Music Video Deconstruction

Last Request – Paolo Nutini (Folk)

If you were to listen to the lyrics without seeing the video you could think of it in a different way making the lyrics misleading. By seeing the video is makes the video amplify the lyrics as said by Andrew Goodwin in 1992 who states once we watch It we fully understand what message they are trying to put across A lot of Paolo Nutinis music is influenced by personal emotion or experiences that have happened to his friends or family. All of his videos show the visuals illustrating the lyrics. By repeating the verse “I want you closer” helps to show emotion as we can see that they are apart. The mood of the song is very deep, so the choice to have a slow guitar and drum beat along with the vocals together helps to create that effect. As listeners we are also able to associate this combination with a Paolo Nutini song. He always stars in his own music videos but it is not clear if he is playing himself or a character. The video is looking to create an emotional response from the viewer. They do this through emphasising the emotion that the characters show towards each other. At the beginning the girl is shown crying indicating something bad has happened or is happening. A lot of extreme close ups are used to show the deep emotion of both characters. He has a deep thoughtfulness about him where as she is shown crying. This shows the stereotypical woman being weaker than the man and having to cry. The fact that is raining and in a low key light is a sign that what is happening is negative.

The entire video is in the narrative meaning that he is able to show the viewers exactly how he is feeling. The vocals are associated with visuals lyrics for example “ lay down beside me” shows them both lying down on the ground in the same situation but in different places.

By using high angle shots it makes them look very vulnerable along with their terrified expressions. The occasional use of direct eye contact into the camera is another way they create intimacy with the viewer. The majority of the shots are long and slow creating a gentler transition between edits. Many cuts are made on the beat of the drum so able to keep a constant flow and not distract the viewer.



The mise en scene shows all typical things that you would expect to find in jewellery shop robbery. We know it is a jewellery shop robbery but the fact there are surrounded by broken glass which could also indicate that’s they are broken away from each other.

Sexy Chick – David Guetta ft Akon (Dance)

This is an American production by international artist and the first thing we notice is the much higher budget compared to Paolo Nutinis. It is targeted at a teen to mid 20’s audience as this is how they would want to look when on the beach. It is a typical “MTV” video. Just from the name of this song we know that there will be a lot of sexual references.

Akon has developed a star image of being a rich and being a bit of a “pimp” by always having girls chasing after him. He has created this image through media coverage of going out a lot and partying with lots of different girls. This is sort of shown in the video as he has lots of girls trying to meet him but, then he is trying to find another.

The Lyrics are illustrating what is seen in the video. Andrew Goodwin says that there is a relationship between the lyrics and visuals this is proven here as they tell the story of him trying to find a girl who is teasing him with photos, but instead keeps finding other girls trying to act as her. This genre of music is typical of a dance/ chart hit by having lots of naked bodies, alcohol and a party.

We are given the idea that the artist has gone on holiday, this is from the close up of the plane ticket and then we are immediately shown a girl wearing a bikini looking up at his plane. This can represent to us his fame as in the fact she is looking up to him he has more power.

The main story to the video is that Akon Is trying to find the “Sexy Chick” who has been sending him photos of her body parts and he wants to meet her. These lyrics are the main chorus through out.

The video is shot quite naturally and although it is staged it does not look too “fake”. The storyline is made believable which is very important if they want to make a connection with their viewer.

The tempo of this song is fast with a constant beat maybe representing a heart beat. David Guetta is well known for being a DJ so instead of having instruments they have his track playing.
Voyeurism is a key part in this video as it seems to us that the girls do not know that they are being watched. Men would enjoy watching this as said by Sigmund Freud who believes that pleasure is gained from watching a sexual object. Women would enjoy listening to the music, rather than watching women in bikinis dancing. Laura Mulvey also says that the presence of women is often solely of the purpose of display which is true in this video as they play no other part than to look sexy.

The takes are very short and quick. They also use some fast-cut montages to keep in time with the beat of the song.

This song follows the theory of Steve Archer who states that music videos will cut between narrative and a performance from the artist.