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Analyzing Music Videos

Ethan Kolb

English Composition II

Mr. Flores

Oct 3, 2021

In the music videos of “Sweet Child O’ Mine”, by “Guns and Roses” and “Sheryl Crow”

the song is being sung about someone found attractive by the singer, and the lyrics are exactly

the same, in the version by Sheryl Crow, other than the pronouns he and she being changed in

each song. In each video whatever gender is being sung about appeals more to the listener if they

are of the opposite gender. The use of multiple subtle references throughout each song also ties

the viewers into the song. The references in the two videos tie the reader into the lyrics for the

listener to get the full effect of the song, and to better understand the lyrics.

The first video by “Guns and Roses” was filmed in the 80’s, and most definitely fits the

rock genre. I believe the story that is being told in the video by “Guns and Roses” is about the

singer's lover, or someone who he looks at affectionately. The main character is Axl Rose and his

anonymous lover; a female. The entire video is in black and white, other than a subtle hint of his

admirer's ‘blue eyes’, when singing the lyrics “She’s got eyes of the bluest skies”. When stating

specifically about her eyes, and then it being repeated later in the song is a good indication that

the person's eyes being sung about are deeply sought after by Rose. Also shown at the end of the

video is Rose, when he says “Mine”, referring to the female, the camera turns color and the

background along with the bandana he was wearing turns blue. This could also be a reference to

the deeply sought after blue eyes that the female has. Also in the first video, the goal is to leave

with the female. It is sung about in the closing line, “Where do we go now”, which is referring to
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the singer wanting himself, and the recipient of the song, to go somewhere. It is five short words

but completes the song so well, by leaving the ending a mystery for the viewer to feel connected

to the song. Also in the closing scene the singer is seen staring off into the distance, to tie into the

mysteriousness. Overall Rose does a great job tying in the lyrics to the attire worn, while also

keeping the audience intrigued the entire time.

In the music video with Sheryl Crow, the lyrics were exactly the same and emphasized

the same way. However in the second video there is a depiction of a scene from the movie Big

Daddy. Crow is seen watching the movie on a t.v. This could be a hint at the fact that this version

of the song is used in the renowned movie Big Daddy. Big Daddy is seen to be playing on an old

broken television when it is depicted in the background, potentially a hint back to the 80’s, and

“Guns and Roses”. Also in the second video, Crow is seen to be sitting in a 80’s car. This could

be a reference back to the original creators of the song, since that is when it was created, as well

as the implementation of the television. Towards the end of the second video Crow's outfit

changes, and goes to a nice clean white dress. During the time she is wearing the dress the

scenery in the background changes to a junkyard feel. I feel this is to really make her stand out at

the end of the video. This could be another subtle draw back towards the creators of the first

video because they were singing about a female. Not only were they singing about a female but,

they also only showed a change in what they were wearing at the end, like Rose's bandana

depiction.

Between the two videos, they both had their own way of telling the story. But together as

separate artists, they got the same story across about someone they admire, from the eyes of the

individual to the intentions with them afterwards. With the use of multiple hidden references it

ties a different variety of people in to watch the video. Not only does it potentially bring more
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viewers in but gives the entire audience a different perspective with multiple deeper meanings of

the song Sweet Child O’ Mine.

Works Cited

Sheryl Crow. “Sweet Child O’ MIne”, 2013. YouTube.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CowwMR1hDPM

Guns and Roses. “Sweet Child O’ MIne”, 2009. YouTube.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1w7OgIMMRc4
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