Analysis of music video

1. Taylor Swift – You
Belong With Me

2. Throughout the music video of Taylor Swift’s ‘You Belong With Me’ we can see that it start off
as a flirting relationship between the two teenagers, from house to house. The music video starts
off with this, which makes us think that the video is going to be focused on the two characters,
from the over the shoulder shots and POV angles. The audience should instantly feel more
intrigued to watch because they could be going through the same situation, as many of Taylor
Swift’s audience are teenagers. As they are talking through holding up signs to each other we
are able to see that they must have some sort of friendship or relationship to start with, as they
wouldn't be talking to each one another otherwise.
The Narrative and Technical
Aspects

3. The next part of the narrative we see
Taylor’s character of the teenage girl sat
on a bench reading her book, whilst the
boy next door walks over to talk to her,
showing the willingness in the relationship,
and a step closer to them being
together.
Progression of the
relationship
We see close ups within this scene which could
be reflecting on the idea that the boy and
Taylor’s character are getting closer and closer
and their relationship is developing into
something real. The close ups also show the
emotions of the characters showing the real
emotions they feel for each other.

4. After we see a progression in the
relationship, the girlfriend of the boy next
door gets in the way of Taylor’s character
and the boy being together. Although the
girlfriend doesn't seem to be that friendly,
we can sense a feel of foreshadowing, as
we can see that the relationship isn't sturdy
and it could come to an end, meaning
Taylor’s character would be with the boy.
Flirting and possible
relationship stops
The transaction between the close up shots and the
mid shots are quite drastic and change quickly, which
suggests the change in the relationship, and emotions
between Taylor and the boy, after the boy see’s his
girlfriend.

5. At this point we see the boy playing football, Taylor’s
character in the musical instrument choir and the
girlfriend cheerleading at the side. At this moment in
the music video we see a love triangle. The
boyfriend then see’s his girlfriend talking to another
boy saying “I want you” and then breaks up with
her, and at this point editing is used like slow-motion
to suggest that his world is coming down and
everything is clear to him, that he needs to break
up with her.
At this point the diegetic sound of music has
changed tempo from the upbeat sounds to going
slower, as this is the point where the boy realises
he needs to break up with her, as she doesn't
nothing good in their relationship for them to carry
it on. Because the music tempo and lyrics, “all this
time how could you not know baby? You belong
with me” are in sync with the visuals it helps to
tell the narrative, and it now becomes clear to the
audience and the boy that he si with the wrong
girl.

6. At this point in the music video the
audience have come to terms with the fact
that Taylor’s character and the boy will be
together. And as Taylor walks in we see
that she has brought all of the attention
towards her, suggesting that she will also
get the attention from the boy she likes
from next door.
The music changes again at this point, and
becomes slower, so the audience and the
characters can show their feelings and emotions,
and also it suggests that the boy and the girl
have finally figured out that they both like each
other, and this is the moment of realisation. As
the music video goes along the costumes change
with the narrative, at the start they are in pyjamas
and casual clothes and by the end of the video
we see them both in smart clothing, which reflects