Bad Blood music video analysis

Lyrics
The lyrics for Bad Blood establish the point that Taylor Swift is writing about a
relationship, which is frequently used as a main focus point of her songs.
However these lyrics are not directed towards a male character or an ex but a
friend enemy. The lyrics came from the relationship between Taylor herself and
Katy Perry, a female pop singer. Taylor swift expresses her emotions through the
lyrics of the song by singing about, how she once could trust Katy but what she
has caused has destroyed what could have been a good relationship. Fans of
Taylor swift are able to relate with their role model as they can put themselves in
her shoes and understand what is going on.

'Cause baby now we got bad blood

You know it used to be mad love
So take a look at what you've done
'Cause baby now we got bad blood
(Hey) now we got problems
And I don't think we can solve them
You made a really deep cut
And baby now we got bad blood
(Hey) did you have to do this
I was thinking that you could be trusted
Did you have to ruin what was shining now it's all rusted
Did you have to hit me where I'm weak baby I couldn't breathe
Music
Bad blood is an example of a high tempo music video which is supported by the
fast paced editing of the cuts. Kendrick Lamar raps in the music video for Bad
Blood which adds variety to the song and helps the speed of the music to flow.
Genre/Mise en scene
Being a pop video enables artists to have a widened idea of what they are able
to create for that music video. Most pop videos take the audience on a journey
which enables them to feel involved in. The story line of Bad Blood takes the
target audience, of which are teens through a conflict which has risen from a
known friend of Taylors, Selena Gomez who stars as the bad character, that goes
against the mission. Other well-known artists or friends of Taylors are also
involved like; Gigi Hadid, Zendaya, Lily Aldridge, Kendrick Lamar, Ellie Goulding,
Lena Dunham, Hailee Steinfield, Serayah, Cara Delevingne, Martha Hunt, Hayley
Williams, Karlie Kloss, Jessica Alba, Mariska Hargitay, Cindy Crawford and Ellen
Pompeo. With the support from well know actresses and singers it allows fans to
come together from different fandoms and help market Taylor swifts song.
However it also shows the support Taylor swift has behind her and her as an
artist in the music industry.

The use of dark colours and reds insinuates danger, anger or blood, commonly

found in action films or in situations of conflict. Props used in the music

video show the viewer that she is strong and maturity shown through the
teddy getting pinned on the wall by a knife.

There are a number of costume changes throughout the music video. It start
opens with Taylor wearing a nude with black detail corset and a black skirt with
stocking. This helps build the representation of a promiscuous and sexualising
character. The next change is into a white leather bandeau and shorts, which
can be seen as revealing and sexualising her character. Taylor is shown in a wide
shot lying on a table of which is being scanned, after a slow motion shot of
getting kicked out a window and landing on a car. The next costume represents
this new character as strong and confident the idea of being `knocked down
and coming back stronger. Her white leather outfit juxtaposes against the black
mechanic looking costume of which she is seen knocking down walls and
introducing the audience to her team members. Most of the outfits shown are
provoked with wet-look leather which comes across as sexualising to the male
audience that like Taylor but also the fitting in with the females by promoting
theme of girl power.
The makeup gives each female in the video a badass look. This is significant as
the lyrics and music video are about danger and power. It also links with the
props used, for example weapons and motorbikes, which are dangerous. The
variety of different weapons and vehicles introduced throughout the video are
often associated with men like riding the motorbike or the different guns. This
music video goes against the usual conventions of a pop music video as it is
rather a story based on conflict rather than the performance and dance music
video.
Camerawork
There are a range of different shots throughout the
music video including close ups (parts of her body),
tracking shot is used when she shows off her flexibility
as she cart wheels off a male villain. The use of long,
shots and low/high angle shots enable her to be seen
as a strong character. The shots also fit in with the
creativity of the music video making the viewer feel
involved and keeping them interested.
Editing

Fast paced editing fits the time and beat of the

track, making the lip-synching more realistic and
professional looking. The use of the split screen
shows the viewer what is going on with Taylor at
that moment of the scene and how she feels is
expressed through Kendrick Lamar rapping on the
opposite screen. Prevalence is given mainly to
Taylor Swift, showing that she has dominance and
importance.
Intertextuality
-Hunger games training centre bow and arrow used by Katniss Everdeen is
also seen in the background.
-Matrix- Taylor goes through the window in slow motion and then changes into an
outfit from the trinitys closet.
-Divergent fighting/boxing scene
Narrative/performance
There are performative aspects to Bad Blood that goes against
what you would usually find in a pop music video. There are no
dance routines which is normally expected. The lip synching and
close up shots are directed towards the audience which enhance
this visual response of pleasure. The lip synching and story going on links back
to the lyrics of the video, for example; when Selena Gomez, Arsyn
goes against her and takes the suitcase then kicking her out the
window, the song starts up, `cause now we got bad blood, it used
to be mad love. Taylor is talking about how the relationship used
to be and now what it has come to.
The performance aspect of it creates a theme of power which can
used seductively by the costume choices and the variety of shots and editing.
The make-up is dark linking back to the title of the song `Bad Blood.
Star image/Brand
It is clear that Taylor Swift is the main character as
she is often positioned in the centre of the frame
and is given prevalence. This suggests importance
which is reinforced by her character within the pop
music video.
The look of the music video and the look of the
band allow the viewer to determine if they like what they see. Taylor Swift is not
the only celebrity within the video, she is joined by a number of other celebrities
making it appeal to more than her own audience or fans. This technique used
can also be a way in which is seen as a selling point.
Voyeurism/ Looking

The music video conforms to Mulveys theory about attracting the

male attention. Taylor may be portrayed as a sexual object to the
male audience. Throughout the video Taylor swift wears leather
and revealing outfits as well as the use of dangerous weapons like
guns and knives, presenting Taylor as this bad girl which attracts
the male audience. Women are often represented as passive and
weak character however this music video goes against this as she
is seen fighting, boxing, being shown as a strong character.