Analysis of Chris Brown and Ariana Grande's new music video, DBGTL.

1. DON’T BE GONE TOO LONG
X (09.14)
CHRIS BROWN FT. ARIANA
GRANDE
EURO-POP
MUSIC VIDEO ANALYSIS
BY AMINATTA SYLVA
13H

2. WHAT ARE THEY WEARING?
• As part of the costume for the narrative based music video, that has been set in a fantasy
medieval period. The male (Chris) is wearing a long mesh medieval shirt, her princess
(Ariana), is wearing a long lavender dress. Binary oppositions are clearly established here,
through their clothing. Looking at their clothing, you can tell that Ariana is more wealthy
than Chris, as he is wearing dark, peasant like clothing. This could be the reason why they
are not allowed to be together.
• They are together in a desolate fantasy like environment. We can infer this because the moon
is too big in the sky, as well as the stars being fully visual. As they stand out in their dark,
high key lit area. Here, the camera pans around the couple, which goes with the beat of the
music. The cuts to the dance scenes also go with the bass that we hear. At these scenes we
see Ariana and Chris (sometimes just Chris) dancing to the beat. However, we cannot see
their face, because they are dancing in the dark. This further suggests that they are
forbidden to see each other, that’s why are a dancing in the dark. The use of cross fades,
makes the lovers seem as one.

3. WHAT ARE THEY DOING?
• This music video is based around the elements of love, magic, royalty and is
set during the medieval period.
• The princess and her lover sing to each other until their peace is disrupted
by the antagonist, preferably the King’s guard. They remove the princess
away from her lover, and throw him in jail.
• The lover have duet amongst each other from different locations, this is a
typical convention of duets. This signifies to us that they might be apart,
but their hearts are not apart.
• Brown is trapped in a medieval prison, mean while Ariana is singing at the
top of a castle. This again is another binary opposition, wealthy vs. the
unfortunate and trapped vs. freedom.
• Then there is a close up of Brown stealing the keys off a guard, before then
strangling him, in order to go to his princess.
• Low angle shot of Brown walking in slow motion, past the unconscious
guard. He is wearing a dark long robe, to hide his identity. However, the
cinematography of this shot suggests to us that Brown is now empowered

4. WHAT ARE THEY DOING?
• Shot of the antagonist doing black magic, this is suggested to us because
his eyes go black. We also get close ups of witch craft objects; potions etc.
• Behind the antagonist we see skull faces appearing in the fog behind him.
This further suggests to us that he is letting evil spirits inhabit him, so that
he can stop Ariana being with Chris.
• Whilst the evil fumes are entering him, two shirtless men are ritualistically
dancing to the music, with fire lit between them.
• We are then shown shots of Chris and Ariana together in a flourished and
magical forest like setting. The colour of the setting reflects the mood of
the couple, as now they are free and happy together.
• The final shot, Chris gets to the castle to see his princess, but just after they
kiss, the antagonist appears. This is where it ends. However, this is
enigmatic because we want to know what happens next.

5. WHAT IS THE SONG ABOUT?
• This song is about love growing into something beautiful, such
as a rose, or perhaps love maturing by time. It is also about
being afraid of being lonely, thus the title of the song.

6. LYRIC ANALYSIS
I dug a single seed into the
ground
I hope it grows, grows
In a year or two if you're around
You'll see a rose, rose
The single seed is a metaphor for hope and new
love. It’s a small thing which can turn into a
beautiful flower, here — a rose.
Roses are a common symbol of love (especially red
ones), but in order to grow a rose yourself, not only
would you need to find good ground with enough
sunlight, but you’d need to take care of it every
day.
On a train to Paris going
nowhere
Trouble bridge behind me
Given the distance though, he is almost
explaining how he would even flee the
continent if it meant escaping his problems.
But running away from them will not fix
anything, and he knows it. Fleeing to a
different place or country could make Chris feel
like he can start new life and forget about all
the controversy he may be facing.

7. LYRIC ANALYSIS
Don't be gone too long (too long)
'Cause you won't be there to love
me when you're gon
Chris is known for his lust for women. He is afraid of
being lonely and it leading to either of the sides
cheating.
He doesn’t want that scenario to happen. In a way he
asks her to be there for him, so that he can stay
faithful. “Tell me who’s gonna love me when you’re
gone” sounds more like a rhetorical question than a
regular one. Chris wants to remain loyal but he also
knows that if the girl is not around he will be all
alone.
Golden leaves are dancing on
the ground
It's getting cold, cold
Safe from time, will be forever
young
Never old, old
The golden leaves signify fall, a season symbolizing
decline. This is the main concept of another track on the
album — “Autumn Leaves”. Also, the word “cold” applies
to both fall’s cool temperature and love’s wavering
passion.
While people’s bodies aren’t safe from time and
everyone grows old, the spirit and the feelings can stay
young and fresh forever.
Even if the two are away from each other or their
relationship ends, their “Young Love” will always be in
their hearts, immune to the destructive force of time.

8. CINEMATOGRAPHY
• This music video was technologically challenging to
create, as it was created through the use of a green
screen, as shown in the BTS.
• In this music video long shots were used to establish the
setting/environment of the place, so that the audience can
clearly establish which time period it has been set in.
Close ups were used to allow the audience to clearly see
objects, or characters’ emotions. Much of the filming was
done through the use of a crane shot.
• In some of the shots shallow space focusing was used to
make the audience pay attention to what the directors
want us to do. Deep space focus was also used in the
music video.
• Lighting was effectively used in this music video,
especially during the dance scenes and prison cell.
• Editing featured cross fades, graphic matches and cuts,
that went in time either with the narrative or the beat of