Analysis of 'Let Me Love You' Ariana Grande featuring Lil Wayne
The video for 'Let Me Love You' was directed by Grant Singer and premiered on the 22nd of march 2016. This therefore promotes the artists and the single's release and can be obtained on the artist's album 'Dangerous Woman' which was released on the 20th of May.
The video starts off with a close-up shot of a dripping tap, although this isn't actually heard, due to the music already making a start. After a couple of seconds this changes to a high angle tracking shot which presents numerous lights within the ceiling, being turned off and the room therefore goes darker. This shot then follows onto another close-up shot, but this time of a light being reflected off the water in the swimming pool, therefore all in which seem to inform the audience of the artist's whereabouts and builds tension up to the point where Ariana is finally introduced. However, although the artist is now visible, she is presented facing sideways and not towards the camera and her hair is almost covering the right-hand side of her face, therefore only her left side can be viewed. This presents the artist as being more secretive and mysterious and this idea is also reinforced via the use of dark lighting which adds the mood.
This is then followed by a close-up of Ariana laying down and is presented to be touching her own body, in a sexual manner. Although, due to the brightness of the light coming from the window, the audience is still unable to view her facial expression or appearance, therefore, again adding to this mysterious representation. Ariana is then showed to be looking at herself in the mirror, and this is the first time the audience is actually able to clearly examine her features. In addition, Ariana is also wearing a full face of makeup and her hair is fairly eye-catching due to the wavy style in which she has gone for. This therefore represents the artist as glamorous and slightly seductive due to her hinting that she likes the look of her reflection.
Throughout the video, Ariana is presented wearing numerous different costume choices and the majority are made up of dark, tight, revealing clothing, which therefore again represents the artists as sexual and seductive. This reference to the notion of looking, particularity voyeuristic treatment of the female body is distinguished throughout. The music for the video is very slow and passionate and this is reinforced via the sensuous visuals of Ariana, therefore, forming a relationship. Furthermore, the lyrics and visuals are also shown to have a relationship, as the artist is often presented lip-syncing to the music and altering her facial expression/body language to match the words being sung.
Close-up shots of the artist are commonly used throughout and this may perhaps be a demand of the record label so that the artist can develop her star iconography. These particular shots also present the artist making direct address with the audience and therefore makes the video more personal and engaging. I also noticed that during the chorus the shots tend to be a lot shorter and straight cuts have been used between each shot. This therefore reflects the faster pace of the music and enables the video to flow better. Whereas during the verses, the shots tend to be a lot longer and this therefore reflects the slower pace of the music.
Right before Lil Wayne is introduced, an over the shoulder shot has been used and this enables the audience to view the artist smoking his cigarette. A diegetic sound of his lighter being lit is then added and this particular sound is used in all of the songs that he's featured in, to almost act as a que for him to start and informs the audience that his verse is about to begin. The close-up shot of the artist enables the audience to view his serious facial expression and his costume choice; a white baseball cap, white T-shirt and gold, heavy jewelry. Furthermore, this is a stereo-typical outfit for a hip hip /rap artist.
Towards the end of the video, both artists are shown having equal screen time and are both presented as having a close bond with one another as shown via their friendly body language. The video then finishes with both artists laughing at each other,struggling to remain focus and lip-sync to their lines. This then makes the video less serious and more entertaining, therefore engages the audience more.
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