Music Video Analysis

Elliot Stahlmann (5214)

“Applause” by Lady Gaga

GENRE

The use of stylised choreography, bright clothing, fast beat and lighting is evocative of mainstream pop. Similarly, as Goodwin highlights, conventionally music videos will have a narrative or message; here Lady Gaga critiques society for being consumerist and fame-driven.

VISUALS AND SOUND

Reading deeper into the visuals there is a somewhat apparent connection between visuals and sound. As the lyrics “give me thing that I love” are sang, the artist appears empowered, craving fame and attention

VISUALS AND SOUND

“I live for the applause” is further evocative of this. As the song progresses and beat picks up, the artist starts to rise as a monster. This is suggestive of “THE FAME MONSTER” to which the album is named. Through this relation, Gaga suggests that fame can consume and corrupt and uses the links between visuals and lyrics and sound to establish this.

ARTIST BRANDINGConventionally, music videos tend to sell the artist as their own brand. Here, Lady Gaga is showcased to sell as a product. Making the artist a focus for the video puts them at the forefront of the audience’s mind and so they pay most attention to them. Likewise, being the first and last image on screen makes the artist the first and last impression. However, here Lady Gaga is the only consistent image throughout. Moreover, close-ups focus in on her putting her at the forefront of the consumer’s mind

VOYEURISM

In one reading it could be said that this is very voyeuristic. As though we are watching the artist perform live and participate in a run way. Additionally, the female artist is sexualised as is conventional for music videos, wearing little clothing and dancing suggestively.

INTERTEXTUAL REFERENCESHere there are several intertextual references. As the ‘fame monster’ emerges it is clearly a black swan. This is perhaps linked to the phrase “not all swans are white”. Perhaps this is used to portray ideas of identity to its audience as a message that critiques the fame-driven youth culture of today that largely base their identity on the recognition of others i.e. through social media and so on

NARRATIVEOverall, there is a clear narrative. As the artist gains “applause” that is craves, “the fame monster” begins to emerge and grow until it is revealed as black swan consumed by it’s own ego. This is cleverly done to critique today’s culture or consumerist nature and popularity based recognition within all frames of life. Lady Gaga is trying to suggest how destructive it can be to seek status through fame