Music Video Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yditeQ6lDYU&feature=related
Let’s see now: In the video, first we have got two well-dressed men in black, wearing sunglasses and walking through the school like they own it. Towards the end of the video, we see a short rewind to the time the men enter the school, to when they get somewhat “beaten up”, and then come out of the school again looking like they had a rough night after clubbing.
The girls shown in this video are an aggressive bunch; ultimately proud of their sexuality, which we can seen by how they dress and carry themselves. This sort of culture would definitely not be seen in Asian or Eastern cultures, where people are far more conservative (high context culture). The older Asian folk would certainly have a harder time appreciating such music videos.
Music videos are a great way to see and experience the high and low context cultures that exist in the various countries. In countries like America, low context culture is shown through their freedom of expression and freedom of speech. Words hold a higher meaning and the masses are able to relate better it. “New perspective” is a song which has quite thought-provoking lyrics. It is individualistic and rather honest. The idea of wanting to gain some kind of freedom is evident throughout the song as shown in the lines, “ I wanna live a life from a new perspective…” as the singer most passionately belts out. The singer certainly made this song “his own”.
The male character is portrayed as strong, “And I as I respire because I know they’ll never win…”, itching to prove himself to be someone different, “I wanna be praised from a new perspective…”, and just urging to find himself again after having lived life in a way he can’t comprehend anymore, “I’ll lose the traits that worry me...” It’s amazing how the number of “I”s are actually written into the song, which once again stresses on how the song was made to be personal. In case you guys didn’t already figure it out, this song is meant to relate to the singer’s romantic, dyadic relationship.
Time is an entity and various cultures have different ways of structuring it. I would say that this song has some interesting time orientation to it, thus showing a free and an open culture. It deals with both polychronic (synchronic) and monochronic (sequential) views of time. While in the sequential view, there is a clear indication to the process of relationship degradation in the song. There is a synchronic suggestion of time where it is flexible and can be stopped, rewound and fast-forward, as shown by the diction used in the song writing.
How many times have your plans fallen through and you find yourself lurking in the dark? Would you try again, or would you escape?
I seriously don’t think most songs today could get as personal or individualistic as this. But then again, I have been wrong before.
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Hi Audrey, Gerald Here.
ReplyDeleteThe music video is structured in a really interesting way. The thing about some songs is that certain composers/writers try to mask their lyrics to be more inferential, making it harder to understand at face value, adding mystery and depth to the song, making it transcend a barrier of personality and individuality that is actually rather difficult to achieve through a song, contrary to popular belief.
On another note, not refering to the communication techniques but to the way the song is written. Alot of songs nowadays are about I I I and ME ME ME. Scarily enough, its not only in songs. Humans are getting so selfish in nature that everything is about themselves and nobody else. I wonder how different our society would be if people were just that little bit more selfless. Like Michael Jacksons heal the world. hm.
Humans are selfish by nature. Everything is about ME. Just look at Ris Low. BOOMS. Aside from that, the song lyrics are not as direct as how some songs are. It is discreet, causing more people to think more about it then other songs would. However, I think that even with its catchy tune and all, songs like "New Perspective" would have listeners generally just humming the tune and singing out the words without much thought, just because it hit the top 30 list on the radio.
ReplyDeleteEscape is just an easier way out. Or so it may seem. It all depends on what sort of mess you land yourself in.
Songs today actually are very individualistic. It quite depends on the types of culture which the various song writers live with. If they are from America, much freedom is given to expression without much censorship. Say the writer was from an Asian society, other cultural norms have to be followed so as not to offend anyone.
ReplyDeleteThe lyrics of this song are interesting. Direct, yet not as easy to catch as some things that are "in your face". It is most definitely made to make people think. I guess depending on the situation, we can then determine whether it is a right move to remain and try again or to just escape.
Hey, I feel that song lyrics are a very good way to understand the difference in culture, between a high and low context society. As you mentioned, western songs are usually more direct in their messages and may even have explicit contents in their music video, whereas for most mandarin songs, the messages can be more subtle and harder to comprehend as well. Though with the influx of western culture, mandarin songs are also evolving to be more low context in nature.
