Textual Analysis: Bohemian Rhapsody

The first official music video ever released was Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody in 1975. I decided to look in great detail at how this video is presented, in order to ensure I incorporate elements of this video into my own. 

Summary

Bohemian Rhapsody is broken into various distinct sections: a ballad section ending with a guitar solo, an operatic passage and a hard rock section. The music video is mainly performance-based and shows the artist playing the song.

Goodwin's Six

The music video demonstrates certain genre characteristics. For example, you can clearly see a guitar solo being played. Electric guitars and solos are particularly common in the rock genre, and this characteristics reinforces the representation of rock. 

Also, the band is seen to be very active on the stage whilst performing, full of energy and very exuberant - also a characteristic of a rock artist.

Additionally, there is a relationship between the lyrics and the visuals. Especially as the video is a performance music video, you can clearly see the lead singer singing the lyrics of the song. The lyrics and the visuals run parallel with each other so you can quite clearly see it is the lead singer who is singing.

There is also a clear relationship between the music and the visuals. For example, you can clearly see the band playing the music on the stage. But also, there is an aesthetic relationship as well. For example, during the 'hard rock' section, the lighting is a lot more red, green, and quick changing - in a chase state. However, during the more slow-paced parts, the lights are darker and the smoke is lessened.


Evidently, Bohemian Rhapsody follows some of the codes and conventions of a typical music video according to Goodwin. However, there are some characteristics that it does not reinforce - for example, a voyeuristic view of the female body is not apparent in this music video - there are not even any women. Despite this, arguably, music videos had evolved considerably by the time Goodwin wrote his theory, and so now, different things are expected of them.

Camerawork

The most iconic shot in this music video, which is still globally recognised today, is the first shot. I think that this shot has become well-known because it was the first shot of the first music video ever to have existed. It clearly shows Queen singing the lyrics, which showcases them to the audience. It uses a low-angle camera shot that could represent successfulness or knowledgeableness of music. It also uses low-level lighting that fades in from a high angle and so only lights the top of their faces. For me, this reminds me very much of an angel-like shot and suggests that perhaps, Queen are so popular and loved that they are thought to be almost magical. The lighting is a straw colour which helps to keep their faces coloured, as opposed to having strangely coloured faces it keeps it looking warm.

Medium shots are also used. For example, during the guitar solo they use a medium shot in order to show the guitarist playing. Although the shot is far enough away to see the guitar, it is also close enough to be able to distinguish the guitarist and this could have been done in order to increase his own profile or advertise the fact that they play their own music. Again, this shot adheres to angelic characteristics. For example, Brian (the guitarist) is wearing white clothing which has connotations of heaven, angels, and purity. These connotations help in presenting Queen in a good light. The stage lighting is very bright at this point and is also a green colour. These are typical of the rock genre in music videos because they are colours that stand out very much and presents the genre as being very extreme and exciting.

Close up shots are also used, again during the guitar solo in the case of Bohemian Rhapsody. These shots assist in showcasing the impressiveness and complexity of the guitar, which in turn helps to make the guitarist look more skilled. Therefore, it helps again to promote the artist and show the audience that they are very talented at music - one of the primary purposes of a music video.


Sound
The band chose to use a lot of instruments that are typical of the rock genre. For example, they used drums, electric guitar, bass guitar and piano, all of which are visually reinforced in the video. These instruments entice Queen's primary target audience.
Additionally, the lyrics of this video play a large role in its success. They have a clear link with the video, since Queen are playing the song and singing in it.