Lizzo - Good As Hell - Music Video Flashcards
Context: When was the video released?
Set product was released and premiered on YouTube in 2019, although the original video was released alongside the song in 2016 (in her debut album Coconut Oil), though it did not reach mainstream success. After its re-release, the song became a global hit, reaching top 3 in the US charts, thus is referred to as a SLEEPER HIT, achieving its full success a period after its release and not immediately.
Context: Setting?
Southern University, Louisiana - historically first black college in America - empowerment of young black people as well as introducing a sense of community.
Context: Homecoming Event
The video features Southern University’s homecoming event, where we see the human jukebox and dancing dolls - all cultural practices in the U.S - relatable, familiar and shows the comfort and joy of being part of a musical community.
Pays homage to Lizzo’s past as a marching band performer.
Context: Flute and Piccolo
As a professional flute player, Lizzo often features her musical instruments in her videos.
Context: Body Positivity
As a strong advocate for body positivity and self-love, Lizzo’s Good A Hell features an inclusive representation of women with different body types, skin tones and shapes. This is a realistic representation of (young black women in particular) and is likely to echo with Lizzo’s audiences who find her music relatable.
Media Language: Setting
Various settings associated with student life - University, school bus, classroom, rehearsal spaces - establishes community and relates to younger people - almost humbles her presenting her as a ‘friend’ rather than an elite star.
Media Language: Colour
1) Blues = features in most of the video within the uniforms of the marching band and a variety of backgrounds - sense of belonging, unity and hope.
2) Gold = spotted in specks in Lizzo’s costumes - although she’s wearing blue/similar outfits to the students she still owns that star quality. Could also be championing the Black University as well as showing the way in which Lizzo is the star of the show and through her music has added glamour and sparkle to the students lives - change in narrative.
3) White = dancing doll’s outfits -elegance, peace and freedom (of judgement)
Media Language: Costume
Lizzo wears matching outfits to the members of the band and even the dancing dolls, proving that even though she may not be as athletic or as slim as them, she is still confident and proud, while feeling beautiful.
- body-image isn’t limiting.
Lizzo’s outfits feature stitched ‘L’ or some logos whereas the students have their University’s emblem - creates a star persona and brand identity.
The gold outfit Lizzo is seen in emphasises her stardom and glamour, and gold traces are also included in some costumes worn by the students - acts as a metaphor for the guidance Lizzo has given them and that they have also found the light to shine and the confidence like Lizzo.
Media Language: Narrative Codes
The three main characters we follow are girls faced with personal issues or conflicts that they must overcome to feel ‘Good As Hell’. The three young women eventually grow into Propp’s heroes.
Lizzo can be viewed as the donor/helper who with her music makes them feel more positive, and emboldened.
Media Language: Direct Address and Lyrics
Lyrics are accessible and conversational, as though Lizzo is a friend consolidating us - reaches out to people who feel alone.
Media Representation: Women
Women are initially isolated and weakened due to certain things that have dragged down their day, however through music and friendship they are emotionally supported to regain their confidence and find their feet.
This may be regarded as a stereotypical representation of women although a positive one nonetheless.
POST-FEMINIST PERSPECTIVE = although some outfits worn by the dancing dolls may be overtly feminine and be perceived to appeal to men/ primarily the problems upsetting the women in the first place arose due to men in their lives, this doesn’t have to be a narrative that appeals to the male gaze, rather these references construct female empowerment through body-confidence and ‘girl-power’ which may be seen a cliche but are tools to feel as ‘Good A Hell’ and are real elements of being a woman.
Media Audiences
Lizzo’s audience is largely female and she is most popular between the 18-24 age demographic.
Lizzo’s specifically appeals to young, black women, naturally like herself - role-model, hero, empowering, promoter and protester.
Lizzo’s fan base names themselves ‘Lizzbians’:
- Talks to her audience about LGBT
- Body Shaming
- Mental Health
Media Representation: Men
Men are represented somewhat negatively through individual characters rather than as a whole.
E.G. The dancing doll’s ex-boyfriend whom we assume has cheated on her/male teacher who brings down and looks down upon the young girl in the marching band/
Overall, the lyrics of the song imply that women can be happy without men and if a man hurts you, you are better off without him anyway.
However, this may not be an insult directly to men, but more so to those who cheat, neglect and shame women into feeling insecure or bad about themselves, which are emotions that are real, and that Lizzo’s music attempts to overcome thus the message is probably not a sexist view but a moral one instead.