Teenage Dream Analysis

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=98WtmW-lfeE&ob=av2e

To take a break from ads, our group chose the song "Teenage Dream" by Katy Perry.

Specifically in the video, we see Katy Perry riding in a car with a man. She seems happy and excited for wherever they are going, and a few friends in cars adjacent from them feel the same way. These cars stop at a beach and the passengers get out. They all begin to strip and run toward the water. Katy is still singing with this man and never leaves his side. We then see them enter what looks to be a hotel room and begin to strip further, to which one can assume they are going to have sex. We also are brought to a party and a pool with this lovely couple before the video ends.

An interesting part I noticed while watching this a second time, is that you see the two presumably meet for the first time, when she is staring at him from afar at the lockers. I'm still not sure why he is punching a punching bag alone in what looks to be a school gym, but I guess it's not that unheard of. It just seems random, but whatever. It's almost like she is gazing at him while they are in their high school/teenage years, and while the song is taking place, they are slightly older, passed the "teenage dream".

The video is a representation of (most likely) Katy's "teenage dream", with careless weekend trips to the beach, sex, and plenty of partying to follow. In the actual lyrics, Katy describes how this boy that she is refering to, and who we see in the video, makes her feel youthful and carefree. The lyrics tell the listener how much this boy cares about her, by thinking shes pretty "without any makeup on" and other innocent romantic traits within their relationship. Here are the lyrics to gather a better understanding:

You think I'm pretty
Without any makeup on
You think I'm funny
When I tell the punchline wrong
I know you get me
So I let my walls come down, down

Before you met me
I was alright but things
Were kinda heavy
You brought me to life
Now every February
You'll be my Valentine, Valentine

Let's go all the way tonight
No regrets, just love
We can dance, until we die
You and I, will be young forever

[Chorus]
You make me feel
Like I'm livin' a
Teenage dream
The way you turn me on
I can't sleep
Let's run away and
Don't ever look back,
Don't ever look back

My heart stops
When you look at me
Just one touch
Now baby I believe
This is real
So take a chance and
Don't ever look back,
Don't ever look back

We drove to Cali
And got drunk on the beach
Got a motel and
Built a fort out of sheets
I finally found you
My missing puzzle piece
I'm complete

Let's go all the way tonight
No regrets, just love
We can dance, until we die
You and I, will be young forever

[Chorus]

I'mma get your heart racing
In my skin tights jeans
Be your teenage dream tonight
Let you put your hands on me
In my skin tight jeans
Be your teenage dream tonight

[Chorus]

I'mma get your heart racing
In my skin tights jeans
Be your teenage dream tonight
Let you put your hands on me
In my skin tight jeans
Be your teenage dream tonight
(Tonight, tonight, tonight, tonight, tonight, tonight)

The song itself is about romance, young love but what can it say about sexuality?

1.) If the analysis of the "meeting" scene is correct, and the song/ video represents the present, slightly older couple, what does this song assume about teenage sexuality and relationships?

2.) Even though most of this video involves people taking off clothes, the exact styles of the actors seem very important to the message. What can someone pick up about sexuality simply based on the wardrobe chosen (or lack there of) for this video?

3.) Katy Perry refers to the "teenage dream" alot. But what exactly is it? Based on this video.

A&F Ad

In this A&F ad, we see a man and a women making out in a car. We noticed that in the bottom left corner it say "Back To School," which is wierd because guys don't go to school shirtless. Beside the girl is what looks like a stack of notebooks or textbooks and maybe homework or some sort of notes from school. What A&F is trying to do is get the customers of A&F or possibly new buyers to purchase their clothes by showing them what might happen if they do. We believe that this ad may be for a women audience. The guy in the ad has no shirt on, so what could men possibly buy from them in this ad. Showing the woman in the car with that dress would show the women viewers that if they buy this dress they would be very capable of finding a sexy, shirtless guy to makeout with, in his car when school starts. For the most part the ad is in black and white, but the brand of the clothing line as well as the words, "Back To School," are in red. This may be because the designers wanted the words to pop out and the background to seem somewhat old-fasioned and sensual.

Discussion Questions

1.) What do you think the words, "Back To School," has to do with the behavior shown in the ad?

2.) Why does the paper in the background has any significance to the ad?

3.) Why is it that you can only see the woman's clothes and they guy has none that we can see?

Calvin Klein Ad

This Calvin Klein ad shows a woman in a men’s bathroom standing over a urinal. The black and white format makes the product, the underwear, more pronounced. The model is standing like a man using the urinal. This is not typical for how a woman uses the restroom. Her stance is very masculine in the way her legs are spread apart and where her hands and head are. Even though she is acting like a man, she is still very feminine by what she is wearing. She has on heels and she has long hair.

It is interesting that the woman is in a men’s bathroom, acting very masculine. She appears very confident. This depicts a reversal of gender roles. It is possible that wearing this underwear will make you feel strong and confident, while still being feminine. In a way, this is the best of both worlds. Women want to be feminine in a relationship while being masculine in the workplace.

This ad is an attention grabber. The void of color helps the viewer focus in on the product. The bright white underwear stands out more than the rest of the photo. The situation, a woman standing over a urinal, is very different to what actually happens in society. But it is clear that this is a Calvin Klein product because his name is at the bottom of the ad in large font.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

Why is there no color in this ad? Does it give the ad a certain mood? Would this ad have a different impact or effect if it were in color?

This picture was taken from behind. Is there a reason for that? Would seeing her face take away from the masculine pose?

We said that her standing in a very strong pose in a men’s bathroom could make you feel confident and powerful, but how will that affect how the product sells? Would this ad have the same impact if she was in a women’s bathroom?