I used to own". Based on these lyrics and the background image, the video may connote the song being about the French Revolution and Louis XVI.
Conclusion: I do like this song and video because of my interest in history, so its connotations to the French Revolution gained my attention, and the video is very unique but doesn't distract from the song itself.
