Stephanie Faddis - Primary Source Analyses

My first primary source is a Dolce & Gabbana commercial for their new fragrance, Light Blue. In the commercial, a scantily clad couple appears to be seaside, basking in the sun and warmth. After the two take a refreshing dip in the ocean, they emerge from the water and blatantly display their affections for one another, only for the commercial to reveal that it is a scene for a movie or ad. What I find interesting is the setting and atmosphere of the commercial. The clear blue sky and ocean help the viewer connect the name of the fragrance with the advertisement, and also leaves the impression of being carefree and relaxed. The man singing in what sounds like Italian in the background adds an air of romance to the image. In addition to that, the commercial introduces the idea that if you purchase this fragrance, it will refresh the drone of your everyday lifestyle and help you find a passionate, sensual relationship similar to the one shown on camera.

The second primary source I chose is Rihanna's music video, "Only Girl (In The World)." The first detail the video shows is that the shot is tinted red, which denotes sensuality and passion. Also, Rihanna is shown standing alone in the desert, where solitary and heated atmosphere help suggest the lyrics in the song. The flowers are also a universal symbol of romance, and Rihanna's outfits clearly indicate sexual themes introduced by the lyrics. For example, say, "Want you to make me feel ilke I'm the only girl in the world/Like I'm the only one that you'll ever love/Like I'm the only one who knows your heart." Rather than promoting the benefits of being single, Rihanna's song is inviting and intimate, and instead of demoting relationships as many Hip Hop/R&B songs do, suggests that there is still romance found in pop music and culture today.