Analysis of a postmodern text:Lady Gaga ft. Beyoncé- Telephone

Rianne Addo

Pastiche/Bricolage: Generic conventions of 1950s with cans used as hair rollers which imitates the 1950s period with big hair rollers in women’s hair. As coca cola was popular in the 1950s, the video manipulates that fact and uses coca cola cans instead of ordinary tin cans. It is also a bricolage as it mixes the stereotypical feminine hairstyle (hair rollers) with tough rock and roll clothing (spiked jacket).

Homage/Pastiche: Similar typography with titles of films in 1930s-1950s conventional Hollywood film.

Pastiche: This scene refers to Thelma and Louise, whereby they are ‘partners in crime’.

Homage/Pastiche: Imitated hairstyle from actresses in the golden age of Hollywood films.

Intertextuality and the blurring of boundaries/Bricolage: Opposing sides of beliefs come to play as Lady Gaga wears the hairband. This is evident as American views and ‘Hippies’ views were extremely different.

Direct Reference to Kill Bill Vol. 1 (2003): This scene refers to the ‘Pussy Wagon’ vehicle used in Kill Bill Vol. 1 (2003).