The document provides an analysis of the music video for "Blurred Lines" by Robin Thicke. It analyzes various shots from the video and argues they promote the sexual objectification and domination of women. Specific shots are described where women perform acts to appease Thicke. The lyrics are also critiqued for suggesting a woman's silence implies consent. Though commercially successful, the video received significant criticism for its perceived sexism and portrayal of gender roles.

1. Blurred Lines
By Simon Cheshire

2. The #THICKE appears throughout the video
and is a good self reference, this # is a
reference towards Robin Thicke and the size
of his private area, this # usually appears
along with seductive and sexual camera
shots in the background with infers how
sexually attract Robin Thicke is.
This shot uses mise-en-scene to their advantage because they
have used props such as a lamb which is held by one of the
female characters next to Pharrell who is wearing a farmer
styled hat this is a good intertextual reference because it
references the lamb as being innocent and him being dressed
like a farmer implies he is going to ‘tend’ to her like a farmer
would to a normal lamb, this uses intersexual pastiche
referencing because the audience see the sexual message of
the lamb rather than it just being another event in the video
which isn’t connected and doesn’t have an implied message

3. This is a extreme close up of one of the female’s faces with her head
tilted to the side, it shows her really red lips and seductive eyes which
suggests that she is being seduced by Robin Thicke and the music video.
This shot is a example of how the director of the video has over
sexualised the camerawork and that the female characters are
objectified for sex.
This is a close up of two characters one female one male, the female is in
front of Robin Thicke and dancing in a seductive way, similar to
something like a Lap dance. This is using pastiche because it is kind of
parodying a soft porn movie where they begin to be seduced which will
then be followed by sex after the video.
This is again really over sexualising the female character because it
is a good example of how the male gauze is being used because
they are trying to seduce the male singers and the car driving
along her back really shows of all her different sexual features
which would appeal to someone such as Robin Thicke.

4. This shot shows the female character lighting
Robin Thicke’s cigarette which is referring to
Robin Thicke as using the women for what he
wants. For example they are doing exactly what
he wants, also lighting his cigarette has made
her seduced which is explained in her facial
expressions.
This is a good use of product placement within
the Blurred Lines video and reflects the type of
person Robin Thicke is. In this case there is a close
up of a bottle of Remy Martin Vodka which is a
expensive type of drink and references how he is
rich and able to afford expensive drinks and
portrays his bad boy image even more.

5. This shot shows the female character dancing with one of the male ones in really
tall shoes, which are crazy shoes and very postmodern. However they also serve as
a purpose which is to show the audience how far superior men are compared to
women because women have to wear these big shoes to be equal with them.
This shot has a female character stood in front of balloons saying ‘Robin Thicke
has a big d’ which is self referencing and fighting what the media are saying. First
of all he is bigging him self up to try and seduce all the women in the video.
Furthermore it is fighting the media because they were suggesting he had the
opposite.
This shot is the end of the video with a two shot of Pharrel going to touch Robin
Thicke’s private this is a very quick shot however is very significant in terms that
it has been done to try and quickly change the whole message of the music
video, to just Robin Thicke is irresistible to everyone rather than just women

6. Video Relationship To Audience and Artist
• The videos relationship to the audience is very sexual, mainly because it is
constantly promoting the idea of sex. Also it is also creating the
relationship of male dominance over females because in the video the
females are doing everything for the man which is promoting it as a good
thing. Of course many of the key shots throughout the video is very sexual
which promotes the message of sex.
• The relationship between the video and the artist is also very significant.
For example in the media because of this video Robin Thicke is now
portrayed as a ‘feminist pig’ and a ‘sex animal’. This supports the morale's
and ideas of the video which Robin Thicke the artist wanted and promoted
himself.

7. Lyrics
• Many of the lyrics throughout the song have been protested by many
feminist’s for example. Thicke sings lyrics “You’re a good girl,”
suggesting that a good girl won’t show her desire for sex.This
becomes further proof in his mind that she wants sex: for good girls,
silence is consent and “no” really means “yes.”

8. Institutional Info
• Blurred Lines was a huge success all over the world, it was number one in
20 different countries. In America, it was the longest running number one
single of 2013. The song subsequently became one of the best-selling
singles of all time, with sales of 14.8 million, breaking the record for largest
radio audience in history. The single was nominated for two Grammys at
the 56th Annual Grammy Awards, including Record of the Year and Best
Pop Duo Group Performance. The song has been used for numerous
parodies and cover versions which explains how popular it is.
• However it has also become part of a huge court claim because the family
of Marvin Gaye and Bridgeport Music felt the song infringed copyrights to
"Got to Give It Up". Robin Thicke and Pharrell Williams were found liable of
copyright infringement by a federal jury in March 2015.

9. Reviews
• Blurred lines has had many reviews since it’s release however most of
them have been very negative.
• However the positive ones were very good, this is mainly based on
the beat of the song because they feel that is very good. Chris Payne a
music DJ described it as a "bubbly bit of disco-shuffling R&B“ which
was one of the few good reviews.
• In contrast many feminist has also reviewed the song, this wasn’t as
positive, one of the many reviews has said the lyrics are rapey, the
video overtly objectifies women and the only people worthy of
clothes are men. I'm sorry, why are we arguing about whether a video
that pretty much defines sexism is sexist or not?