Analysis of Pop Music Video - Miley Cyrus

The music video for 'Wrecking Ball' by Miley Cyrus shocked the nation when it was released. The extrovert pop star had taken her wild image a step further with this video. Her naked on a wrecking ball and licking a sledgehammer created chaos in the world.

The music video was produced by Dr. Luke, Cirkut and directed by Terry Richardson. 

- Dr. Luke co-wrote and produced commercially successful records such as "Who Knew" for Pink, "Girlfriend" for Avril Lavigne, and "I Kissed A Girl" for Katy Perry and "My Life Would Suck Without You" for Kelly Clarkson.

While continuing to produce for Perry, Lavigne, and Pink, Dr. Luke has also worked with other artists, including Taio Cruz, B.o.B, Jessie J, Britney Spears, Flo Rida, Miley Cyrus, Nicki Minaj and Rihanna.

Dr. Luke is also noted for signing recording artists such as Kesha, playing a vital part in their careers.
Dr. Luke's work has been merited for various music industry awards. Music publication Billboard named him as one of the top performing producers of the 2000s. The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers awarded him Producer and Songwriter of the Year honors from 2009 to 2011. At the 53rd Grammy Awards, he was nominated for a Grammy Award for Producer of the year. 

- Terry Richardson is an American Fashion and portrait photographer who has shot advertising campaigns for Marc Jacobs, Aldo, Supreme, Sisley, Tom Ford and Yves Saint Laurent amongst others. He has also done work for magazines such as Rolling Stone, GQ and Vogue.

How was the music video laid out?

1. The opening of the video refers to the 'obvious' difficulties that every relationship suffers. The problems that happen when you try and balance out the 'give and take' between the relationship between the two. 
2. The second level to this song is the still somewhat obvious timing of being released right after Miley Cyrus's spot on performance that caused so much buzz recently. Her performance was indeed a "wrecking ball" and her line of, "I came in like a wrecking ball.." would seem to elude to the manner of her emergence on the public stage.
3. Some people recall this for being from "other dimensions", in this third level you can see some very obvious symbols on Miley's body during the music video in the form of tattoos. Even though she got these tattoos at various different stages they can be understod together and in context. You need things together to understand the meaning, and so it is with her tattoos and placement that we understand her. 
4. The 4th level of understand on this piece is going to be difficult for those who don't believe in other realms, spiritual beings, angels or the afterlife. The words to this song and the visual imagery are a direct message from the Devils to God and the other angels. It is a flagrant attempt at stating her 'misunderstood' position in humanity and it is her attempt to seduce others to fall.

How was it influenced?
The song itself is about the breakdown of a relationship; this is shown in three stages: 

The video was inspired by the music video for 'Nothing Compares 2 U' by Sinead O'Connor, The close up shots of Miley emotionally singing directly to the camera with a white backdrop behind her are the main features taken from that video. Scenes of her licking the sledgehammer and swinging on a wrecking ball are sections that have lead on from that initial idea.