The document provides an analysis of the music video for the song "Standing in the Dark" by the band Lawson. It summarizes the storyline of the music video, which follows a man who misses his ex-girlfriend after years of being broken up. He sees her with another man and tries to touch her, but it's too late as she has moved on. The document also analyzes the representation of characters in the music video, noting the masculine imagery used to appeal to Lawson's audience. Finally, it discusses the features of the setting, including the use of a city apartment and mirror as metaphors for the characters' separation and broken relationship.

1. GCSE Media
ANALYSIS OF A MUSIC
VIDEO
By Samiya Rahman 10I

2. Lawson- Standing in the Dark
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=irw3IbjP3vQ

3. Storyline
The lyrics to ‘standing in the dark’ explain how the lead singer/
main character in the storyline of the music video misses his
girlfriend after having broken up for many years and seeing her
with another man. He has never stopped loving her but when he
tries to touch her, it is too late because she has moved on. He is
therefore left alone in the darkness or as the title of the song puts
it, ‘standing in the dark’. The themes of the song are
love, heartbreak and relationships. Seeing as the genre for Lawson
is pop rock, the themes and story fit perfectly in this genre and
thus is more likely to appeal to a female audience because it
represents the idea of a man falling over a girl which is unlike the
stereotype in society and therefore appeals more to a female
audience.

4. Representation of Characters
Representations of the pop rock genre are typical. For example, audiences for this genre tend to
be mainstream ones. This explains why there are characters of both genders in this video.
However, there is a higher number of male characters which also suits the genre as it is known in
the culture of pop rock for there to be male dominance which is also why the overall image of
the band is masculine to appeal more to their audience. They also conform to the typical
conventions of a pop rock song in terms of clothing e.g. dark and rugged grunge
clothing, skinny jeans and leather jackets. These also sets a dull theme to the music video using
imagery of dark lighting also to compliment the clothing. Considering the representation of the
male lead singer when he is alone and singing to the camera, we see a different and weaker and
vulnerable side to him. This is shown through the use of high angle shots looking down on him
contrast with the low angle shots on the rest of the band. The males singers posture and clothes
also contrasts with the female character’s clothing. This is because it is meant to contrast with the
stereotype of women being the ones to ruin a relationship. Also, his dark dull clothing represents
him as the destroyer whereas she wears a soft feminine pink dress which supports the idea of
her being the ‘innocent’ one.

5. Features of the setting
The instruments used in the music video are guitars, drums and backing vocals. This fits in with the
criteria of a rock band which is what Lawson are categorised are and so the song fits it’s purpose.
However, the themes and sounds of their music in this particular song sounds more pop- like rather
than rock.
The setting of the music video is an apartment in the city which is known for success. The producers
and director chose to do this because the lively nightlife contrasts with the lifestyle of the lead singer
who is lonely and suffering from losing his girlfriend which led to post break up feelings as in
demonstrated in his facial expressions in the music video. It is also iconic of the genre making it a
more conventional video.
The mirror which is a key concept to the video is metaphor as it acts as a barrier between the female
and male character emphasising their separation. And when it smashes, it symbolises them breaking
up and how his heart ‘smashed’ in pieces. It also shows how he can no longer see her, and how in
reality he is imagining her in the mirror. This suggests he is in love with the girl.
The bad weather suggests that when the band performs, because we can see rain and lightning, it is
almost like a storm. This is also another metaphor of the anger and conflict in their relationship that led
the two characters breaking up. Furthermore, lightning suggests the idea of anger e.g. The male
character being jealous of his ex- girlfriend being in a new relationship and rain connotes feelings of
misery and sadness which fits the theme of the music video.