The Smiths – How Soon Is Now

Genre Analysis

Fact File

• Artist/group? The Smyths• Name of the song? How Soon Is Now• Which album, when was it released? B-Side of

‘William It Was Nothing’28 Janaury 1985• Who directed it? Sire Records• What is the song about? This song talks about

the relation troubles of a person

Is there a plot in the music video? • There is no real plot to the music video, instead flicking

between three different aspects. Most of the shots in the video are showing the band performing with a heavy filter over the top of it (which is typical of indie pop videos), the other two parts of the music video is shots showing extreme close-ups of a woman who seems to be struggling and moving through a range of motions, and then random imagery of smoke leaving funnels in industrialised areas. All of these shots have heavy filters over them, which is again typical of the indie pop genre.

Is it a performance video concert), a narrative video (a

plot/storyline), or a conceptual video?

• I think that the video is mostly a performance video because it contains many clips of the band with all instruments (guitar, drum kit, microphone) and they seem to be stood on a stage, singing in time with the lyrics (miming/lip sync). There are aspects of conceptual in this music video because of the random imagery which isn't associated with the lyrics or the music videos tone.

Is there an obvious connection between the lyrics and the music video?

• At first I don’t think there’s an obvious connection between lyrics and visuals in this music video, but looking at the deeper meaning of the lyrics it can be seen that at times the woman who seems to be struggling may link in with the lyrics that talk about a man who is struggling to overcome his shyness and find someone to love. This can also be seen through the use of anguished and sad facial expressions.

Who is the target audience of this video? Why do you think so – explain (choice of costume, plot, actor/performer’s movements, attitudes, etc.).

• I think that this video is aimed at both males and females in their mid to late twenties. Firstly, I think this because this age is where people who are single start to become sad and desperate because they are unable to find a relationship that they’re happy with. Secondly, I think this is aimed at both males and females because although a man is singing it, a female is the actress in the music video, so it is relevant for both sexes. I think the genre of music also plays a bigh part, its not too young and pop-like which would be aimed at a younger audience, and it’s not mainstream. It’s still young and relevant music but has a more mature taste to it which implies mid to late twenties.

Does the video focus on the artist/group, or are other characters in focus?

• The video is mainly a performance video so it focuses on the band, particularly the main singer who is Morrissey. Apart from that, the only other people the music video focuses on certain members of the band but for no longer than 5 seconds at a time, and of course the mysterious woman who frequently pops up all the way throughout the music video.

What is the atmosphere of the music video? Does the video put the audience in a certain mood?

• I think that this is a very mysterious music video, and the actual meaning of the video is left for the viewer to interpret it. Due to the fact there is no meaning there is nothing that the viewer can instantly grab a hold of and just watch, they have to take their own meaning of it. I personally think this is a sad video because the lyrics follow the story of a lonely person looking for a relationship

Describe how camera, editing, SFX and mise-en-scene are used to help convey desired meanings.

• The technique of cutting the visuals to the beat is often used in this song, and this cut to beat links in well with the indie pop genre as well as fitting in well with Goodwin’s theory of cutting to beat.

• Close up shots of instruments and extreme close ups of the band’s faces help the audience to interact with the band and put themselves into their position, which makes the song more effective

• Some of the camera shots of the woman in this video are quite shaky as if it is being handheld. This affect makes the video look like it has been made as an independent music video. In some ways this portrays a sense of realism because it seems more natural. Also if the footage has a authentic effect it feels more personal and helps us to connect with the band and their music.

What is the intention with the music video?

• The intention of the music video is to display the frustration that is trying to build relationships and find the partner that is right for you, it shows that people find it hard to do this. This can be shown through both the use of visuals and the use of lyrics linking together. This can also be displayed through the tone of the video

Can you provide any further theoretical readings of the video?

(Propp, Barthes, Todorov, Levi-Strauss, Freud, Mulvey, Goodwin)

• This music video links in with certain aspects of Goodwin’s theory due to the use of technical aspects of music videos such as filters and camera angles which manipulate the viewers thought process. It also matches Goodwin’s theory because it contains performance and the band actually playing, as well as star image. In some ways it does go against Goodwin’s theory because it doesn’t contain narrative mixed with performance.

Generic Conventions - How far does the video contain typical codes and conventions of music

videos of the same music genre?

• This music video matches the typical codes and conventions of indie pop very well in many ways. Firstly, the use of filtering over top of videos is typical of indie pop, as well as the use of costume, wearing casual clothing with generally dull/dark colours such as khaki and black. This can also be seen through the use of location, there are many industrial locations and mostly urban areas, which is typical of indie pop.