Music videos analysis

Song title: Dancing Queen

Artist: ABBA

Year of release: 1976

The music video for ‘Dancing Queen’ is shot in one location, a club where we can see everyone dancing.

At the beginning of the MV, we can see a variety of wide and close up shots, showcasing Abba, musicians and the dancers. There are occasional close ups to one teenage girl who we can presume is the title ‘Dancing Queen’. As the MV progresses the shots become shorter and the close up shots are used more often. The close up shots present the musicians, each one of the Abba singers and the ‘Dancing Queen’ in that order.

Both of the singers are seen to be dancing and there are many shots of them turning around as well as many profile shots.

Although, we are shown a party at a club, there is no clear narrative to the MV.

The costumes also don’t change.

ABBA - Dancing Queen 

Song title: Beat It

Artist: Michael Jackson

Year: 1982

The music video for Michael Jackson’s song ‘Beat it’ is set in variety of environments such as a bar, bedroom, a hallway, and a city at night environment. We can also see a costume change where at the beginning Michael Jackson is wearing jeans and white shirt, but as he comes out of the bedroom, he is also wearing a red jacket.

The video consists of variety of shots and the choreography matches the rhythm of the song, such as; when we see Michael getting out of bed, he is shot from a profile, but turns his head towards the camera when lip syncing the words ‘beat it’.

The dancing does not start until 1:58, when Michael is in the hallway. The intensity of the choreography increases as the MV progresses. By the end, everyone is dancing to the rhythm of the music.

There is also a clear narrative of two gangs preparing for a fight together, but Michael resolves the fight through dancing.

Michael Jackson - Beat It 

Song title: (You Drive Me) Crazy

Artist: Britney Spears

Year of release: 1999

(You Drive Me) Crazy is a teen pop song accompanied by a music video. The video has a small narrative and features the character Sabrina from ‘Sabrina the teenage witch’ and was used as a promotional song for the series. Although the MV includes many shots of Sabrina, the main focus of the video is Britney.

There is a set choreography, but the dance doesn’t begin until the chorus at 0:39.

The entire music video is has 3 sets, one in which we can see everyone dancing and the second set that drives the narrative with Sabrina. Both sets are however linked together as seen by the end of the song. The third set, most likely in the same location, is in front of a big sign ‘crazy’, which is the title of the song. This is the only set where we see Britney on her own and singing, but not dancing. This setting look similar to Rick Astley’s ‘Never Gonna Give You Up’ where he would sing to the microphone with a plain background. This style of shots was popular at the time.

There is also a costume change; at the beginning we can see Britney in a waitress outfit with glasses and two pigtails, doing her make-up, but soon after she changes into a green top and black trousers to match other dancers. Her hair is also down.

Britney Spears - Crazy