2. Genre characteristics
The Beatles belonged to
the popular rock genre-
although there is some
distinction between
characteristics of the rock
genre in the 60s and the
rock genre today.
However, the Beatles were
also highly experimental;
transitioning from rock n’ roll,
to pop, to more alternative
music styles.This is a large
part of their legacy- the video
Eleanor Rigby falls into this
alternative/ experimental
phase.
Stylistically, the video is very unusual in that it consists mainly of a series of stills with sepia or grey
scale effects. This not only has the effect of giving the piece an aged appearance, but also supports the
concept of sadness and loneliness expressed by the lyrics.This is technically speaking a form of
animation, and forms a major departure from the conventions of pop/ rock products both in the 60s
and today. There is no aspect of performance, no maintaining of a star image- simply visuals to
support the narrative and music.
However, in this case it is in fact the challenge to genre characteristics which proved to be the videos’
USP: by breaking with convention, the Beatles were able to expand massively beyond their usual
traditional rock audience.
The use of red and orange filters in these images would have been added at
the post production feeling to create a dark, ominous tone.
3. Link between lyrics and visuals
There is an incredibly prominent link between lyrics and visuals in “ Eleanor Rigby”- to the extent that
the lyrics appear as part of the visuals.
The video itself is an example of illustration in that all images correspond directly with the lyrics. This
allows for the audience to focus entirely on the meaning of the lyrics, so that they have the maximum
emotional impact.
The abstract noun “dream” traditionally
connotes something which is
fantastical, and unusual- by
juxtaposing these lyrics with the
greyscale image of a shabby urban
house, there is a certain sense of
discord between lyric and visual that
leads the audience to consider whether
the image is the dream, or the reality
that is being escaped from in Eleanor
Rigby’s dream.
The wide shot above
illustrates not only a church,
but a grave yard in the
foreground.The use of the
directly opposing imagery of
the “wedding” and the
“graveyard” creates a division
between Eleanor Rigby’s
reality and a happier reality
which she longs for- this
further enhances the sense of
loneliness and isolation.
Leafless trees and
snowy earth denote
winter; which is
metonymous with the
cold- and also is often
used as a metaphor for
old age; the” winter
years”- this is a more
subtle link with the
lyrics, which are
ultimately about the
fate of the elderly,
whom the character of
Eleanor Rigby is used
to represent.
4. Link between music and
visualsThis is something which is far more difficult to express through images. I have embedded a link at the beginning of
the presentation for this purpose. The instrumental arrangement is a double string quartet with accompanying
harmonies which change in key throughout.
The change in key is often supported by visuals; most notably at the start and end of
each chorus.
At this point, the key descends from D to C- not
only does this mark the transition from still to still,
but also constructs a sense of urgency and loss
which is supported by the imagery of the
graveyard, which connotes the same.
Additionally camera movement provides a link
between music and visuals. The image above is a
screenshot of an upwards pan, in which the camera
moves up and above a gate. As the pan moves
upwards, the key of the music ascends.When the
pan stabilises, the music alternates between low
and high notes.This has the effect of creating a
feeling of tension, and unease- aided by the orange
of the sky which creates an almost ominous,
threatening tone.
5. Voyeurism/Notions of looking
Here begins the real challenge to convention. Any sense of voyeurism is
completely absent, simply because it would not suit the tone of the lyrics to
have something which is traditionally used to construct sexuality in a song
which is about neglect and loneliness.
However, as you can see here there are some
references to the notion of looking that are
constructed by the sequence of an extreme close up
of the face of “Father McKenzie” which is then
followed by a point of view shot that pans across a
table stacked with books.This is present not only as
a reflection of the lyrics but to give the video a sense
of perspective to the video, adding to a sense of
pointlessness and isolation- this time, a priest writing
a sermon that “no one will hear”.The implication of
this as the only other perspective is that the only care
Eleanor Rigby receives is in death.
6. Demands of the label and
Intertextual reference
This is yet another means by which the Beatles video “Eleanor Rigby” does not
conform in the slightest- I have already mentioned that there is no performance
element, no representation of the band and no presentation of band identity.This
may initially seem highly unusual, and even detrimental to the success of the band-
but this is where it is important to understand context.The Beatles were, even by the
time that this video was produced, the highest grossing band of all time. It is a
testament to their success that this is still the case, even today. BecauseThe Beatles
had by this point become a household name, there was not nearly as much pressure
for the band to conform to the demands of the label- thus the focus in the visuals of
the piece is supporting the lyrics. For the same reason, there is also a lack of
intertextual reference- because of the success ofThe Beatles, there was not a need
for any visual intertextual reference: audiences were willing to consume the band’s
products based on their prestige, and pre established star personas. However there is
arguably some musical intertextual reference to earlier Beatles tracks it terms of
compositional style.
However, I should also be aware that whatever artist I select, they will be very, very far
from this status.They will fit more into the “debut single” bracket. For this reason, I
should absolutely conform to the demands of the label because at this point in my
performer’s career there is still going to be a massive need to construct a star
persona. Even if this were not the case, there are virtually no other bands as
commercially successful asThe Beatles- so their non-conformity to label demands is a
complete one off.
