Music Videos with the Country Genre

All 3 of these music videos have similarities; they all promote the country genre! However the narrative used throughout each video is different representing different attitudes of the artist as well as creating different tones and moods of the music video.

The first music video demonstrates the largest aspect of narrative during the music video especially from the use of cross cutting as part of editing during the start of the music video establishing the character and the setting. The artists costume style is very appropriate for her music video as she is styled in traditional country stlye outfits for example: the brown leather jacket/dress and cowboy boots. Other props are also used during the music video which are very conventional of the country genre for example the cowboy hat, large open trucks, traditional sherif badge/sunglasses and a guitar ect. In this music video the narrative is very specific to the lyrics and the content of everyshot relates to the song itself. I do not think this music video is particulary successful as shots have been repeated throughout and the outcome of the narrative is very expected, the producers seem to have followed the conventions of the country genre into too much detail.

It is very clear this music video offers much more quality in the shots produced which could be due to the photographic landscape filming which captures the natural beauty of the environment. This music video demonstrates a clear performance style however shots of other characters have been used to create a visual image of the lyrics to the audience. This music video is very upbeat and has a cross genre of pop/country with also elements of rock. The artists bold image connotes her outgoing personality, this goes against the conventions of the country genre in which females are usually portrayed as innocent and vulnerable. The use of backup dancers promote the idea that the artist is trying to make herself unique and bold from the traditional country style. However typical conventions are still demonstrated ensure the audience still understands the natural genre of the song. The main way producers have done this is by greatly using mise-en-scene to their advantage for example using traditional props demonstrated in the majority of country videos (open back trucks, jeans and checkered shirts, microphone, band set, hay bails, tractor).

This music video ignores and goes against the majority of the typical conventions of this country genre which does successfully promote the artist as it makes the statement she is seductive and appealing to the audience. I expect this would increase the artists fan base as she is appealing to a wider audience. A narrative is used during the video however it mainly focuses on the ideology of partying and having fun again breaking conventions as it is expected for the artist to be fragile and naive.