2. „Norgaard‟ by The Vaccines
The Vaccines are an English indie rock band and
Norgaard is the fifth single from their debut album „What
did you expect from The Vaccines?‟
It was released in August 2011
The next slide is the music video I have analysed
3. Demonstrates genre
characteristics
Performance based music videos are typical of the indie rock genre because artists like to prove
that their music is their own and display their talent. Although this video is not completely
performance based there are elements such as lip syncing and we also see the drums being
played
The image of the band is important for indie rock artists as it is part of their brand image.
Following the fashion is important to appeal to a young target audience. In this music video the
mise en scene has quite a retro theme which is fashionable at the moment. They have used
props and costumes such as tennis rackets, bikes and roller skates to convey this theme
4. There is a relationship between the
lyrics and the visuals
This song is about Amanda Norgaard who is a Danish model. The majority of the lyrics focus on
her features and this is amplifyed in the video by the close ups of her face and her legs to
connote the sexual attraction that they have for her. There is a low angle shot of her as her skirt
blows up which again suggests that they find her very good looking
The use of old fashioned toys and games in the video may connote how young the model is
which is also emphasised in the lyrics – “teenage hormones” “young complexion” “only seventeen
so she‟s probably not ready”
5. There is a relationship between the
music and the visuals
On beat editing has been used as the shots cut to the beat of the music
The drums are used in the video when the drums are prominent in the music to
emphasise the beat
Slow motion has been used during slower parts of the song to match the visuals to
the music and also to emphasise the sex appeal of the model
6. Meets the demands of the record
label
Again, the performance elements in the video are there to meet the record
labels demands as it will help to maintain the image of the band
Close ups of the band members faces will also help to maintain their star
image as they will be easily recognisable
7. Frequent reference to the notion of
looking
The male gaze is utilised in this video as the main message of the song is about their attraction to
this girl. The camera is behind the models legs and the man is visible in the background looking
at her. There are then close up shots of the faces of the men looking at her seemingly in awe
The vocalist looks into the camera as he lip syncs the lyrics of the song, possibly to create a
connection between himself and the audience and make them feel more involved
The model also looks into the camera as she poses with various props. This could be to
emphasise her sex appeal to the audience
