Parklife

Parklife - Blur (1994) Textual Analysis of a Music Video

The Video: ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object]

Genre Characteristics ,[object Object],Clearly this is an unusual music video that does not conform to the standard conventions of a music video from this genre. However, as this genre is generally prone to abstract artistic direction it is difficult to define an exact set of conventions. Alternative rock and especially Britpop is seen as an unusual style of music with artists varying differently from each other. I have made the above assumptions from viewing other Blur videos and Oasis videos. Expected conventions/ characteristics of genre Characteristics of ‘Parklife’ Usually performance elements A story interwoven with scenes of band performing Dynamic/edgy clothing Low lighting Fast paced Jump cuts and cross cutting used Unusual setting to convey depth of meaning Can include abstract imagery and be concept based No performance element that includes entire band Lip-sync with Phil Daniels and main vocalist in Blur Key and fill lighting Mundane setting Comedy elements: exaggerated facial expression during lip-sync Narration of camera Unusual camera angles, extreme close ups, special effects and shots upside down (I.e upside down car at 2:13)

Lyrics and Visuals ,[object Object],[object Object]

Another example is when Phil Daniels says “It’s not about you joggers who go round, and around, and around” and a shot featuring a jogger, in the background, running past the window of their car is shown. This is combined with a mid-shot of the jogger running and then a long shot using trick photography and crosscutting. The jogger is band member Graham Coxon.

Music and Visuals ,[object Object],[object Object]

Star Image ,[object Object],Humourous Cheeky grin: likeable yet smarmy character Frontman in background, standing behind star persona this connotes inferiority Extreme close-up. Unusual camera angle, highlights Daniels as main person in music video.

Intertextuality ,[object Object],[object Object],Also at one point a man which a sandwich board spins around to reveal ‘End of A Century’ and ‘Modern Life is Rubbish’ on each side. These are the names of other Blur albums.

Parklife

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Parklife