Music analysis

1. Analysis of a Music Video
1.In the name of love- Martin Garrix & Bebe Rexha
2.Bruno Mars- That’s what I like

2. Conventions used
The conventions mostly used were:
● Close-ups - to focus on the artists and emphasise their emotions
● Long-shots - shows setting
● Mid-shots
● Jump-cuts - creates sudden change from one scene to another
● Lighting
● Transitions e.g fade and dissolve are used as they create a different effect to cuts

3. Camera work in Video 1
For camera work there were many close-up shots used. There are also many long-shots and mid-shots. The camera
movement is almost always present during the music video and this is mostly panning or tilting. The movements of the
cameras are used to follow the artist or band, also it emphasises more on the setting as the artist may be walking around.
For example, in Video 1, there is a zoom out and tilt movement from the balcony, to a long-shot.

4. Examples of camera work from video 1
The close-up on the left is used to show the artist’s emotions better and this is a technique mostly used in music videos. The
close up then cuts to the mid shot which reveals more of the artist’s outfit and shows a different scene. The use of this shot
also helps reinforce the genre, Pop, which often includes extravagant outfits and makeup, so that the video appeals more to
the audience and also makes the video memorable to people’s minds.

5. Editing
Editing is a way of adding more effect to the music video, whether it is by combining editing to emphasise on the lyrics, or on a certain
story that the music focuses on. The editing is more effectively used in video 2 - Bruno Mars (That’s what I like). Here the editing is
used in order to show the lyrics make sense and to make them literal. For example when the lyrics are ‘’strawberry champagne all
night’’, the editing was used to create a champagne glass appear on screen. Similarly when he says ‘’I'll rent a beach house in Miami’’
and then editing was used to show a beach on screen.

6. Sound
In music video 1, there is a short gap of 4 seconds before the music actually starts, which includes just a
shot of two people, the artists. This is effective before the sound begins so that the scene is set, and also
the viewer can then know what to expect.
Also, the music starts when the title of
the song is shows on screen. This is
also very effective as the image remains
in the viewer’s head, so therefore the
music video is more appealing and
memorable.

7. Genre - POP
Both music videos I have chosen to analyse are in the pop music genre.
Music video 1- The music video uses many conventions of the pop music genre:
● Fashionable clothes for the artists
● Lyrics are based around relationships and love hence the title ‘In the name of love’
● Has a consistent beat
Music video 2- THe music video also uses many conventions of the pop music genre, however in a slightly different way:
● Animation is used to show objects on screen (link between lyrics and visuals)
● There is a lot of movement (dancing) which is typical in pop music videos
● Also has a consistent beat (verse chorus verse structure)

8. Narrative in Music video 1
In music video 1 the narrative includes two people, the main artist and an additional artist. (A
girl and a boy) Typically this is used in POP music videos because their target audience are
teenagers and young adults, have a romantic and relationship area of interest. The story of the
music video is that the two characters are in love, however they feel a little apart from each
other as the lyrics show ‘I will hold you in the depths of your despair, And it's all in the name of
love’. This gives the impression that the characters are going through a bad time however ‘love’
is there to make them stronger. The feeling of ‘despair’ is reinforced through the use of light as
it seems there is a conflict between light and dark.
The music video starts with the main characters, which are the only 2 characters present in the
music video. They are close to each other and holding hands, which gives the impression of a
relationship between the two. Bebe Rexha is wearing a red dress by a swimming pool on a
springboard outside a mansion, surrounded by rushes of smoke, storm clouds and water
explosions just after Martin Garrix comes into the scene by walking towards a springboard
standing just few feet away from Rexha. He holds Rexha as they sink beneath the surface of
water. This is very significant to the narrative of the music video as ‘to sink’ connotes that there
is somehow a feeling of uneasiness. On the other hand, the fact that they both sink in together
reinforces the narrative which is about love, and how love can save someone when they have
another person.

9. Performance in Music video 2
The music video is a performance video as the artist acknowledges the camera and performs to it through dancing. The
artist performs towards the camera for the whole video while the camera focuses on the artist’s singing and movement. The
artist is performing to the camera and there is no audience, which gives a feeling of privacy as the artist is only performing
towards a digital audience.

10. Representations
Music Video 1: Bebe Rexha is presented as the main singer, and she is shown as powerful and strong as
she is singing about helping her partener get through bad times ‘’despair’’ and fear. Also, through the
domination of the red colour, Bebe Rexha is also presented as passionate and romantic, as the red colour
connotes.
Music Video 2: Bruno Mars is presented as talented and cheerful. THis shown through the dance moves
he performs and also the quick tempo of the music which makes everything brighter despite the black and
white dominating the visuals.

11. Institutions
Music Video 1: In July 29, 2016, Rexha and Dutch DJ and record producer Martin Garrix released their
single, "In the Name of Love". It has since peaked at number 24 on US Billboard Hot 100, at number 4 on
US Hot Dance/Electronic Songs and entered the top 10 charts in several countries, including the United
Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Italy and New Zealand. The music video was released on 23 August 2016 on
Martin Garrix's YouTube channel.
Music Video 2: All Access first revealed that the recording would be sent to Top 40 radio stations in late
January. The single was sent on January 30, 2017, to Hot AC radio stations in the United States by
Atlantic Records. A day later, it impacted American contemporary hit radio and rhythmic contemporary
stations via the same label. It was released to Italian contemporary hit radio on March 3, 2017, through
Warner. On April 20, 2017, four different remixes were made available worldwide.

12. Values and Ideology
Music Video 1: The music video is about love and relationships. Martin Garrix and Bebe Rexha are both
known to have different songs about romance and love. This specific song is more about how
relationships can be difficult. It focuses on moral support gained from one another and how one partner
can help another.