Lyric analysis

Ed Sheeran - A Team 

 When first gazing at the lyrics i can see that this song looms the romantic pop genre, this is due to the description of a women that is found in the opening two lines of the song, "White lips pale face" could be the artist describing a women in his life. the opening lyrics are very vague and do not provide allot of substance for the audience to feed off of. When looking deeper at the lyrics we are able to see that although this doing seems romantic the next line "Burnt lungs, sour taste" this lyric could suggest that the female could be a smoker. The artist is insinuating the the environment is cold. We can infer this by the use of the term "Snow flake" this suggests that the environment around the women is cold or she herself is cold.

When continuing with the lyrics we are able to see that the girl who is being described by Ed Sheeran is in face not what she makes out to be. She's in the Class A Team this could suggest one of two things, either the woman is in a a league of her own or she is resorting to class A drugs such as heroin or cocaine. This lyric does not coincide with the music video at this point as up to this point the women has been show to be homeless however has not been linked to drugs or

any other drugs. " Been this way since eighteen" this is the time when young adults usually are experimental in trying drugs or alcohol which could also be a factor in the meaning behind the song. The visuals show the women sleeping on a bench and wandering the streets of London. This could be a result of drug addiction and consequently then leading to being homeless.

'Cause we're just under the upper hand
And go mad for a couple grams'

These lyrics are once again reenforcing the fact that the young woman portrayed in the music video could be addicted to drugs. The young women is now seen on the streets after dark where the artists himself Ed Sheeran comes to comfort the girl and talk to her. This portrays Ed to be a genuine guy which has come across in real life too with him not being outspoken and caring about his fan base.  These lyrics suggest that the woman is in fact a drug user, this is totally against the normal pop songs which is usually about having fun and including dance routines. i would say that this sing is more indie then pop when classifying them into genres.

 Or sells love to another man
It's too cold outside

These lyrics have now distanced themselves from drug abuse and have now entered another controversial topic in prostitution. The idea of selling love to another man is emphasised within the music video with the woman visually seen to be putting on make up in front of a mirror as seen on the left in the use of a medium close shot. The discussion of prostitution was unexpected in an Ed Sheeran 

song as it is not usually his style to talk about such controversial topics. however i believe the artists has presented the women well in the music video showing fragility and desperation.

Ripped gloves, raincoat
Tried to swim and stay afloat
Dry house, wet clothes
Loose change, bank notes 
Weary-eyed, dry throat
Call girl, no phone

These lyrics emphasis again the woman is dealing with prostitution "Call girl" is slang for a prostitute. the lyrics directly link too the visuals 

as seen in the image to the right there is an image of the women in question looking into a car which looks to be on a street corner which is where stereo typically call girls are located. The visuals are quite striking as the women looks to be in an unhealthy state, dark bags under the eyes and makeup spread cross her face. "An angel will die, Covered in white" This could be a reference indicating that the women i question could possibly die soon due to her cocaine addiction, this is a striking scene and a dark thought which links to the setting of the music video as the colour correction clearly sets a dark and gloomy setting. 

But lately, her face seems
Slowly sinking, wasting
Crumbling like pastries
I believe that this indicates that she’s been able to put up with it for many long years, but not anymore. She hates doing what she has to do and is slowly losing the will to live. Pastries crumble, because they are delicate and fragile. Angel has become frail in body and mind from drugs she’s been taking. Her face has also become white and pale because of drugs. Because white is the colour of purity, it adds to her innocence.


50 Cent - I'm the man

When initially listening to the song the indications that this song will contain most stereotypes of the rap genre. When listening and analyzing the lyrics i am able to see that my hypothesis was correct. 

firstly in the opening line there is a line which proceeds:

 I'mma put the powder in the pot
Whip it 'till I'm pullin' off a lot

From my own knowledge I am able to acknowledge that these lyrics could mean 50 Cent is talking about cooking cocaine into crack, which stretches the supply so that it can be broken into more units to sell. This complies with the current codes and conventions of the genre with drug usage and criminal activity high on the frequently seen chart i have already completed. Other stereotypes in which i have researched and is apparent in this music video are the hand gestures. and large amounts of jewelry. both of which can be seen on the screen shot below of 50 Cent in the music video. I believe that the research in which i have researched previously has been seen in this music video so far. This shows that the genre of music keep to their conventions well.      

Once I'm on I ain't never gon' stop
Bitch, I'm on, I ain't never gon' stop

The use of slang is on again apparent in this section of the music video with the term "being on" Once 50 cent is on, meaning making a lot of money, either via selling drugs or music, he won’t stop. This once again emphasis the fact the the artist is involved in criminal activity and finds validity with making money. the lavish lifestyle presented in the music video emphasizes these points to a greater extent. The luxurious house in the hills of Los Angeles with the stereotypical  attractive women and using them as a sex object by portraying them in bare clothing with little to nothing covering body parts. 

Clique bang for the money
Shit changed over money

“Clique bang” is a double entendre. 50 and his clique gang bang (do illegal gang activities) to gain money. Also, click, bang is the sound a gun makes whilst being cocked and fired. Things also changes when money is involved, such as close friends turning into enemies. Your whole lifestyle can also be transformed when a bit of money is involved.

She sucking and we fucking like she need me
While she make a bankroll easy

In this section of the song 50 Cent thinks he’s found a girl that wants him, but instead she’s only using him for his money, leading us to believe that she’s prostitute or gold digger. The objectifying of women is a common trend in this genre and is extremely emphasized by both the lyrics and the visuals of this music video. 

Too much on my mind right now
I'm on the grind right now
Looking for me, sucker, then I need to be found right now
I got my nine right now
Bitch, I'll blow your mind right now
I ain't fucking around right now
Better get in line right now
Or fuck around and die right now
Hope you understand that

50 has been the talk of the town for a while now, and the way things are, he’s still on his feet. 50 addressed the bankruptcy story, which seems to be fake to some, considering all the cash he flashes on Instagram. 50 also has had a lot on his plate, dealing with Diddy & French poking jabs at his EFFEN vodka, also Vivica A. Fox accusing him of being gay. However, 50 still keeps his head up and his Glock .9 tucked on him as he’s focused on getting money.