Beckie Jacobs

Textual Analysis of Lady Gagas Born This Way

Music Video.
In the music video of Lady Gagas Born this Way Music
Video, there is a 2:33 narrative introduction which then
leads into her song. The introduction sets the story of the
video and can be seen as a short film more than a music
video. The settings in the music video are all based
around Aliens, Space and Non-Naturalistic worlds which
connects with the song Born this Way meaning different, not normal and
unique. Throughout the video she continuously portrays herself as non-naturlistic
and unusual and it successful in doing so as, from the audience, it is very
different to what Pop music videos are like in the modern day and she took a big
risk in making a statement through the video and succeeded. The music video is
choreographed so that Lady Gaga has the
most prevalance throughout because she is
the artist and the main character in the
video however surrounding her, were
dancers whom make the music video
stronger. The colour theme of the music
video was Red, Blacks and Whites. These
colours connote simular images of mystery,
danger and trouble which follow the codes
and conventions of her Music Video theme. The lyrics have a strong message
about discrimination in society. This could be because of the experiences she has
seen in public and wants to express her emotions through the song.

Lady Gaga also follows the codes and conventions of most music videos by the
choice of costumes. In most of the shots Gaga is wearing just a black, latex bra
and knickers which portrays her as a typical woman in the pop industry as she is
showing off her erotic and sexy side of
her to possibly get more views and
attention however in the next shot she is
dressed in a tuxedo which is very
masculine which follows her idea of the
song saying I was born this way baby
meaning that everyone is different and
they should not care what people think
of them showing that the narrative, mise
en scene and location all link in with the lyrics of the song. Lady Gaga wears
black eye make-up and white powder on her face which emphasises her eyes
making them look bigger and bolder and could say that her face is what she
wants people to focus on in the video. It can be portrayed as her eyes being dark
because everything she sees in this world is a negative connotation and she
doesnt agree with this through her expression in the lyrics of her song.
The Shots that Lady Gaga uses are also all based around the theme of nonnaturalism meaning that each location in the shot is very different from the one
before. The variety of shots in the music videos keeps the audience watching
more interested in it as it is different and exciting than seeing them standing in

Beckie Jacobs
the same location doing the same thing over and over again. The rapid editing
used from shot to shot flowed with the beat of the music which made an increase
on the impact of the clips leaving the
audience thinking what could happen
next? As each shot was unexpected
making her character unique. She took a
risk doing this in the pop industry and it
was a successful risk as it was not safe and
sticking to the stereotypical music videos
for Pop Artists like bright colours, based in
sunny locations and very uplifting like
Demi Lovatos Cool for the Summer music video which has just been released.
All of the shots use the same Black and White theme however which could be
showing how the innocence in lady gaga is surrounded by discrimination in
society as the connotation of the colour black.
People look at Lady Gaga
and view her as a sex
symbol through her
erotic costumes and
body movement. She is a
different type of female
role model in the pop
industry because of her
unique image of
empowerment and
provocative. Dont hide
yourself in Regret, Just
Love yourself and youre
Set these Lyrics in the
song can be very inspirational to some people for different reasons such as the
younger generation but also the homosexual fan base who may look up to her
for help on how to live their life or when it is the right time to come out to their
family and friends. Many pop artists do not cover a varied fan base and only
focus on a set audience such as younger listeners like Katy Perry, Taylor Swift or
One Direction.
Her music video meets up to her fan bases expectations and further because it is
following her unique image which was successfully seen in this video and also in
her other music videos such as Edge of Glory where her theme of black and
whites are used again.