ReplyDeleteSongs of Western influence are definitely more explicit and open as compared to those which are Eastern or Asian. Songs today are also mostly individualistic. We are in the "ME"-centered era. What can we expect?
ReplyDeleteWeird song...interesting...
ReplyDeleteThe "Me" centred attitude seems to be well recieved by music patrons of today.
Indeed many plans would have fallen through if you are in the midst or at the end of your adolesent life. For instance, i was planning not to be able to say that i've been sailing for 7 years and yet here we are today. The point is when plans fall through it is not so often due to ill preparation on our part but just meant to be.(and in times like these, leaving now would not be such a good idea.
Here's an annoyingly catchy song...
ReplyDeletenow everytime my teacher steps into class i hum to my self, "But leaving now would be a good idea" then picture myself running out of class haha. Reality hurts man.
It's no wonder that this is the theme song for "Jenifer's Body" or watchamacallit...
I beg to differ.. i think there are many songs have been made that are more individualistic and personal, Just look at "simple plan". They thrive on narcisistic songs. Such songs often sell well to the angry freedom fighting teen who to some extent relates to the "i want" attitudes of such songs
ReplyDeleteTo Gerald: Thank you for your comment! Songs are a great way to express a person's true feelings. No matter how indirect the lyrics may be, they are still able to put their message across by repetition of key ideas. Like in this song, "living life from a new perspective".
ReplyDeleteSociety would certainly be very different if everyone were to be more selfless. The individualistic nature in songs have been becoming more popular over the years.
To d0t: Thank you for your comment! What's with the "booms"?? Anyway, I agree with what you say about people being selfish by nature, and also not giving much thought to the lyrics when the tunes are just plain catchy, whether or not it is appropraite for the situation. People hardly analyse songs to see what possibly inspired the singer to make it a hit.
ReplyDeleteI think some people would see escape as an easier way out, but to others, they would think you are just a coward for runnning away. However, like you said, it depends on the sort of mess you get yourself into.
To =): Thank you for your comment! America adopts a low-context culture which allows for the openness in their personal view. Unlike the high-context cultures of the Eastern or Asian countries. The song is definitely made for a person to think. Its speaks of the evolution from conformity to individuality.
ReplyDeleteTo Christopher: Good point you made there about the Western influence on the Eastern cultures. The songs are quite quickly becoming more explicit and we see the changes all within our lifetime.
ReplyDeleteTo ...: Thank you for your comment! Well I guess we can't expect much more or less. As you said, we are in the "me"-centred era. We're selfish and sometimes, want move on to just being the individual that goes against the norms.
ReplyDeleteTo Ariel mei: Thank you for your comment! Its true that these songs appeal greatly to the people of today. Plans do often fall through, but we can make the most of the experiences that we acquire. That is the best and only thing that we can do. We can regret, but can't remain disappointed forever.
ReplyDeleteTo Dreamer: Thank you for your comment! I'm sure most students would think of this line especially when they are in a boring class. Reality is painful, but we can try to look past it and treat whatever things we go through as an experience to learn from. That way, we probably wouldn't feel the pinch as much.
ReplyDeleteTo Anonymous: Thank you for your comment! As mentioned many times before, we are selfish. This generation of teens think that ME is more important than THEM. Many teens today are also filled with angst, possibly over societal norms. Their wanting to break out rebelling and the best way to express themselves, would therefore be to listen to such songs with the feeling that they are not alone in this world. Even the people in good bands like "Simple Plan" feels it. Woohoo...
ReplyDeleteA weird song hence I feel it is a perfect song for "Jennifer's body". The first look being the coveted ideal and the second being the cold and brutal reality. I think this sing works well as an eye opener to look beyond appearances and fantasies and embracing reality with a new perspective.
ReplyDeletewow, i just got the title. this song is about ten times more lewd now. 'i wanna be praised from a new perspective' 'you come along because i love your face, and i admire your expensive tastes' 'can we fast forward to go down on me' is pretty obvious though.
