Someone Like You: Media Analysis

Julia McNally
Professor Quinn
English Comp 1
December 1, 2015

Media Analysis Back on November 16th 2010 a friend of Adele’s, going by the name of xxxxWGDxxxx played a small part in shaking up the music world. This was the date Adele’s friend logged on to YouTube and uploaded a clip of her singing her new song “Someone Like You” on Jools Holland. The video soon gained thousands of views and likes along with comments saying something along the lines of "wow". There was something about the 22-year-old that captured everyone’s interest. Was it how she stood there and sang displaying her diva-like confidence or wearing her heartache on her sleeve? Adele had matured as an artist since the success of her debut album, 19. Suddenly, everyone became

Adele’s recording studio XL Recordings had released the song as the second single from the album on January 24 2011 in the United Kingdom and on August 9, 2011 in the United States. The song had received such positive reviews from music critics, who ended up choosing the song as a highlight of her album and praised the lyrics due to its simple sound and Adele's vocal performance. "Someone like You" became Adele's first number one single in the United Kingdom and it stayed on the top of the chart for five weeks. The song also topped the charts in Ireland, New Zealand, Australia, Brazil, Italy, France and Switzerland, and has become Adele's second number one in the United States. With that achievement she became the first female British solo singer in the history of the Billboard Hot 100 to have two number ones from the same album. In July of 2011 “ Someone Like You” was certified Platinum by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI), as well as being certified 5x platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) in the United

Throughout the music video for “Someone Like You” close ups and extreme close up are used numerous times throughout. This is because it allows us to see her emotional facial expressions which help us understand exactly what she is singing about. There tends to be shadows on her face, creating a sense of secretiveness and mystery, which is represents that she is trying to hide from her pain. On occasion Adele will be looking down representing the way she is feeling (sad and depressed). When she looks directly into the camera her fans are able to establish a relationship with her, which then allows us to empathize with her. Also when she looks directly into the camera we can make the connection that she is singing to the person she loves and wants to get back with. The lyrics can support this because they are very direct, even though she doesn’t directly mention someone’ name with know that she is talking/ about someone throughout the song. We only know that the person she is talking about as “someone” hence the name of the song “Someone Like You” but if the guy was to hear the song he would know that it is about him. Extreme close ups are used mainly on her eyes. This is because it is supposed to give the audience a feeling of