Coldplay are a British rock band who formed in 1996 under the original name of 'Pectoralz'. 'Pectoralz' was not the only name they decided on before they changed it to 'Coldplay'. They were also named 'Starfish', as of 1998 when they recruited more members of the band. The video that I shall be evaluating is 'The Scientist'. The second single released on the second album, 'A Rush of Blood to the Heart', which was released in 2002.
The genre of the song fits Coldplay overall as the song is heavily piano based with an indie rock flare. Within the song 'The Scientist' a piano is used as the main instrument with majority of minor key's used. This stereotypically fits in with the pessimistic and depressing genre as it links in with the lyrics as well as the narrative of the video, by wanting to go back to stop the heartbreak of his loved one who was recently killed in the car crash.
The narrative of the video demonstrates the lead singer going backwards in time to an incident involving a car crash with his assumed girlfriend at the time, hence linking to the lyrics 'I'm going back to the start'. Chris Martin had to learn the words to the song backwards in order to maintain the continuity, so when it was reversed the synchronisation of the video was appropriate in accordance to him singing the lyrics. This could show that he is still in the present but wishes he could go back to stop what happened.
At the beginning of the video there is an aerial mid-shot of Chris Martin showing him looking straight into the sky which we may connote that he is looking up at heaven and is thinking of his late girlfriend who is seen to have died in the video. The shot then zooms out to a long shot to show that he is laying on a bright blue mattress in a submissive position within a wore-down urban area. This may represent how awkward he feels to be on earth which is shown to be a more hellish place as shown by the darker brown tones. We could connote here that he wishes to be in heaven with his girlfriend. This also links to the bright blue mattress which is symbolic to the blue sky.
The uses and gratifications theory is meaningful, as the audience can use this song for diversion purposes due to the peaceful and meaningful story to the song/video. The setting of the woods enforce the messages because there is a sense of seclusion, which is ensured through the mise-en-scene because Chris Martin's character is the only scene in the empty woods. This relates to the definition of 'diversion', in which audiences may want to get away from every day life and seek relation with the song as an implication of support.
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