ReplyDeletethey may have been going for something different, but now that my warped friends sing it like they do....
i can never unhear it.
Can't really stand a person so openly self centred like these two dum dums haha.
ReplyDeleteI think reality hit them just right and they probably deserve getting beaten up for being such prats even though the girls are a tad too violent...ok fine... way too violent.
Anyway did anyone notice the consistant reference to the movie jenifers body like the shirts that read "jenifers body" and "I eat boys"? I thought it was hillarilous and well inserted
We are a self-centred bunch huh. Society's like that. We are brought up in society to conform to these ways. Though it may not seem like the best thing in the world, we know that people are not going to get any better. In fact, they may get worse. Living a life from a new perspective, as sung by the artistes is truly something to admire. I do wonder how long they could keep up with that before they get back to same way they are right now.
ReplyDeleteI like this song! I think the music video did a good job with the advertising for Jennifer's body. Though a its just a small part, people are BOUND to notice it. The lyrics speak to all who are gunning to make a change in their life. The fact that the song is written in a first person perspective enhances the effect of the desperation the singer possibly faces. We as the listeners are therefore able to relate better to the song.
ReplyDeleteIt is scary how many times we use "me" in a single day. Its uncountable. Trying to change that would be quite a challenge I think.
To Jade: Thank you for your comment! I guess that is true. This music video does publicise for Jennifer's Body. The movie does tell a person to beware of mere looks and superficiality. Truly an eye opener.
ReplyDeleteTo Jan: Thank you for your comment! I hope I that I have not misunderstood your comment. Honestly, I never really looked at the song in the lewd or obscene sense. It is certainly a new interpretation to the song. But then again, this would not have been the first or only song that was made to bring across the message of sexual desire. The way I read the song though, this is something new.
ReplyDeleteTo Rachel: Thank you for your comment! The violent side of girls shown really creates a bad impression of the female species. It shows another thing as I mentioned in my post, that women are more empowered now. How many men do you see getting beaten up by women generations ago? Hardly any.
ReplyDeleteThe advertising for Jennifer's Body was indeed well-inserted at the appropriate times.
To TT: Thank you for your comment! I can't help but agree with what you said, how ever negative it may seem. It's a harsh reality to be faced with, but it's true. How long a person is able to live life from the new perspective depends on how strong a character that person is. The fact the he may want to change his life for the better in the first place shows the realisation and the urge to want to do better. Unless of course, this person is only a man of words, not actions.
ReplyDeleteTo Shaun the Sheep: Thank you for your comment! Personally, now I wonder if Jennifer's body makes a good show to watch. =P The first person perspective is usually used most of the time for an artiste to speak to their listeners through the music. It is the most effective way no doubt.
ReplyDeleteQuite an insightful line right at the back there too. We say "me" or "I" so many times a day it seems we have only time for ourselves. None for others. Changing this would take a lot of concious effort as currently this notion is something that has become a norm or our second nature in everyday life. Therefore, a challenge indeed.
New perspective is a song that says a lot. Can this person really keep up his end of the bargain? Or do the women really have the right to go beat them up? hmmmm...
ReplyDeletePerhaps a narcissitic song? Its about padding the male ego and how a person can boast about needing to change because they have suddenly reached the point where they have gotten bored with their current life. Quite a bold and drastic step that is.
ReplyDeleteTo josh: Thank you for your comment! Well, whether or not this person would be able to carry out his new mission in life to complete success is a mystery to us all. That's the beauty of this song. It makes us think of whether we would bother to consider doing such a thing as well. Songs give us the open opportunity for all types of interpretation according to how the individual lives his or her life.
ReplyDeleteTo sher: Thank you for your comment! This song is definitely narcissistic to a certain extent. It portrays the two main male characters as so important and so wanted by the ladies. Isn't that every boy's dream now? To be surrounded by girls?
ReplyDeleteOnce again, we do not know the intention behind the song, but it does allow us to think of having a new perspective of life.