Genre conventions- Industrial/ electronic music video's #2

Music video analysis #2 - Never let me down again

Act: Depeche Mode

Track: Never let me down again

Year: 1987

Director: Anton Corbijn 

Genre: Industrial/ Electronic

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=snILjFUkk_A

Main audience: Although this song is still classified as an industrial/ electronic number, the audience demographics are quite different to the last video I looked at. This video is predominantly aimed at males aged 30-50. This is due to the more mainstream nature of the production being less shocking and more narrative based.  

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Relationship between the visuals and lyrics: When applying Goodwin's theory of lyrical classification we can identify this video as being amplifying and illustrative. This is due to the video depicting Dave Gahan driving in his car while the lyrics read "I'm taking a ride with my best friend". However this is not directly illustrative as he is only in the car by himself. This could perhaps amplify the idea that Gahan's only friend is himself or imaginary. Later on in the video the theme of camaraderie is alluded to by both lyrics and image (Illustrative) when the lyrics "Never let me down" are sung as two of Gahan's friends carry him through a field. However, that being said, there is a significant amount of disjuncture in this video, with various images of wheat fields and a mysterious man which are left unexplained to the audience. This factor reinforces Archer's theory that "Video's tend to only suggest story-lines and focus on mere fragments of the lyrics", thus challenging Vernaillis's theory that videos are made purely with the song in mind. The dark and moody nature of the lyricism synergize with the industrial electronic genre and are highly conventional of said genre. 

Amplifying- Steve Archer 

In terms of lighting the entire video is shot in a noire style (Black and white) and uses significant amount of low-key lighting because of this. This is an important part of the industrial electronic genre and is seen in full force here. In addition to this there are several Gothic influences on costume with the mysterious man being dressed in all black and one of the band members is also dressed in dark clothing.

Leather Jacket is often depicted to be a Gothic trend.

Moreover the powerful imagery used in industrial electronic video's are echoed in this video with the stark contrast between the protagonist in the video and his youth with an older man dressed in more rural and old fashioned clothing.

The body language of the protagonist indicates angst, and depression which is highly conventional of the industrial genre.

Influences to consider:

- Black and white filter (grey scale)
- Protagonists Gothic attire