Music Video Analysis - Hannah T

Sandi Thom – what if I’m right

Sandi Thom is a Scottish singer songwriter and multi-instrumentalist from Aberdeenshire. During her teens Sandi and her band started of travelling across Scotland playing in various pubs and clubs. In 2006 her claim to fame came with her first single ‘I wish I was a punk rocker’ which went straight in at number one in the UK charts. I am going to use one of her less known songs, ‘ what if I’m right’ from her album ‘smile it confuses people’ to analyse and see if any of the techniques used would be effective in our own music production.

The video starts by focusing on the artist, using spotlights and close ups of her emphasises her emotions and to show the depth of meaning in the song. Half way through the music video the shots used concentrate more on the couple to illustrate the love between them as shown in the pillow fight where they are having fun, energetic and full of life. The video then goes against all the typical conventions at the end by using footage of the production team appearing on screen, applying make-up and adjusting the setting. This is similar to Natalie Imbruglia’s music video – Torn.

The lyrics express the love she has for her boyfriend. However, even though he makes promises such as, “be true and be faithful” she has doubts about it. This is reflected at the start of her music video when she is sat on the bus; her facial expression shows that she is thinking about something important to her. By the use of the couple in the background it gives the impression that these are the sorts of thoughts that are worrying the artist, these are her fears about the future. During the duration of the acoustic piece between the chorus and the second verse Sandi looks pensive, after this sort time of reflection the couples actions in the background catch for the better, they are now happy and full of love.

The song is similar to the song we have picked as it is personal to the artist. However, in Sandi Thom’s song she writes about love which is a common theme within songs that are in the charts whereas Allison Crowe talks about self belief and confidence in angels which breaches the typical genre.

I believe this video is a combination of both performance and experimental, it is easy on the eye and audiences can relate to the themes. Nevertheless the group is aiming to have a more experimental music video based on the country pop genre.


By Hannah Tabor