Geri Halliwell - Raining Men (Video Analysis)

Geri Halliwell 'Geraldine Estelle' was born 1972 and is currently a British songwriter, actress,  singer and clothes designer. Halliwell first came to fame through being part of the Spice Girls in 1994 as 'Ginger Spice' - 1998 alleged she went into depression and left the group due to differences with them. However Geri Halliwell was able to bounce back to fame through a successful solo career, and even joined the Spice Girls for a reunion tour. This song is hailed as a camp classical and more recently as a dance anthem. 

Background Info 

The purpose of the song 'Raining Men' was for two things to promote the film 'Bridget Jones' Diary' as the song featured in the film's soundtrack and I believe to sell Halliwell's new look and her progress in recovery from depression.


The song is a cover of a 1982 song by 'The Weather Girls'. Both are pop songs of their era. The Halliwell version was released in 2001 and is not the only cover of the song -  Young Diva's and the Nolans have done covers of the song.

Genre Characteristics 
Common conventions of Pop music videos that appear during this music video 

•  Colourful mis en scene 
• Dance routines
• Close up of Geri Halliwell body and face 
• Narrative/Performance 

Analysis

Throughout the video I notice the notion of looking is expressed in many ways. One of the way is the very first clip with the judging panel watching Geri Halliwell dance. This can seen as voyeuristic view of the female body as the judges watch her perform in literally nothing. I believe the notion of looking also helped to portray to the audience Halliwell new image. Another way is notion of looking is used is during the sequence of Geri singing on the stairs looking into the camera (this action is normally used by presenters) and while the crowd begins to crowd round the door watching Halliwell perform.

Additionally a star motif is created within the video; there is a scene in which Geri Halliwell is doing sit-ups with a dog next her, this dog is Geri Halliwell's famous dog and it is forever with her, providing her with a star motif.



Relationship Between the Visuals and the Music 

The relationship between the visuals and the lyrics (as well as the concept of the song) are amplified during the music video. The song is about men 'raining men' the rain is illustrated within the video as you see Halliwell and the dancers, dancing in the rain. However funny enough the audience does not see men literally falling out of the sky (the original does contain that), but a clever tactic the director used to surround Halliwell with men, to metaphorically reflect the concept of its 'raining men'. 

Also when the dance student enters the room and beginnings dancing, it links with the increase in the rhythm and the volume of the music. The same thing occurs when the music slows down; the visuals mirrors Halliwell and the dancers as their dance moves slows down and there is a change in location.

Additionally the pace of the editing is in time with the pace of the song, as the the beat of the song changes the location (visuals) changes; the cuts on the beat are in great timing. 

Voyeurism and Exhibitionism 
- Voyeurism as mentioned earlier is one of the main factors used in this music video. Voyeurism in music videos such as the one used  in this music video is used to lure male audiences (The Male Gaze - Laura Mulvey). As the video I believe is all about promoting Geri Halliwell new appearance, the audience see Geri Halliwell dancing very seductively - caressing her body with her hands, making Halliwell voyeuristic.

- Exhibitionism is what invites the sexual gaze upon Halliwell - there is a lot of flesh being exposed. Halliwell is being 'gazed' at during the music video by men and woman within the video as well as the audience watching the music video.

Intertextuality 
This video has many intertextual references:
- Flashdance (1983)

Geri Halliwell - Raining Men (left) ¬ Flashdance (right) 

   In the opening scene of 'Its Raining Men' the music video references creating the shot-by-shot recreation of a scene from the Flashdance - a woman auditions and similar and like Geri Halliwell she falls and ask to starts again, in which she is given the chance. 
- Fame (1980)

Geri Halliwell - Raining Men (left) ¬ Fame (right)

Fame is also referenced in 'Its Raining Men'. In Fame a car which is usually seen in America is used to create the dancing scene, likewise in 'Its Raining Men' the iconic London cabs is used to create a very similar dance scene.

It could be said the referencing of Fame and Flashdance could be used to symbolize Geri Halliwell stepping out on her own and becoming a solo singer; as both films are about individuals stepping out on their own, trying to become famous and big on their own. 

Overall the music video meets the codes and convention of a pop music video as it includes dance routines, bright, vibrant colours, as well as the beat being up tempo.