Analysis of music video for Adele - Hello using Barthes' codes

1. Adele - Hello
Barthes’ codes

2. When the video begins, we can see that it has been filmed using a sepia filter, which is a
semantic code that suggests sadness and the past. There is also lots of wind, which has
connotations of loneliness.

3. • The video starts with a pull focus shot, that
changes the focus from the dirty glass on the
window to the single car coming down the
lane. This are examples of the semantic code,
as the dirty glass connotes decay and
abandonment, and the lone car on the rode
connotes loneliness.

4. When she gets inside the house, she removes the dust covers, which is part of a semiotic
code, and symbolises she is unearthing the past and bringing back old memories.

5. • Throughout the video, she is seen talking on
the phone. It is never specified who thses
phone calls are to, therefore, the narrative is
left open. This is an example f an enigma
code, as it is a mystery who these phone calls
are to and what they are about exactly.

6. • The chorus line “hello from the other side”
connotes that she has moved on from being
with the person the song has addressed to
and is happy again.

7. • Todrov’s equilibrium theory can be applied to
this music video. At the beginning of the
video, it is implied that there has been a state
of equilibrium for her, but it has been broken,
which is implied by the condition that the
place she is at is in. Her lyrics suggest that she
has realised there has been a disequilbrium,
as she is directing them at her former partner
(“I was wondering after all these years if you
would like to meet”)

8. • By the end of the song, some sense of
equilibrium is made again, as the argument
has ended, however, they have split up
because of it so in some ways, there has not
been a restoration of equilibrium.