Music Video Analysis In Full Essay Form

Essay Analysis for ‘It’s Raining Men’ by Geri Halliwell



It is evident in the video that there is a great deal of reference of to musicals; it demonstrates intertextuality, as the music video takes the form of a song and dance routine. References are made to musicals such as ‘Fame’ and ‘Footloose’, there is a link with the ‘Bridget Jones’ film, and also, there is minor reference to the fact that it is a cover version of the hit by ‘The Weathergirls’ in the 1980’s.
Fast paced editing is used throughout, and this fits the mood of the music video, as the movements made throughout use a lot of energy; it is a dance video. The pace of the editing fits the tempo of the music throughout the video.
We can tell that the people present in the video are dancers as their specialist movements are complimented and highlighted by the camera; the gaze of the camera shows footwork and body movement. In the video, there is large emphasis on Geri Halliwell’s body, and she is extremely sexualised throughout. The camera, more often than not, represents the male gaze; as it pans up and down her body, highlighting the extremity of her fitness and, emphasising her physique. It can be considered that there is significance in the fact that we do not see Geri Halliwell’s face for the first part of the video; it is all about her body. Her costumes throughout the piece encourage the viewer to look at her body; there are many examples of crop tops, and there is also one scene in which she is wearing yellow hot pants.
The mise-en-scène is typical of the beginning of a musical; there is a big open room (allowing space to dance), a long table with judges seated along it, the traffic can be heard in the road outside, the viewer can hear the scratch of the record as Geri Halliwell puts it into the player, and her footsteps are emphasised as she walks into the room. The emphasis of her footsteps creates a sense of anticipation; a build up for the minute and a half of introduction to the video. A sense of anticipation is also created through the unknown identity of the dancer; as we do not see her face, the dancer’s identity is unknown. The mise-en-scène is made significantly more appropriate through the formality of the judges; we would not expect them to enjoy the kind of performance that they are being shown. This is shown through an almost ‘clash of cultures’; we expect that they are of higher social class than her. We assume that the judges are expecting a more formal routine, as we, the audience are, also. I find it interesting that Geri Halliwell has so many costume changes throughout the music video.
The clothing in the music video demonstrates the time in which it was produced. Although records were used scarcely when the video was made, a record is still used, in reference to the origin of the song; the 1980’s.
The first shot of Geri Halliwell’s face that the camera shows is after she has fallen on the floor, and as she lifts her face into the frame. The mode of address is expected to be formal, however it is not; she says ‘Can I start again?’, and the formality of the judges is demonstrated through one of them replying, ‘In your own time Miss Halliwell’. From this the viewer can tell already that she is going to have her work cut out for her; as she is a misfit. It can be considered that there is significance in the fact that out of a line of around five judges, only one is female. As Geri Halliwell kisses one of the judges; the viewer is once again reminded of the gap in social class; it is not what we would expect one to do in an audition for dance school.
In one of the most unusual shots in the music video, the camera is looking on to the judges feet, as they start to tap their feet in time to the music. This demonstrates their enjoyment and appreciation for her performance, and through this the audience is shocked.
There is a large number of over-the-shoulder shots in the video; and this can be considered to have sexual connotations. There is significance in her physical abilities and fitness, as she is being portrayed as largely sexually attractive. The system of looks continues from the judges to a student at the dance school; that is walking past, stopping in the doorway to watch. It is evident from his facial expression that he finds Geri Halliwell sexually attractive. Further on in the video, more students gather to watch at the doorway of the room she is dancing in, and eventually the number of spectators is so high that they have to fight their way through to see her. This gives her star status and represents the audience’s appreciation.
There is a significant link between the camera movements and angles and the lyrics of the song ‘It’s Raining Men’. For example; as Geri Halliwell sings ‘humidity’s rising’ the camera pans up her body. Also, as the lyrics follow ‘perfect high’, a crane shot is added into the video to match it. Throughout the video, the lyrics are made good use of, without a literal representation. In the second phase of the video, she is above the other dancers, and the camera tilts up towards her; this gives her supremacy and dominance; alike most of the camerawork in the video. For example, when Geri Halliwell is wearing the blue top in the video, the camera is at a low-angle; this also gives her dominance. The shots are tightly framed to make the scene look crowded; this urges the audience to have the understanding that she is popular at her dance school. Another way in which she is presented as popular in the piece, is as she leads the other dancers out onto the street to dance, there is significance in the fact that she is leading. Her dominance in the routine is shown through her powerful gestures, such as, throwing her hands widespread into the air; this suggests that she is triumphant. This is significantly differing to the vulnerable and nervous girl in the audition at the beginning of the piece; in the latter part of the video she is always smiling, and looks like she is having fun. There is a series of cuts in between shots throughout the video.
The camera repetitively cuts back to her face in the sequence. This contrasts largely to the other dancers; as their faces are generally not shown, and at least not in close-up; the camera concentrates on the specifically expert dance moves of the other dancers; this emphasises their expertise. An example of this in the music video is in what can be considered the third sequence, where Geri Halliwell is wearing an orange top, and the camerawork is mostly intimate close-ups.
The colours in the music video can be considered dull; until the dancers burst in on Geri Halliwell’s audition. Their clothes are very bright colours, and this is emphasised, as well as her bare midriff in comparison to the other dancers. The iconography of everyday people is reflected in their casual clothing.
The fact that the narrative is set in New York is represented by the yellow cab in the ‘dancing in the street’ sequence. The video is typical of a song and dance routine; all of the iconic features are present throughout.
The voyeurism is explicit in specific shots. Through the use of Geri Halliwell’s body throughout the video; it can be considered that she is being presented as an exhibitionist.