Panic! At The Disco- "I Write Sins Not Tragedies" Video Analysis

How are the band represented?

The band, Panic! At The Disco are shown to have stereotypical teenage roles as they are being disruptive and causing trouble at a wedding. By playing the teenage stereotype, the band are relating to their target audience, which are teenagers, and allowing them to connect with them. The video also features feminine aspects including make-up, glitter and venetian masks. The main singer is wearing red, which is a very bold colour which is used to represent passion and danger, both of which are applicable to the storyline of the music video. The video does not really focus on the band playing music, more on the roles given in the music video and so it is hard to say how the band as a whole are represented, although it is clear to say that they are shown to be fun loving as once the chorus starts, dancers appear and begin to party.

What relationship exists between the images and lyrics in the video?

The song starts "Oh, well imagine as I'm pacing the pews in a church corridor" and the images being shown at the time are all church like and include a vicar and some traditional wedding decorations, to set the scene for the video. Also, the "Oh well imagine" lyric links to the video as a whole because the video has a fantasy theme to it due to the large amounts of make up and fantasy venetian theme. Another way the lyrics and images link is through the main singer, who is shown singing the song. Later, the song says "Haven't you people ever heard of closing a goddamn door no?" whilst walking through an open door to find the bride having an affair on the groom.

What relationship exists between the music and images in the video?

At the beginning of the song, there is a build up of a beat and whilst this beat is being built up, the scene of the video is being set. As the beat becomes more pronouced, the video becomes more lively. Whenever the chord of the guitar changes the shot changes and so this is a conventional feature of the music video. When the music returns to the build up sequence, the people in the video become calmer and so the tempo and beat of the music infulence the actions of the people. At the end of the video there is a man blowing fire and fire is blown at the same time as the last major chord, and the flame dies at the same time that the chord fades.

Are there any inter-textual references to other media forms?

There is not a great deal of inter-textualtity throughout this video, however there is a number of circus references as the people in the video are dressed as clowns and have over the top make-up. And the main singer in the red jacket acts as the ring master as he is dressed boldly and vibrantly to the other characters in the video, showing his importance. At the end of the video, the screen is full of circus acts such as people on stilts, people hula hooping and a fire breather.

What do I like about the video?

I really like how the video is a little abstract and random, yet fits in with the song perfectly. The abstract theme also links to the teenage portayal of the band. I like how the video is lively and busy and also the use of a story that links to the song. The use of over the top makeup also looks appealing to me, as it gives the video a unique feel.