1. Music Video Analysis- Miley Cyrus: Wrecking Ball
Shot: Still Shot/Extreme Close up of Artist Face
Lyrics: We clawed, we chained our hearts in vain, we jumped never asking why, we kissed, I fell
under you spell. A love no one could deny. Don’t you ever say, I just walked away, I will always
want you..
Edit/Transitions: Cut Edit
The first shot we see is an extreme
close up of Miley Cyrus clearly in
distressed state- tears become
visible as the scene progresses.
The purpose of this shot is to
allow the audience to emphasize
and place all there focus on her- a
close up of a face for me
represents the artist’s personal
space. It allows the audience to
understand their emotions, share
their feelings and relate with
them. A clear drum beat, electric
guitar and crisp vocals can be
heard- this along with the lyrics makes it clear the song is a power pop song. This genre of music is a
lot more aggressive and emotional whilst still following a pop convention. Pop songs tend to focus
on ' relationships and fun'- this song fits in the relationships category. It's about a one sided
relationship and obsessing over someone who doesn't share the same feelings as you- this is very
stereotypical' for teenagers in this sub-culture for which the target audience is. It's a cliché topic to
sing about which all teenagers seem to feel they 'relate' too and have an 'understanding' for-
particularly girls. Whilst general pop is usually aimed a younger female demographic (and some
boys) power pop is slightly more 'grown up' with a target audience of around 15+. This particular
shot is a pastiche to 'Nothing Compares to you' by Sinead O'Connor; it has intertextuality with it. Her
bright red lipstick to me connotes danger; it’s an emotionally intense colour meaning that she may
be upset but she’s strong.

2. Shot: Close Up
Lyrics: I can't live a lie, running from my life, I will always want you.
Edit: Cut
The next few scenes are of Miley Cyrus with the sledge hammer; this is leading up to the shot that
caused allot of controversy in the media. This particular scene consists of three shots; A. a close up
of Miley lent against the wall with the hammer B. a wide shot of Miley's feet walking towards the
camera with the hammer by her side and C. Miley- again- lent across the wall with the sledge
hammer, however facing the opposite direction. These are very short shots consisting of no more
than two seconds each. Personally I believe they are a way of leaving the audience in suspense;
they're trying to build it up to something bigger
or as a way of leaving the audience wondering
where the setting is- )leading to the
establishing shot). Depending on what
influence Miley Cyrus has on you, this shot can
represent many of things. The particular Sub-
Culture for which this music video is designed
for, in my opinion I would say that it is
reflecting the anger, hurt and pain that comes
with love and that desire to 'smash' everything
up after a break-up.

3. Shot: Wide Shot and Close up
Lyrics: I came in like a wrecking ball, I never hit so hard in love
Edit: Jump Cut
Following on from the previous scene is a wide shot- this is the establishing shot, it allows us to see
Miley Cyrus in her immediate surroundings and put a relation between her and the setting. In my
opinion the chosen backdrop reflects the artist emotions and feelings; Miley is in what seems to be a
purpose built concrete 'room' within an open space area. The mise-en-scène is very bare; the fact
the walls are of a grey colour connotes sorrow. The colour grey usually suggests detachment and the
feeling of isolation which links in with the lyrics and meaning of the song.This particular part of the
song is very fast pace; the editing fits in with the tempo of the song. It jump cuts between the
establishing shot and the scene from the beginning of the music video in which we see Miley
emotionally singing towards the camera. As the tempo of the song rises, Miley becomes more
emotionally distressed in the video. The fact she is kissing the sledge hammer to me suggests that
she likes destruction.

4. Shot: Wide Shot
Lyrics: All I ever wanted was to break your walls, all you ever did was wreck me, yeah, you, wreck
me.
Edit: Jump cut
As we get further into the chorus of the song we hear the lyrics ‘all ever wanted was to break you
walls’; at this point we see a correlation between the lyrics and visuals. As Miley begins walking
towards the camera we see a wrecking ball in the background knocking down the wall. I believe this
is a representation of her emotions- the wall represents her feelings which have been torn away by
her lover.
On the other hand I believe that when we begin to see Miley sat on the wrecking ball this is
representing the fact that she is destroying him emotionally. The fact she is naked may suggest that
she vulnerable but at the same time she’s strong and capable of payback.
Shot: Bird’s eye
Lyrics: I never meant to start a war, I just wanted you to let me in and instead of using force, I
guess I should of let you win…
Edit: Jump Cut
As we near the end of the video we see Miley laid in the
mist of the destruction she caused; the visuals and lyrics
again link together. Personally I believe this is showing us
that she feels regret for what she has done.

5. One thing that I did notice throughout music video is the fact that before she caused all the
destruction the lighting within the rom and above the artist is high-key whilst on the outside it’s low-
key. However when she wrecks the wall- or her emotional barrier- the entire set is lit with high-key
lighting. This could be representing the fact she feels relieved or happy for taking out revenge.