Goodwin's Analysis - Ed Sheeran: You Need Me, I Don't Need You

Ed Sheeran - You Need Me, I Don't Need You


This video shows some of Goodwin's Analysis points such as:

Links between lyrics and music - His lyrics are about the artist being independent and his music is quite upbeat to match the lyrics.

Links between lyrics and visuals - there are a few basic visuals to a phrase in the song for example: "Selling CD's from my rucksack..." then a picture of a rucksack appears on the screen. His video includes the camera shot 'match on action' so in some parts of the song, you'll hear the artist sing a line, but you'll see an image of something else that relates to that line. Another aspect of the music video is the main character doing sign language as Ed Sheeran raps. This gives the video an edgier and unique feel. The majority of the video consists of the main character saying the lyrics through his hand movements (sign language).

Below are some stills from Ed Sheeran's music video "You Need Me, I Don't Need You).



"But I haven’t got a house plus I live on the couch"



"Selling CD's from my rucksack aiming for the papers"

Guitar introduction...

Genre characteristics - Ed Sheeran comes under several genres including folk rock, acoustic, hip-hop, grime and pop. His music video is quite unique and straight to the point. Everything is so simple yet looks complicated due to the several effects and camera shots. The video being shot in black and white helps bring out the simplicity making it look more appealing to the audience.

Notions of looking - the idea of notions of looking isn't really represented within the music video we are analysing.

Intertextual reference - Although its not stereotypical in intertextual reference, its distributed by Warner Brothers therefore just by being distributed by that company, you know the song is going to be a big hit. Currently on YouTube, the official music video has over 2 million hits in less than 2 months.

Demands on label - Ed Sheeran is signed to two labels; 'Asylum' and 'Atlantic Records'. Sheeran has been in the music industry since 2005 however he has only really become well known the past year. He has chosen his label to fit his style of music. The labels he is currently signed to both have links to Warner Brothers who distribute the type of genre Ed Sheeran focuses on.

Structure - The music video has a linear narrative. Although the music video itself isnt extremely concise, the words Ed Sheeran are singing complete the puzzle so that the viewers are not confused whilst watching the music video.