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Anna Lowe

Crystal L. Echols

English Composition ll

12 February 2022

You’ve Got the Love

“Sometimes I feel like throwing my hands up in the air”. Although we may feel like it at

times, we are never completely on our own. Present and past covers of the song “You’ve Got the

Love” reinforce this message through lyrics and differing visual interpretations. Originally

released in the 80s by The Source and Candi Station, this song was written for use in a weight

loss documentary. The 2009 cover of this song performed by Florence + The Machine pairs the

lyrics with a glamorous and thrilling visual take on the message that these songs share. “You’ve

Got the Love” by The Source and Florence + The Machine both share the message that you are

never truly alone in this world although The Source’s version appeals to a more serious audience

with its darker musical and video style.

Filmed in black and white only, The Source’s combined music video and vocals create a

somber tone to share its message. This song written in the late 80s is a gospel and soul-style song

filled with bold vocals. The video features a man dressed in black attire wandering the streets

and corridors of a large city as he attempts to reach out to those around him. “You’ve Got the

Love” these words repeat as the man is posed in the dark sky with wings reflecting those of an

angel on his back. This dark imagery and musical genre create a feeling of bleakness while

watching. The lack of color and gloomy theme of The Source’s music video appeals to a more

serious audience.
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In contrast, Florence + The Machine’s take on this song brings the audience to an

electrifying place. Florence + The Machine’s music video reflects a rave and disco environment

very different from the setting seen in the first version. This music video focuses on the lead

singer of the group, Florence standing atop a flashy crescent moon. In the opening scenes, her

face is partially covered by darkness before multiple lights shift their focus towards her. The

shining of this light down onto her generates an effect of shimmer and radiance. As the words,

“Time after time I think it's just no good” are sung she is taken to a hazy white setting while

outreaching her arms to the space above her. Her vocals pause for a moment as the fog below her

clears and in a moment of surprise reveals a partying crowd. The fast-paced dance moves and

expressions also add to this sensational feeling. This music video uses exciting effects to produce

a unique take on this song that appeals to a lively audience.

Although these music videos may be intended for two different audiences they still share

the same message that someone is always there to push you through any obstacle. A pattern can

be identified in both videos where the main characters reach out to others in some way. As the

lyrics “But you've got the love I need to see me through” repeat throughout The Source’s music

video the man is seen silently comforting those in the city. None can see his presence but he is

still there nonetheless. In Florence + The Machine’s music video she is seen repeating the same

words to her audience as she reaches out her arms and closes the gap between them providing a

sense of comfort. These visual representations of feeling alone and then having someone reach

out support the claim that you’re never on your own.

Furthermore, the communication of the main message from these videos relies on the use

of the technique pathos. Both music videos' ability to tell a story and convey a message through

this effectively convinces the audience of the main claim that there is always someone there for
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support. In The Source’s version the close shots portray the man’s feelings when no one responds

to him provoking an emotional reaction while watching. The video emphasizes his loneliness

through scenes of him idly walking in empty hallways and the audience can sense his feelings

through the screen. In the newer version of this song Florence is seen hanging above the

audience, she reaches out to them and they reach back. This visual technique enforces the idea

that there is always someone or something there to get us through. In the moment where she

realizes she’s not alone there is an abrupt and shocking change in lighting and volume that feels

like a visual reenactment of what occurs in her mind. This use of pathos helps the audience to

understand the characters’ emotions that they experience throughout the music video. These

elements combined with the uplifting lyrics of these songs support the claim that we can get

through anything.

To conclude, this song created to uplift others has been covered many times over the

years but the main message is still clear, there is always something to get us through. These two

versions of the song share this message but differ in the audiences that they are directed towards.

The actions in the music videos suggest that there is always someone there in times of need when

you feel all alone. This song, both the original and the remix are anthems of comfort to all of

those that are struggling out there. No matter how tough times may be, “You’ve got the love”.
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Works Cited

“You’ve Got the Love.” Youtube, uploaded by blasreeder, 24 Jul. 2007, Accessed 8 Feb 2022.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x7dMGw3uzEU

“You’ve Got the Love.” Youtube, uploaded by Florence + The Machine, 25 Dec. 2009, Accessed
8 Feb 2022. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQZhN65vq9E