Analysis of a Music Video 1

Johnny Cash - Hurt

The video begins with an establishing shot of Cash sitting in a chair. The camera angles are used to represent his life by representing his age. A still shot of the American flag is shown revealing Cash as an iconic legend as if he lived the 'American Dream'

There is a sign saying 'musemn closed' done purposely to show abandonment or represent the fact that Cash is no longer remembered and times have now changed. Cash can be seen wearing black sat in a throne. This is relevant as throughout his career he was known as the 'man in black'. The song itself represents memories good and bad of Cash's music career.

Establishing shots of Cash's house are shown constantly included clutter of antiques, artefacts and his music career memorabilia. It is as if all his life is in one room or that is all he has to show for decades of a career.

There is a sepia tint used on particular shots which represents old, history or ancient usually. The picture of his mother is shown in this way as if to suggest that she is no longer here. Broken gold record discs are left on the floor also used to represent his past career. Snippets of Cash's film appear throughout the music video showing his previous days where Cash was at his happiest. This represents the roller coaster lifestyle Cash lived full of good and bad moments in his life. The film also shows Cash visiting his old neighborhood. There is a contrast here as Cash relives his past in the film by showing the house where he grew up with a sense of pride and happiness on his face, only to be shown in the music video where he relives his old memories again but seems disappointed.

Money and wealth is represented through a banquet of food on a long table that appears on touched, there is a religious connotation here as it almost represents the 'last supper' or last meal. Although Cash is sat on his own, without any friends or 'disciples'. Disciples could represent fans or followers and so as his career has ended so has his followings and popularity.

There is a Christian ideology as Cash pours the red wine on the table of food, his wife is shown standing behind him as if to represent his only fan left. This goes with the saying ' behind every great man is a great woman'.
A fast montage of shots is included as the song speeds up until there is a last picture shot of his performance in the younger days.
The music video ends as Cash closes and strokes the piano representing the end of his career and the end of what he loved and lost.