Friday 2 September 2011

AN - Music Video Deconstruction 10: Wonderwall

Name of Song: Wonderwall
Artist: Oasis
Year: 1995
Genre: Alternative Rock
Director: Unknown

Between 1991 and 2009, Oasis were an English rock band which was formed by Liam Gallagher who was the lead vocals tambourine of the band. They had eight UK number one singles and albums, they have also sold over 70 million records worldwide. Wonderwall was written by Noel Gallagher, Liam's older brother for their second album, (What's the Story) Morning Glory? The song is described as "an imaginary friend who's gonna come and save you from yourself."


  • The video begins with a long, mid shot of a clown walking up to a record player and switching it on.
  • The entire music video is shown in black and white. However at some points of the video, there are blurred edges around the camera lense. This is used to give that artistic abstract feel.
  • We then see an extreme close up of the record playing. 
  • Next, we see an extreme, long shot of a man playing a guitar in the middle of the room.
  • We also get some quick takes of the clown walking slightly away from the record player and a showgirl standing next to a set of guitars.
  • Fade out transitions are used quite a lot in the video. For example, one is used when a close up of the record player fades into a mid shot of Liam Gallagher singing into a mirror.
  • A mix of fast-paced and slow paced editing is used during the video to fit the mood of the video.
  • We get a number of close ups of the band playing their instruments.
  • Then we get a mid close up of the lead singer, lip-syncing with the band playing in the background.
  • We get a couple of abstract shots, such as a panning, mid shot of the band sitting in position like they're waiting at the barber's and a close-up of the clown holding a ventriloquist dummy.
  • This video is a combination of performance and concept, due to the shots of the band playing their instruments and the abstract shots. e.g. the clown.
  • The clown might represent the imaginary friend which was spoken about.
  • Then there's a mid shot of a bullseye with the Liam sitting in a chair spinning slowly, clockwise lip-syncing.
  • This is mixed in with a fade in, close up of one of the band members playing a guitar.
  • Some of the items in the video, such as the clown's hat and the guitar are coloured compared to the rest of the video. This creates a binary opposition between colour and shade.
  • We then get a multiple frames in one shot of the the abstract footage and the band performing, which form a pattern.
  • More abstract shots, include the band playing with a slot machine and a dartboard.
  • Then there are four rectangles which show the guitarist playing.
  • Special effects are used to add to the abstract feel of video.
  • There are quick takes of close ups of the different band members.
  • The shot where the clown walks away and the record ceasing to play, signifies the end of the music video.
Here is the video:

No comments:

Post a Comment

No inappropriate comments, abuse of any form, spam, trolling etc.