Theories analysis

Michael Shaw’s Theory

Michael Shore concludes that music videos are recycled styles that contains an information overload and therefore contains views of adolescent male fantasies. Most videos contain elements of speed power girls and wealth. All this conveys into soft-core pornography with clichéd imagery.

In Robin Thicke’s ‘Lost without you’ Shore’s theory applies partly. This is because of the of the representation of wealth and girls. Although these are the only two elements of the theory that are exercised in the music video. The theory applies to this video because most or nearly all R&B music videos all have some sort have women that are represented mostly in a sexual way. This is also due to the lyrical content which is heavily sexualized. Shores theory says ‘all this conveys into soft-core pornography with clichéd imagery’. This is shown throughout the video through very intimate scenes and shots of a woman in very provocative clothing and scenes. However in this video the speed and power elements aren’t shown, this is largely due to the R&B genre being focused on fulfilling other adolescent fantasies such as women and wealth. Although wealth isn’t shown much in this video.

Trey songz’s ‘ Neighbours Know my name’ also shows the same elements that Robin Thicke’s song shows. Both music videos are from the R&B genre and show the same conventions and elements that are stated in the theory. For example the provocative clothing and heavily sexualized scenes or in the theory’s case soft- core pornography. Both music videos are designed to fulfill the adolescent fantasies and shows that most if not all the R&B music videos have recycled the ideas. However in this video much like ‘Lost without you’ women and wealth are shown however speed isn’t shown as much which is a recurring thing in most R&B music videos which further shows the recycled styles that is stated in the theory.

Enigma and Action Code

  

 

The enigma code is used slightly in Robin Thicke’s ‘Lost without you’. This is shown slightly at the beginning but then begins to use the action code as the song progresses. The song has a little mystery but also has the enigma that makes s the audience question certain events of the song.

Trey songz’s ‘Neighbours know my name doesn’t use the enigma code at all. The song throughout has a story that ties in with the lyrics and doesn’t require the audience questioning anything. The music video does have a little action code. There are certain plot events that imply further narrative action however this doesn’t occur very often in the video. This disproves elements of Shore’s theory that suggests that all songs have recycled styles. Not all R&B music videos are exactly the same however most of them do contain some of the same elements. 

Tzvetan Todorov's Theory

Russian theorist Tzvetan Todorov suggests that all narratives follow a five part structure. They begin with equilibrium where everything is balanced, this then progress as something comes along to disrupt that equilibrium called disequilibrium. This is then followed by recognition of the disruption and an attempt to repair the disruption to then finally reach a resolution, when the equilibrium is re-established.

Neither songs use the equilibrium theory. There isn’t much of a structured story like Todorov’s theory in either music video. Robin Thicke’s music video is more like the enigma code than the theory of equilibrium.

Vladimir Propp's Theory

Propp claimed that no matter how different stories may appear they usually have similar characteristics, that have similar, repetitive storylines

This theory is shown in Robin Thicke’s music video and Trey songz’s video. This is largely because they are both of the R&B genre which suggests that most likely the song is going to be based around a woman with a lot of very intimate and private scenes. Propp’s theory states that ‘They usually have similar characteristics ‘. Both videos agree with this theory. They both are centred around a woman with the lyrical content being very explicit. However the storylines differ between the two videos. ‘Lost without you’ is about a man that can’t live without his wife/girlfriend and how he needs her in his life. The song and video are much more representative. Whereas ‘Neighbours know my name’ is purely centred around sexual intercourse. This proves the storylines are completely different however share the same characteristics.

Claude Levi-Strauss Theory

He believed that a constant creation of conflict /opposition, propels narrative. Narrative can only end on a resolution of conflict. Opposition can be visual (light/darkness, movement/stillness) or conceptual (love/hate, control/panic), and to do with soundtrack.

Robin Thicke’s ‘Lost without you’ uses this theory of creation of conflict and a conceptual love ending. Throughout the song it is evident that he and his wife/girlfriend aren’t together anymore, which shows the conflict element of the music video, which is shown through stillness at times throughout the video. There is resolutions of conflict at the end were the audience are reassured that the two characters are back together. This is also shown in the lyrics as the song ends with ‘T know that I love you’, at this point the wife/girlfriend returns to the apartment and the conflict is resolved. This theory doesn’t apply to Trey Songz ‘Neighbours know my name’ because there isn’t much of a narrative.  

Andrew Goodwin Theory

1.    Music videos demonstrate genre characteristics (e.g. stage performance in metal video, dance routine for boy/girl band). 

2.    The demands of the record label will include the need for lots of close-ups of the artist and the artist may develop motifs which recur across their work (a visual style).

3.    There is frequently reference to the notion of looking (screens within screens, telescopes, etc.) and particularly voyeuristic treatment of the female body.

4.    There is often intertextual reference (to films, TV programs, other music videos, etc.).

‘Lost without you’ demonstrates genre characteristics of the R&B genre. The main characteristics of an R&B music video are usually based in an exotic expensive place, involving a woman, always extremely attractive and always have strong references to sex or sexual actions. The music video also has many close up shots that show the singer, in terms of R&B the artists are mostly attractive. This is because the artist fulfils the audience pleasures, men want to be the artist and women want to be with the artist and vice versa. The music video also has frequent references to the notion of looking and it is usually directed to the female body, however not through windows or telescopes. In R&B there isn’t  usually intertextual reference.

The same thing can be said of ‘Neighbour know my name’ the song demonstrate genres characteristics through the intimate scenes with references to making love to an attractive woman. The music video has many close up shots of the artist who is seen as a symbol for women and men. This fulfils the audience pleasures. The music video also has frequent notions of looking at the female body but much lie the Robin Thike music video not through windows or telescopes. There aren’t any intertextual references in this music video, largely because the R&B genres don’t usually include intertextual references in their music videos.  

 Sigmund Freud Theory

Voyeurism- Refers to the notion that erotic pleasure may be gained by looking at a sexual object (preferably when the object is unaware of being watched). Many music videos use this notion- via cameras, images within/of images perspective of the viewer, CCTV, views through opened doors or windows, etc.

Both music videos slightly use this theory however not entirely. ‘Lost without you’ and ‘Neighbours know my name’ have sexual references and have sex scenes. Mostly ‘Neighbours know my name’.  Erotic pleasure may be gained looking at the actors in both music videos; this would fulfil the audience pleasures.  

Laura Mulvey’s

The purpose of this display is to facilitate a voyeuristic response in spectators, which presumes a ‘male gaze’ one that is a powerful controlling gaze at the female on display, who is effectively objectified and passive. Another part of her male gaze theory suggests that women are only portrayed as one of two possibilities. This is either a virginal innocent character or a sexy “whore”. This is called the virgin / whore dichotomy.

In Robin Thicke’s video the male gaze is heavily used throughout the song. From the beginning to the end the woman is dress provocatively and resembles the ‘perfect woman’. When the audience see the video it gives the audience something to aspire to. In the music video the woman is portrayed at times the innocent character however in other scenes during the music video she is portrayed as the sexy ‘whore’. This is common in R&B music videos, all R&B music videos sue the male gaze theory because women are the main source of attention because the song is based on them.

In Trey Songz’s video the male gaze is heavily used throughout the song. Again like Robin Thicke’s video the woman is the centre of attention and is wearing almost nothing the entire video. In this music video the woman is portrayed as the sexy ‘Whore’. This is because then entire song is based around sex which suggests the woman is going to be seen in this way by the audience.