Genre: Synthpop
What's wrong with me?
Why do I feel like this?
I'm going crazy now
No more gas, in the red, can't even get it started
Nothing heard, nothing said, can't even speak about it
On my life, on my head, don't wanna think about it
Feels like I'm going insane, yeah
It's a thief in the night to come and grab you
It can creep up inside you and consume you
A disease of the mind, it can control you
It's too close for comfort
Put on your pretty lies, you're in the city of wonder
Ain't gon' play nice, watch out you might just go under
Better think twice, your train of thought will be altered
So if you must falter be wise
Your mind's in disturbia, it's like the darkness is light
Disturbia, am I scaring you tonight?
Disturbia, ain't used to what you like
Disturbia, disturbia
Faded pictures on the wall, it's like they talking to me
Disconnecting on calls, the phone don't even ring
I gotta get out or figure this sh** out
It's too close for comfort, oh
It's a thief in the night to come and grab you
It can creep up inside you and consume you
A disease of the mind it can control you
I feel like a monster, oh
Put on your pretty lies, you're in the city of wonder
Ain't gon' play nice, watch out you might just go under
Better think twice, your train of thought will be altered
So if you must falter be wise
Your mind's in disturbia, it's like the darkness is light
Disturbia, am I scaring you tonight?
Disturbia, ain't used to what you like
Disturbia, disturbia, disturbia
Release me from this curse I'm in
Trying to maintain but I'm struggling
If you can't go-o-o
I think I'm gonna ah, ah, ah, ah
Put on your pretty lies, you're in the city of wonder
Ain't gon' play nice, watch out you might just go under
Better think twice, your train of thought will be altered
So if you must falter be wise
Disturbia, it's like the darkness is light
Disturbia, am I scaring you tonight?
Disturbia, ain't used to what you like
Disturbia, disturbia
Analysis of the video
Disturbia means contemplating or being disturbed about something, the song is about how Rihanna's mind is in Disturbia. This is obvious from the video set up, with all the dark colours, fast pace shots and flashing lights show the genre is related to horror in some form. The video is presented as an evil and immoral theme due to the way the actors dance, the use of a dark coloured theme and flashes from scene to scene.
During the introductory period the camera flicks to Rihanna spinning around in a chair showing a confused woman as she quotes ‘What’s wrong with me, why do I feel this way, I’m going crazy now’ whilst a man is turning a large steering wheel, this gives me the impression that Rihanna is not in control and is being spun by someone else. In some scenes appears to be tied up or in a cage and help captive and in other shots she appears to be commander whilst she’s sat in an electric styled chair with two disturbed dancers moving recklessly beside her, she looks superior to them like they are her slaves. The swapping or changing of roles gives an impression of juxtaposition, when black and white are placed next to each other which is shown as the background in almost every scene, however it is in this case shown as a prisoner and a leader. The camera flicks to a shot of Rihanna behind bars, there is a guard standing on both sides of the cage, it almost looks like she is being held capture under the watchful eye of guards.
Disturbia means contemplating or being disturbed about something, the song is about how Rihanna's mind is in Disturbia. This is obvious from the video set up, with all the dark colours, fast pace shots and flashing lights show the genre is related to horror in some form. The video is presented as an evil and immoral theme due to the way the actors dance, the use of a dark coloured theme and flashes from scene to scene.
During the introductory period the camera flicks to Rihanna spinning around in a chair showing a confused woman as she quotes ‘What’s wrong with me, why do I feel this way, I’m going crazy now’ whilst a man is turning a large steering wheel, this gives me the impression that Rihanna is not in control and is being spun by someone else. In some scenes appears to be tied up or in a cage and help captive and in other shots she appears to be commander whilst she’s sat in an electric styled chair with two disturbed dancers moving recklessly beside her, she looks superior to them like they are her slaves. The swapping or changing of roles gives an impression of juxtaposition, when black and white are placed next to each other which is shown as the background in almost every scene, however it is in this case shown as a prisoner and a leader. The camera flicks to a shot of Rihanna behind bars, there is a guard standing on both sides of the cage, it almost looks like she is being held capture under the watchful eye of guards.
