Analysis of rock genre

1. ANALYSIS OF ROCK GENRE Genre

2. DEFINITION
Rock music is a genre of popular music that originated as "rock and
roll" in the United States in the 1950s, and developed into a range of
different styles. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rock_music)

3. The band:
-Stereotypically with rock bands
they are known for actually
playing their own music and
instruments which differs from
other music video genres where
they just sing.
-Because of the band playing the
music themselves a lot of the
videos are performance based.
Music:
-The music in rock music videos is typically very loud and
aggressive, whilst also sounding ‘dark’ and sometimes making the
audience ‘uneasy’.
Settings:
-The typical settings for a rock
music video are locations which
create a dark atmosphere to reflect
the dark meanings in the song.
-Typical locations used are things
such as;
~Abandoned houses/locations
~Cityscapes
~Rooftops and carparks
~On stage
-All the locations have this
‘grunge’ feeling and make the
audience see a dark and unsettling
Clothing:
-There are many stereotypes in the clothing
that is worn in rock music videos, and some
of which are listed below;
~Skinny jeans (both ripped and un-ripped)
~Shirts (wrapped around waist)
~Flannels
~Long Un kept hair
~Leather Jackets
~Biker Boots
~Converse style shoes
~White tops
Reputation and appearance:
-Guitars are a main feature of a rock music video and are often
focused upon lots within the video.
-Bad boys are usually the main artist or actor in the videos and they
focus on drugs, sex and alcohol.
-Although the content of rock songs is typically drugs, sex and
alcohol, there are also other elements to a rock song such as a love

4. QUEEN- WE WILL ROCK YOU
As the video for We Will Rock You is a rock music video
the importance of instruments is high, and so from the
very beginning emphasises is made on the band and on
the instruments that they are playing. Close ups are used
of the guitar to emphasise the fact that this instrument is
being played and to support the stereotype of the rock
genre.The appearance of the band within this video is typically what you would expect a rock band to
look like. They have the long un kept hair which suggests that the rock look. Moreover, they are
wearing leather jackets which further abides by the rock appearance stereotypes. Dressing in the
stereotypical way emphasises that this is a rock video and establishes the genre of the music video
for the audience. The location is in the forest
somewhere, which doesn’t
suggest a happy location
which is supported by the
bleak and negative
surroundings which reflects
upon the ‘dark’ atmosphere
that a rock music video is
meant to reflect upon.
Furthermore, as it is outside
it instantly gains this ‘cold’
response which reflects the
Establishing and master shots are frequently used to show the band off
and to heighten their band image and reputation.

5. MEAT LOAF- BAT OUT OF HELL
Within the first establishing shot of the music video it reveals a dark location which is stereotypical of
a rock genre music video. It highlights graves which are symbolic of death and dark happenings, this
therefore using the location symbolically to represent the ‘darkness’ in a rock music video.
Furthermore, the artist emphasis is also used within this music video. It shows Meat Loaf performing
and has a close up of the male singer performing, and then also has further close ups on instruments
being played. These close ups and mid-shots allow the audience to see the instruments being played
and Meat Loaf performing. This is a stereotype of a rock video and the performance style that they
take to the approach of a music video.
The colours of Bat out of Hell are very dark and symbolic of a
dark atmosphere. The clothing in the video worn by the male is a
typical white shirt, which is highly associated with a rock video.
The editing of the video cuts between the performance from Meat
Loaf and the storyline of the video based outside with actors.
This is a typical structure of a rock video and highlights that the

6. ELVIS PRESLEY- JAILHOUSE ROCK
Elvis’ video for Jailhouse Rock shows a different style of rock video. Although, it does stick
to the same structure as other videos which is the whole concept of a performance video.
Elvis is seen singing and dancing through the use of mid-shots, long-shots, close up shots
and master shots. These all highlight Elvis performing which emphasises how it is a rock
music video. Furthermore, the black and white edited colour that is on the video highlights
how rock is seen to be as a ‘dark’ genre and not a ‘colourful’ genre such as the pop genre.
Like mentioned previously, instruments are very important within a rock genre music video,
and instruments are seen being played by other young male actors- to appeal to the female
audience. The clothing that Elvis is wearing is a leather jacket and a typical jail striped top
to emphasise the lyrics of the song. Overall, his appearance, as seen in the close up shot, is
very well groomed which is different from the un kept hair stereotype of rock artists.
However, the fact he is ‘in jail’ emphasises his bad boy image.