Does the music video demonstrate
genre characteristics?
The majority off James’s
Morrison’s music is soul based. Soul genre music videos are usually narrative based regarding issues surrounding love,
family etc. The majority of soul genre music videos use slow cuts and slow pace editing and
do not use any special effects. This video undoubtedly conveys many of the
genre characteristics. The video is narrative based and illustrates themes of
love and relationships as James Morrison wakes up one morning to find his
partner lying in the road.Are there references to the notion of looking?
At 0.56 seconds of the music video James Morrison is seen looking out of his window, at a female lying down in the road. It is evident that he has some sort off intimate relationship with this female. A voyeuristic feel is created to the video and the audience is placed in the perspective of James Morrison, also looking out of the window at the female, at the opening to the video. The video illustrates particularly voyeuristic treatment of the female body as she appearsvulnerable lying down in the middle of the road. A particularly interesting shot is at 1 minute 7 seconds whereby the female is lying in the road vertically. The line her body forms mimics the lines of the road and elevates the voyeurism of the female body which is evident in the video presenting her has elegant. Nonetheless, these references are not particularly a sexual reference but do however convey the female body as beautiful and elegant. Additionally the female is dressed in white to symbolise purity and therefore the notion of looking is explored in the music video with the vulnerability of the female body.
Are there frequent close ups of the artists?
Yes, there are frequent close ups of James Morrison, alone and with the female. The use of close ups provides stability to the music video as he appears affectionate towards the female. The use of close ups for this music video enhances the emotional state of James Morrison and is vital in conveying him in the way in which his fans desire to perceive him as loving, caring and attentive.
Is there a relationship between the lyrics and visuals?
Leading on from the frequent use of close ups to show an evident intimacy between both James and the female, the chorus in particular ‘I Won’t Let You Go’ is undoubtedly amplified by the visuals. James appears to comfort the female in a way in which he won’t let her go. However there is a slight pensive side to the music video as it is unclear as to why the female is lying in the middle of the road. This is not answered in the lyrics and therefore in some respects there are elements of the music video which do not fit in with parts of the lyrics therefore showing minor elements of disjuncture.
Are there inter-textual references to films, TV programmes or other music videos?
There is an evident uncertainty as to why the female is lying in the road. All that is understood is that the female is in some form of emotional state and James Morrison is there to comfort her. A similar theme is shown in Radioheads music video of ‘Just’ which was released a while before James Morrison’s video in 1995. The Man in the video is found lying down on the pavement and those surrounding him claim he is ‘mad’. The subtitles used in this video further illustrate different audience interpretations as there is an uncertainty as to why he is lying down in the pavement. In both music videos the answer is not revealed at the end and the mystery is left for the audience to figure out on their own. I especially love the way endings are left untold as they could be lying on the floor for any reason. I therefore desire to use an untold ending in my music video as in my view I believe this has a greater impact to the video making it not only more memorable by audiences but also open to interpretations.
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| James Morrison- I Won't Let You Go |
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| Radiohead-Just |
Some solid references and analysis here. SG.
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