Analysis of The Pussycat Dolls – When I Grow Up

This video was released on the 27^th of May 2008 and was on their second studio album called “Doll Domination”. This group is signed to Interscope Records, and the song generates from the genre of Electro pop/ R’n’B and was directed by Joseph Khan. This is a performance based video, and gives the representation of this being every girls dream of becoming famous, and being known world wide and making it into Hollywood.

The video starts off with an establishing shot of the group in a car waiting in traffic, displaying vibrant colours within the background and costume which enables it to entice their audience; this could also be a reflection of their personalities showing that they’re bubbly/ fun characters individually.  We then have a close up of Nicole (main singer) with sunglasses on which creates a barrier of protection between her and the audience from getting to know her, whilst everyone’s eyes are visible; this image is then replaced with a much more confident woman and it’s displayed through the choreography, allowing the audience to understand her better. It may suggest that they’re all ready for the whole world to realise who they are because in unison they say “when I was younger I would say When I grow up” symbolising the point at which they’ve stated they’ve made it to Hollywood. Whilst dancing on the cars, we see flashing lights in the background, which puts more emphasise of their importance and reiterating the idea of them being famous.

A close up is then shown of their feet walking on Hollywood Boulevard  signifying that they’re walking amongst with the greatest stars and they’ve made their mark in the industry. A low angle is then used whilst they’re standing on the bench signifying their high status and importance, then a light appears through Nicole’s legs to show correlation with the words she sings.  We then see a birds-eye-view of them climbing the construction site; this could suggest them making their way to the top, representing strong female groups who can still be prominent within the music industry and be successful. What an audience can get from this is to inform them that girl groups are still triumphant within the music industry and they still produce quality music for audiences to consume and enjoy.

Towards the end of the video Nicole is doing her solo and behind her, the groups name is in big bold red font with flashing lights which would catch the audience eye and making it more appealing for the audience. We then see her smash the screen, once again implying their break through back into the industry and showing girl power. We then finish with an establishing shot of them shooting a video whilst they’re dancing with flashy cars around them displaying to the audience the life style they’re living and can afford to live by working so hard by pursuing their career.

Overall I think this video allows its audience to see what its like to be determined in what you want to become within the future, and it will allow people to be inspired by what they’re talking about but relate it in a different context. The target audience will be aimed at young teenaged girls because they’re probably easier to connect to through music and they’ll be able to take something away from it.