Rihanna’s later on shown with rope around her wrist while she struggles to escape. This implies that she’s being held forcefully. The camera then flashes to a scene with dancers in the frame and the scene is lit from behind which gives the dancers a silhouette look to them. They are shown to be dancing in a simultaneous manner to the beat of the song which gives the impression they may be possessed and suffering from disturbia. This shows the song containing reference from the zombies in Michael Jackson’s - Thriller.
The editing sometimes moves to the beat of the song and others times appears extremely jumpy which could relate to the perplexed and nervous approach of Rihanna’s situation. Camera movements in this video are no longer than two seconds, this is to keep in timing with the video as many shots change on the sound of the beat and to the fast pace music. Some shots have been played over each other, for example, 44 seconds into the video we see Rihanna sitting on a thrown like chair, then her face appears in the left hand side of the camera, and 1:30 till 1:40, two shots have been played over each other so you can see two clips at one time. Giving the impression that one shot is an imagination which adds to the disturbed theme.
While in this video Rihanna is playing herself in the narrative she does however perform to the camera, the camera is usually focused on her, and if not, one of her dancers. In most shots Rihanna is aware of the camera but in some she is not, for example, at 3 minutes and 20 seconds into the video, we see Rihanna chained up by her hands and by her ankle, she is sitting on a chair struggling, and trying to escape. In some shots she’s singing to the camera whereas on others she’s show her frustration of being captive. Close ups and medium close ups are regally used in this film to capture the emotions of the characters such as, at 1:56 the expressions of one of the dancers is shown then followed by her moving frantically to the beat of the music.
The lighting in this video is done very artistically, the scenes are mostly dark, but the scenes that are lit are usually lit from behind. This fits in well with the mise-en-scene and creates a dark and unnatural look just like the rest of the video. In some shots fire is present, also enhancing the sinister and evil theme. When the scenes are lit, they are lit by long cylinder like florescent white lights, these are used in some scenes which are almost fully dark. The lights glow and emphasize the mise-en-scene.
Sound in the video is mostly non diegetic due it being the music, apart from the diegetic sound at the beginning when Rihanna is questioning herself. You see Rihanna run her fingers along the piano keys which makes a noise, this sound of the piano keeps playing throughout the introduction and until the music starts. The piano is then repeated faintly when the music ends and Rihanna is shown spinning on a chair like at the beginning of the video. The shots change on the sound of the piano, the camera flicks to a dancer who is chained up, this dancer moves to the sound of the of the piano noise. The editors have used sound very cleverly in this introduction, using the music as diegetic sound, like its not meant to be there however the characters have created the sound.
Analysis of the lyrics
What’s wrong with me?
Why do I feel like this?
I'm going crazy now
Rihanna is asking us what’s wrong with her, why does she feel this way. Then she tells us she is going crazy now as a result of this. This is shown in the video by the scary looking dancers and the location, its always dark and looks very industrial and uninviting.
No more gas, in the red, can't even get it started
Nothing heard, nothing said, can't even speak about it
On my life, on my head, don't wanna think about it
Feels like I'm going insane, yeah
Nothing heard, nothing said, can't even speak about it
On my life, on my head, don't wanna think about it
Feels like I'm going insane, yeah
On a literal interpenetration, the first line describes someone trying to start a vehicle which is out of gas therefore it is not going anywhere just like her state of mind - trying to go somewhere but she can't. The scenario plays the scene for someone who is frustrated behind bars trying to get away from her troubles whilst another scene shows she is almost appearing depressed while trying to run away from their problems. It's driving her crazy.
It's a thief in the night to come and grab you
It can creep up inside you and consume you
A disease of the mind, it can control you
It's too close for comfort
It can creep up inside you and consume you
A disease of the mind, it can control you
It's too close for comfort
This verse is personifying "disturbia". Becoming mentally disturbed generally doesn't happen overnight so this image works well. Whilst Rihanna is singing this verse her actions appear as though shes been taken control of and possessed whilst she sits without expression and motionless as she fans herself and looks up uncontrollably in another shot.
Put on your pretty lies, you're in the city of wonder
This is kind of a ‘wake up call’ statement from someone recognizing that the singer is in a state of ‘disturbia’. Somewhat translates to ‘You're in la la land. Come back to the real world’
This is kind of a ‘wake up call’ statement from someone recognizing that the singer is in a state of ‘disturbia’. Somewhat translates to ‘You're in la la land. Come back to the real world’
Ain't gon' play nice, watch out you might just go under
Better think twice,
Words of warning for someone who is mentally disturbed trying to move on further.
