Forever Young

I decided to pick a random song and try to analyse it early on so I could get to grips of what a music video is all about.

I chose Forever Young by Jay-z ft. Mr Hudson.


What is it about?

The song was originally written by Alphaville in 1984 but re-released by Jay-z who raps in replace of some verses and with Mr. Hudson singing some the original lyrics and the chorus. The video is black-and-white and shows various aspects of youth across America, inter-cut with scenes of Jay-Z and Mr Hudson performing the song, sometimes in concert.

Why does this video stand out?

Watching this video without listening to the music really makes you appreciate what is going on in the video. The various clips of young people and their various backgrounds and cultures throughout America makes you really appreciate the hugely different lives people can have and live. Despite living in the same nation, the video presents the good of society as the young people as sometimes shown as extremely happy but they are also clips of a near poverty within America. The soulless expression on some faces creates a strong feeling of sympathy towards them.

How does the video appeal?

The song is obviously about young people in America and never wanting to grow up but as we have seen, throughout the whole duration of the video, it is in a black and white effect. We normally associate this effect with old times or old people but here it is contrasted with the fact that these people are still living the early parts of their lives.

I think that this effect helps the viewer focus clearly on what is being shown in the video. There are no fancy colours to divert the viewer into watching something irrelevant and something that is not the main focus in the shot

This black and white effect also brings out more emotion in the people featured in the video. In a way, the black and white nature gives the video more sentiment and gives the viewer a chance to feel some emotion about the video.

As a certain snoopdog123100 says on YouTube: “Great video and great sound, the video always makes me eyes fill with tears.”

The breath-taking shots of his concert at Alexandra Palace in 2009 also bring out the best in the black and white effect as it adds to the amazing scene of support for both Jay-z and Mr. Hudson.

The video of Young Forever was directed by Anthony Mandler, an extremely well known music video director who has directed hundreds of videos from some of the biggest names in the music industry such as Rihanna, Usher, OneRepublic, Eminem, Beyonce, Enrique Inlesias and 50 cent.

Watching the video over and over again has only made me appreciate the effect of this music video even more. The black and white shots of the young people add a serious attitude to the video but also show the main majority of them being very happy at what they are doing.