DON’T BE GONE TOO LONGX (09.14)CHRIS BROWN FT. ARIANA GRANDEEURO-POPMUSIC VIDEO ANALYSIS

BY AMINATTA SYLVA 13H

WHAT ARE THEY WEARING?

• As part of the costume for the narrative based music video, that has been set in a fantasy medieval period. The male (Chris) is wearing a long mesh medieval shirt, her princess (Ariana), is wearing a long lavender dress. Binary oppositions are clearly established here, through their clothing. Looking at their clothing, you can tell that Ariana is more wealthy than Chris, as he is wearing dark, peasant like clothing. This could be the reason why they are not allowed to be together.

• They are together in a desolate fantasy like environment. We can infer this because the moon is too big in the sky, as well as the stars being fully visual. As they stand out in their dark, high key lit area. Here, the camera pans around the couple, which goes with the beat of the music. The cuts to the dance scenes also go with the bass that we hear. At these scenes we see Ariana and Chris (sometimes just Chris) dancing to the beat. However, we cannot see their face, because they are dancing in the dark. This further suggests that they are forbidden to see each other, that’s why are a dancing in the dark. The use of cross fades, makes the lovers seem as one.

WHAT ARE THEY DOING?• This music video is based around the elements of love, magic, royalty and is set during

the medieval period.

• The princess and her lover sing to each other until their peace is disrupted by the antagonist, preferably the King’s guard. They remove the princess away from her lover, and throw him in jail.

• The lover have duet amongst each other from different locations, this is a typical convention of duets. This signifies to us that they might be apart, but their hearts are not apart.

• Brown is trapped in a medieval prison, mean while Ariana is singing at the top of a castle. This again is another binary opposition, wealthy vs. the unfortunate and trapped vs. freedom.

• Then there is a close up of Brown stealing the keys off a guard, before then strangling him, in order to go to his princess.

• Low angle shot of Brown walking in slow motion, past the unconscious guard. He is wearing a dark long robe, to hide his identity. However, the cinematography of this shot suggests to us that Brown is now empowered after escaping jail to go find his lover.

WHAT ARE THEY DOING?• Shot of the antagonist doing black magic, this is suggested to us because

his eyes go black. We also get close ups of witch craft objects; potions etc.

• Behind the antagonist we see skull faces appearing in the fog behind him. This further suggests to us that he is letting evil spirits inhabit him, so that he can stop Ariana being with Chris.

• Whilst the evil fumes are entering him, two shirtless men are ritualistically dancing to the music, with fire lit between them.

• We are then shown shots of Chris and Ariana together in a flourished and magical forest like setting. The colour of the setting reflects the mood of the couple, as now they are free and happy together.

• The final shot, Chris gets to the castle to see his princess, but just after they kiss, the antagonist appears. This is where it ends. However, this is enigmatic because we want to know what happens next.

WHAT IS THE SONG ABOUT?

• This song is about love growing into something beautiful, such as a rose, or perhaps love maturing by time. It is also about being afraid of being lonely, thus the title of the song.

LYRIC ANALYSIS

I dug a single seed into the groundI hope it grows, growsIn a year or two if you're aroundYou'll see a rose, rose

 

The single seed is a metaphor for hope and new love. It’s a small thing which can turn into a beautiful flower, here — a rose.Roses are a common symbol of love (especially red ones), but in order to grow a rose yourself, not only would you need to find good ground with enough sunlight, but you’d need to take care of it every day.

On a train to Paris going nowhereTrouble bridge behind me

Given the distance though, he is almost explaining how he would even flee the continent if it meant escaping his problems. But running away from them will not fix anything, and he knows it. Fleeing to a different place or country could make Chris feel like he can start new life and forget about all the controversy he may be facing.

LYRIC ANALYSIS

Don't be gone too long (too long)'Cause you won't be there to love me when you're gon

Chris is known for his lust for women. He is afraid of being lonely and it leading to either of the sides cheating.He doesn’t want that scenario to happen. In a way he asks her to be there for him, so that he can stay faithful. “Tell me who’s gonna love me when you’re gone” sounds more like a rhetorical question than a regular one. Chris wants to remain loyal but he also knows that if the girl is not around he will be all alone.

Golden leaves are dancing on the groundIt's getting cold, coldSafe from time, will be forever youngNever old, old

The golden leaves signify fall, a season symbolizing decline. This is the main concept of another track on the album — “Autumn Leaves”. Also, the word “cold” applies to both fall’s cool temperature and love’s wavering passion.While people’s bodies aren’t safe from time and everyone grows old, the spirit and the feelings can stay young and fresh forever.Even if the two are away from each other or their relationship ends, their “Young Love” will always be in their hearts, immune to the destructive force of time.

CINEMATOGRAPHY• This music video was technologically challenging to create, as

it was created through the use of a green screen, as shown in the BTS.

• In this music video long shots were used to establish the setting/environment of the place, so that the audience can clearly establish which time period it has been set in. Close ups were used to allow the audience to clearly see objects, or characters’ emotions. Much of the filming was done through the use of a crane shot.

• In some of the shots shallow space focusing was used to make the audience pay attention to what the directors want us to do. Deep space focus was also used in the music video.

• Lighting was effectively used in this music video, especially during the dance scenes and prison cell.

• Editing featured cross fades, graphic matches and cuts, that went in time either with the narrative or the beat of the music.