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“The Nights” by Avicii and “The Nights” cover by JA use the same lyrics in order to connect

with their audiences while using completely different methods to do so. In both videos, the

audience is encouraged to live a life they will remember. The original music video focuses on the

happy, exciting parts of life, while the cover uses a more somber, slowed-down tone to reveal the

lyrics more to the listener. The methods used in each video are effective at communicating a

similar message but accomplish it in different ways.

At the beginning of the original music video by Avicii, the audience watches as Avicii himself

spray paints his name and logo onto a piece of wood. While doing this, he says, “when I die, I

want to be remembered for the life I live, not the money I make.” This single sentence introduces

the theme Avicii is trying to get across. The spray paint symbolizes the freedom of doing what

you want in life. Avicii not only uses the lyrics, but also imagery to represent how he wants to

live his life and how he tells others they should as well. This method is very effective as it allows

the audience to analyze the rest of the music video already knowing the main theme, therefore,

taking away more meaning from the song.

The cover by JA dives straight into the song with the video in a black and white, dark-

looking setting. The song is a slower acoustic version that allows the audience to focus more on

the lyrics and meaning of the song rather than the video. By slowing the song down, it allows the

lyrics to stand out. One verse in particular stands out in the song, “One day you’ll leave this

world behind, so live a life you will remember. My father told me when I was just a child, these

are the nights that never die.” The video presents these lyrics as important using pathos to appeal

to the audience’s emotions. The dynamics within the song also bring out the lyrics. The appeal to

the emotions of the audience makes them reflect on their own lives and what they could do to

make their own life more memorable.

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The original music video by Avicii, produced in 2014, focusses on a young, adventurous

audience. The video features activities such as biking, boating, hunting, swimming, and cliff

jumping. These activities appeal to a youthful crowd and present the idea that being adventurous

is a life to remember. Even though this is a surface level way of thinking, the video still makes

the viewer reflect on his/her own life and what he/she has done and will do to live a memorable

life.

The cover video, produced in 2015, dives into a deeper meaning of the lyrics with no

distraction by the video itself. While there may not be as much substance to the actual video as

the original, the audio and facial expression in the video appeal to the viewers emotions and lead

to a deeper level of internal thought. A thought many may think of when watching the video is,

“what will people remember me by when I am gone?” This question arose from both videos, but

more so from the cover video by JA. Even though there are younger kids' singing the cover, it

appeals to an older, more mature audience with its more serious tone. The ideas and messages in

the video appeal to pathos and connect to the readers emotions to effectively communicate the

message to live a life you will remember.

The original video features many scenes containing Avicii’s father. The lyrics say, “One

day my father, he told me, "Son, don't let it slip away." When I was just a kid, I heard him say,

"When you get older your wild heart will live for younger days. Think of me if ever you're

afraid". These lyrics along with imagery of the father connect to the viewers lives and how

parents, especially fathers, are there for the adventurous and sometimes scary life they will live.

This song also foreshadows the devastating event of Avicii taking his own life. The music video

conveys Avicii’s thoughts into the life he had and the life he wants to remember. Avicii lived an
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utterly amazing life and that is shown in the music video, through his fame, and through the

experiences he shared in his music.

While both videos appeal to slightly different age groups, both videos present important

messages for all people. The claim of the video is to live a life you will remember, but also one

that other people will remember you by when you are gone. This is applicable to any person

regardless of race, religion, belief, or culture. This amazing message is meant for all people and

is a universal truth. Anyone can take away a new outlook on how they live from the song which

is what makes the song memorable and life-impacting.

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Works Cited:

Avicii “The Nights” YouTube, December 15, 2014, https://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=UtF6Jej8yb4

JA “The Nights” YouTube, January 4, 2015, https://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=kbSY6RXGuhM