Music Video Analysis- Miley Cyrus: Wrecking Ball

Shot: Still Shot/Extreme Close up of Artist Face

Lyrics: We clawed, we chained our hearts in vain, we jumped never asking why, we kissed, I fell under you spell. A love no one could deny. Don’t you ever say, I just walked away, I will always want you..

Edit/Transitions: Cut Edit

The first shot we see is an extreme close up of Miley Cyrus clearly in distressed state- tears become visible as the scene progresses. The purpose of this shot is to allow the audience to emphasize and place all there focus on her- a close up of a face for me represents the artist’s personal space. It allows the audience to understand their emotions, share their feelings and relate with them. A clear drum beat, electric guitar and crisp vocals can be heard- this along with the lyrics makes it clear the song is a power pop song. This genre of music is a lot more aggressive and emotional whilst still following a pop convention. Pop songs tend to focus on ' relationships and fun'- this song fits in the relationships category. It's about a one sided relationship and obsessing over someone who doesn't share the same feelings as you- this is very stereotypical' for teenagers in this sub-culture for which the target audience is. It's a cliché topic to sing about which all teenagers seem to feel they 'relate' too and have an 'understanding' for- particularly girls. Whilst general pop is usually aimed a younger female demographic (and some boys) power pop is slightly more 'grown up' with a target audience of around 15+. This particular shot is a pastiche to 'Nothing Compares to you' by Sinead O'Connor; it has intertextuality with it. Her bright red lipstick to me connotes danger; it’s an emotionally intense colour meaning that she may be upset but she’s strong.

Shot: Close Up

Lyrics: I can't live a lie, running from my life, I will always want you.

Edit: Cut

The next few scenes are of Miley Cyrus with the sledge hammer; this is leading up to the shot that caused allot of controversy in the media. This particular scene consists of three shots; A. a close up of Miley lent against the wall with the hammer B. a wide shot of Miley's feet walking towards the camera with the hammer by her side and C. Miley- again- lent across the wall with the sledge hammer, however facing the opposite direction. These are very short shots consisting of no more than two seconds each. Personally I believe they are a way of leaving the audience in suspense; they're trying to build it up to something bigger or as a way of leaving the audience wondering where the setting is- )leading to the establishing shot). Depending on what influence Miley Cyrus has on you, this shot can represent many of things. The particular Sub-Culture for which this music video is designed for, in my opinion I would say that it is reflecting the anger, hurt and pain that comes with love and that desire to 'smash' everything up after a break-up.

Shot: Wide Shot and Close up

Lyrics: I came in like a wrecking ball, I never hit so hard in love

Edit: Jump Cut

Following on from the previous scene is a wide shot- this is the establishing shot, it allows us to see Miley Cyrus in her immediate surroundings and put a relation between her and the setting. In my opinion the chosen backdrop reflects the artist emotions and feelings; Miley is in what seems to be a purpose built concrete 'room' within an open space area. The mise-en-scène is very bare; the fact the walls are of a grey colour connotes sorrow. The colour grey usually suggests detachment and the feeling of isolation which links in with the lyrics and meaning of the song. This particular part of the song is very fast pace; the editing fits in with the tempo of the song. It jump cuts between the establishing shot and the scene from the beginning of the music video in which we see Miley emotionally singing towards the camera. As the tempo of the song rises, Miley becomes more emotionally distressed in the video. The fact she is kissing the sledge hammer to me suggests that she likes destruction.

Shot: Wide Shot

Lyrics: All I ever wanted was to break your walls, all you ever did was wreck me, yeah, you, wreck me.

Edit: Jump cut

As we get further into the chorus of the song we hear the lyrics ‘all ever wanted was to break you walls’; at this point we see a correlation between the lyrics and visuals. As Miley begins walking towards the camera we see a wrecking ball in the background knocking down the wall. I believe this is a representation of her emotions- the wall represents her feelings which have been torn away by her lover.

On the other hand I believe that when we begin to see Miley sat on the wrecking ball this is representing the fact that she is destroying him emotionally. The fact she is naked may suggest that she vulnerable but at the same time she’s strong and capable of payback.

Shot: Bird’s eye

Lyrics: I never meant to start a war, I just wanted you to let me in and instead of using force, I guess I should of let you win…

Edit: Jump Cut

As we near the end of the video we see Miley laid in the mist of the destruction she caused; the visuals and lyrics again link together. Personally I believe this is showing us that she feels regret for what she has done.

One thing that I did notice throughout music video is the fact that before she caused all the destruction the lighting within the rom and above the artist is high-key whilst on the outside it’s low-key. However when she wrecks the wall- or her emotional barrier- the entire set is lit with high-key lighting. This could be representing the fact she feels relieved or happy for taking out revenge.