Since her breakthrough multi-platinum hit “You’re the One”, Elaine has forged an enviable reputation for herself as a mood songstress. With her SAMA-nominated debut Elements and follow-up singles like “Right Now” and “Risky”, it’s clear why she has become the go-to shoulder to cry on for most after a breakup or as a source of comfort and much-needed closure. Her simple lyricism, sweet vocals, sharpened ear for composition, and talent capture at all times. And with story-filled and symbolic music videos, her music takes on a whole new meaning. For “Shine”, her latest offering, the Mzansi singer sticks to what she knows best, but in this video, she brings a couple of youthful frills along to balance out her old soul.
On the “Shine” visuals, starry skies and glittering ornaments and props are the showpieces, helping the Columbia Records signee convey the base message of the song on two different levels.
On the first level, we see the figurative sense. The ballad doyenne sings in various locations, but not without sparkles, whether from nature or the fingers of man. In the beginning half of the video, she sings to the backdrop of glittering shell curtains hanging down floor-to-ceiling windows; their twinkling gives off the feel of shining stars, almost like a thin slice of the clear, early evening sky. She also dons gilded wavy earrings and a breastplate-like top that ricochets the sun’s shine. Another scene sees her in a body-clutching mini dress and matching long gloves, both bespangled with flashy diamonds. Here, she sings to a pitch-black background with several fanning lights piercing the darkness, making Elaine the biggest shining star of the scene.
However, the song’s meaning isn’t lost in figurative translation – the second layer is even more delicious.
“I don’t wanna stop your shine / ‘cause I love it when you shine,” the singer croons as scenes of herself and her video hunk transition from place to place, all touchy-touchy and lovey-dovey but not smoochy-woochy. A disappointing anti-climax, I know. But Elaine’s always been a classy lady who knows the time and the place, so hey, anyway. In one striking scene, the couple is portrayed in a bedroom, sitting on a bed as a God ray fingers through the curtains to anoint the love birds with their shine. Poetic justice to the song’s title.
The visuals stay faithful to the “like the sun in the sky, and the moon at night” line, seeing Elaine’s silhouette sing the closing lyrics under flowing blue ribbons of lights in the sky like the Northern Lights.
By the end of the music video, one already has a sense of what “Shine” is trying to say – however one looks at it. All of these blend in the video to represent the beauty of love as being something inspiring and rejuvenating as those shiny things we find breathtaking whenever we look up: the stars. Isn’t that what love is about? Being star-struck. Feeling lucky to be under such a blessed sight. The visuals for “Shine” tell of that feeling best in a little over three minutes.
