In this assignment, you are asked to choose and discuss a particular “instance of musical multimedia” (IMM) in the light of Nicholas Cook’s method for analyzing musical multimedia. This is not simply a descriiptive paper; it is an argumentative (or persuasive) essay.
Select an IMM from the list provided to discuss in detail.
In addition to Cook, you should use at least FOUR scholarly, secondary sources to supplement your own ideas about the chosen IMM. These should include works that directly address the chosen IMM, as well as general theoretical works (e.g., on film music as a genre, or TV commercials). Other sources may be used (e.g., a relevant interview, which is often best described as a primary source), but may not replace scholarly sources. The sources we have listed should help you get started; they are not necessarily a complete list.
Formulate a clear thesis statement (or argument) about your IMM and select the evidence you will use to prove your thesis (or make your argument).
Please note:
This is not a thesis: “In this paper I will analyze the relationship between music and words in Ariana Grande’s ‘God is a woman’.”
This is a thesis: “Using Cook’s method, I will argue [demonstrate/prove] that the relationship between words and music in Ariana Grande’s ‘God is a woman’ is one of conformance since the message of the words and the meaning of the music are thoroughly and consistently aligned.”
Provide descriiptive detail where this is necessary to support your thesis, but make sure to concentrate on analysis and argument over descriiption and narrative.
-The IMM that I choose is:
Commercial: IKEA Lamp Commercial, dir. Spike Jonze (2002)
-Here are some sources you might use:
Primary source(s)
Lamp (2002 Commercial):
(Links to an external site.)
For comparison:
Lamp 2 (2018 “sequel,” dir. Mark Zibert):
(Links to an external site.)
Secondary sources:
Cook, Nicholas. “Music and Meaning in the Commercials.” Popular Music, vol. 13, no. 1, Cambridge University Press, 1994, pp. 27–40, (Links to an external site.)
Champagne, Christine. “Spike Jonze tells the sad story of a little red lamp: created by CP+B, an Ikea commercial pokes fun at our attachment to home furnishings.” Shoot (New York, N.Y.), 43(38), 2002, p. 10.
Wilcha, Kristin. (2003). Ikea’s “Lamp” shines at Cannes Advertising Festival: CP+B spot wins Grand Prix; Partizan, London, scores Palme d’Or. Shoot (New York, N.Y.), 44(25), 2003, pp. 1–23.
-There are two articles about Nicholas Cook’s method for analyzing musical multimedia which are attached below.
