REFLECT ON ONE OF THE READINGS| Egg Hunting

Varnallis’s chapter focuses on the idea of music videos having narratives. It discusses whether they have narratives to their context in such a short period of time or whether if a narrative distracts from the music  and turns into a short film rather than pulling focus to what the video is about, which is the music. There is also an argument that is presented, if Music videos had a narrative it is because the listener associates a song of video with their past experiences. They put their own narrative into the video or music because music is always set within the present, “music has no method of communicating a past tense.” As a song my express or evoke certain emotions within a listener it does not necessarily mean there is a narrative within the song because in order for the narrative to appear in a song it must mean that the action would have happened. It is quite uncommon for music to be about the past but rather it dwells on the present.

 

Varnallis talks about a variety of different examples that use narratives to convey their message within a song or music video. An example that constantly comes to mind is Taylor Swift’s music videos her contribution to music videos are quite episodic. The girls get the guys or the guys doesn’t get the girl because she has grown and developed. The guy misses his chance etc. These stereotypical narratives are quite the classic when it comes to storytelling. Although these are the go-to for many they become the reference point and icons for generations.

 

The reading talks about music videos “not embodying the complete narrative or convey finely wrought stories for numerous reason” he goes on to mention that songs convey the issues within pop music within the current time of when it is produced. The music videos that go along with the music also reflect societies opinions and values of the time. Recent examples can include the representation of woman in music.

 

 

Reference:

Miller, M. (2019). Kendrick Lamar Just Made the Greatest Music Video in Years. [online] Esquire. Available at: https://www.esquire.com/entertainment/music/news/a54233/kendrick-lamar-humble-video/ [Accessed 9 Nov. 2019].

 

Newstead, A. (2019). Deconstructing Kendrick Lamar’s ‘HUMBLE.’. [online] triple j. Available at: https://www.abc.net.au/triplej/news/musicnews/hottest-100-kendrick-lamar-humble-feature/9366884 [Accessed 6 Nov. 2019].

 

Shaffer, C. (2019). Are the Best Music Videos Actually Movies?. [online] Vice. Available at: https://www.vice.com/en_au/article/ev3qk7/music-videos-movies [Accessed 9 Nov. 2019].