Music video analysis

1. Miley Cyrus – We Can’t Stop

2. Intro
 This video features many conventions of the R&B/ Pop
music culture such as:
 Violence
 Drug Use
 Drinking
 Sex/Relationships
However these aspects are presented in a relatively
subtle way throughout the video.

3. The start of the video displays a close up of Miley.
This video is very much there to promote mileys
new image, and the blonde hair, red lipstick and
teeth along with the bright yellow bold font
present this in a bold way. From this we can
deduce that the rest of the video will be
orientated about selling her new party- animal
rebellious image. The following shot displaying
a two shot of a couple coming out of a hedge
displays typical mischievous behaviour from
teenage couples at parties and re enforces this
sexual image and Mileys lifestyle. The shot
displaying somebody lighting marshmallows
with a candle. The inclusion of the lighter again
complies with the party/ rebellious lifestyle of
Miley, often smoking cigarettes or marijuana
which is going along with her knew image. This
shot is made more innocent and playful through
use of marshmellows and bright colours, and
could perhaps be a slight reminent of mileys old
image, which is contrasted with the lighters.

4. Another close up is used to show the
odd/ crazy events that occur at this
party. A sculpture of a skull is made of
chips, which could resemble rebellion,
death, danger or toxic substances. This
could again be a display of her new
character and lifestyle, and it is ridding
her old image in a way that is very
subtle. A medium shot is then
displayed which allows the audience to
see her provocative sexual pose and
dancing. The setting is all white and
uses high key lighting, which makes
her red lips and tattoos stand out, this
is again shedding her old image and
creating a sort of motif by which she
will be recognised.

5. The slow editing of the knife being
drawn across the fake fingers suggests
violence within youth culture. The video
is extremely relatable to the youth
generation. The pink liquid mimicking
blood can be an indication of mockery of
innocence, however it can be identified
to be like a hallucination someone would
see on an LSD trip, thus reinforcing this
party drug culture. Another mockery of
innocence is made with the dancing
teddy bears, the long shot highlights
Miley standing central to the frame,
which is sort of like selling her. The
innocence is being taken from the bears
when put in the context of the drug
fullled party, which again is suggesting
rejection of mileys old image. This also
complies with one of Goodwins ideas of
selling the artist like a promotional
object.

6. The ‘censored’ block on
mileys lips is slightly
making a mockery of
critics saying her videos are
too provocative, whilst also
acknowledging the explicit
material in her videos.
This again goes with mileys
edgy image. Miley breaks
the 4th wall mentioned in
goodwins theory, as she
directly sings to the camera
whilst looking seductive,
this is also containing
aspects of Laura Mulvey's
gaze theory as miley is
filmed in such a
perspective that can be
seen as veouryistic.

7. Theories
Roland Barthes enigma code can be seen in this video, as I
mentioned before when marsh mellows are being cooked
on lighters, and the skull is made out of the chips, this is
never explained but is rather left a mystery, like a sort of
exclusive inside joke. This creates a feeling of missing out
among the audience, who can relate to such odd events at
drink and drug fuelled parties. Goodwins theory of
disjuncture applies to this video as the lyrics have little
relation to what is happening on screen. Shores theories of
simulated experience anesthetization of violence through
chic, adolecent male fantasies and immediate gratification
can be applied to this video. This demonstrates its social
currency and relation to youth culture.