Compare and Contrast Two Music Videos

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Laura Price
Mrs. Barnes
ENG 1201
27 Sept. 2020
“Sweet Dreams” vs. “Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This)”
The original “Sweet Dreams” music video by Eurythmics was made in 1983 and the
cover video, “Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This)” by Marilyn Manson, was made in 1995. The
songs are similar because overall the song’s lyrics do not change, but the videos are drastically
different. The way each artist portrayed themselves in the music videos made the two versions of
the song have very different musical styles. The videos reflect each artist's chosen genre. From
afar these songs may seem the exact same, but if you take a closer look, you can spot several
differences.
This song’s main claim was that there are many types of dreams and many people chase
their dreams all over the world to satisfy those dreams. Even though the song doesn’t back up
this claim with any reasons or evidence, one can tell this is the claim because of the lyrics.
Overall “Sweet Dreams” doesn’t seem to have a clear type of appeal. The closest type would be
pathos just because it appeals to the public since everyone has dreams and aspirations. The target
audience could be anyone, in any age of life, race, socio-economic stance, or religion, who is
chasing their dreams.
One of the differences among the songs is the way the songs were produced. The lyrics in
both of the videos are identical, but each artist put their own twist on the way they sung the song.
The original artist, Eurythmics, made the song into a pop/rock genre, but the cover artist,
Marilyn Manson, changed the song's tone into an alternative/rock musical style. The way
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Manson sang the song majorly played into the category of music it fell under. He used the
traditional hard rock sound, the raspy voice and controlled screaming, while singing. Eurythmics,
trying to stick with the pop genre, sang very bright and preppy like.
Another difference between the two songs is the beat going on behind the lyrics. In
“Sweet Dreams” by Eurythmics, the sound consists of an upbeat rhythm made by different
instruments such as electric keyboard and synth. One can easily tell the difference in sound in
Marilyn Mason’s version, “Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This).” His remake had much more of a
hard rock vibe using distorted electric guitars, bass guitars, and drums. Though both songs have
their differences, each is executed nicely and well-liked by their fans.
The differences between the music videos themselves cannot be overlooked. The
Eurythmics video was set in a train car with the two band members sitting across from each
other. They began to sing their original version of the song, “Sweet Dreams,” while tapping the
seat to the beat. As the song progressed various scenery passed through the outside window of
the train car. Occasionally a close up video of the main singer's mouth could be seen in the
window as well. Overall this music video was very calm and didn’t have a lot going on. There
were no props that could be seen in the video and it only had one camera angle and background
the whole duration of the song.
The cover video by Marilyn Manson was set in an abandoned looking warehouse. There
were several people in view of the camera, all dressed in strange clothes and dramatized makeup.
Several camera angles and scenes from the warehouse could be seen during the song as the
people were running rampant through the halls. There were a few main props used in the video.
Two of the most notable being a pig that the main singer rode through the warehouse halls and a
light that he carried around and sung into like a microphone. Altogether this music video was
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wild and confusing. The artist made it into an experience that kept you wondering what was
happening and what was going to happen next.
Although both versions of the song “Sweet Dreams” and “Sweet Dreams (Are Made of
This)” have the same lyrics, you can see each artist's creative freedom shine through in the
production of the song and music video. Each singer brought their own flavor of musical style to
the song making each version special and different to the listeners. At a glance, one might
believe that these songs seem to resemble each other closely. However, upon further inspection,
the listener can see that both singers produced a unique version of a song with identical lyrics.
Generally speaking, no matter which song you listen to, you will be able to hear and enjoy the
music created by these extremely talented people.
Works Cited
“Sweet Dreams.” Performance by The Eurythmics, YouTube, 7 Apr. 2018,

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www.youtube.com/watch?v=NNJeKXr1I2w. Accessed 27 Sept. 2020.
“Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This).” Performance by Marilyn Manson, YouTube, 8 Oct. 2009,
www.youtube.com/watch?v=QUvVdTlA23w. Accessed 27 Sept. 2020.

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What are the main differences between the music videos for the two songs?

How do the musical styles of the two versions differ?

L.

“Sweet Dreams” vs. “Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This)”

chasing their dreams.

their differences, each is executed nicely and well-liked by their fans.

the whole duration of the song.

happening and what was going to happen next.

music created by these extremely talented people.

“Sweet Dreams.” Performance by The Eurythmics, YouTube, 7 Apr. 2018,

www.youtube.com/watch?v=NNJeKXr1I2w. Accessed 27 Sept. 2020.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=QUvVdTlA23w. Accessed 27 Sept. 2020.

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