Analysis of Ed Sheerans music video

1. Music Video Analysis
Ed Sheeran: Thinking Out Loud
• Ed Sheeran (artist) and female, close proxemics, dancing: ballroom style – romance
• Touching legs, faces close: intimate, seductive
• Lying down on floor together: romance/love
• Dress/suit: smart, making an effort
• Couple/Dancing: Romance/ Love, Ballroom:intimate dancing
• Candles
• White dress: purity / angelic : dancing gracefully
• Empty Ballroom: romantic
• Lighting: low key/spotlight: dramatic, romance...
• Spot light: heart shaped
• 'take me into your loving arms' holding eachother
• 'we found love right where we are'
Character: There are only two characters used in this music video which are Ed Sheeran, the artist
of the song, and a female character. The representation of a heterosexual romantic relationship is
represented due to the close disposition towards each other as they are dancing in a Ballroom,
holding each other and being close in the face. With their faces being close and also the touching
of legs and close dancing, the music video suggests that the relationship in this video is quite
intimate and romantic; also shown when they are lying down on the floor together. The characters
are both smartly dress with a suit and a white dress which suggests romance in terms of them
possibly have been to a wedding.
Iconography: The white dress which the female in the video is wearing may be to represent
weddings and love, or to symbolise purity. This purity iconography is further symbolised within the
type of dancing being ballroom. Ballroom dancing suggests romance and love, but also the female
dances is gracefully and delicately which reflects on the white coloured dress. The setting of a
Ballroom itself is iconic as Ballrooms are seen as a romantic, intimate location as this type of
dancing is there. Also, the man and woman being close and dancing together is iconic to romance
and a heterosexual relationship.
Setting: The setting is based in an empty Ballroom, suggesting romance and intimacy as a ballroom
is a romantic place and the way that it is empty shows how it is private for the couples to dance.
Narrative Event: There is not much of a narrative event in this video as it shows the couple
dancing all the way through. However, when watching this video the audience sees how the
couple is intimate and happy as they are romantically and closely dancing together.
Technical and Audio codes: The lighting used is low key with dark blue colours, suggesting
intimacy. Also the spot light is used to follow the couple's dancing, this gives a more dramatic style
to the video as though they are performing to an audience. The spot light, on some parts, comes
together to create a heart shape over the couple to show love and romanticism. The audio also

2. says things such as “take me into your loving arms” representing love and relationships within the
song and also by the characters holding each other to relate to the lyrics.