What makes CRJ stand out from a lot of artists is how she manages to siphon and translate a feeling so huge into song form so well that it feels palpable through the music and you just can’t help but get sucked into it, Even if it just seem like basic pop songs talking about love, she has still been able to give nuanced exploration and paint a big picture about it, while also giving IMMACULATE production. I just hope a lot more people recognise her as more than the “Call Me Maybe” girl, but I believe she already has a long-lasting legacy because of EMOTION.
I’VE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS VIDEO FOR YEARS I stumbled on your original “Jepsen Pattern” essay back when it first came out. Had never listened to Carly Rae or heard the name Max Landis before then. By the time I finished reading your entire CRJ manifesto, I had also finished listening to her entire discography, and was a massive fan of both of yours. EMOTION is such a catchy record, but it definitely has a dark side. “Haunting” is the perfect word for it, even though most people don’t seem to pick up on it. And it’s still one of my fav albums, one i’d never have listened to if not for your site. So thank you
I'm already seeing deeply embarrassing comments saying "this is every love song, all pop artists do this." That essentially means someone didn't finish the video, and didn't try the homework. It's not that Carly sings about these things, it's that she sings about ONLY these things, with ONLY these words and images, across 17 years. Name another popstar and I'll name a type of song from their discography that Carly hasn't sung. That's all that means when you make a comment like that; it's like going to a screening of Terminator and yelling out "I BET MICHAEL BIEHN LIVES, THE HERO ALWAYS LIVES IN ACTION MOVIES" and then walking out. Yes, Taylor Swift has songs about crushes, escaping with someone, and being heartbroken. But Taylor Swift also has songs about feeling young, a song where she rewrites the ending of Romeo and Juliet, songs about feeling confident and bad ass, songs about foods with other women, a song about buying a house and its history, songs about haters, songs about break ups that broke her heart, songs about not giving a shit about a guy she broke up with, songs about wanting to date a toxic guy, songs about being toxic in relationships, songs about towns and cities, songs about other women and her friends, songs about reinventing herself to face an adversary, songs about how great she is, I could go on and on. Songs about being deeply in love and happy, songs about a tough time in a relationship she’s getting through, literally you can go on and on. This type of variation is common to most pop artists. Katy Perry and Rihanna, Ariana and pink all have songs about wildly diverse things. Ariana Grande literally has a song about getting fucked so hard that you walk funny. Carly Rae has songs about meeting someone and being excited about them, wanting to escape and be with someone but for some reason it isn’t working or there’s something in the way, and songs about being dumped but more explicitly being told that you are just a friend. By making this comparison, you are denying reality. You just look dumb to everyone who stayed to the end. I say that with love.
Time to explain to you somewhat why this occurs. Some of the other artists you mentioned... have more producers bring them songs. From my understand it's likely Jepsen has writing credits or reworks every song. I did a cursory glance and she has songwriter credits on like.. EVERYTHING. This isn't the normal pattern for other artists, who have songs that they've barely touched and were brought to them to be performed and fit into music but not the song written entirely or rewritten. I'd be willing to bet we could find patterns in some of the other artists you mentioned if we look at only songs they have writing credits for, people usually have things that captivate them. It might be a different pattern but I bet we could find some in others. Also, I agree with you that she definitely has a type of song she likes to write along certain themes!
@@Folsomdsf2 so true about the songwriters, but I always hesitate to speculate on Carly‘s psychology or reasoning because it feels inappropriate. pretty much any pop artist you name, I can name more than three stories they tell. Feel free to try. Some artist completely switch up what they sing about from album to album, most artists do. Carly never does ever.
@@Uptomyknees There's not much psychology to probably speculate on to be honest. Think of the content that you love to upload to youtube. It's all very similarly themed as is, it's just what captivates you to be honest. She's more left to her own devices than many other artists so it was obvious once you started pointing it out. I think it's just the type of stories she likes to see and write about. I love stories that center around good triumph over evil heroes journey. Black and white, when I DM D&D my stories revolve usually around that in some way and I don't try to hide it. It's what I like to write/storytell about. There's not much psychology invovled in it, I just like them!
@@Folsomdsf2 oh god I'm- no I'm TRIGGERED THE MOON DOES NOT FUCKING APPEAR IN 1/5 OF MY RUclips VIDEOS DAVE, WRESTLING ISN'T WRESTLING, THE SLAP AND THE VIDEO WHERE I EXPLAIN MY GHOSTBUSTERS PITCH HAVE ZERO IN COMMON OTHER THAN MY DUMB STUPID FACE
I’d also like to point out that in her current live concert tour, there is a giant talking moon as a major part of her act. It’s the same one on “The Lonliest Time” music video. But it’s a MASSIVE MOON THAT TALKS TO THE AUDIENCE.
