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Faith Martin

Prof. Slye

English 1201

19 February 2022

A Blurred Version of Reality

“Sometimes, all I think about is you…” Does a specific person come to mind after

reading this lyric? If so, Glass Animals have successfully accomplished their goal with the song

“Heat Waves.” That lyric is the hook of the chorus, and it captures the focus of the entire song.

Glass Animals is a British indie rock band, and “Heat Waves” is one of their most well-known

songs. The song was first released in June of 2020, along with a music video. Then, in January of

2021, Glass Animals released another music video for “Heat Waves” titled, “Heat Waves //

dreamland home movies.” Even though the original music video for “Heat Waves” and the home

movie video contain the same music and lyrics, the visual storytelling creates two very different

themes and atmospheres. The original music video focuses mainly on the lead singer, Dave

Bayley, facing his personal struggles alone while missing a very specific person. Whereas the

home movie music video reminisces in memories containing all the band members and creating a

nostalgic and blurred version of reality.

The original music video for “Heat Waves” shows Dave Bayley walking down a desolate

neighborhood street while pulling a wagon filled with multiple old box TVs. This opening scene

captures the state that Dave was in while writing this song. Lonely, longing, and reliving a

specific memory. Most of the video takes place within this setting. You can also see people

inside the buildings of the street filming Dave with personal cell phones. In the description of the
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video, it is made aware that this video was filmed during the peak of Covid and explains that

entire video was shot on the phones of close friends. Even though this song was written with an

entirely different theme in mind, before Covid and quarantine even took place, it ties in

surprisingly well with the current circumstance the world is in. This makes the song even more

relatable and reaches an even broader audience than originally intended. Pathos is the main type

of appeal used throughout this music video. The video appeals to emotion by creating an

overwhelming feeling of suspension and derealization. There is no one else around, but there is

so much emotion displayed through lyrics and simple storytelling. By the end of the video, Dave

is now in a theater and has set up the TVs to display the rest of the band virtually. This is another

display of loneliness and isolation and further supports the video’s main point. This music video

can be intended for many different people and situations. It can have value to someone suffering

isolation due to Covid, heartbreak, falling out with a friend, family situations, or any other

circumstance that leaves you relieving that one specific moment and trying to reassure yourself

that it will all work out for the best.

The “Heat Waves // dreamland home movies” music video does not create nearly as

lonely of an environment as the original video but still feels just as bittersweet. This music video

is compiled of old home videos that belong to the members of the band. The main idea of the

song shifts from reliving and reminiscing in memories with a specific person to reflecting on a

variety of memories and reminiscing in the care-free and enjoyable pieces of life that you

longingly wish you could return to. This music video is particularly unique because it is simply a

compilation of personal videos of the band members from childhood to the present. Several of

the videos shown were taken years prior to the creation of the song, but they fit in so seamlessly

with the theme of reminiscence that the song strives to create. The music video heavily relies on
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the appeal of pathos with the overwhelming feeling of nostalgia throughout the video. Even

though I have not experienced these memories myself, I still feel a sense of connection and

admiration towards them. This music video appeals more to the fanbase of Glass Animals than

the original music video does. This is because it shows a more personal side to the band by

taking a look into their personal lives. There is more visual representation of memories this video

and this creates a connection between Glass Animals and the viewer that is not made in the

original video. The visual representation has a deeper meaning to the fans because it creates a

sense of connection and feeling of being seen. The fanbase seeks connection and comfort from

the music and views the band as role models. This music video does not have nearly the same

effect on the general audience because they do not feel the same sense of connection to the band.

Overall, the “Heat Waves // dreamland home movies” music video appeals to those who are

missing specific moments, memories, and seeking connection, rather than missing a specific

person.

“Heat Waves” is a song about losing yourself in thought, reminiscing and reliving

memories, and living in a place of suspension, not quite ready to let go and not knowing how to

move forward. Both videos successfully display this theme in two unique ways while using the

appeal of pathos. The original music video drives in the theme of isolation and reflects on

memories that are no longer reality because the person that made them are no longer in the

picture. The home movies music video focuses more on the longing to return to a simpler and

more enjoyable time, a place of memories and dreams. Glass Animals does an admirable job at

depicting a burred version of reality and expressing what it feels like to relive those moments

that you will no longer be able to return to.

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Works Cited

“Glass Animals – Heat Waves (Official Video).” YouTube, uploaded by Glass Animals, 29 June

2020, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mRD0-GxqHVo.

“Glass Animals – Heat Waves // dreamland home movies.” YouTube, uploaded by Glass

Animals, 12 January 2021, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zpJyWDqKgzI.