Lyric analysis

In order to create a successful music video that appeals to the target audience, the lyrics of 'Impossible' by James Arthur were annotated in terms of meaning. This was carried out in order to gain a more in depth understanding of what the song is about, allowing the meanings of the song to be interwoven into the narrative. The photo below shows the lyrics and the annotations beside them which display the interpretation of the lyrics. By doing so, ideas as to what should be involved within the video were stimulated. The narrative was therefore evolved upon the lyrics. Metaphorical meanings were also sought out in order to create a video that conveys more than the literal meanings of the song and therefore engages the audience.

What are the hidden meanings of your song?

''Someone told me I should take caution when it comes to love'' refers to a warning the artist received regarding falling in love. This may potentially imply a possibility of getting hurt. "You were strong and I was not"' may potentially regard the male being weak and falling for the female or simply getting hurt. This idea is reinforced by the lyrics "'I was careless, I forgot'' which means he forgot to regard the warning and simply let his barriers down due to being in love and therefore careless. This led to him getting hurt which is implied by the lyrics ''And now when all is done'' which means the artist's love interest has done something which as stated by the lyrics, means she "has won''. This means the artist has lost the game which in this case is a relationship. "Tell them all I know now'' refers to everything he has learnt and now knows from the failure of the relationship which may potentially refer to trusting someone else. "All we had is gone now" confirms that the relationship is over and everything that the male and female once had does not exist any more.






The artist states that he ''was happy'' however now his "heart is broken'' and this is visible which is inferred by the lyrics ''all my scars are open''. What was done to him, he once deemed as ''Impossible'' which suggests he was too happy and in love to ever think the female was capable. Although the actions of the female aren't made clear through the lyrics, the artist refers to the actions as ''betrayal" which caused ''broken trust and broken hearts''. He then refers to the beginning of the relationship in which faith was built upon "love and words'' which he then criticises with ''empty promises will wear'' suggesting he was wrong to trust someone else.''There is nothing to say'' suggests that the relationship is ended and his decision cannot be changed as nothing can be done or said to make things better. He considers what the female did as ''embarrassing'' due to him ignoring advice he once received and trusting someone that didn't deserve it.

The group lyric annotations will assist with planning the music video as it has enabled us to gain a better understanding of the lyrics and the meaning behind them; allowing us to depict the emotion felt by the artist. This can then be used to produce a music video that reflects the lyrics and the emotions they aim to infer. By having an understanding of the way the artist feels, we will be more able to present the artist in the correct way. This will also allow the audience to relate to the artist and therefore form a relationship.