Better think twice,
Words of warning for someone who is mentally disturbed trying to move on further.
Your train of thought will be altered
So if you must falter be wise
Your mind's in disturbia,
Continued warning. You're mentally disturbed, so be careful how you proceed.
So if you must falter be wise
Your mind's in disturbia,
Continued warning. You're mentally disturbed, so be careful how you proceed.
Disturbia,
This plays well with the ‘city of wonder’. It’s possible that in being mentally disturbed, things are erroneously seen in an exceedingly positive way to mask the pain of the truth. The ‘light’ you see isn't really there. You need to see the ‘darkness’, however you’re trying to avoid it by assuming you’re moving on and possibly getting better.
Am I scaring you tonight?
Someone coming to terms with a mental illness may be scared when confronted about it and starts to realize it may be true.
Disturbia, ain't used to what you like
Again, this is telling a mentally disturbed person that the disease has either changed them or made them feel increasingly uncomfortable to a normal state.
Faded pictures on the wall, it's like they talking to me
This plays well for both its literal interpretation and potential underlying meaning. Mentally disturbed people may see still pictures and think they are talking to them. Those ‘faded pictures’ are memories of the past with a story to tell, perhaps a past that the mentally disturbed the person who’s tried to forget about it or it the situation could be completely contrasting and they could yearn to be back to the days of the pictures when everything was okay.
Disconnecting on calls, the phone don't even ring
Someone coming to terms with a mental illness may be scared when confronted about it and starts to realize it may be true.
Disturbia, ain't used to what you like
Again, this is telling a mentally disturbed person that the disease has either changed them or made them feel increasingly uncomfortable to a normal state.
Faded pictures on the wall, it's like they talking to me
This plays well for both its literal interpretation and potential underlying meaning. Mentally disturbed people may see still pictures and think they are talking to them. Those ‘faded pictures’ are memories of the past with a story to tell, perhaps a past that the mentally disturbed the person who’s tried to forget about it or it the situation could be completely contrasting and they could yearn to be back to the days of the pictures when everything was okay.
Disconnecting on calls, the phone don't even ring
This could imply a person wanting to call someone but suddenly freaking out and putting the phone down before the dialling tone even begins.
I gotta get out or figure this sh** out
This line is implying ‘I'm mentally disturbed. I need to ‘get out’, run away or possibly giving in to suicide, or sorting their problems.
It's too close for comfort, oh
That was a close call for the mentally disturbed person. They almost started a phone call with someone they don't think they can face.
A disease of the mind it can control you
I gotta get out or figure this sh** out
This line is implying ‘I'm mentally disturbed. I need to ‘get out’, run away or possibly giving in to suicide, or sorting their problems.
It's too close for comfort, oh
That was a close call for the mentally disturbed person. They almost started a phone call with someone they don't think they can face.
A disease of the mind it can control you
Comparing disturbia to a mental disease which could also make people think disturbia is a disease which is constantly there in your mind therefore it ends up controlling you as a person and more in depth - you’re thoughts, feelings and emotions
I feel like a monster, oh
The disease she's experiencing makes her feel inhuman and is relating directly to the title of the song, again supporting the definition of ‘Disturbia’.
Release me from this curse I'm in
Trying to maintain but I'm struggling
Realising she has a mental disorder, which is the curse, and is trying to be normal but is struggling.
If you can't go-o-o
I think I'm gonna ah, ah, ah, ah
She is implying she feels stuck and is going to go insane.
By looking Rihanna's song on a blog of another media blogger, I was able to look at someones views which helped to analyse the song.
I feel like a monster, oh
The disease she's experiencing makes her feel inhuman and is relating directly to the title of the song, again supporting the definition of ‘Disturbia’.
Release me from this curse I'm in
Trying to maintain but I'm struggling
Realising she has a mental disorder, which is the curse, and is trying to be normal but is struggling.
If you can't go-o-o
I think I'm gonna ah, ah, ah, ah
She is implying she feels stuck and is going to go insane.
By looking Rihanna's song on a blog of another media blogger, I was able to look at someones views which helped to analyse the song.
No comments:
Post a Comment