*UPDATED* Comparison between 'Unfinished Sympathy' and 'burn the witch'

Comparison between 'Unfinished Sympathy' and 'burn the witch'

The song 'unfinished sympathy' by Massive Attack

 is about the fear of getting hurt by someone you love. Whereas the song 'Burn the witch' by Radio Head is about not trusting people who could hurt you and blaming other people. 

'Unfinished Sympathy' gives us the impression and message that we need to let go of things that are stopping us from doing what we want to do. That is why the music video is a tracking shot of her walking away (down the street). 'Burn the witch' gives the audience the message that everything you say and do can be held against you. People can lie and can change your words to bring you down, and make them more superior. 

The music video to 'unfinished sympathy' shows Shara Nelson (the singer) walking down a busy street, with the camera using a tracking shot to follow her. This represents the song lyrics, as she is seen walking away at the last part of the video, which may suggest that she is letting go and moving on. In ‘Burn the Witch’ the video shows the Trumpton trilogy characters ‘telling the story’ of the wicker man, the artists are not physically in the music video, however the video has been represented like this to show why you shouldn’t always trust people. 

The music video for 'unfinished sympathy' has been represented like this to show that she has walked away from whatever was holding her back, it tells the audience that they can also do the same and walk away from what is holding us back. 'Burn the witch's' music video has been represented like this to change the audience's view on things, and not to trust people because they can use what you say against you (for example people could use secrets against you).

Both of the videos represent the artist successfully, as they have created their music videos in a different style compared to other mainstream and alternative artists. Mainstream artist usually write and produce songs that are classed as 'happy' and 'inspiring' this is done to get their messages across. Whereas the alternative artists are stereotyped as making music that is not that inspiring, it can also be classed as 'sad music'. Their lyrics can be written in a style that explicitly show their emotions. 

The director for 'unfinished sympathy' has used on continuous tracking shot that follows Shara Nelson along the street. This particular shot shows the street life and shows more realism about life, so more people can relate to the video and song. The director for 'burn the witch' has used the Trumpton trilogy (clay models) to create the video. Which means that it is less relatable physically, however the lyrics and the subliminal message is shown to make the video relatable to some viewers. (The message about trust and why you should not always trust people you do not really know).

Radiohead has referenced the Trumpton trilogy as it was a popular television show and a lot of people have watched it before. Therefore, they may get more people interested in the video as well as more people understanding the reason for it. The wickerman film, has also been watched by many people. The film is a good example of why you should not always trust people. The film is disturbing as in the Wickerman the main character gets burnt alive in a giant wooden (wicker) man. However, Radiohead have made the film story line less gruesome by using the Trumpton trilogy (clay people). However, the whole reference still adds a more sinister approach on the message of the song. 

In the Massive Attack video, they have used the street to show the realism of the song, they have done this so that the audience can see that the message of walking away from things that are holding you back. The lyrics can be shown physically through the video and verbally through the song lyrics. The use of the street also indicates that the audience will be able to relate to it more, as it is in an everyday setting of a street.

The audience of  Massive Attack would like the fact that the video us verbally and physically getting their messages across, through the realism of the street. The audience of the Radiohead video would enjoy the video for its individuality and the initial story line of the music video. The video is interesting as it is using intertextuality (The wickerman and the Trumpton trilogy). The story line of the 'burn the witch' music video shows reference to witches (Seesaw over the pond- A witch will float when drowned), as well as the wickerman.