Peter Neville

Eng 1201

Professor Vicki Stalbird

Feb 16, 2020

Comparing Videos Using Rhetoric Analysis

The two songs that I choose was Three Little Birds sung by Bob Marley, and then the

remake of the song performed by Maroon 5. The version performed by Bob Marley was released

in the late 1970s then in 2018 Maroon 5 released their version of the song. The original video

was very similar to the rendition of it, but they did have a few differences. To start they both

carried the same message just in different ways. The message was that everyone needed to calm

down and enjoy life because it’ll turn out alright.

In the version sung by Bob Marley the beat and feel of the song was very upbeat and

happy. This is different from the other video who a little more laid-back melody. This made a big

difference because it affected how the purpose of the song was portrayed. The 1970s one came

across very bright and motivational. The words encourage the listener to make it a great day. In

addition to this, another unique thing about the original was how it was filmed. It showed a

homeless girl whose day was brightened due to the song that came out of a TV she found. At the

start of the video she was very sad, but by the end she was energized and ready to embrace life.

The original had a much more loving feel as it showed the little girl how to best live life. The

reason this is such a difference is because in the Maroon 5 version, they use interpretive dancing

to carry across this feeling. The video opened with them all singing together; they then started to

dance, and it cut to different frames of each member dancing in the form of animated elements
such as water, earth, sand, etc. I believe that the dancing changes the message to make it a lot

broader. Instead of it being an inspiration carefree happiness feeling, it portrays a more mellow

be satisfied with your life vibe. This can also be seen in the beat. It’s not as energetic as the

original’s and is played with more of a modern feel. The effect of this more modern feel is

soothing that tells you to live your life happier.

Although both the songs are different, they share much more in common than they do

differences. For one, the lyrics were nearly identical. The rendition had only changed a few

words. This caused the theme of both the songs to be similar, but not identical. In addition to the

use of lyrics was the use of color within the videos. The original used color in contrast to a black

and white background to liven up the world. The remake used technology and different effects to

do the same thing. These effects, in both of the songs, combined with the lyrics worked to create

the overall mood. The claim, in both the songs, was effectively the same, which is that the world

needed to be happier. One of the biggest reasons these songs are so similar is due to how the

claim was being appealed. In both of the variations it used the pathos appeal. The songs did this

through its beat and fun lyrics. The listeners were convinced of the claim through the music and

this can definitely be seen in the music videos. In the original it showed the music as the source

of brightening up the girl's day and in the remake, it showed the music as the source for all of the

happy dancing. This is the pathos because the music isn’t using facts at all to convince the

listener to be happier. It uses a fun beat to play into their emotions. The last similarity was how

in both songs' audience was the same. The song was for the whole world to hear. It talked in

words of encouragement about how to be happier and not to worry about life as much. Even

though the audience was the same I feel like it was only well received towards those who enjoy

reggae music. In particular hippies and different counterculture groups.

 Overall, after analyzing both the 1970s original version of the song Three Little Birds,

sung by Bob Marley, and the remake they are very similar but a little different. They are similar

in the theme and message that they carry. The songs had the same claim which was to be happier

and more carefree. They are also alike in who their message is for and who it’s received by. The

main differences between the songs is how the claim was portrayed and feel of each song was

slightly different.

Works Cited

“Bob Marley - Three Little Birds [Official Music Video].” YouTube, YouTube,

www.youtube.com/watch?v=9qqDuEP4okw.

“Maroon 5 - Three Little Birds (Official Music Video).” YouTube, YouTube,

www.youtube.com/watch?v=9qqDuEP4okw.