Riptide- Vance Joy Music video analysis: Signifiers

You would be able to apply Bathes’ Theory of

semiotics to this shot, as this fruit may
connotes biblical implications; when Adam
and Eve were in the garden and it was Eve
that took the apple. This fruit signifies
rebellion, however the man is so attached to
the woman he does not mind following her
down a path of destruction. This is
supported through the written code “left”,
which signifies wrong-doing. Putting the fruit
and the word “left”, in one close shot,
strengthens the signification of rebellion.

The use of the Ouija board, continues the

visual motif of temptation and possession,
which enhances the extreme commitment
the man has towards the woman, since
the Ouija board signifies darkness and
spirituality. This may suggest that perhaps
the man may have a deep spiritual
connection with the woman and the
further he goes with her, the darker things
get.

To reinforce the motif of spirituality, visual codes

such as the money, not only links with the lyrics,
“Oh, all my friends are turning green”,
implying that his friends are jealous of the
girlfriend he has, but the symbolic images
shown on the money, such as the all-seeing
eye, which is linked to free masonry, which
is a secret society. This suggests that their
relationship may have hidden dark secrets.