Madonna music video analysis - "Like a prayer"

A music video is there to sell a song, and evoke a reaction and emotion which leaves the fans remembering what they have just watched, its also there to entertain and give exposure to the artist to help sell the product using a memorable visual for the song.

The controversial video targets rebellion and was one of the first ever to go against societies such strong ideologies about what is ‘good, right and proper’. The reason it is so controversial was because it used things, which are considered sacred, to many such as religion.For example the video was taken as personally offensive to many due to the fact the crucifix is burnt with Madonna dancing in front of it as if she is encouraging such behaviour.
 

Not only this but historically in America the burning of the crucifix was and is so highly offensive due to the fact its famous for being the gang symbol of the Ku Klux Klan an extremist group who are racist towards anyone of different ethnic colour. Therefore Madonna’s video was seen as not just condoning this outrageous group but also she was seen to be encouraging it and selling the KKK as something to be encouraged which did not go down well around the world and playing a part in why the video was so controversial globally.

Not only this but she also offends the religion of Christianity because it is said she claims to have Stigmata through cuts on her hand, which is a miracle sign and therefore not something to joke about. 

As well as this the fact she is wearing such little clothing in the church shows a huge lack of respect to the Christian community, her actions show what seems to be suggestive of her about to engage in sex on the alter.

 Lastly in terms of religion she uses a Black Jesus in her video, which is controversial as racism particularly in South America still strongly exists and therefore the idea of a ‘Black’ Jesus would have wrongly offended many extreme Christians.

In Madonna’s video we also see just how corrupt the police are through discrimination in terms or racism. The police jump to assume it was the Black Man trying to hurt the innocent girl, when in fact it was the white men who did it despite this the Black man is blamed for a crime he did not commit. 

Madonna not only shows a huge lack of clothing but she also shows a controversial part where the girl appears to be almost Gang raped and murdered by these vile white men. All of these things she puts in her video show Madonna taking a stance against what society believes to be socially acceptable or not. She translates some pretty controversial things however this is arguably how she has been so successful.

The star image being constructed here is showing Madonna as a drug crazy pop star, which appeals to many as its desirable and rebellious. This comes from Richard Dyers star theory that says stars are made up of things such as a construction, commodity and ideology. The two paradoxes in his theory say stars have to be simultaneously ordinary and extraordinary for the consumer, and simultaneously absent and present. 

 

Negus’s theory suggest Madonna is more a Synthetic artist rather then organic as she, however here her record label would have helped her show what they believe an audience will enjoy with the ultimate goal to be selling albums. Although I do believe Madonna had some say and also came up with some of these extremely controversial ideas for her video.

There are lots of technical and symbolic conventions used for instance Madonna dancing in front of the burning crucifix does suggest she is enjoying herself and this is symbolic as she is a significant figure in society and therefore her actions will be watched and taken on by society revealing this type of thing to be seen as acceptable. An example of technical is the way the camera is used for instance when there are mid long shots of Madonna dancing we see how she is feeling, giving us a more in depth idea of her ideologies making the music video appear more out there and bold.

Finally the semiotics of Madonna’s clothing shows how little care she has in terms of respecting the church by not covering her knees and showing cleavage. We see from her costume and the symbols she abuses around the church that she has little care or respect for others. Once again showing Dyer’s theory that she is rebellious and therefore the consumer, which are everyday fans just aspire to be her enabling her to sell her product. 

Overall her music video to “Like a Prayer” reveals to us Madonna wanted to make a statement and at the time that’s exactly what she did. There was huge controversy around this particular video making it so successful as ultimately weather it was good or bad people were talking about her therefore any coverage for her as an artist is positive.