I think I subconsciously recognized this frequent description within her songs of the relationship being a fantasy or wrong, and the preeminence of limerence, but I never realized just how deep this pattern and just how consistent she is in creating and using these themes in her storytelling. Thanks for opening my eyes, I can't unsee it now.
CRJ writes love the way gay teenage boys experience it, especially when in love with someone straight/questioning. Almost every gay has an Act II and Act I is every new crush on a nice straight guy with a girlfriend.
This made me so happy. I’ve been a huge fan of CRJ and I’ve always noticed patterns like this..but you just laid it all out so I don’t have to hurt my brain analyzing it in my head anymore. Thank you. It’s all so true.
Holy shit dude, I feel like Neo after he learned about The Matrix's existence. I put on "The Loneliest Time" and as soon as I noticed it, it was over for me. Now I feel inclined to listen to the rest of her discography. It's like an itch that I NEED to scratch. Fuck man, I hate you for sending me down this rabbit hole cause it's all I'm going to be thinking about whenever I listen to her songs now. Edit: The "Full Thesis" doc isn't allowing me access.
Welcome to the world of CRJ. I've actually discovered this when I did a side by side comparison of Emotions and Dedicated. Like, aim, shoot, fail/succeed; stages of dating/relationships. Personally, I can call her the "queen of hopeless romanticism but would taste it before dumping a guy" but that's just me. 😅
I think Bends might also be an exception, as it is about a family member passing. At first I thought it was about a breakup, but she confirmed in an interview that its about a family member passing away.
I'm curious to hear what you'd have to say about "it's not Christmas til somebody cries" lol This is a great essay! I've always thought Carly was just really unlucky in love so all of her songs were "hey i just met you and this is crazy" - "let's spend some time together" - "ok actually i have too many issues and i'm not a relationship person at all but i'll fantasize about you when i'm lonely cause that's what i'll ever be anyways". That's actually why I'm draw to her songs Edit: rephrase some
i just suddenly remembered of your theory today and went on to search for it after many years and i was so happily surprised that there's an updated video on this 😭
Max is too good at RUclips. It's a shame he doesn't go IN ON IT!! He could keep writing and working on features, but simultaneously transform the medium by bridging, and thus, narrowing the gap between the two.
I've always used this platform for my art and things I'm passionate about. It's an outlet for expression, not a money making venture. But I appreciate you!
@@Uptomyknees Unfortunately too many people do RUclips for money. It should have never been an option for people to make money off RUclips in the first place.
A large part of the pattern for is accounted for by CRJ's interest in tarot/astrology. I didn't notice it until the line in let's be friends, "So Take the Tarot Card." Then several pieces fell together. The reason why the moon pops up everywhere is because the Moon in Tarot is the card of both fantasy and illusion. It's why her music has such a dreamy quality, and she can never have what she desires, or never had what she thought. Most of her work is rooted in fantasy and illusion. The lights/streetlights references I'm pretty confident are calls to The Hermit card. The artwork on the card features a prominent lantern, and the idea behind the card is to go on a long, loneley journal by yourself. The cars are all references to The Chariot card; It's a card of progress, meaning that events are going to unfold forwards, but it's not a necessarily positive card like some might suggest. It just means things will keep moving. Even her meme identity as Queen of Swords folds into everything, the Queen of Swords is completely caught up in her own mind and ruled by thought. There's several other subtle references to tarot in her work, but these three really stand out and drive the story behind all three acts you describe. She's the queen of swords under the moon. Completely caught up in her thoughts, paralyzed by the fantasy and illusion of what she wants to feel. But, while she's stuck in the illusion, the chariot is still moving on without her, leaving her to be a hermit on a long journey by herself.=
As a Carly Rae Jepsen stan, your whole theory makes sense, after I revisited her old albums and songs, she really has these common themes and she never really strayed away too far, but at the same time, she keeps her sound fresh and also experimental for each album. Not sure how Carly is gonna react if she saw this video or your past videos lol
Your essay was written when her last album was emotions b side. Then Dedicated came and the name of the album alone gave me chills. Then the songs ......my god ...... Even lonliest time fits.
I read your thesis in 2017, and agreed 100% with it. When "Dedicated" was released, I looked for the pattern in "Everything He Needs", one of my favorite songs, and didn't find it. I thought "she's free." She wasn't.
