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Rhetorical Analysis of a Visual Text

In an effort to bring awareness to those affected by natural disasters Budweiser teams up with

Skylar Grey for a 2018 cover of Ben E. King's “Stand By Me”. King's music video is a

remastered compilation of his 1961 original video and an updated version accompanying the

release of the 1986 movie "Stand by Me". King promotes a clear message of unity with his

singing, swaying, and diverse audience. What a beautiful thing to see this song represented in

two different genres, two different methods of delivery, and 32 years apart. The lyrics and heart

behind King’s two-time top 10 hits are truly timeless. Grey's 2018 cover of “Stand By Me” holds

the same sentiment as King's original. Though Grey's version is subtle and reflective, King is

soulful and almost hopeful. Yet the theme remains in both, we are so much better with someone

by our side.

The statement, "More than 200 million people are impacted due to natural disasters every

year. Join Skylar and Budweiser in standing by America during times of need by donating to

non-profit disaster relief efforts." captions of Grey's music video on its YouTube platform. As

she stands singing in a flooded, dark, and abandoned building she portrays a sort of heavy

loneliness that disaster heaps upon its victims. In its transitions, the video offers a "light at the

end of the tunnel" with b-roll footage of neighbors helping neighbors, communities, and

corporations coming together to lessen the load. Budweiser has provided over 86 million cans of

clean drinking water to U.S. communities. Interestingly enough the 1988 inception of the
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emergency drinking water program began just two short years after King’s "Stand By Me" hit

the top ten for the second time. The program was an unknowing fulfillment of that much-needed

message. A message that Skylar Grey communicated effortlessly.

The coming-of-age classic, Academy and Golden Globe-nominated film, "Stand by Me"

resurrected King's song to the appeal of a whole new generation, an entirely fresh audience. A

black musician singing to and with a diverse crowd from young to old was a reminder of the

heavily fought for inclusion we now had in the 80s. Contrasting Grey's later to come rendition,

King illuminates a lounge setting with his big smile and inviting posture. He dances around in a

way that says "I have lived this melody, these lyrics, and there is freedom in standing together."

The young men who star in the “stand by Me” film join the king on stage to playfully accompany

him in dancing to his song. As it progresses the whole audience joins and they sing out this

anthem of hope. While King belts the lyrics, "Whenever you're in trouble, won't you stand by

me?" as a reminder, you stand by me and I’ll stand by you. A line he sings with such conviction.

Both Grey and Kings videos appeal to our emotions in unique ways. Grey paints a picture of

hopelessness met with linking arms and building a bridge back to restore hope. Giving a dose of

perspective that requires you to reflect on your own blessings. That is a powerful journey to

construct in 2minutes and 28 seconds. King had a well-packaged emotional experience, although

less grand, takes you to a place that feels like home flooded in gratitude. King's version, heavily

laced with the rhythm and blues found in soulful music, is almost the complete opposite of

Grey's acoustic slowed-down experience. Grey uses a mellow delivery with a more folk appeal

to depict the importance of bringing together a community in the face of disaster. While King

uses a faster tempo with brighter sounds producing a theme of joy, hope, and acceptance. You

can't help but reflect on who has stood by you when maybe "the moon was the only light we'd
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see." Before Grey was born Ben E. King birthed a melody that would be the anthem for the

coming together of people. Here we are now 61 years later and his song is still encouraging us to

come together and take inventory of our own ability to stand by those we love, or perhaps those

we don't even know.

Works Cited

"Skylar Grey-Stand by Me" (Official). Youtube, uploaded by LatinAutorPerf, SOLAR Music

Rights Management, CMRRA, Sony ATV Publishing, and 9 Music Rights Societies, 2,

February 2018,

"Ben E. King-Stand by Me" (HQ Video Remastered in 1080p. Youtube, uploaded by Cris Mate,

30, June 2013

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“Ben E. King: Stand by Me.” IMDb, IMDb.com, https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6889268/.