2. Genre Characteristics
• Save Me – BTS
• Genre – K-Pop
• Genre characteristics of K-Pop include choreographed dance routines,
stylish and almost ‘westernised’ video concepts and an obscure
location. Members of K-Pop bands are generally styled in similar ways
or in similar colours, much like the members of BTS who tend to be
dressed in coordinating colours and ‘high fashion’ outfits.
• In this case we see the members of BTS dancing in a desert, fitting
with the heavily choreographed and stylised K-Pop video style. The
band members are also dressed in a way that it is popularly
associated with K-Pop.
3. Relationship between lyrics and visuals
• I want to break free – Queen
• Genre – Rock
• The relationship between lyrics and visuals is clear from the beginning
of the video. The opening line ‘I want to break free’ is sung by a house
wife, trapped in her mundane daily life. As the video continues we
see the stereotypical mother/wife performing household tasks as the
lyrics speak about running away with a lover and breaking away from
life.
• The concept of the video is suggestive of wanting to break free from
daily life, and at the time this was particularly relatable to Freddie
Mercury as his homosexuality was made public.
4. Relationship between music and visuals
• Ultraviolence – Lana Del Rey
• Genre – Psychedelic rock/ dream pop
• The lyrics between the music and visuals is shown in the motifs at the
start which are inspired by the Bridal Chorus, composed by Richard
Wagner. These motifs are repeated throughout the song and are
mirrored in the visuals, as the video shows a bride preparing for her
wedding.
5. Intertextual references
• You Know Me – Robbie Williams
• Genre – Pop
• This video contains intertextual references to Alice in Wonderland.
Numerous references are made to the children’s book such as ‘falling
down the rabbit hole’ like Alice does in the book, the Mad Hatter’s
tea party and The Queen of Hearts; Williams himself is dressed as the
March Hare. This was done to show how the artist feels about the
music industry or his personal life, as the idea behind Alice in
Wonderland is being removed from the real world and not being able
to understand or grasp reality.
6. Iconography
• Cancion Del Mariachi – Los Lobos ft Antonio Banderas
• Genre – Mariachi
• The iconography used in this video is consistent with Mexican culture,
the birthplace of Mariachi music. Religions icons such as Guadalupe
and The Virgin Mary can be seen throughout, as well as crucifix and
the traditional dress of Mariachi players.
• The song is from Desperado, a film set in Mexico, and the idea of
organised crime, cartels and gangsters is suggested throughout the
video. This is also consistent with Mariachi, as it is said to have its
roots in poor towns and villages where cartels and organised crime
are common.
7. Voyeurism
• Buttons – Pussycat Dolls
• Genre – Hip Hop
• The female singers in the group, mainly the lead singer, are made to
look very desirable.
• Goodwin states that females will be objectified in this way, often
through a combination of camerawork and editing with fragmented
body shots emphasising the sexuality and desirability of the artist, in
this case the female singers in the band.
