Texual Analysis Essays

Kesha- Tik Tok (2009)    By Rhianwen Edmondson      

  I will be analysing the pop music video for the song “Tik Tok” also known as “Dolla” by Ke$ha. Many distinct characteristics of the pop genre can be seen in this video, the artist is the focal point of the song throughout. The mood of the pop video is generally happy/ upbeat, this video follows that idea. Bright colour schemes, and on trend clothing, hair and make-up are used. Although Ke$ha does not follow the glamorised stereotype of females in pop videos, elements of the mise-en-scene do adhere to this.

  The lyrics and the visuals have a strong relationship, the focal point of the song being about the party lifestyle of the young. The lyrics amplify the visuals as the video starts with the artist waking in a bath half dressed. Flashbacks of the previous night are shown in black and white, with a hazy effect added to demonstrate her vague recollection.

“Before I leave, brush my teeth with a bottle of Jack' cause, when I leave for the night, I ain't coming back” represents her life as the ongoing party. She intends to go out and stay out all night long. A similar scene is seen again at the end of the song. She is at a nightclub but then ends her night lying in someone’s bathtub. It shows each day is a repetition of the last, her obsession with partying never ending.

  Her reference in the lyrics to the ‘essential needs’ of a teenager girl; pedicures, clothes, phones, CD’s and of course partying once again illustrates the theme of the song.

“ And now, the dudes are lining up cause they hear we got swagger, but we kick em to the curb unless they look like Mick Jagger”  corresponds to the visuals as she is approached by a young man, but refuses him for an older man with money and an expensive car. There is an element of comedy to this. However the underlying meaning of these lyrics, tell us that although she allows herself to be put on sexual display, she is the one in control. She does not allow men to take advantage of her, despite the fact that she may be drunk and having a good time.” Boys tryin' to touch my junk, junk gonna smack him if he getting too drunk, drunk.”

  Typically music videos from the pop genre consist of mid shots, focussing the viewers attention on the artist. This type of shot allows for the immediate surroundings to be shown, informing the viewers of the location, but not distracting too much from the artist. A good example of this type of shot is seen here. The yellow background is interesting, and follows the characteristics of the genre, but the artist is still at the centre of the viewer’s attention. Her bare legs seen through the ‘male gaze’.

     There are also a number of close ups enabling us to see the clear physical details of the artist. We are able to see the emotions of the artists face, helping us to further understand the mood of the video. In this particular close up we see her pouting her lips. Showing a lack of remorse at her arrest, she treats the situation as if it is a normal everyday occurrence. This links to her bad girl, party hard image.

  The editing has been synchronized to the upbeat tempo of the song. Fast pasted quick cut editing is seen throughout. The beat of the song and auto-tune on her voice also emphasises the feel of the song, lively and upbeat like her character.

  The video presents a performance and a narrative, fragments of each cut in non linear order. The mise-en-scene is used to take us through a day in the life of this partying teenager. She wakes up hung over, gets drunk, heads to the club and gets even more drunk, the beginning and the end of the video are the same telling the viewers that a day has passed giving a sense of time and place.  Her performance allows for voyeurism, by the way in which she sings the lyrics and presents herself i.e. her mannerisms. Her direct eye contact with the camera also creates a sense of intimacy for the viewer.

  This video confirms the perception that many people have of young females today. Partying, drinking and being promiscuous. This representation has perhaps been influenced by the music video, consequently shaping the image and views of what we see in everyday life. The portrayal of the artist as a sex symbol is the norm for any music video with a female, Ke$ha is no exception.

  Ke$ha has an alternative star image to those in the majority of pop videos. Rather than looking glamorous and using expensive clothing, locations and props, she appears to be more of what a typical teenage girl might look like. Her look developed from her being poor, and trying to brand herself as best she could on a budget. With messy hair, smudged make-up and a wardrobe she herself describes as “garbage-chic”. The dollar sign in her name meant to be ironic as she does not put an emphasis on money. This song being her debut song/video promotes Ke$ha in the way that she wishes to be seen “honest, fun and celebrating youth and life by going out and getting crazy.”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O_AAn24fEk8 

The Saturdays – Ego (2009)          By Lucy Ellis

Ego is the second single to be released from the album ‘Wordshaker’ also released on the same date. The music video and title fit the song perfectly.

  The song and music video is very typical of the pop genre, it is glamorised, fast paced and has many close ups. The video is mainly narrative-based with the five girls depicted as superheroes who are out for revenge against an ex member of the group.

  The mise-en-scene of the video is set out like an old superhero film or television series, the location being a dark city with the girls in superhero costumes disguised with large over coats. These costumes being brightly coloured which again is typical of a pop genre music video. The costumes of the paparazzi are old fashioned suits to go with the mise-en-scene of an old superhero film/TV series.  

  The video offers many close ups of each member of the band separately to show their part of the narrative and to enhance each member’s status. There are also long shots of the whole group together to show that they are a band and not separate artists. The camera also pans around each girl giving them equal camera time and more close ups of each girl.

  The fast paced music coincides with the editing which is also fast paced and cuts to the beat. The shots themselves are only ever a few seconds long, again to correspond with the beat and keep the viewers interest. The first lyrics of the song are ‘We used to go together’ which links to the narrative of the five girls being in a superhero group with a male superhero who then went solo, disbanding the group.

  There are intertextual references to old superhero films such as ‘Batman’; the location is a dark city very much like ‘Gotham City’. Also the shots of the male superhero speaking to the paparazzi with the mayor behind him are seen in most old superhero films after the hero has saved the city. When Vanessa is using her power, her eyes cloud and she uses her hands to control the superhero. This is an intertextual reference to the character ‘Storm’ from the film ‘X-Men’. Vanessa’s costume is also similar in design and uses the yellow and black colours of the ‘X-Men’ costumes. 

  The girls are put on sexual display throughout the video with close ups of their skin tight and revealing costumes, where as the men are all dressed in coats and suits. The girls are represented as being out for revenge after the male superhero turned his back on them, taking all the glory and publicity for himself.  

  The male superhero is portrayed as the leader of the group as shown in the poster. He is seen to be standing in front of the girls, in a dominant pose as if he should be the centre of attention. He is also represented as being arrogant in thinking he is above the girls, which is later turned against him.

  The girls become more powerful towards the end of the video as they control and intimidate him with their individual powers. The video portrays the group as being independent and strong individually and as a team. This gives a strong message that the girls will not be taken advantage of, showing their self-confidence and status as a famous band. 

  The lyrics of the song coincide with the narrative of the video showing the girls as being bitter and angry that he thinks he is the superstar:- ‘And now you wanna pretend that you a superstar’. They will not be around when he needs their help: - ‘I will not be there to help you break the fall’. At the beginning of the video a picture is shown of the superhero group in happier times, which corresponds to the line: - ‘Lookin’ after each other.’

  The record company is focusing on each member of the band individually, even though each one is part of the group. They have used the girls’ sexual image to promote the song, reaching out to the male market. This has been achieved by dressing the girls in skin tight, revealing costumes. These costumes remain the same throughout the video. As is typical in a pop genre music video, the girls are all glamorised. Their hair, make-up and costumes are immaculate, endorsing this glamorised look. This reaches out to the female audience who aspire to be as famous and successful as this group.      
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Umag84Fqk4I