Representations in Music Videos

Explain How Representations in Music Videos are Chosen to Promote the Artist(s)

Refer to Both of the Music Videos you Have Studied to Support Your Answer.

The bands Massive Attack and Radiohead have taken two alternative approaches to how representations in their respective music videos are chosen to present them as artists. Massive Attack are represented in their respective video, “Unfinshed Sympathy”, as individual members fitting in with everyday Society. The video was directed by Baillie Walsh and was filmed in continuous shot. The video, filmed on Stedicam, begins with a shot of a street gang before moving to follow Nelson walking along the pavement unaware or uncaring of her surroundings, which includes drunks, bikers and disabled people. As the video progresses, 3D (having finished making a call in a public phone booth) and then Daddy G (pushing a cart) can been seen walking several paces behind her, slightly out of focus. At the end of the video, Nelson walks past the camera and down the road into the distance. Unlike many other videos this offers an alternative perspective to other music videos which do not centre around a main “feature” or “star”, which conflicts with other artists who may strive for fame and want to stand out amongst other. Throughout their respective video, Massive Attack may want to bring about a positive change in society and bring together communities, something which the band does and emphasises. On the other hand, Radiohead’s video, “Burn the Witch” does not feature any of its band members, instead, it is a stop motion animated video. The video homages the 1973 horror film “The Wicker Man” and depicts the mob rule in a rural community. An Inspector is greeted be a town mayor and invited to see series of unsettling events, culminating in the unraveling of the Wicker Man, whereupon he is locked inside as a human sacrifice and the Wicker Man is set on fire. As the flames gather, the towns people turn their backs and wave goodbye to the camera. This provide a slightly more alternative meaning than Massive Attacks video.

The bands representations are also emphasised through their lyrical content choices. Unfinished Sympathy is a love song. The meaning of Massive Attacks, Unfinshed Sympathy is about becoming involved with someone who then pulls away- “How can I have a day without night, you’re the book that I have opened, and I’ve got to know much more”. The lyrics suggest Nelson has had some kind of limited contact with another person which has left her wanting more. “Like a soul without a mind”, conveys the feeling of emptiness as a result of this desire, she is missing something that she needs. Also, perhaps a recognition to the fact that she will not get what she wants. The line “you really hurt me baby” expresses her angst and despair about the fact the other person does not requite her love, the meaning may not reference a previous relationship but questions whether she will get hurt if she enters this one. However, Radiohead’s, Burn the Witch has a different meaning. The song is about the recent media and politics of the US and in the UK in 2016, playing on natural fears and encouraging people to mistrust and accuse each other. Just like the music video confirms, the entire analogy of the witch hunt dominates the material, while an ongoing subtext pushes a related narrative. It had been considered a song that raises awareness about Europe’s refugee crisis.

Overall, I think that both videos are successful in the representation of the artists/ bands. Burn the Witch is a criticism of authority and a warning against groupthink, expressing a “deep sense of dread and skepticism”. The Guardian felt it addressed mass surveillance or the threat to open discussion posed by self-policing users of social media. Pitchfolk witter Marc Hogan suggested that the use of the Trumpton Trilogy style of video, which portrays an idyllic, crimefree rural Britain, reflects the rhetoric of family values used by right-wing politicians and members of the UK Independence Party. On of the animators of the video interrupted the song as a comment on the European migrant crisis and scapegoating Muslims. The visual style of the video was deliberately lighter in tone than the song, as Radiohead “wanted the video to contrast with what they’re playing and to wake people up a bit”. Many would argue that the video is somewhat positive in its representation of the band. Likewise, Massive Attacks single, Unfinshed Sympathy is said to be one of their most commercially successful songs/videos. Again this too represents the band in a positive light.