Rihanna's "Take A Bow" Music Video AnalysisTITLE How Rihanna's "Take A Bow
1. Analysis of Rihanna- Take A Bow
Genre-The genre which Rihanna is part of is R&B which I think is the genre for this particular
song she has done aswell. There are some conventions typical for the steriotypical R&B video
which are included in this video such as the fact Rihanna wears alot of gold necklaces throughout
the video, wears sunglasses, lives in a modern flat and drives a convertable. These are often
seen in R&B videos and could be used to hype up the scenario of the video as this is not what we
as viewers usually associate with in daily life and so could attract us in to watching the video. The
video is slightly exaggerated in the type of lifestyle set which attracts us as viewers as we may
want this lifestyle ourselfs but the storyline is similar to what most people go through making us
able to relate to the video and Rihanna.
A typical convention of the video with Rihanna in her convertable with her big sunglasses
on attracting us to the video because as an audience we generally like this type of
lifestyle.
Narrative-At the very start of the video Rihanna is shown to be quiet vunerable on her own infront
of a black background. Its obvious to the viewers she's upset by something by the look on her
face.As the lyrics begin the video is quiete literal to what Rihanna is singing about saying "You
look so dumb right now, standing outside my house" as a man assuming to be her boyfriend is
standing outside her home what it looks like trying to speak to her. It becomes apparent that he
has upset her through her reluctancy to let him in and her body language and attitude used
through the lyrics. Her phsical actions throughout the video shows that she no longer cares from
him or wants him there such as looking at her watch, rolling her eyes and not giving him any eye
contact. The video helps describe further the narrative to the viewer as it shows that the chorus is
actually a sarcastic view, not to be taken literally about a man lieing and cheating putting off a
good performance by keeping things from his girlfriend for so long.
2. When alone here Rihanna is shown to be upset and vunerable which is revealed to us as
an audience.
The video helps show the viewers the storyline of Rihanna no longer caring for her ex
partner through body language such as looking at her nails and the rolling of her eyes.
Audience-She speaks directly to the camera several times throughout the video relating to the
audience further and making them feel more invovled with the scenario. As the main target
audience is women between the age of 15-30 she is wearing casual clothing for the majority of
the video which relates to the key audience and what they would usually wear. This could be
done to attract the audience to the video and song creating more money for the company and
Rihanna herself.The video could also relate to the female audience who have broken up in the
past and have had a similar attitude, towards their boyfriend. The lyrics and video basically are
closure towards a relationship which the viewers can use and like Rihanna can believe by
listening to the song that they are better than their partners who treat them bad. As so many
women go through this in their life time the situation and video attracts them more to the song.
3. Rihanna wears casual clothing of Jeans and a plain top for the majority of the video which
could be to relate to her audience.
Representations-Throughout the video Rihanna wears black whilst in the house alone, which
could be a sign to indicate her feelings of heartbroken towards her ex boyfriend. However, when
she leaves the house she is wearing red, a colour that could be associated with strength and
confidence aswell as wearing sunglasses which could both be to show that she is unfaced by
what he has done although infact as a viewer we are aware she is feeling vunerable inside from
the shots she has alone. Rihanna uses hand gestures to fit the video such as moving her hand
towards the door when saying "get gone" ahowing the video and song link in with each
other.Towards the end of the video she sets his cloths alite with a match which could be a sign for
the end of the relationship and the fact that its now only ashes that cannot be returned to its
previous self which is the main point of the music video.
Later on in the music video she is shown to be wearing red and looking much more
confident as she is about to meet her ex partner showing that she can be a strong woman
figure when she feels appropriate.
4. The fire that Rihanna set on his clothing could symbolise the end of their relationship and
that there is no going back for the couple.