Music Video Analysis for A2 Media Studies - Radiohead - No Suprises

1. RADIOHEAD
- NO SURPRISES
M U S I C V I D E O A N A L Y S I S
B Y S A M M C N A M A R A

2. This music video by Radiohead can be described as a 'one shot wonder'. This is another way of saying a
video which consists of only one camera shot throughout the entire piece. This can be useful when
drawing attention to performances or particular imagery within the frame, without the distraction of
camera movements and cuts. This is also useful for creating a sense of continuity, as it is one continuous
shot with no cuts or movements. In this music video, the use of one shot throughout is particularly
effective as it forces the audience to familiarise themselves with all of the the visual elements in the shot
and focus on the singer, Thom Yorke's, performance and emotion. The singer is well focused on, too, due
to the nature of the shot being close up, thus drawing a closer focus on his emotions and facial
expressions. This creates an uncomfortable mood/tone in this video as the singer is showing signs of
distress and arguably sadness. The discomfort is further enforced when Yorke is submerged in water and
has to hold his breath for a significant amount of time. The use of a close up shot also links this music
video to Goodwin's idea that close up shots are typical of music videos as they present the artist's image
directly to the audience, allowing for audience identification and ultimately the selling of a brand.
ONE
SHOT
WONDER

3. SHOTESTABLISHING
Due to the fact that this is a one shot wonder, I will refer to the first few seconds of the video the establishing
shot, as there is only one shot and therefore no real establishing shot.
The establishing shot for this music video introduces the audience to the dark studio setting. Using a black
studio with no immediate colour connotes an unplayful, serious tone. Black is often used to represent a sense of
mystery and perhaps a depressed, and serious mood. The use of darkness links with the lyrics as they portray a
character who is done with the world, so to speak. For example, the lyrics "I'll take a quiet life, a handshake with
carbon monoxide". This lyric personifies carbon monoxide as he wishes to make an agreement to go separate
ways and lead a life without the toxic gas. This links to Goodwin's idea that there is a link between the lyrics and
the visuals. This link is further enforced through backwards projections of the actual lyrics onto the screen.
During the establishing shot small, reflected specks of light flash gently on and off to match the timbre of the
keyboard instrument. Therefore, this links to Goodwin's idea of the visuals having a strong link to the music
itself.

4. REPRESENTATION
Arguably, the effect that the water has created, when Thom Yorke is forced to hold his breath, is the idea
of holding in emotions. Whilst the water fills the frame and he is holding his breath, this represents
holding in emotions, and when the water is released he takes a gasp for air which could symbolise a
release of emotions, or the stability brought by after expressing such emotions. Holding in one's emotions
is said to be something more typical of the male gender, for this reason it is arguable that gender
stereotypes are somewhat reinforced by this music video. Alternatively, gender stereotypes have been
challenged as males are very rarely presented to the audience as emotional in any way in the media
The second representation in this music video is extremely stereotypical of media texts and particularly
explored by modern rock bands ­ political views and the government. The lyrics, "bring down the
government" and "they don't speak for us" are both very stereotypical views of political bodies on behalf
of rock bands. Very seldom do rock bands who explore political matters in their music explore positive
views towards the government This representation can be both positive and negative as, while it does
encourage democracy and people power, it can also create a sense of distrust in how the country is run.

5. MUSIC
VIDEO
STYLE
Concept, with elements of performance...
The style of this music videos is undoubtedly concept. This is because so much of the
ideas and messages explored in the video are done so conceptually and in less explicit
ways than in a narrative music video. For example: the use of darkness; the one shot
nature of the video; the water and holding of breath; and the reflected light are all
conceptual ideas and connote various meaning less directly ­ they require some degree of
thought and imagination on behalf of the audience
However, the focus on the singer and the moment in which he does actually sing the lyrics
in the shot links this video slightly to performance also. Despite this there is no focus on
instruments, or the other band members, and no direct audience participation. Therefore,
this video links most to concept based music videos.

6. WHAT IS THE
CONCEPT?
The lyrics and imagery both refer to the idea of death via drowning.
The concept arguably is that life can often be far too much for many
people. We all have "jobs that slowly kill [us]" and are falling powerless
to a more and more interfering government. The link to carbon
monoxide, an extremely toxic and harmful gas which is man­made and
now more frequently in our atmosphere than ever before, also supports
the idea of death as a metaphor for modern existence.