TEXTUALLY ANALYSING MUSIC MAGAZINES

HARRY JONES

INTRODUCTION

The genre of music in which I have chosen to analyse is ‘pop’. This is so that I have a wide range of material within this genre to work from. For this genre of music I am looking for certain aspects of the magazine, which will show the audience that the subject of the magazine is pop. These characteristics include; bright colours, informal typography (e.g. sans serif) and images of ‘famous icons’ used within this specific genre of music. I will analyse two different magazines, which will include analysing the front cover, contents page and double page spreads.

MAGAZINE COVER 1: BILLBOARD.

The first front cover I have chosen to

analyse is from ‘Billboard’ magazine this is a

well known music platform for artists to sell

any upcoming or already released albums

or singles. As you can see this magazine has

used the iconic sign of Katy Perry this is

image is key for this magazine to show the

target audience what is in this edition of the

magazine, Katy Perry is an icon in pop

culture currently therefore the target

audience can clearly see what the main

feature in the magazine includes. The

masthead on this magazine is a symbolic

sign the use of the font ‘sans serif’ giving the

audience a sense of informality however

this magazine cover has contradicted itself

as it then uses the font ‘serif’ to write Katy

Perry’s name.

This may be a design idea that as ‘serif’ is used mostly for

formal issues and magazines. Therefore billboard magazine

could be showing the audience that Katy Perry is a very

influential and respected as an artist and as a person

therefor they have presented her name in a format which is

otherwise used in formal magazines. Both of these types of

font to show an audience a name of something is a clear

symbolic sign therefore both of these names have to

culturally learned so in this case the masthead would be

learned and recognised by buyers and users of this brand

and the name Katy Perry would be culturally learned by

Katy Perry’s fans and audience members of her music.

Finally an example of an indexical sign for this magazine is

the cover lines this is because they are showing the reader

what the magazine is about before showing them the

contents page evidence of this is the layout of the front

cover as a lot of the text is bunched together in blocks as

the information is laid out.

OPPOSITIONAL READER For this magazine an oppositional reader may notice what

Katy Perry is wearing and decode that because as she is

wearing floral, this gives an impression of camouflage

which the oppositional reader may understand that she

may have something to hide from the audience she also

has her arms close to her body which gives the impression

that she is enclosing herself away from the reader

therefore she gives the impression that she is hiding

something. Also within the cover line underneath her

name it says “inside the court of the new queen of pop”

this would give the oppositional reader the impression that

within this statement the magazine is subliminally telling

the audience that she has had a bad past and may still

have secrets, this links to court as topical issues are raised

which may have a bad impact on others.

MAGAZINE 1

MAGAZINE 1PREFERRED READER

The preferred reader of this magazine would understand

that this magazine is trying to promote Katy Perry. This is

because they have used the colour background of pink,

pink is a colour generally used when something is good

and sweet this magazine portrays Katy Perry in a kind

and sweet light this is also backed up by what Katy Perry

is wearing, this is a floral dress with larger flowers

attached to it. This shows that Katy Perry is a sweet and

innocent person the preferred reader would see this

because flowers usually symbolise peace and kindness

therefore a preferred reader would see this and

understand that the magazine is showing off Katy Perry

to be a kind innocent person.

MAGAZINE 2

The second magazine I have decided to analyse is Q

magazine which features Cheryl Fernandez (formerly

Cheryl Cole) this image is a great example of a iconic

sign this is because Cheryl is a celebrity which people

will know and recognise, especially the audience of this

specific magazine. This gives the audience a glimpse of

what is in the magazine. The next feature on this

magazine is the masthead; the name Q is shown as a

symbolic sign this is because not only does the

audience and readers of this magazine know what this

magazine is about other cultures in which this magazine

is referred to will also know what this magazine is about,

another key feature of this masthead is that it is in the

typography setting of ‘serif’ this is a formal type of font

therefore this magazine is perhaps aimed at older

audiences perhaps aged (18-25) this is an age range

where the audience is more likely to listen to the music

which is featured within this magazine.

Therefore another reason for this masthead to be a

symbolic sign is that anyone within this age range could

possibly know what this magazine is about.

The last sign on this magazine is an indexical sign this is

shown by the cover line “three words, Cheryl (Cole)

ROCKS” this shows the audience quite literally that Cheryl

could perhaps be expanding her music into rock this also

shows the audience that Cheryl doesn’t just want to be

known for doing pop music this could also be interpreted

that Cheryl has already made it within the pop genre

therefore she is now trying to make a debut in the rock

genre to “make it big”.

OPPOSITIONAL READER

MAGAZINE 2

For this magazine an oppositional reader may

understand and come to the conclusion that

this magazine is showing that Cheryl is trying to

show herself to a male audience in particular

as she is being sexually provocative as she is

licking a ring on her finger which could be

shown as a sexual innuendo she also is in quite

a dark background giving an illusion that she is

mysterious, this would also make an

oppositional reader that Cheryl wants to show

herself to the male audience in a provocative

way.

