Week 2 Video Reviews
Be My Wife
Artist's Name:
David Bowie. Bowie is an English artist who rose to prominence in the early 1970s. He is known for his strong songwriting, wide vocal range and
ever-changing appearance.
ever-changing appearance.
Song Title:
The song is titled "Be My Wife"
CD/Album Title
Low
Year
1977
Record Company
RCA
Director
Stanley Dorfman
Narrative of Video:
The video fades in and David Bowie, in a lot of makeup is by himself against a completely white backdrop. He stands and performs the song. During the first part of the video, the camera stays close up to Bowie focusing primarily on the musician’s changing facial expressions. After a quick white fade, the camera moves to a wide angle, and we see Bowie’s full body against the white background. The camera moves again, this time to an overhead view. At one point, Bowie stops playing his guitar and throws it over his shoulder so it rests on his back. When he sings the lyric, “Please be mine”, he rubs the neck of his guitar for a few seconds. The camera then moves back to the wide lens overhead shot, and switches back to close up as he sings, “Be my wife”. The video continues, with the camera continuing to change from close up to wide angle shots. At one point, it centers on Bowie’s back. Bowie takes his guitar off and holds it straight up in one hand.
As the video concludes the camera focuses close up, and he has stopped singing.
As the video concludes the camera focuses close up, and he has stopped singing.
How the Music and Video Relate:
The video setting appears to be very cold and simple. Bowie’s performance in the video is also very simple which corresponds well with this video.
Review:
I liked the video. The simplicity of the setting allows the
music to take center stage. Bowie stands
alone in the video playing his guitar and singing against a white
background. The camera moves to different
angles throughout the video. The song is
soft and pretty and the lyrics are very simple.
I think if there had been a lot going on in the background; the words of
the song would have been lost.