How Music Videos Speak to Youth: A Look at Nirvana and Pavement

ANALYSIS OF "Smells Like Teen Spirit" 

The music video for Smells Like Teen Spirit, released in 1991, captured the mood of many young people at the time. The video is set in a messy high school gym during what looks like a pep rally that slowly turns chaotic. The environment feels loud, crowded, and slightly aggressive, which reflects the rebellious tone of the song. The video uses darker lighting, shaky camera movements, and fast editing, which makes it feel rough and unpolished. This was very different from the highly polished pop music videos that were popular at the time. The band plays with lots of energy, while the crowd of teenagers moshes and act rebellious. The colors are kind of dull and smoky, which fit the angry and confused vibe of the song. The video was targeted at a young audience, who felt frustrated with society and the perfect shiny pop they saw everywhere. They wanted something different , and real and honest, which was given by this video. 

User and Gratification Theory:

Nirvana’s Smells Like Teen Spirit connects strongly to Users and Gratifications theory because young viewers use the video to satisfy different personal needs. In this case, many teenagers saw themselves in the messy gym, the rebellion, and the rejection of fake perfection, it helped them express who they felt they were, their personal identity. The chaotic crowd also gives fans a sense of social connection, as if they belong to a group of outsiders who understand each other. The loud music, fast editing, and wild energy offer escapism, letting young people release stress and temporarily forget real-life pressures. So the video doesn’t just entertain but it gives teenagers a reason to emotionally connect to the music, and the message of the song.

ANALYSIS OF "Harness Your Hopes" 

The Harness Your Hopes music video uses a quirky and surreal style that plays with audience expectations. The narrative is non-linear, meaning the scenes don’t follow a clear storyline, which creates a sense of randomness that matches the indie tone of the song. The video features actress Sophie Thatcher performing in different settings, and the mise-en-scène constantly changes from museums to foggy forests, giving the video a dreamy atmosphere. The editing is intentionally jumpy, with quick cuts and repeated gestures that create a looping rhythm, something I want to incorporate in my music video. The camera work often uses close-ups of Thatcher’s face, positioning the audience to focus on her expressions and the odd situations she appears in. The colour palette shifts between muted tones and bright, unnatural lighting, to further amplify the surreal style.

Audience Positioning In The Video:

The video positions audiences in specific ways through gaze, and camera perspective. There are many close-ups of Sophie Thatcher create a feeling of intimacy, encouraging viewers to focus on her reactions and expressions, even when the situation around her makes no sense. These shots direct the viewer’s gaze so they connect emotionally with her. The camera often follows her from behind or walks with her, (tracking her) making the audience feel like they’re moving through the strange spaces alongside her. I would like to apply this to my music video in order to make the watcher emotionally connect with the main character, and guide the audience to engage with the video.