Music Video Analysis

Johnny Cash - Hurt




This video uses a number of different techniques in order to achieve it's purpose effectively. It incorporates an even mix of both performance and narrative, making the artist the focus as well as telling a story around him. Multiple shots of the artist singing and playing the piano are used, intercut with images from his life and images that help reflect the song lyrics (eg. at one point a shot of Jesus Christ on the cross is used, something which the song refers back to at multiple points "I wear this crown of thorns").

The video is mostly quite slow paced to reflect the melancholy nature of the song, only picking up speed as the song builds up to it's ending crescendo. The movements and body language also seem to be quite sad sorrowful in order to reflect this further. The numerous shots used of points in the artist's life also reflect what is said in the song lyrics to some extent, focusing around Johnny's time with his late wife.

Among other things, the lighting used in the performance sections of the video is very mellow and dark, further enhancing the video's sense of melancholy and mood. The performance parts of the video also help to reflect the feelings of loneliness and isolation apparent in the lyrics. The video seems to be organic, having been made for the love of music rather than for commercial gain, as the video reflects a number of themes that seem to be important to the artist.

Mastadon - Obvlivion




Like the Johnny Cash video, this video is a mix of both performance and narrative aspects. The outer-space exploration narrative fits in with the lyrics of the song and the general themes of oblivion and loneliness. For instance, the video reflects the lyrics "Lost, love bright fading faster than stars falling. How can I tell you that I failed? Tell you I failed" in it's ending, as the crew fade away with the remaining pilot being unable and "failing" to save them. The performance aspects also bleed into the narrative somewhat, as the band members are the crew members in the narrative and the drummer (also being the member who is seen dead at the start of and throughout the narrative) can be seen on various computer monitors singing, often appearing distorted to further reflect the central theme.

In the performance sequences the band appear to be playing in the broken husk of an abandoned city, further reflecting the them of loneliness the song and video create. The video seems to share this central theme with the Johnny Cash video too.

The video seems to be organic as opposed to synthetic, as a lot of effort appears to have gone into the making of it and it goes a long way towards reflecting the lyrics and central themes of the song, maybe even adding towards the band's artistic vision.