Analysis Of Indie/Singer-Songwriter Music Videos #2 : You Need Me, I Don't Need You by Ed Sheeran

Song : You Need Me, I Don't Need You
Artist : Ed Sheeran
Director : Emil Nava


Genre Characteristics:
A person who is assumed deaf as he is signing in a sign language the lyrics to his music.



What is the relationship between lyrics and visuals? :
The male character is signing in sign language to the music. A few key lyrics such as ‘Brit School’ shows a playhouse that looks posh assuming British.



What is the relationship between music and visuals? :
After each line of lyrics, the shot changes to a different shot of him (the male kid) or something else.



Are there close-ups of the artist and star image motifs :
When it is talking about him or ‘other artisits’ then there is a close-up but otherwise it is a mid or a ‘zoom out’ shot. There are glimpse shots of Ed Sheeran playing the guitar and there is a close-up of the guitar or a mid of Ed Sheeran but  he is in black with the white background



Is there reference to the notion of looking? :




Are there intertextual references? :
There is a reference to other artists.



Is it performance-based, narrative-based, concept-based? How much for each?
It is performance-based as many of the people cast in the music video is based on the lyrics and dance to the lyrics.