PREFERRED READERMAGAZINE 2

The preferred reader of this magazine will

understand that this magazine is trying to help

Cheryl in getting a wider audience and showing

them that Cheryl is a versatile artist who should

not only liked by younger audiences but also

liked by older as well. The preferred reader will

also acknowledge that this magazine has shown

Cheryl in this provocative way to show an older

audience that her music is more mature and not

suitable for younger audiences.

COMPARISON The comparison between these two front covers is that

magazine one is portraying Katy Perry in a kind and

sweet manner because she is an icon of pop and her

music is widely appreciated by a younger audience

however in magazine 2 the magazine I portraying Cheryl

in provocative manner as she wants to expand her

audience profile and become more of an adults artist

instead of a younger audiences artist. This shows how a

magazine can portray a celebrity however they want just

by using lighting, costume and style of camera shot in

which they use they can also show this difference in what

colours that they use. For example the colours pink and

yellow give the impression of transparency and likeness

however the colours black and red give a dark and

mysterious vibe this impacts the readers reaction to each

specific magazine.

CONTENTS PAGE 1

This is the first of two contents pages from which I will

analyse. This magazine is from an edition of the infamous

billboard magazine, an indexical sign on which this

magazine included is the images which are all included on

the contents page these images have numbers included

onto the bottom left corner of each image these numbers

represent and show the audience what page this refers to.

Also included on this contents page is an iconic sign the

masthead billboard uses a range of colours on this page

therefore giving equality to all suggesting that this company

is an advocate of equality of all races and/or other issues

which are not equal in comparison to the ‘normality’ of day

to day life. This is also an example of a symbolic sign, this is

because a reader of this magazine will only be able to

confirm this as the little tricks of this magazine and the

subliminal messages which this company has embedded

within the content of the page.

CONTENTS PAGE 1

OPPOSITIONAL READER

An oppositional reader would see this contents page

and analyse it to see whether the magazine has

included material which could come across negative

to the reader. In this magazine an oppositional reader

would notice the images and decode what the lady is

wearing in the right picture near the top of the page

they would see that this lady is wearing a bra/corset this

would show how the magazine is promoting music to

be sexy and provocative and not about the talent and

presentability of that individual artist.

CONTENTS PAGE 1

PREFERRED READER

A preferred reader of this magazine would see

how the image of the lady shows how this

magazine focuses more on talent and not what

costume that individual is wearing, in this instant

the preferred reader will see how that this lady is

very talented and successful within her career

therefore she has been featured and that no

matter how she is dressed the magazine has

decided to show this image because it show that

she is talented enough to be featured within the

magazine.

CONTENTS PAGE 2

This is the second contents page I have decided to

analyse. On this contents page an example of an

indexical sign included is the images of a jumper, eye

liner and a pink shoe all represent the category of

fashion which is included within the magazine, this

shows the reader what may be included in this section,

this gives the reader an opportunity to see whether they

like the fashion items to continue reading in the

magazine. An example of an iconic sign is the main

image on this page this image shows the cover of the

magazine and describes where you can find each

segment on the cover within the magazine. Finally an

example of a symbolic sign on this magzine contents

page.

CONTENTS PAGE 2

OPPOSITIONAL READER

The oppositional reader will see this contents page and

acknowledge that perhaps this magazine is trying to tell

the reader what to wear as it shows certain images of

items of clothing therefore the oppositional reader will see

that this is perhaps a subliminal way of telling the reader

that they must buy these items of clothing because they

appear in the magazine. An oppositional reader may

also pick out that this contents page is trying to turn the

reader into the stereotype audience for this magazine as

it is showing them what they should be reading and

giving them lifestyle tips on what they should and

shouldn’t be doing therefore turning that reader into

more of a stereotype for this magazine.

CONTENTS PAGE 2

PREFERRED READER

The preferred reader of this magazine will see

that the magazine is trying to please the target

audience and trying to include issues and

topics in which the reader will want to see

within the magazine, they will also see that the

magazine is trying to give the reader tips on

what to wear to keep ‘fashionable’ and giving

suggestions on music that they may be

interested in because they read this specific

magazine.

COMPARISONThe comparison between these two contents pages

can be shown in the layout and colours in which

provoke the readers views and emotions on these

pages, in contents page 1 the design of the page is a

plain and informative layout which gives the impression

that this magazine is for a more mature audience

however in contents page 2 the layout is spread out

and narrative therefore it suggests that this magazine is

specifically aimed at a younger audience. The colour

scheme in both of these contents pages also show me

that these are aimed at two completely different

audiences for example in the first contents page they

have used colours like white and blue therefore this

magazine has been produced for an audience with an

age range of 18 – 24 and contents page 2 has used

pinks and yellows showing me that this magazine is

aimed at younger people aged 7 – 12.

