Ghost town music video - Context + Language Flashcards
What is ska music?
A vibrant + energetic music genre that originated in Jamaica
Characterised by an upbeat tempo, offbeat guitar rhythms, + horn sections, incorporating Caribbean + American rhythm and blues
What did ska music have a significant influence on?
Various music genres like punk + alternative rock
Who are 2-tone records?
Independent English record label that released ska music, promotes racial integration
Founded by Jeremy Dammers, also member of The Specials
Stopped operating in 1986
What is reggae?
Originated in Jamaica in 1960s, vital in ending divide between black + white people
In mid-20th century, wave of Jamaican immigrants moved to England + brought reggae, most popular music style in Jamaica + British Jamaican diaspora
What is brit reggae?
Influenced by fusion of R&B, ska, + rock music, creates sound that resonates with many audiences
Increased due to reggae music themes of social justice, anti-colonialism, + spiritual redemption resonated with many Brits, especially low income groups
Who were the specials?
English 2 tone + ska revival band formed in 1977 in Coventry
Jeremy Dammers is the founder + keyboardist
Merged ska + rock in music along with punk
Explain the context of ghost town:
Released June 12th 1981 + spent 3 weeks on number 1 and 11 weeks in top 40 uk
Explain Thatcher’s Britain:
Thatcher became prime minister on May 4th 1979, immediate impact on economical policies led to rise in unemployment
Riots in 1981 due to unemployment + racial tension
Thatcher was anti-immigration, cuts to spending created social divides
Was ghost town a protest song?
Lyrics reflect despair + anger felt by young ppl + unemployed
“Come in like a ghost town” - reflects how Thatcher’s government ruined towns
Song became significant when it coincided with riots
Odd eerie song with haunting melody, mixed with reggae + ska, creating sense of despair that reinforces song’s theme of despair
How does ghost town still make money today?
Song’s portrayal of social unrest still resonates today
Streaming services, The Specials reunion concerts, vinyl repressings
What was the mise-en-scene (setting) in the video? Language
- Isolated setting
- Showing parts of London, should be busy but isnt
- Tunnel, nobody driving through it
- Burnt out cars, less wealthy areas, abandoned lower class
- Rock skipping at empty Thames, wasted youth, unemployment
- Financial district of London is empty
What was the mise-en-scene (props, costume) in the video? Language
- Using car to drive through town, emptiness, no other cars
- Empty cars have been burnt, post riots?
- Wearing old clothes from 20s, 40s, normally band had ‘rude boy’ look
- Old car, 1961 Vauxhall
What was the mise-en-scene (lighting, NVC, editing) in the video? Language
- Blue light used, highlights features + underlying emotions
- Shadows of them messing around
- Less lighting in back of car + underlighting, eerie, ghostly
- Edited shots to beat of song
- Shots got quicker when car ride got more frantic
- Straight, unemotional face from lead singer
What was the cinematography in the video? Language
- Hand held camera, shaking = designed to look chaotic
- Low angle shots of buildings, overbearing
- Close ups of band members
- Tracking shots of cr moving
- Whip pans = fast movements as car spins, lights blur, distorts, risky
What was the semiotic analysis in the video? Language
- Empty cars = ghost town, unemployment
- Empty streets
- Only men
What was the semiotic analysis (myth + ideology) in the video? Language
- Myth of government being right = challenges this, shows consequences of Thatcher’s actions + how shes increased employment for young ppl by ghostly streets + risky behaviour
- Challenges racism - multi cultured band
- Only men in video = only men can fight + be the voice, ska is predominantly male genre
- Men take part in reckless behaviour
