2. Lyrics
“I've been drinkin’, I've been drinkin’
I get filthy when that liquor gets into
me
These lyrics portray how alcohol ‘takes over’ a
women's body causing them to instantly turn
sexual. This creates a negative mood at the very
start of the song and also links to the video as the
opening is a mid shot of Beyoncé's body wearing a
bikini, which immediately creates a sexual image
within the audience.
Beyoncé drunk after a night out which links to
the lyrics of becoming ‘sexual’
“We be all night, love, love, love
We be all night, love, love, love”
These lyrics illustrate that it is much easier for a
women to make ‘love’ when they’re drunk as they
cannot control their bodies, therefore this could
cause people to think that alcohol is the main reason
why women are pressured into ‘sexual activity’ and in
some cases ‘used’.
3. Music
‘Drunk in Love’ is a slow tempo love song which
slows down the editing throughout the video.
However when Jay Z is introduced into the video
the tempo and editing increases as Jay Z is most
famous for his rap genre. This however fits very
well with Beyoncé's pop/R&B genre creating a
song liked by many people.
4. Mise en Scene
Being an R&B/Pop video the lighting clearly emphasises the dull mood throughout
the song. This could link to the ‘dull’ love romance Beyoncé is experiencing. This
creates the target audience of teenagers to instantly focus on the negative side of
the song, bringing to mind that ‘love’ isn’t as easy as people make it out to be. It
also releases a sense of anger relating to the mood of the song as Beyoncé seems
to be ‘disappointed’ and ‘hurt’ with the way she's been treated, sending off a signal
to all teenage women to respect themselves and to not be ‘Drunk in Love’.
The costumes worn in the are what people would say is a stereotypical costume for
a women and also a male when Jay Z enters the video. Beyoncé is seen to be
wearing very minimal clothing, having a bikini on throughout the whole duration of
the video. This could portray the sexual side of women and that every teenage girl
feels they have to have their body showing for people to take an interest into them.
This follows the general stereotypes of todays society and the sexual body
movement allows Beyoncé to be within the public eye. Beyoncé is a worldwide artist
therefore this video will allow her to send out a message to all her teenage
followers. When Jay Z s entered into the video his clothing covers up his whole
body once again following the stereotypes that male’s do not need to reveal their
body to remain in the ‘limelight’.
5. Mise en Scene continued
Beyoncé also uses a prop within the video being a trophy emphasising that it’s
possible for women to succeed and play and important role in society.
The music video is also located on a beach, a place which is known to be a
relaxing, quiet area. Beyoncé uses it as a place to release her romantic emotions,
with the close up shot of the waves portraying this.
6. Camerawork
Beyoncé is the focus of the music video throughout the close up
and mid shots. The camera is always centred on the artist
portraying that she is the main attraction to the audience. The
use of the extreme close ups and long shots clearly shows off her
body which seems something that the artist is proud of. Even
when Jay Z is introduced into the video, Beyoncé is still seen in
the mid shots illustrating how important she is to the video.
7. Editing
The speed of the editing mirrors the beat of the song,
as the slow editing at the start links to the slow beat of
the song. The editing then speeds up throughout the
middle of the video as Jay Z is introduced, known for
his rap, therefore the editing speed vastly increases.
This is very common within an R&B/Pop video.
8. Narrative/Performance
The narrative of Drunk In Love is very relevant with what
happens in todays society. The ‘lack of clothing’ Beyoncé
represents in the video reflects most young women in what they
decide to do to ‘impress’ a man, once again following the same
stereotypes that women should wear minimal clothing. The close
ups and lip syncing of the star is also the main performance in
the video, something very popular throughout he pop genre.
9. Star Image/ The Brand
Beyoncé's selling point is clearly her body,
as she is seen in a bikini throughout the
video. Beyoncé is speaking on behalf of all
teenage girls problems.
10. Voyeurism
Throughout the video Beyoncé could be seen as
a ‘sex symbol’. The fact she wears a bikini and
the camera focuses on her legs and upper body
showing the sexual side of women to all her
teenage target audience. This video portrays
that women can easily fall for men which could
clearly affect their emotions.