DOUBLE PAGE SPREAD 1

This is the first of two double page spreads of which I

have chosen to analyse, in this double page spread an

example of a symbolic/arbitrary sign is the large ‘L’ on the

right hand side of the double page spread, this is a

design which ‘Q’ magazine uses on most double page

spreads to show the reader that it is a Lady Gaga article

on the two pages this design has to be learned from

reading the magazine for a long period of time because

first time reader will not understand why a big bold letter

‘L’ is covering the whole page. An example of an iconic

sign is the image of Lady Gaga, this is good example of

this sign as it is a clear indicator to the audience what the

article is about and gives the reader a glimpse of what

they can possibly expect from the magazine double

page article. Finally a good example of an indexical

symbol is shown by the costume in which Lady Gaga is

wearing, she is wearing what seems to be a fashion item

known as a ‘choker’…

This is a fashionable item which is usually worn around the

neck to give the illusion that the wearer is ‘choking’

however in this image Gaga is wearing many of the

chokers in a dress style which may give the impression that

she could be being ‘choked’ by the media or that she is

being choked by her own body and that she cant fully

express herself because the industry wont let her and they

seem to be restricting her. This is a good sign of an iconic

sign because it gives the reader food for thought as to

why she is wearing what she is and will make the reader

want to know why she is, which may be featured within

the article.

DOUBLE PAGE SPREAD 1

OPPOSITIONAL READER

An oppositional reader may look at this double page

spread and notice what Miss Gaga is wearing and think

that she isn’t wearing anything to show that she is a

‘naughty girl’ and that she is being purposely provocative

to attract attention for herself. They may then read into

the article and see that she is further attracting attention

because she wants to be a queen of pop and she wants

to show of on her outrageous behaviour and that she is

telling a younger audience that it is ok to behave in a

disgraceful manner and be rude and show your body as if

you were worthless.

DOUBLE PAGE SPREAD 1

PREFERRED READERA preferred reader will see this article and notice from the

picture that Miss Gaga is trying to show that she wants to be

free however because of her costume which looks like

chains she is trapped and restricted and cant be fully free,

they may also see that she isn’t wearing many clothes

because she is trying to show the reader how she is so close

to being ‘fully free’ however due to the ‘chain’ like costume

she isn’t fully free and that there is one barrier that stands

between her and freedom. The reader then will read the

article and see how her behaviour could possibly be her

trying to break free and that her outrageousness is her way

of showing to her audience that she wants to be free and

how she wants to break away from society and be different

therefore breaking free from this world where everyone has

to live in certain boundaries of behaviour and attitude.

DOUBLE PAGE SPREAD 2

This is the second double page spread in which I will be

analysing in this spread there are many different signs

included within the pages however the first one I will be

analysing is a symbolic sign this is shown through the

editors choice to use one colour as a background so that

the reader didn’t get distracted from the article this is a

symbolic sign because the reader has to be

knowledgeable on the layout choices of the magazine.

The next sign that I will analyse is a iconic sign, this is shown

through the image of Nicki Minaj this is iconic as Miss Minaj

is a well known pop artist who is currently doing very well

in the music charts therefore lots of people will know who

she is. Finally an example of an indexical sign of this

double page spread is Nicki Minaj’s costume in which she

is wearing this suggests that she is trying to camoflauge

back into society as she may believe that her ‘fame’ has

reached a pinnacle point and that she feels she could

step down from the limelight slightly.

DOUBLE PAGE SPREAD 2

OPPOSITIONAL READER

For this magazine an oppositional readers view of this

double page spread can be expressed by Nicki Minaj’s

outfit on this article and how she is wearing a tight small

body suit which is yet again provocative to audiences,

also the may pick out how she is wearing a ring which

reads the word ‘ICON’ an oppositional reader my think

that she is trying too hard to become an pop icon and

that she is making a fool of herself just to become a 1 hit

wonder and to vanish into the world of ‘celebrity’ and

slowly become a ‘z’ list celebrity just to earn a bit of

money. Finally the oppositional reader may notice how

Miss Minaj has a facial expression of a hypnotist trying to

make the reader become entranced to help her become

this ‘icon’ she so badly wants to become.

DOUBLE PAGE SPREAD 2

PREFERRED READER

A preferred reader will look at this and see how she is

wearing a zebra striped suit which could show that she

wants to fit in therefore she is trying to camouflage

herself so that she can perhaps be accepted by

society. Instead of the reader noticing the icon ring they

believe that Miss Minaj doesn’t want to be an icon

which can also be shown by her facial expressions and

how she doesn’t perhaps class herself as an icon and

more that she sees herself as someone who enjoys

doing music and likes getting recognised for it.

COMPARISON

The comparison between these two double page

spreads shows how double page 1 portrays Gaga in a

provocative and misunderstood manner however in

double page 2 it portrays Nicki Minaj in a reserved and

also misunderstood manner. This shows how different

publications can have the same portrayal of a celebrity

but have completely different methods of showing that

view. In double page 1 the typography used is formal

showing that the article is more for an older more

sophisticated audience but in double page 2 the

typography used is quite informal therefore the article is

aimed at a younger and more relateable audience.