Music Video Analysis of "Run Boy Run" by Woodkid

"Run Boy Run" is a track from an album called "The Golden Age", written by Woodkid. (Real name Yoann Lemoine). The song is considered to be Baroque pop in genre, as It's overall sound is heavily orchestral, yet the lyrics can be considered as mainstream with a clear and repetitive structure.






  


The music video itself is strong in visual theme - other tracks from the same album share the same stark colour scheme, and an emphasis on an overarching narrative linking together tracks in the album.

Analysing "Run Boy Run" Using Goodwin's Theory

As the lyrics and the name of the song state, this song is indeed about a young boy running - but to or from what? In the opening sequence of the music video, we see a cut transition from black reveal a building. The camera angle is that of a long shot, elevated slightly or far enough out to appear to be level with the centre of the building. It is here, where we can appreciate the stark, black and white post processing behind the music video, lasting throughout its entirety. As the camera zooms in slightly, we see a small figure run out of an entrance on the building's right side. There's no music yet, only the toll of a bell. This opening shot is effective in setting the tone for the rest of the music video, and gives clues and makes references to the overarching narrative behind the inspiration for the events that are to follow in the video.

Cutting to a mid-shot of the boy running with the camera in pursuit at his side, the lyrics and soundtrack of the song now kick in; Immediately, "run boy run" is spoken by the singer, and there's a literal connection between what is being sung and what we are seeing on-screen. The boy is not singing however, as the voice is almost transcendent of the action occurring on-screen - the singer, though he does not appear in the video, is guiding the boy, encouraging him to keep running. The music video conforms to Goodwin's points in that the song's lyrics are related to the on-screen imagery, and also that the tone of the song is reflected through the mise en scene of the footage we see, being an orchestral, epic dash to boy's objective.