This is Cover Drive's first music video released in August 2011, Lick Ya Down (Bajan term to knock someone over). The costumes used in this video on Amanda is a white, tight tank top with tight patterned leggings, purple and orange, orange high heels, big curly hair and natural looking make-up. By wearing these clothes it reflects the genre of music, the Caribbean steel drums with the Bajan phrases in the lyrics. The video starts with the band arriving at a party and its night time, a lot of close ups and mid-shots are used at this point. As Amanda starts singing, the camera has close ups of her singing so we can see her singing along to the words and mid-shots to see her costume. The lighting used is dark with only a few spotlights on them with a orange tint, which again highlights the Caribbean style to it. There are some parts of the video where Amanda is standing and the mise-en-scene is just a patterned wall with the spotlight on her, the lighting here is also dark with a blue tinted spotlight with close-ups of her face showing her singing along with the lyrics. Amanda is then a dark room with other people in the mise-en-scene and there are low angle shots of her singing to the camera, fast paced movement to match the tempo of the music showing that they are in some sort of party, again highlighting the style of music. She seems to have quite an aggressive attitude whilst singing along the words, expressing the meaning behind the lyrics. Whilst the chorus is playing, the band appear in a room performing the song to a crowd, with the lyrics appearing on screen. Second verse starts and the lighting is slightly different here as there are different colours being used, in this scene there is a green, blue, orange and white lights, again reflecting the colourful Caribbean party scene. Throughout the video, the lyrics appear on screen, which are mainly the Bajan phrases such as the title 'lick ya down', 'mek you sweat' and 'cha dread', these emphasises the Caribbean genre to it. The last scene is the band by a pool and the people seen in the mise-en-scene are having fun, having a good time and jumping into the pool, which displays the music as the music is like a party anthem, fast paced and upbeat, making the audience want to join in. The video does not necessarily portray the lyrics in the narrative as we do not see a guy cheating on Amanda but it is shown through her use of body language and attitude whilst singing along the song, as well as the use of dark lighting and mise-en-scenes.
This is Cover Drive's second single, Twilight released in January 2012 reaching no.1 on the charts. In this video, Amanda is wearing a white, tight tank top and black tight trousers, very simple.
The establishing shot starts with a bright mise-en-scene with the sun in the background and close ups and mid shots of each band member, introducing each member to the audience. The band are together appearing in front of a patterned background (similar to Lick Ya Down) with low angle shots singing to the camera. Throughout the video, it shows each band member in a different area doing their own thing, for example the drummer T-Ray is at the barber shop, guitarist Barry is in the car, Amanda picking up food and Jamar playing dominos with elderly men and then they all come together. The cuts occur when the beats are heard, reflecting the music. Each shot that is being shown are all bright, with natural lighting from the sun as well as artificial lighting used by spotlights. There are various shots of young people dancing along to the music or standing still, this can show the audience the different ages of people who enjoy the song as there are shots of young children and then some of elderly people. When the chorus is playing, and the word 'Twilight' is heard, the camera tilts upwards towards the sky to show a twilight sky, portraying the title of the song. This video was shot in Miami, therefore the signs being shown are to show the area of Miami for example "Sopa de Gallina $5.00". Long/wide shots are used when there is a colourful image in the mise-en-scene of a stereo player, showing the art behind them and the bright blue sky, giving a feel-good vibe from this. Throughout the video there are people dancing of all ages, showing that this song is a dance style of song where everyone can enjoy. Towards the end of the video, there are many long shots of the band performing in a field with the sky in a twilight, again reflecting the title of the song. The video does not necessarily illustrate the lyrics in the narrative but the main title is shown through the sky itself being a twilight, the song overall is meant to give the audience a feel good experience and make them want to dance and have fun. This video has different conventions used in comparison to the first video, Lick Ya Down such as the tone of the song, this is more happy, which is shown clearly through the mise-en-scene with the sunny skies and people dancing throughout the video. Also by the fact that this video gives less of a Caribbean feel to it as the music is more pop than the Caribbean Soca music genre. However there are similarities between the videos such as the low angle shots of the band singing to the camera and the band performing the song.
This is Cover Drive's third single 'Sparks' released towards the end of April 2012. This video was filmed in their homeland of Barbados. In this video, Amanda is wearing a light brown dress, matching her skin tone when she is on her own singing to the camera, jeans and a tight small black top with her hair tied back in a fashionable way. Additionally, a long black dress and silver pants with a black top when performing.
The establishing shot starts with a fade-in transition starting with a close-up of Amanda singing along to the lyrics. Once T-Ray's part starts, the mise-en-scene changes to a bar and we see the band sitting together and then other men come along to sit with Amanda, showing Amanda is the centre of attention at this point. There are cuts that are following the beat of the music and we mainly see Amanda on her own and T-Ray on his own as they have the lead vocals in the song. The mise-en-scene changes from the dark bar, to the band standing outside in the sunshine of Barbados and they are all having a good time together, playing music. The sunshine is the main source of lighting here, highlighting the sunny island of Barbados. The clips of where they are altogether are slow paced to emphasise their time together and their happiness reflecting the message of the lyrics. The mise-en-scene changes again to the band performing with three girls on the side. This mise-en-scene is very different to the previous videos as it looks very homely to them and comfortable. Another change of location, the band driving in a car down the streets of Barbados with the beach in view in the mise-en-scene as well as them walking down the streets, showing the infrastructure like the buildings as these type of buildings are not seen in places like the UK and showing their culture. Towards the end, the band are performing on stage to an audience and T-Ray and Amanda are singing their duets together, which portray the lyrics. The Caribbean feel to this song is shown through the location of where the video is shot, which is in Barbados, in comparison to the previous two videos where the Caribbean feel in Twilight was mostly illustrated in the music, but more shown in the music and lyrics in Lick Ya Down.
They are now working on their 4th music video 'Explode'
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