Break My Stride by Cameron Byram - Grade 11 https://padlet.com/3325884/z9tp8md5her267as en-us 2020-10-13 01:11:31 UTC 2025-11-09 00:14:59 UTC hello@padlet.com Break My Stride(1983) 3325884 https://padlet.com/3325884/z9tp8md5her267as/wish/823286127 By: Matthew Wilder

]]> 2020-10-13 01:15:01 UTC https://padlet.com/3325884/z9tp8md5her267as/wish/823286127 Pathos 3325884 https://padlet.com/3325884/z9tp8md5her267as/wish/823290917 The dancers in the background are all upbeat and fast.  They appear happy to go along with the choreography they are given.  But this asks us to consider whether they are actually happy.  Their robotic appearance suggests that this is all just on the surface and that underneath they are dancing because they were told to dance.  In contrast, the artists begin in darkness, and, as the lights come up, they are shown as actually enjoying and embracing playing their part in the mixture that is the music.  This suggests that happiness does not come from going along with what the industry tells you to do, but does come with just being yourself and performing your art the way you want to perform it. While with lyrics like “Never let another girl like you work me over,  Never let another girl like you drag me under, If I meet another girl like you, I will tell her, Never want another girl like you, have to say, oh” he is making sure that its clear that he doesn't want to work with a company like them again.]]> 2020-10-13 01:17:21 UTC https://padlet.com/3325884/z9tp8md5her267as/wish/823290917 Ethos 3325884 https://padlet.com/3325884/z9tp8md5her267as/wish/823291342 The lyrics describe a person who is committed to his independent path and will not give in to the expectations that he sacrifices his independence in favor of conformity.  His independent art will overcome and succeed because the world will turn away from those who conform and recognize the value in his art.  The video begins with the artists in darkness and the conforming dancers in light.  All the activity is in the dancers and the music serves them.  This is the outcome that is bad.  By the end of the video, the dancers all freeze in the background, posing for an audience that no longer cares about them. The band plays on and finishes the song in the foreground and the audience cheers for them. The band’s commitment and fidelity to their independent artistic expression is rewarded with the praise of the worlds. While with lyrics like “Ain't nothin' gonna break-my stride, Nobody gonna slow me down” he is trying to show his credibility and determination to get on with his dream to make it a reality.]]> 2020-10-13 01:17:34 UTC https://padlet.com/3325884/z9tp8md5her267as/wish/823291342 Logos 3325884 https://padlet.com/3325884/z9tp8md5her267as/wish/823291815 This song is about the frustration of the artist in struggling to fit into the mold of the music business. He feels that the structure of what the music company wants from its artists holds back their ability to create art. The video adopts a clear separation between the dancers performing in the background and the artists performing in front. The dancers all their moves in choreographed synchronicity.  They perform rigidly, almost robotically according to what has been defined for them.  They all wear costumes that are coordinated and they all have similar body types and appearances.  In contrast, the artists all play their different instruments or sing as independent people blending their talents to make the true art – the music.  They dress as they each choose and the each have unique appearances.  The lighting shifts back and forth from moments where the artists are in the dark and the dancers are the focus of the camera to moments when the artists are brightly lit and the dangers in the background are out of focus or not visible. All of these visual ques present a clear separation between those who comply with the cookie-cutter expectations of the music industry and those who want the freedom to play their music uninhibited by those expectations. While in the lyrics it more simple and easier to analyze. With lyrics like “Ain't nothin' gonna break-a my stride” and “Nobody gonna slow me down” which both reference his determination to keep going and his reasoning behind his words.]]> 2020-10-13 01:17:47 UTC https://padlet.com/3325884/z9tp8md5her267as/wish/823291815 SOAP Stone 3325884 https://padlet.com/3325884/z9tp8md5her267as/wish/823292134 In the lyrics and video, the speaker is the main singer Matthew Wilder talking about leaving a woman behind him. The occasion behind this song is the relationship between Matthew and Clive Davis. Davis is his boss at the record company. The story behind this song is that Matthew’s songs weren't showing promise and opportunities for the record company and this song is Matthew’s last attempt for this company to see his talent.  The audience for this song is the Record company. The purpose is how Matthew told his record company that his dream was done being held back by them when they couldn’t see his talent. The subject is about not looking back and keep moving forward which works well with the tone of the song which is energetic and upbeat. ]]> 2020-10-13 01:17:56 UTC https://padlet.com/3325884/z9tp8md5her267as/wish/823292134 Citations 3325884 https://padlet.com/3325884/z9tp8md5her267as/wish/823370612 Songfacts. “Break My Stride by Matthew Wilder - Songfacts.” Song Meanings at Songfacts, www.songfacts.com/facts/matthew-wilder/break-my-stride. 
Wilder, Matthew. “MATTHEW WILDER – Break My Stride (Music Video)” YouTube, uploaded by Samuel Matthews, 12 Jan. 2014, www.youtube.com/watch?v=x4GZJIZRaAk 


]]> 2020-10-13 01:55:56 UTC https://padlet.com/3325884/z9tp8md5her267as/wish/823370612 Thesis 3325884 https://padlet.com/3325884/z9tp8md5her267as/wish/823383531 Matthew Wilder acting as the speaker attempts to tell his record label that he won't be held back or held down. They use the appeals of his past and his determination in the lyrics and the appeals of showing that he wants the freedom to write and perform without expectations from his record company in the video to get this message across. In analyzing the lyrics and video, it appears that their use of appeals is effective in convincing the record company because they end up dropping him soon after. ]]> 2020-10-13 02:02:46 UTC https://padlet.com/3325884/z9tp8md5her267as/wish/823383531 Lyrics 3325884 https://padlet.com/3325884/z9tp8md5her267as/wish/823391640 2020-10-13 02:07:23 UTC https://padlet.com/3325884/z9tp8md5her267as/wish/823391640