2. Introduction
This is a music video analysis of the song ‘Candy’ by Robbie
Williams. It is a POP song about a girl who thinks she can get
everything she wants. In the music video Robbie plays a sort of
guardian angel role who keeps care of the woman. The lyrics
were written by Robbie Williams and Gary Barlow (both ex band
members of the boy band Take That). The song was his first UK
No.1 Single since ‘Radio’ in 2004.
3. Story behind the Song
“Candy” was Robbie's first song in 2 years. This Song and music video was
produced as a means of rebranding and showing people what he can do in
a solo career. The artist has been a solo singer before but had never really
taken off further than the TAKE THAT days. The song was that successful
that on the UK Singles Chart, it became Robbie's first number-one in eight
years.
However, the track premiered on BBC Radio One just days before the
station removed Williams from their playlist. They said he was no longer
relevant to their target audience.
4. Goodwin – Relationship between visuals and lyrics
“She's got lots of different horses by lots of different men” As these
lyrics are said the shot shows 3 men starring at her while she eats an
ice-lolly. These lyrics an visuals link as the lyrics are saying she gets a lot
of men and once she gets what she wants she moves along to the next
man. As there are 3 men in the shot it could represent that they are
lining up for her. Goodwin's theory is met in this music video as the
lyrics link with the video.
5. Theory
Mulveys theory applies to theses shots as the woman is seen sucking on
an ice-lolly in a voyeuristic mannor, this is supported by the men starring
at the woman.
6. Establishing Shot
To start off the music video an establishing shot is used showing a
medium close up of the back of Robbie Williams in a pink suit, in front of
him is CGI text, ROBBIE WILLIAMS IN “CANDY”. In the shot his head is
covering the ‘W’ in Williams. This was probably done as people already
know who he is. Meaning that popular artists don’t have to show their full
Name for people to know who they are. I feel this type of Establishing
shot would be perfect for a modern, well known artists music video.
7. Star Image/Theory
The star in this music video is Robbie Williams. Throughout the video he
is dressed in a pink suit, green and white Nike shoes and changes into a
Knight in shining armour, he also always has a halo over his head and
wears the green Nike shoes. In the video he plays an angel who helps the
woman stay safe and away from danger. The pink suit breaks gender
stereotypes this is supported by Perkins theory “stereotypes are not
simple”, as pink is stereotypically a feminine colour. In addition, his
costume could also link to the song lyrics as pink is seen as a sweet colour
and the song is called “candy”. The green shoes could be brand identity as
they do not change when his costume changes from a pink suit to a
Knight in armour. As well as this, the green Nike shoes could also help him
look cool, current and modern, targeting a younger audience.
8. Star Image/Theory
In this shot he is wearing a knight attire, making him appear as a knight in
shining armour, something he is not in real life. Richard Dyers theory of “A
star is an image not a real person”, this relates to this shot as Williams
would not be seen like this in real life. This also links to class and status as
knights are seen as higher class people. This is reinforced by the
proxemics of the protagonists as he is higher up, reflecting his class.
9. Shot types
Throughout this music video there are a wide range of shot types used. For
example there are many long shots and medium long shots of Robbie trying
to keep the woman safe. These specific shot types are used to show the
audience what is going on from a further away angle. Long shots are
commonly used in Performance based Music videos as they pull the shot
back to a further away position, helping the viewer see everything clearly.
10. Shot types
In addition, there are also many close ups and medium close ups of the
artists and woman in the music video. Close ups are used to show
emotion and develop the relationship between the viewer and the
artist. Close ups would be great to use for an upcoming artist as it helps
them develop an identity for themselves, helping not just their name
become famous but their face as well.
11. Shot types
A Medium close up is used showing the woman sucking on an ice lolly. This
could be seen as a promiscuous shot type as it could represent her
sexuality. The ice lolly she is sucking on is very bright coloured, this could
link in with the lyrics as bright rainbow colours are commonly seen in
‘candy’. The shot then cuts to a dollying medium close ups of 3 men
stopping in the street and starring at her eating the ice lolly. Again linking
the shot type with her promiscuous and sexual behaviour.
12. Style
Throughout the entirety of the song, the artist sings into the camera.
Making it a mainly performance based music video. In addition, there is a
narrative based concept in the music video as a type of story is told of a
girl that men stare at and she gets everything she wants.
13. Intertextuality
Throughout the music video he is seen as an angel (with a
halo) who protects a woman. Linking it to his existing song
“angels”. This could have been done to promote the existing
song as “angels” is a very well known/popular song.
14. Overall this music video has helped a lot regarding research and ideas for our
groups music video. I have learnt that using a mixture of narrative and
performance based concepts is a good idea as it not only provides a type of
story for the viewer to see but also involves a live performance type of style.
I now know that I will need a significant amount of costume changes to
represent gender, class, age and culture.
How has this research influenced my creativity and my
planning
