Music Video Analysis 3

This is a fairly well known song from 'Mumford and Sons'. This particular song from the artists is trying to describe in several different meanings, hope. My first interpretation of the song is fairly simple but also slightly underestimated and simplified. I feel that the song is trying to describe the basic feelings of a human being and to not give up when things get tough and to live life to its fullest no matter what gets in your way. This is personally one of my favourite songs right now.

The opening clip starts off with 4 people with suits on riding bikes in what looks to be the middle of the desert. The use of suits instantly individualises the people from the mise-en-scene. This is showing that they are either travelling or visiting the country for tourist purposes. The motorbikes also represent there social class and wealth which also helps to represent them as tourists and individuals within the surrounding area.

The opening line 'Its empty in the valley of your heart' may be suggesting some type of loss that has caused pain to your heart. This could be a girlfriend, family member, close friend etc. The song has a basic ptogressive narrative throughout the full song. It starts off with mentioning all the downsides on life or things that can go wrong within anyones life.

'It's empty in the valley of your heart'

'The harvest left no food for you to eat'

'Away from all the fears'

'And all the faults you've left behind'

These lines are all representing bad things that can happen in your life or offering different types of ways of explaining or describing them. As the progressive lyrical narrative continues the lyrics start to brighten up. The song is telling people to leave all there fears, faults and bad memories behind and enjoy life while you can. There are several lines that indicate hope.

''I can see widows and orphans through my tears
I know my call despite my faults
And despite my growing fears''

''So come out of your cave walking on your hands
And see the world hanging upside down
You can understand dependence
When you know the maker's land''

''And I'll find strength in pain
And I will change my ways''

''But I will hold on hope
And I won't let you choke
On the noose around your neck''

The Music Video

The music video is very simply put together but doesn't show much narrative. It is formed using a range of simple camera movements and shots. A tracking shot is used throughout the whole music video to track the movement of the motorbikes. The second part of the music video consists of 4 villagers dancing with the bands instruments. A series of cuts are put together in the opening minute of the video. It cuts back and fourth to the band and the villagers possibly to show the similarities between the two groups. A large amount of tracking shots are shot from behind which show them driving away possibly to represent leaving there fears behind.

A constant stream of shots are taken that go back and fourth from the band to the villagers. The opening clip shows them handing over there instruments. There instruments may be representing there hope, or possibly even representing there music. This may be a form of passing on hope to those who need it, which in this case would be the villagers who are described to be as poor and without food due to drought. This is described within the lyrics.