Analysis of music video 1

The first music video that I have chosen to analyse is similar in many ways to the themes and ideas that I intend to portray in my own film. This therefore, makes it an ideal subject for analysis.

The song is titled “Need to feel love” and it is by reflekt, who are a UK electro and dance group, and coincidently is the original mix of the song that I have chosen for my own music video. The Dominating narrative running throughout the piece appears to be that of a love story between a man and a woman. On a basic level this would seem to fit with the lyrics of the song “come and touch me baby” “need to feel loved” “I’m in love” and also the various shots and images depicted of the man and woman holding hands and the protagonist having flashbacks of the woman singing to him. These shots portray them as a romantic “perfect couple” holding hands and walking down the beach and it seems that this is what the viewer is intended to think. However, there is also a sense that the relationship is not merely based on love but also an unhealthy dependency on the part of the male protagonist. This appears to be shown through his constant flashbacks to times when they were together and shots of him in obvious distress when he is alone.

Already I had begun to appreciate the complexity of the video and the song, and when I began to view and listen to it more pragmatically, I discovered a sub narrative running parallel to the initial more obvious one.

 Certain lines of the song may initially appear to be representational of his dependence and love for the woman however; in my opinion what they are actually metaphorical of the feelings experienced by those who are dependent on drugs:

“Awake before I’m down”

“Eyes wide open... I’m dreaming”

“Freefalling baby”

All of these lyrics may be metaphorical of the highs and lows experienced when taking Drugs and when taking into account the interesting editing throughout and the use of effects in order to disillusion the viewer, it becomes ever more apparent that the majority of the video is a metaphor including, in my opinion, the protagonist’s girlfriend.

 The fact that the lyrics are sung by the woman suggests that she may not be his girlfriend as it initially appears but a projection or personification of his dependence and love for drugs and the control they have over him, as she is the one singing the words to him. This is further emphasised by the extreme emotions he experiences when he is with her and more poignantly when they are apart:

“Don’t let me fade away”

“Stay with me baby”

The physical appearance of the woman is also very interesting, as is immediately apparent she has blonde hair, blue eyes and appears to be the epitome of femininity so much so that there is something of an ethereal quality about her; this is further emphasised by the echo added to her voice as she sings. This is strongly representational of his need and attachment to drugs, that he associates them with the purest human emotion which is love. Her pure appearance contrasts greatly with the general opinion about drug use which further accentuates how his mind has been altered. Her other worldly appearance suggests that she is a temptress and he is in some way hypnotised by her, and controlled by her which is again strongly representational of drug addiction.

As mentioned earlier the editing is another strong representation of the theme and there are several effects used throughout that further suggest drug use such as the speeding up of shot and also the blurring of shots these create a sense of erraticness, particularly in the shots in which the protagonist is consuming alcohol, and is in a social environment with the girl that would be conducive to taking drugs. A lot of quick cuts from location to location in no particular order also have the same effect.

The mese en scene throughout the video also suggests drug use such as a club environment and the general untidy appearance of the protagonist himself.

This music video has been extremely useful to me and has given me inspiration as to what I am able to do with my own film.