Drafting and Planning: Lyrical Symbolism
The music video has recently been massively changed so that the video suits the lyrics to an even greater extent. Each line either goes with or against the footage or that footage was used because it matched the mise en scene and the conventions of R&B, as well as it looking absolutely amazing.
These are the lyrics of the song:
Girls you know you'd better watch out
Some guys, some guys are only about
That thing, that thing, that thing
That thing, that thing, that thing
The intro is super important as it sets the scene for the music video as well as the pace and emotions. The first two liner, from "Guys you know... " to "are only about..." will have some shots of photos in a kitchen which shows a family and the important stages that a family goes through, for example kids going to uni.
The next part "that thing" will be f
ootage of the 3 females characters and they will represent the idea that people shouldn't go after that thing, like make up to hide or playing the stereotype or being allowed to be degraded because one is a woman. There will be jump cuts between each scene and each scene only lasts for the duration of one "that thing."
[Verse 1]
It's been three weeks since you were looking for your friend.
The one you let hit it and never called you again'
(The start of the first verse will feature the mother character to set the scene and start to give the audience the idea that we should listen to the teachings that our mom taught us at the beginning of our life when we were younger. teachings such as respect for ourselves and those around us and also compassion and also to not hurt people and not be selfish. For these two lines of the first verse there will be shots of the mother making a sandwich for her son/daughter, which will remain unnamed and unseen so that the audience can relate.The mother character will also be dressing herself and putting on her nursing uniform to show the important and respectful role she holds in society.)
Member when he told you he was 'bout the Benjamins?
You act like you ain't hear him, then give him a little trim.
To begin, how you think you're really gon' pretend.
Like you wasn't down and you called him again?
Plus, when you give it up so easy you ain't even foolin' him.
If you did it then, then you'd probably fuck again.
Talking out your neck, sayin' you're a Christian.
A Muslim, sleeping with the jinn.
(The first line will feature a shot of a teenage boy coming to pick up his partner to show that we should care for people who are close to us, and then the video will cut to the mother making writing a note for her son/daughter to put on the sandwich and the not will read "have a great day at school, love mom" this is done again to represent that people shouldn't be sleeping around or using people and living by the lessons your mother taught you.)
Now that was the sin that did Jezebel in.
Who you gon' tell when the repercussions spin?
Showing off your ass cause you're thinking it's a trend.
(This line will have a female character putting on an apron but the character will have her back to the camera and she is tying it. The apron has paint on it and she needs to wear it to protect her clothing as she is an artist. This fits the lyrics but turns on them as she is showing off her "ass" to put on an apron only to do her hobby.)
Girlfriend, let me break it down for you again.
You know I only say it cause I'm truly genuine.
Don't be a hard rock when you really are a gem.
(These lyrics will show a different female character who is putting on a dark purple lipstick which contrasts the lyrics as she cannot be a gem if she is to be seen equal or not be judged by society.)
Baby girl, respect is just a minimum.
N****s fucked up and you still defending 'em.
Now, Lauryn is only human. Don't think I haven't been through the same predicament.
Let it sit inside your head like a million women in Philly, Penn.
It's silly when girls sell their souls because it's in.
Look at where you be in, hair weaves like Europeans.
Fake nails done by Koreans.
Come again
(For this verse, most of the video will be the character putting on make up and basically hiding her true face under a mask so she can be brave and face the world.)
[Hook]
Guys you know you'd better watch out. Some girls, some girls are only about.
That thing, that thing, that thing. That thing, that thing, that thing
(For each "that thing" the video will change to show each girl which is in the video and to represent that people shouldn't go after "that thing" whether it be money, drugs, sex or just being selfish.)
[Verse 2]
The second verse is dedicated to the men.
(As the lyrics say this, the character which is an artist, uses heavy machinery and just as the word "men" is said, the character pushes it down to show that we can do what society thinks we can't.
More concerned with his rims and his Timbs than his women.
Him and his men, come in the club like hooligans.
Don't care who they offend, poppin' yang (Like you got yen!)
(Over these lyrics, the artist will be shown as she is putting on her apron and appreciating art to show that women have violence on their mind, or at least is associated with violence, whereas the girl is working with art and has peace on her mind.)
Let's stop pretend, the ones that pack pistols by they waist men.
Cristal by the case men, still in they mother's basement.
The pretty face men claiming that they did a bid men.
(Over these lyrics, the girl will be putting on her make up as if to show that the men that have a "pretty face" think they need woman that only cares about her appearance to match him but also to be not so smart so that she doesn't threaten him. And so the video shows a woman putting on make up so that she can be viewed as "acceptable" to men.
Need to take care of they three or four kids.
And they face a court case when the child support late.
(As this lyric is said, the mother is putting her keys in the car so that audience can make an association between the scene and the lyric as this scene is very child-like.)
Money taking and heart breaking, now you wonder why women hate men.
The sneaky, silent men. The punk, domestic violence men.
(With these lyrics, the video shows the teenage boyfriend coming to pick up his girlfriend but it only shows them leaving and there are jump cuts as they are walking away to show that there are some men that are silent and sneaky and they should be avoided.)
Quick to shoot the semen, stop acting like boys and be men.
(These lyrics have footage of the mom getting her jacket to show that even the boys should stick to the lessons that their mom taught them and should act like men.)
How you gonna win when you ain't right within?
(These lyrics again will have scenes of the girls to show that everyone should do right by everyone and people shouldn't be sinning and be compassionate.)
(x3)Come again [Bridge (x4)] Watch out, watch out. Look out, look out
(Right at the end of the video, the two characters will open doors, one to the art studio, the other to the bathroom to put her make up on to show that people open other doors to take different paths and sometimes it's too late to go back and live by your mother's lessons. The last scene is the mom closing the door and the camera zooms in on the lock to show that once we go back on being true to ourselves and what our mom taught us, it is hard to go back. The lock represents that we should live by what our mom taught us.
