Pulp - Common people analysis

Pulp - Common people
The music video opens with a long shot shot with a room of people in the foreground and the band name pulp in a neon sign in the background. The clothing and the set are both designed to make the music video appear that it is from the 60's due to the bright neon colours and the appearance of 60's fashion. This follows Goodwin's analysis as the video is sticking to the convention of the indie pop genre by making the video look like it is from an earlier date.

The main singer then walks through the crowd and a close up shot is used to portray him lip syncing which is yet another aspect of Goodwin's analysis. This is used to sell the image of the singer and get their face out to the audience as a recognizable product for the band. The singer performs gestures to work alongside the lyrics such as "I caught her eye" is sung whilst the singer places his hands around his eye. once again this meets with Goodwin's analysis as the visuals are linking in with the lyrics.

A typical convention of the indie/pop genre is then used, a live performance, this is to suggest the band have a passion for performing music and also to fit into the 'party scene' of their video to show they are the performers of the night who can keep anyone entertained. The repetition of the pulp sign in the background of shots works as a constant reminder to the audience to remember their name and ensures it's encrypted into the viewers minds to help promote the band.

A two shot is then used to mimic a conversation as the song in itself is a conversation between a man and woman talking about common people. The use of this woman lip syncing to the man's voice is used to ensure the audience make sense of the lyrics and so they can identify it is a conversation thus giving the video a narrative which again is a typical convention of the genre. The use of a close up shot is then used again so the audience can engage with the person who is singing and also to sell the bands image.

Cartoon like effects are then used to create a super market scene which again works in sync with the lyrics "I took her to the supermarket." This allows the audience to become involved with the video as the are constantly faced with the two characters who are singing directly to them and they are also being taken with the characters as they arrive at their new location. The fact the audience are faced with the main singer before the rest of the scene is revealed portrays how the singer is explaining the situation before the audience see the actual set. This ensures the video runs smoothly and the characters only see certain things once the lyrics have been sung to explain either the setting, character or situation.


In the background of the video all the products feature the band name pulp which suggests to the audience the only thing they should buy is pulp related items thus this is used as a selling tool to promote the band and their name.






"You want to live like common people" is used alongside the visuals to reveal a serious of common people performing everyday tasks such as cleaning and playing sports. The fact these people are in the background whilst the singer is positioned in the foreground suggests he has a higher importance and is still the main focus of the video. This also allows him to in a sense narrate the scene as he is trying to explain common people to the female character and this works as way for the singer to explain common people visually whilst still holding his conversation with the woman. A special effect is then used to show multiple versions of the lead singer this is to show him engaging with the background whilst he can still sing to the audience and sell his image as a singer with a close up shot. the video then cuts back to the party scene and everyone appears to be having fun and enjoying the bands music sending out this message to the audience that they are popular which provokes the viewers to continue listening to the song. A dance is then performed to tie into the sixties theme as the dance moves are very dated and classic 'disco' moves. This is a typical feature of the indie/pop genre as it makes the audience enjoy the beat of the music and encourages them to want to dance to the song. The end the song a effect is used, the same one used at the opening of the song, which is a simple closing transition to slowly make the screen go black. This yet again adds to the sixties theme as this is commonly used in films set in the sixties and works as a form of secret door which leads into a disco party.