You have turned me into a Jepsen fan. The closest I have ever got to this level of analysis for something similar is the UK girl band Girls Aloud. There are only 5-6 songs they have that I love, but are different to their usual songs and I spent way too long researching why those songs are different. First lyrically, emotional resonance and then exploring the song writers, etc. I even ended up doing a rant about it to friends. While you took it to a whole other level... I understand. I don't know why you got so much flack for your essay. You would think any artist would be grateful to have someone analyse and enjoy their work to this level.
Just to add something I haven't seen. Some people have pointed out that why CRJ's music resonates so hard with queer people is because of the impossible love having "the closet" or some other dissonance in sexuality being the bad thing or obstacle in love. All of that plus the analysis of her motifs made me think that at the end CRJ sings about how powerless she is in front of love and having a lover. She always delegates the decition making to the lover; she never drives the car, she's always asking and proposing. She treats love as something that has to be persuaded, baited and lead towards her, instead of feeling powerful enough to put her intentions on the table and demand a response or directly a curious or rather intimidated yes. The same way queer teenagers navigate love, specially in school and many gay adults do too for fear of rejection and put right trauma. I declare myself mind blown and a bigger fan of Carly
Dude, I haven't thought about you since you owned movie fights, like, forever ago...but I just had to look you up since I just listened to Carly's new album and I'm also low key fascinated (and obviously followed you down the rabbit hole a half decade ago). Just checking in to see if you're still going strong. Love it, man! Keep on keeping on! ...also, I'll be sure to check out more of your work that I've neglected the past few years. ;-)
I’d also argue that “Bends” is an outlier because its more about familial love (The lyrics are based on how Carly felt being unable to visit family and be there for the death of a family member because of the pandemic). Though, there are still a few subthemes present.
I'm pretty sure Making the Most of the Night is about friendship, not romantic love. Joshua Tree also doesn't fit, because it's about her escaping on her own. She never mentions the word "you" or "he" even once in the song. It's all "I".
I did that deep dive back when you launched the site, and agree that this isn't some case where you can "not believe" in the pattern. Like, if you look for it you immediately see it. It recontextualizes everything, and in my opinion just makes her even more compelling as an artist! Those horns at the beginning of Run Away With Me still haunt me.
I swear this was eye opening but in a fun away. Listening to Carly always felt relatable but also distant like I was missing a piece of a puzzle, but the fact her music is a continuous narrative of the same if not similar situation, make so much sense. Honestly this makes me appreciate and like her more.
This must be why CJR lyrics make me cry. I was in a relationship with a woman I loved very much but I had an estranged wife. It's the biggest mistake and the only regret of my entire life.
I've only ever listened to a Jepsen album 4 times - Emotion twice and B Side and Loneliest Time once each. And even I had already noticed the moon thing. Shame this only has 11K views - with as much as she's been talked about, all around the music world, I'm sure there's a lot more people who'd be interested in this.
this very theme she keeps singing about is such a familiar feeling to the queer experience. there’s a million ways to describe and it happens so often. the spark of hope you get when you have a crush who likes you back only to be gutted by the reality that they’re too scared to make a move. we have no other choice but to fantasize about it would be like if we were alone. i think this is why carly is such a gay icon bc she gets it! and she’s telling our story. i loved this video! thanks for the carly content
Great essay. Lunatic and lunacy ruled by the moon! Heathcliff, it's me, Let me in your window. Although climbing through the bedroom window always reminds me of Sam in Clarissa explains it all. She's found the winning formula I hope she never breaks it.
Okay, at this point the pattern itself is undeniable. Even if it’s not perfect, and a few songs address themes that break the mold in different ways, the vast majority stays in the pattern. I am now stuck wondering why. I have a theory. First, I’ll quickly address her past relationships. She has been in a handful of long term relationships over her career, one inspiring Call Me Maybe. Though we don’t know the specifics. EXCEPT for with the song Beach House. In a piece in Nylon Magazine she describes a situation identical to the Jepson pattern happening, and it inspiring the song. CJR is a fantastic pop artist, perhaps the best of our time. Pop songs are mainly about relationships. She specifically avoids writing cliché love songs. So, pulling from real life events and her aim to write elevated pop, she writes about the complex situations in the patterns. Situations that twist the narrative, and this has been both artistically and emotionally fulfilling enough to continue doing. The leitmotifs and imagery are different though, as the repetition in itself obfuscates her blending of the themes in service of telling unique not-so-love stories. It makes me question if the cars, moon, lights, etc. are in fact deeply personal symbols from a fundamental relationship before her career started. As a writer, I see important imagery sneak in often. You have a toolbox, and you have the reliable things you pull out to express something. It’s the amount of use that leaves me questioning. She’s a pop writing genius, with the ability to craft such visceral short pop songs that one can expound a multitude of diametrically opposed themes from within them. Why keep the imagery stagnant? I’m gonna try to watch interviews and see if I can find anything about the imagery specifically. I’m going to be thinking about this for awhile, fantastic video.
