Textual Analysis Three

Kelly Clarkson Because Of You

I will not make the same mistakes that you did
I will not let myself
Cause my heart so much misery
I will not break the way you did,
You fell so hard
I've learned the hard way
To never let it get that far

Because of you
I never stray too far from the sidewalk
Because of you
I learned to play on the safe side so I don't get hurt
Because of you
I find it hard to trust not only me, but everyone around me
Because of you
I am afraid

I lose my way
And it's not too long before you point it out
I cannot cry
Because I know that's weakness in your eyes
I'm forced to fake
A smile, a laugh everyday of my life
My heart can't possibly break
When it wasn't even whole to start with

Because of you
I never stray too far from the sidewalk
Because of you
I learned to play on the safe side so I don't get hurt
Because of you
I find it hard to trust not only me, but everyone around me
Because of you
I am afraid

I watched you die
I heard you cry every night in your sleep
I was so young
You should have known better than to lean on me
You never thought of anyone else
You just saw your pain
And now I cry in the middle of the night
For the same damn thing

Because of you
I never stray too far from the sidewalk
Because of you
I learned to play on the safe side so I don't get hurt
Because of you
I try my hardest just to forget everything
Because of you
I don't know how to let anyone else in
Because of you
I'm ashamed of my life because it's empty
Because of you
I am afraid

Because of you
Because of you

Analysis

Because of you is performed by American singer Kelly Clarkson for her second studio album Breakaway. It was produced by David Hodges and Ben Moody and written by Kelly Clarkson, David Hodges and Ben Moody. It was released in August the 16th 2005 and the genre of the music video is pop. The song was originally written by the artist when she was only 16 years old because of emotional distress she was experiencing due to her parents divorce at the time. The song lyrically explores the pain of a deteriorating relationship to do with her father. The song includes various musical instruments such as a piano and guitar. The music video is directed by Vadim Perelman and was produced by Rhonda Vernet. Before producing the lyrics and music video she asked her parents permission because of the such touchy topic that it covered. The whole point of the music video was to show people that this kind of family can exist anywhere in life and people do suffer these experiences unfortunately. Although the video seems like all doom and gloom it does end in happiness for her and her family.

A narrative is produced throughout the music video because of the four main elements which are: sound, cinematography, mise en scene and editing. The music video is based on the Clarkson household in the past and present. Kelly Clarkson is now married and has a little girl. She begins to reflect upon her life as a little girl and how she would never wish anybody the same life that she had to endure. A heated argument begins to arise in the house between her and he husband. Time then freezes and travels back in time to her younger self bringing back painful memories of her childhood to her. She lived in an unhappy family when she was a little girl due to her parents divorce and this has clearly had a big impact on her life. In the video she makes a picture for her father and he throws it in the bin. Her mother then makes him a meal to eat with the family and he refuses to eat with them and doesn't appreciate anything. Her mother then throws it away just like the picture. It drives her mother to crying in her bedroom and taking pills because she is so unhappy. The children including her experience all of the arguments and pain that the household have to face. Her mother and father eventually have a physical fight and he decided it's time to leave he therefore packs his bags and walks out on her mother and the rest of the family. The music video then goes forward in time again to the current situation and she realizes she doesn't want to repeat her earlier life and thinks of her children. She makes up with her husband and they are happy again.

The mise en scene throughout the music video remains very similar. This is because the setting of the music video is shown in the same few places. The first shot is an establishing shot which tilts upwards from the garden to the house to show the location of the music video. A two shot is then shown of her parents arguing in the household. A point of view shot is then used to show how the argument seems from her point of view as a little girl. A close up of a photo frame and what looks like a happy family is then shown to remind the audience of when times were different. A track is used to follow her backwards as she walks to get away from what she has seen. She goes to look in the mirror and a pan upwards is shown of her reflection in the mirror of her as a little girl. A two shot of her and her dad is shown to the audience to show us how he didn't have time for her or appreciate her been around. A long shot of the four of them is shown so that the audience can see her then and her now. A close up of her in a studio is then shown to the audience of her singing to show emotion. A pan upwards of an empty seat at the kitchen table is shown where her dad should be sitting but doesn't come home for his meal. It then moves on to a close up of her mum scraping the food into the bin looking angry and upset. The audience realize that enough is enough when a two shot is shown of her mum taking pills and her stood at the door watching her do this scared and lonely. Her mum is seen on the bed crying as a close up and she is then shown as a close up singing on the bed in the same way. Her dad is finally shown leaving as the camera tracks his movements and he gets in his car and drives away.

Throughout the music video very little editing is used most of the editing that is included takes place at the beginning of the music video. An inwards zoom is used at the beginning up to the window of the house to show the audience the argument between her parents that is taking place. A freeze frame of the argument happens and she walks out of the freeze frame and begins to sing. A black screen is shown several times as the narrative jumps from the story line to the studio setting. Another inward zoom is used to show the tea time setting and everybody being there but her father. Continuity editing is occurring all the way through the music video because the narrative is developing in order of events. A shot reverse shot camera action is used to show her as an adult watching the arguments take place to her as a child then back to her as an adult to show her reactions to what she is watching take place in front of her. The main element of sound used is diegetic sound of her singing throughout the music video. Non diegetic sound of the music and lyrics can be seen but not heard during parts also as the narrative is developing and the main focus is on that.

The cinematography throughout the music video shows what should be seen as a very normal and happy family home. At the beginning the house is shown to tell the audience what a happy household should look like. The kitchen of the house is shown as the main meeting point in the house creating verisimilitude like a normal house. She is seen wearing red to show her loving and caring side whilst he is opposite and he is wearing lots of dull and dark colors like blacks and browns. Around the house lots of family photos can be seen of them through happier times. When the music video changes to her watching her family arguments and seeing herself as a little girl she is now wearing black and dark clothing. This tells the audience that she isn't vulnerable anymore like she used to be she is standing up for herself and making a change not been pushed around anymore. As a little girl she appears innocent and pretty in a long flowery dress. She looks unhappy which a little girl somebody so young shouldn't be. The lighting the house is dull and dingy making the house not feel homely or welcoming to anybody. The studio is extremely dark with very little lighting showing her emotions and how down and depressed she was feeling at the time. It shows us through attitude and costume that her little girl is very similar to her when she was young wearing the same clothes and looking unhappy in the same way. The picture she has made for her dad can be seen to show that she was just a normal little girl that wanted her dad to love her. When an argument takes place the weather outside is rainy and wet adding to the effect of the mood of the household. The differences between now and then are very clear through the imagery of costume and mannerisms.

The overall music video is about the fact that family arguments cause pain and destruction and are not necessary in a household. The whole point of the narrative is to show her personal experience throughout her life as well as added extras to show that arguments can be changed and sorted out. Children shouldn't have to experience arguments between their parents because it destroys families and causes unhappy childhoods. Families should be happy and enjoy their lives together as long or short as they may be.