Analysing Dancing In the Dark by Bruce Springsteen

Style	Tick Box
Romantic
Socially Conscious
Nihilist
Classical
Post-Modern
Parody
Film Tie-in
Performance
In-Concert

Explain your choice of Styles/s I chose the performance style for the song because it shows Bruce Springsteen performing in front of a live audience. It doesn't have any narratives however it does have a lot of camera angles of Bruce dancing and singing, plus of the audience in the hall. I also chose the In-concert style for the song because the music video of Bruce and his band was filmed by they were on stage, personally I think that the performance and the In concert style of this music video, both have similar meaning. Doing some research, I've read that the song was part of his 'Born in the USA' Tour, usually played as the second song of the second set. What is the purpose? The purpose of the music video is to promote Bruce Springsteen's first single released from Born in the U.S.A. album, which later became one of his bestselling album of his music career. Bruce had said in an interview that when he was writing the song, he found it really hard because he was trying to please people and was, however the song he stressed so much with became one of his best song.  Identify and explain the conventions used Interpret the lyrics: The track was written two years later after most of the other songs on the album. In the lyrics, it deals with his frustrations at the continued lack of success of his music’s. In the opening scene, Bruce sings: I get up in the evening and I ain't got nothing to say I come home in the morning I go to bed feeling the same way I ain't nothing but tired Man I'm just tired and bored with myself Hey there baby, I could use just a little help He is talking about someone who wakes up in the evening to go to work and goes home in the morning, doing the same boring routine day in day out without having anything to look forward to. He's bored of the life he is stuck in as has asked a girl to help him ease his mind. You can't start a fire You can't start a fire without a spark This gun's for hire even if we're just dancing in the dark He is talking about his goals and needs for success. He needs that 'spark', the girl’s affection to get him motivated and move out of his boring existence to start a new life. The character is offering himself to her, but he can't promise her of anything more than 'dancing in the dark', this is like a no-strings attached physical romance. Implied meaning: Release from difficulty  Links to other artists: None; however it the lyrics do have a similar meaning of going through changes like 'Tighten Up' by the Black Key's. Generic Conventions: This music video does reflect the rock pop genre. Bruce wears a white shirt sleeve shirt opened up a little at the chest, which is tucked into his light blue jeans, he also wears a black patent shoe which is pointy. The outfit and dance moves that he does goes well with the late 1980's rock-pop period.     Identify and explain the techniques used Camera Shots/Movements:  The mid length close -up shots are mainly used to on Bruce's shoes, and legs in the beginning sequence to show that he is dancing, just like the title of the music track. It then moves on to his top half as he is seen swinging is arm a back and forth whilst holding the microphone and singing the parts where he wakes up in the evening and goes to work. The camera then moves on to the full length shot, highlighting the fact that Bruce isn't the only one dancing to the song, it shows the audience's face, movements and expression as they are enjoying the music. The close-up camera shot of Bruce’s face, shows the viewer that those moments feel like he is in his own small world (like he's reflecting on something) but still is dancing along with the crowd. I've also noticed that the camera focuses a lot on his eyes as if to tell the viewer to look into them and see that he is trying to say something. Lighting:  Normal black stage set, but with red, purple, blue, white and orange lights. The colours do work with the 'Dancing In the Dark' music theme. Editing:  In the beginning shot, the camera is moving up in a medium pace whilst showing Bruce's black shoes and legs moving into a dance rhythm. It also shows the fingers and a small part of his arm clicking into the beat. It then moves on to his legs again while he is tapping the ground. As a whole because the music style is a performance, in-concert theme, there isn't a lot of editing techniques used in this video. Effects: You can see camera flashes every now and then in the video and smoke towards the back where the musicians where playing their instruments.  The smoke is a common prop used in concerts by many artists alike. This creates special effects and brings out the colours of the concert light. The camera flashes add the concerts feel to it, making it feel as if your there dancing along to the song. Miming/Lip-sync: No because the music video is filmed during a live concert.