Analysis of a music video (1)

This is the music video for the song "Bad Blood". The analysis will be according to Andrew Goodwin's theory on the features of music videos.

Immediately this music video is counter-typical for many different reasons. The first is that it does not adhere to the first theory of music videos as it has an action sequence as opposed to a stage performance or dance routine. In addition to this, the main roles are almost entirely female, a counter-type of action sequences in films, typically played by a male lead. Another way this is counter-typical is due to the absence of a clear dance routine for these female leads, instead, again, focusing more on the action sequences.

The visual aspects of the music video can be seen to relate mainly to the chorus of the song, mainly the "now we got bad blood" line. This link can be seen as the premise to the song is shown as part of the action sequence where Selena Gomez kicks Taylor Swift out of the window, thus causing the "Bad Blood" between them.

The relationship is clearly evident between the music and the visuals where the entirety of each action scene is cut to the beat of the music so each hit is matched to the synthesizer and new characters are introduced with different beats. There is also a relationship between the two as we can see Taylor Swift's character lip-syncing along to the lyrics of the music video.

The fourth theory is adhered to as during the initial fight scene, one of the first things the audience sees is a closeup of Taylor Swift to show that she is the lead in song and in the video and also to present the brand of the record label. Additionally, closeups are used to show the actors for the other women, many of whom are either famous actors or singers. Furthermore, there are multiple closeups of Kendrick Lamar as he sings the verses to show that he is featured heavily in the song, and to promote his record label brand.

The fifth theory can be seen as, in the first scene of the fight sequence, Selena Gomez uses her makeup mirror to watch the reflection of Taylor Swift before attacking her. This is also shown as Taylor Swift falls through the window and we can see her begin to sing in the reflection of the shattered glass. Additionally, Lamar uses a screen within a screen from the desk behind which he is sitting. This notion is connoted further as the entirety of the video shows Taylor Swift singing at the camera as if she is singing or shouting at someone watching her. Not much is shown in the way of voyeurism however, there are multiple shots where Taylor Swift and the others are indeed shown to be wearing more revealing outfits.

The music video for "Bad Blood" makes reference to many films. Initially, the first reference is to the generic film from the action genre, represented by the fight scene, which can be connoted as reminiscent of films such as "James Bond". The second film to which Bad Blood makes an intertextual reference is "Sin City", particularly in the font and style of the text choice. Immediately after this, Taylor Swift is shown in a room which can be linked to the films "Tron" and "Iron Man" through the uses of the CGI, in particular, the computers and the technology. Further references are made to "Tron" in the armour worn by Taylor Swift and the motorbike she and another are shown to be driving. Additionally, a reference to "Kingsmen" can be connoted through the woman who has a pair of swords attached to her legs. Further references include "X-Men" as seen thorough the way in which the automatic metal doors open, and the shape and style of them. Finally, the action scene at the end, is again, reminiscent of many action films, particularly of "The Expendables" as there is a large explosion, and the women are seen to calmly walk away from it.