Music Video Analysis

David Bowie - The Stars (Are Out Tonight)
Directed by Floria Sigismondi

What is the relationship between lyrics and visuals?

The visuals depict younger versions of both David and Tilda earlier on in their careers. this is linked to the lyrics as they are about "stars" (in reference to celebrities) and being haunted by the past as well as the media's fascination with celebrities. ultimately, the video helps to communicate the lyrics even more because they are closely related.

What is the relationship between music and visuals?

the genre of music fits the type of video because they are both alternative and are a medium for conveying messages. the takes within the video also fit into the rhythm of the song.

Are there close-ups of the artist and star image motifs?

there is only one close of David and its purpose is mainly to show his reaction to the celebrities. there is a kind of colour motif that focuses on soft colours which contrasts with the colours of the celebrities clothes - they often wear black. 
David's image is presented as being more mature due to his relatively "normal" looking clothing, but still clever and creative due to his insight into the media and its corruption.
this video is very different to his previous work such as Life On Mars

but this may be because of developments in technology as well as Bowie's style.


Is there reference to the notion of looking?

Bowie himself is not sexually represented. this is probably due to the fact that men are not often over sexualised in music videos and films because the majority of film makers and directors are men themselves. although the director of The Stars is actually a woman, David is still not presented in a sexual way. however,towards the end of the video the women start being presented in a sexual way. 

interestingly, the video for Marina and the Diamonds - How To Be a Heartbreaker has been deemed "controversial" due to the sexualisation of men rather than women.marina chose to make the video this way in response to the over sexualisation of women and to shock the audience as they would not expect to see men presented in this way, whereas seeing a woman presented like this is perfectly normal.

the "notion of looking" is also presented by the television showing Tilda and David at home and the Stars acting as paparazzi and staring/photographing them in the supermarket 

Are there inter-textual references?

There are references to Bowies' earlier career throughout the video.




Iselin Seiro plays a younger Bowie and clearly represents him.this is possibly used to highlight the message in the video as David is being haunted by his younger self and stardom. there don't appear to be references to separate texts.


Is the music video performance-based, narrative-based or concept-based?

I would say that the video is narrative based because the video fits into the song, connects with the lyrics and tells a story like a narrative video.