Music Video Analysis - Good Time

*WARNING: This choice does not mean that I actually enjoy the artists (meaning Carly Rae Jepsen), song, or video!

            I will be analyzing the music video for the song “Good Time”. It is by the wonderful Owl City (AKA Adam Young) and features Carly Rae Jepsen.

           

To start, the reality constructed in this video is one where it’s always a good time. The people in the video are constantly having fun and laughing together and absolutely nothing goes wrong (unless you count a girl burning her marshmallow). The faultlessness of their reality is also demonstrated by them singing, “It’s always a good time,” literally twenty two times throughout the entire song. I think they present reality this way because it appeals to their targeted audience (teenagers) and everyone else for that matter. Who doesn’t want to live in a world where everything goes perfectly and you always have fun?

            Another aspect of their made-up reality is that everyone is attractive and dressed up in fashionable clothing. They constructed it this way because no one really wants to watch a bunch of ugly people. It’s horrible and shallow, but most people want to see actors and actresses that are thin, dressed perfectly, and are basically plastered in make-up because it’s just not as fun to watch normal people.

            The world that is portrayed in this video is definitely not realistic. Bad things do happen, whether they are small like embarrassing yourself, or large like having a friend getting hurt. It’s not “always a good time”. This reality is also meant to be true. The people in it are relatively normal aside from their beauty, and nothing particularly crazy or unusual happens. The video seems to attempt to be realistic, even though it is not.

            Some codes and conventions of pop song music videos include having a crazy party, casual/bright clothing, going on a trip somewhere, lots of sun, and outgoing people. The song is usually upbeat and cheerful. All of these aspects combine to create an overall ‘fun’ and laid-back atmosphere. This “Good Time” Video includes all of these. Half the video is the group doing various enjoyable activities like driving together on roads with scenic views, swimming in a lake, or hiking; while the other half is shots of a giant, loud party. Combined with the bold, brightly-coloured trendy clothing everyone is wearing and all of the smiling and laughing, this video constructs a 100% fun and care-free environment. It seems to have encompassed nearly all of the pop video stereotypes.

            A creed/value statement expressed in this music video is that it’s important to have fun. I think this because it is clearly the main focus of the video and is the name of the song. Also, every single person in the video is having fun whether they are swimming, driving, sitting around a campfire, dancing, or running through a forest with a giant butterfly on a stick. Nothing goes wrong, showing that it is alright to cut loose.

The lifestyle choice demonstrated is very similar to the value statement. It shows a life of having no responsibilities and just being able to have fun with your friends. Furthermore, although they do have a party, there are no signs of drugs or alcohol like in many other music videos. Therefore, I believe drugs and alcohol are specifically NOT part of the portrayed lifestyle.

The “Good Time” video did not include very many different groups. It did contain both white and black people, but at least twice as many were white than black. This is probably because pop songs in general are predominantly white. It’s like how rap songs usually have more black people. I don’t believe the song is meant to be racist though. Next, the genders were not even. There was at least half the amount of boys as girls. This could be due to the target audience being primarily teen girls who should relate better to a mainly female cast in the video.

            The video for “Good Time” targets teenagers because the majority of them just want to have a “good time”. Teens don’t want to work or have responsibilities, they want to hang out with friends and have fun, and the song is about just that. The video fits with the fun-filled song since it is like an example of the perfect day for most teens. It starts out with you and a bunch of attractive friends driving together to a rustic cabin where you meet more outgoing, attractive people. From there you eat slushies, swim, make flower chains, fish, have a campfire with roasted marshmallows, and then finish with a dance party. For most teenagers, that would be one amazing day. In addition, two popular artists are featured in the video, instead of just one. This would therefore appeal to fans of both Owl City and Carly Rae Jepsen, giving the song twice as many fans. People who loved both singers would be super-excited too. Due to the fun atmosphere and the multiple artists involved, the video and song should effectively sell to the average teen.

            Whether “Good Time” by Owl City and Carly Rae Jepsen is actually a good video depends on who is watching it. Personally, I don’t enjoy it at all. I’m not a social person, so the partying really doesn’t appeal to me. The girls’ clothing also bothers me. Carly Rae Jepsen is barely wearing anything at all! Furthermore, I think the video is a bit boring. Sure, it includes lots of activities but the video itself is nothing special. It has little to no depth and isn’t too artistic. This is just my opinion though. I’m sure most teenagers would enjoy the video as it features two popular artists and follows a fun-filled story. The song is upbeat and catchy, and therefore should be enjoyable to listen to. In general, this would be a great music video for the average teenager.