Images of America -
Analyzing Music Videos: Tracy Lawrence
Integrated U. S. History and American Literature Class
Deborah Aufdenspring and Sandra Mings-Lamar
New Technology High School, Napa, CA
(Quick Links to related pages)
Below are some captured stills from a music video that will help you
understand the kinds of analyses you are expected to do. Remember that all
captured stills are the property of the particular music video copyright
holder. Stills are to be used in your scholarly work only and copyrights
noted.
"If the World Had a Front Porch"
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Tracy Lawrence
On the surface, Tracy Lawrence's video is about how much simpler life
used to be, and how much simpler it might still be if only Americans shared
some common experiences and neighborliness. This look towards the past seems
antithetical (contrary) to the video's use of a computer metaphor. Why do
you think Lawrence used this metaphor. Was life ever this simple? Can it
be again? Can a computer substitute for a front porch? How or why?
The Video:
All Tracy Lawrence stills copyright Atlantic Records.
"Retrieving Front Porch" - What is the significance of this
shot? What does this say about the rest of the video's message?
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What theme is on the front porch in both of these shots?
Do you think there would be a difference in views of the world between the
people in each still?
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What do you think these segments of front porch film represent?
What kind of family life does it show? (What are they doing in the third
still?)
What time period do these segments represent?
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What kind of images are these?
Do the first two images bring to mind other songs or pictures?
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Contrast these images with the series of three images preceding them?
What point is made in the video by this contrast?
Quick Links
Introduction - Analyzing Music Videos
Music Video Assignment
Analysis Tips
Comparing and Contrasting Music Videos
Grading Rubric
Stills of Sample Videos, with Sample Analysis Questions:
Billy Joel.....Erykah Badu.....Pop
up Videos.....Tracy Lawrence
Rage Against the Machine.....Vince
Gill.....Van Halen.....Aqua.....12
other videos
Videography
For Teachers...
For examples of recent student projects on analyzing music videos:
Student Work
E-mail me.
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