Ke$ha Electro-Pop Conventions Analysis

“C’Mon”
GC1: Lyrics and Visual Narrative
• The video is performance, conceptual, and
narrative
• The intro is diegetic, and the song is
transitioned to by playing a tape
• There is a large variation in clothing with the
singer, with eclectic outfits such as the waitress
costume in the diner
• The settings are distinct such as a diner, a
supermarket, a van, etc… and are highly
constructed, but not anchored in location
making them mainstream
• There is a Todorov narrative structure hinted
at, but it is too elliptical (Vernallis) to be
concrete
GC2: Genre Characteristics
• The genre of the song is electro-pop
• The video is conventional as it is upbeat,
features dancing, and has bright colours
and visuals
• The use of many distinct locations with
striking mise-en-scene is conventional
• The editing is fast-paced to match the
beat
• The protagonist is presented as the
victim and her hero’s journey
(Campbell) is followed
 • There is postmodernism through the elliptical
(Vernallis) and non-linear narrative
GC3: Intertextuality • The use of stock characters that are not established is
and Postmodernism also postmodern
• The tag of the manager has a cent symbol, which
intertextually references (Kristeva) Ke$ha (the
artist’s) name
GC4: Representations
• The music video depicts a young woman as the
star and allows for the primary target audience
of females ages 13-25+ to personally identify
(UGT) with the artist
• The artist adheres to Butler’s notions of gender
performativity, but queers this by showing
masculine agency (Paglia)
• The singer is conventionally attractive and appeals
to the male gaze (Mulvey) through revealing shots
and costume but shows agency (Paglia)
• There is animal costumes worn by other cast
members, which could attract a younger audience,
but also creates mainstream appeal as no
representations are anchored
 • The colouring is bright and neon for colour-pop
GC5: • There is high-key and low-key lighting
Cinematography • There is a grainy/vintage filter
and Editing • The editing matches the tempo of the song
• A large variation from ELS to ECU to make the
video dynamic
• There are smoke and rainbow SFX added
Notable Marketing
• There is product placement
from BMW
• Several first look deals and
articles released (e.g. MTV)
• Behind-the-scenes of the video
heavily promoted
Notable Shots
Possible Influences
• Use of colour-pop and neon
• Performance and narrative mixed
• Diegetic intro with tape played to start music
• Easily accessible locations with detailed mise-en-scene
• The diner location
• A limited travel narrative