Molly Rickards (7111) Similar Product Research - 'Ellie Goulding - Your Song'

This song is by British artist, Ellie Goulding, the video is a bit different to the others I have looked at so far; I thought it was worth looking at this video as I think it shows a video can be about someone who is not shown in the video as this lets the audience decide who the song is about which is another way to attract the audience as it leaves the song open for interpretation. This song has a much more joyful tone to it and this feeling is portrayed in the video.

The video is performative, throughout the video the artist is filmed singing, mainly using close ups and the rule of thirds, she is often framed well with the sun in the background, this causes us to focus on the lyrics. It is a ‘feel good’ song, there are no parts in the song which suggest sadness or discontent- the mise en scene including the costume signify it is cold possibly winter, this contrasts with the mood slightly as cold dull weather is often associated with sadness. There are other things used like glimpses of the sun and shots of a kitten again adding to the ‘feel good’ mood, these shots are backed up by Bartes signs and signifiers theory as they are both things which are associated with happiness and laughter.

In the song it repeats ‘it may be quite simple’ this fits the video well, if a video like one of Lady Gaga’s had been used the song would be contradicted and it would not work, however the song lyrics also say ‘I don’t have much money’ which is followed by a shot of a large ring and in the video a close up of designer ‘hunter’ wellington boots, this questions the lyrics to a degree.

At the bridge of the song the shots change from duller shots of her laughing with friends and shots of her singing in the sunshine, this again is very mood lifting. I think with the video being quite simple, it makes the lyrics easier to focus on and much more meaningful, I would like to consider something which is not too complicated when making my music video as I don’t want to cause the lyrics to lose their meaning .