music video analysis

1. Panic! At The Disco – Emperor’s
New Clothes
• Lyrics
• Music
• Mise en Scene/Genres
• Camerawork
• Editing
• Intertextuality
• Narrative/Performance
• Star Image/Brand
• Voyeurism
• Context

2. Lyrics
The lyrics for Emperor’s New
Clothes illustrates the idea of
taking control and having power
by being in charge of the ‘crown’.
The struggles shown in the lyrics
may be used to demonstrate the
past issues that he has had with
the former members of the band
Panic! At The Disco. As a 28 year
old man he is proving that he
understands that in order to
move forward, he needs to take
control of the situation and
move forward with the new
members of the band.
Lyrics that show this are:
(Finders keepers, losers weepers)
Welcome to the end of eras
Ice has melted back to life
Done my time and served my
sentence
Dress me up and watch me die
If it feels good, tastes good
It must be mine
Dynasty decapitated
You just might see a ghost tonight
And if you don't know now you
know
I'm taking back the crown
I'm all dressed up and naked
I see what's mine and take it
(Finders keepers, losers weepers)
Oh yeah
The crown...
So close I can taste it
I see what's mine and take it
(Finders keepers, losers weepers)
Oh yeah

3. Music
Emperor’s New Clothes is an example of an alternative, pop track. Also
labelled as ‘emo’, this is no different to other types of songs that are
produced by the band, even with a change of band members.

4. Mise en Scene/Genres
Costume:
At the beginning of the music video, Brendon Urie
appears to be wearing a white shirt, black tie and black
trousers. This is because this music video is meant to
follow on from the previous one creating a story line.
However, very early on into this music video, he has his
clothes ripped off as he seems to be transforming.
Throughout the rest of the music video, he has
transformed into a ‘demon’. This idea is enhanced
by the graphic body art on his chest and the
stereotypical ‘devil horns’ that appear to be a part
of his head.

5. Mise en Scene/Genres
Lighting:
At the beginning of the music video, the colours seem to be
rather bright, perhaps to play on the idea of ‘heaven’. It
also fits with the alternative genre of the band as many of
their music videos have a storyline. It also contrasts very well
to the rest of the music video as it goes from blindingly light
to very dark.
However, after about 30 seconds into the music video, it’s
almost as if Brendon Urie has now ended up in a version
of ‘hell’. Dark colours are obviously used to get connotations
such as; creepy, strange and mysterious. The dark colours are
more typical of the rock/metal genre however the contrast
between the dark and light colours help perceive a storyline. It
also makes the video more interesting to watch as it may seem
more like a film than a music video as there is a storyline.

6. Mise en Scene/Genre
As this is an alternative music video, there are not specific ‘dance moves’ such as those that you
would find within a pop video. However, a variety of different movements are used to show how
creepy and strange this music video is. For example, there are many moments that Urie is crawling
on the floor towards the camera. This will have been choreographed however not in the same way
as that of a dance routine.
This video may mainly appeal to the younger generation however, as the band have been around for
a while, they may also have some older fans. Some people may say that this video is more appealing
to females simply because Brendon Urie spends the vast majority of the music video shirtless.
However, others may argue that, as the video itself is quite graphic and perhaps even ‘scary’ for
some viewers, it may be seen as something that would be more appealing to men.

7. Camerawork
Brendon Urie is the main focus of this music video. Using a variety of
close ups and midshots, he is always the centre of focus. Any long shots
used are mainly to highlight the location which helps the audience
determine the storyline. Long shots are also used to show his
transformation from human to demon, however, midshots are also
used to do this.

8. Editing
The editing does not mirror the beat of the music all the time
however it is kept constant throughout the music video as not to
bore the audience. Most music videos within the alternative genre
do this style of editing to ensure that the storyline is still kept clear.

9. Intertextuality
• The music video Emperor’s New Clothes by Panic! At The Disco was
released around 2015. During that time, many more computer/video
games were being released that had more of a dark side (zombies).
This could’ve been used as an advantage and also a reason for the
music video being based on the ideas of hell and demons as the
target audience may already be intrigued.
• Also, the music video Stressed Out by Twenty One pilots may have
influenced this video. This is because they also show a negative side
however they talk about how age ruins everything and you lose
everything you loved with whereas Emperor’s New Clothes is all
about gaining power.

10. Narrative/Performance
• A vast majority of this music video has performance elements
throughout as the lead singer, Brendon Urie, is trying to make a
statement to the rest of the music industry by showing them his dark
side and that he is making a comeback.
• Although many alternative music videos are slightly different from
pop videos, this video in particular is obviously different which makes
it more unique.
• The idea of Brendon Urie and the rest of the band making a
‘comeback’ through this album/video can be shared through the
audience members that have been ‘fans’ ever since the band started
out as they are able to see what they have overcome and how they
have developed as individuals.

11. Star Image/The Brand
• The selling points of this song are that it is different from any of the
other music videos they have produced but also it is entertaining for
the audience.
• Some may say that Brendon Urie is using his body to make the video
appear more inviting to the female gender as it may catch their eye
more than demons will.

12. Voyeurism
I have already mentioned this briefly however, although he is a man,
Brendon Urie may still be seen as a sexual object as he is half-naked for
the majority of the video. Also, the fact that most of the video is made
up of midshots may suggest that they wanted the audience to focus
more on the body that was shown.