Taylor Swift – You Belong With Me

Throughout the music video of Taylor Swift’s ‘You Belong With Me’ we can see that it start off as a flirting relationship between the two teenagers, from house to house. The music video starts off with this, which makes us think that the video is going to be focused on the two characters, from the over the shoulder shots and POV angles. The audience should instantly feel more intrigued to watch because they could be going through the same situation, as many of Taylor Swift’s audience are teenagers. As they are talking through holding up signs to each other we are able to see that they must have some sort of friendship or relationship to start with, as they wouldn't be talking to each one another otherwise.

The Narrative and Technical Aspects

The next part of the narrative we see Taylor’s character of the teenage girl sat on a bench reading her book, whilst the boy next door walks over to talk to her, showing the willingness in the relationship, and a step closer to them being together.

Progression of the relationship

We see close ups within this scene which could be reflecting on the idea that the boy and Taylor’s character are getting closer and closer and their relationship is developing into something real. The close ups also show the emotions of the characters showing the real emotions they feel for each other.

After we see a progression in the relationship, the girlfriend of the boy next door gets in the way of Taylor’s character and the boy being together. Although the girlfriend doesn't seem to be that friendly, we can sense a feel of foreshadowing, as we can see that the relationship isn't sturdy and it could come to an end, meaning Taylor’s character would be with the boy.

Flirting and possible relationship stops

The transaction between the close up shots and the mid shots are quite drastic and change quickly, which suggests the change in the relationship, and emotions between Taylor and the boy, after the boy see’s his girlfriend.

At this point we see the boy playing football, Taylor’s character in the musical instrument choir and the girlfriend cheerleading at the side. At this moment in the music video we see a love triangle. The boyfriend then see’s his girlfriend talking to another boy saying “I want you” and then breaks up with her, and at this point editing is used like slow-motion to suggest that his world is coming down and everything is clear to him, that he needs to break up with her.

At this point the diegetic sound of music has changed tempo from the upbeat sounds to going slower, as this is the point where the boy realises he needs to break up with her, as she doesn't nothing good in their relationship for them to carry it on. Because the music tempo and lyrics, “all this time how could you not know baby? You belong with me” are in sync with the visuals it helps to tell the narrative, and it now becomes clear to the audience and the boy that he si with the wrong girl.

At this point in the music video the audience have come to terms with the fact that Taylor’s character and the boy will be together. And as Taylor walks in we see that she has brought all of the attention towards her, suggesting that she will also get the attention from the boy she likes from next door.

The music changes again at this point, and becomes slower, so the audience and the characters can show their feelings and emotions, and also it suggests that the boy and the girl have finally figured out that they both like each other, and this is the moment of realisation. As the music video goes along the costumes change with the narrative, at the start they are in pyjamas and casual clothes and by the end of the video we see them both in smart clothing, which reflects on the relationship progressing as well as the costumes.