@@Uptomyknees I feel like for what you are attempting to do, creating a pattern within the work, any sort of context from the author would cloud the process. However, now that it is clearly stated and backed up, I’m interested in looking towards her process as to explain how this came about. It’s a secondary analysis working off of this groundwork
The 149 pages doc paints a compelling story and touches on what probably really went down (as the Pattern appears on her first EP...) - but you can almost hear Max stopping himself before he crosses that last mile of putting it all together.
@@Uptomyknees she never really gives many interviews. Besides the ones that I have watched have her only talking about her writing and production process. What I found incredibly sursprising is that she’s very sweet and kind and humble. She doesn’t seem like the type to hold grudges or think ill about others. So it kinda took me aback when she sings about cheating or wanting the guy all to herself and that she can save them. Obviously music is a hyperbole but still.
Look, I highly disagree with you. Firstly I love how carly mixes up the core themes and leitmotifs randomly. This permutation and combination leads to vastly different songs ranging from different emotions. Secondly we agree that she is a great songwriter and to be great at something one has gotta be true to oneself. Our likes and dislikes, instincts, etc almost stay the same throughout our lives. Unless one has a a really life changing experience one can’t really change that much. Looking at Carly she has a pretty stable constant life. So naturally her temperament, the type of relationship she wants, the kind of guys are gonna be the same as well. The dynamic that she wants to have is gonna be the same too. She herself has said that she mostly gets into relationships with writers or producers. Almost all of her songs are about her chasing or wanting those specific guys. She never desires to be chased after which is very different from the teeny pop music. She is just indifferent to guys who like her as in THE ONE. Thirdly, her level of fame has been constant throughout her life. She’s not mainstream like Taylor or Nicky Minaj, etc wherein her ENTIRE LIFE is changed because of being famous. She’s more or less the same before her fame except that she richer now but not crazy level. So her life and thereby her experiences are gonna be the same. That’s why we don’t really see a vastly huge difference in almost two decades of her career. We don’t get songs about her feuding, falling out with friends, etc. she isn’t gay or bi so there is no scope to write about those coming out difficulties. She hasn’t had a poor or traumatic childhood, fked up family dynamics so that checks out. She doesn’t suffer from any addiction or health issues afaik so that checks out too. All this is evident in her Zack sang interview and just knowing about her in general) so there really isn’t much to write about except her love life. Also she has said that writing for her is therapeutic. It’s an outlet for her ruminating thoughts. She writes excessively. So if her life hasn’t changed then why would her emotions, the thoughts that she gets or her coping mechanism change ? Why would the way that she CHOOSES to look at things change ? Does she even want that to change ?? She’s incredibly possessive about her songwriting- almost like it’s her baby so I doubt she even thinks about changing stuff up just so she could be different.
Another fun fact: There is a great scene in Curb where Larry does the "we will be friends, let's have lunch together! Every day!" routine like Max does here. Where he pretends to be mentally handicapped to scare a potential tenant away. (They did it in Idiots by Lars von Trier, too.)
It’s like Daniel Johnston forever writing songs about his high school crush. I really hope Carly is okay and not traumatized by this one experience all of her songs seem to be about.
….wow I guess I am now a Carly Rae Jepson fan! This was an epic video, I still think your trailer for the essay is one of your best short videos, the music, the acting, the tone!!
Another another fun fact: There is a great book by Kurt Kreiler (Anonymous Shake-Speare) where he proves through textual analysis (much like Max here) that Edward de Vere is Shakespeare.
Do you think if Carly found one of your things on the Pattern she'd be relieved that finally someone gets it, feel embarrassed and called out and immediately do something to break the pattern, or just kind of weirded out? And how would you feel if someone told you Carly had seen it?
@@UptomykneesVery interesting! And since she's still releasing pattern songs, there is actually a universe where it is all an intentional art piece and you're the one who discovered it. That would be pretty cool.
Also its interesting that on Dedicated Side B she has two songs that have the exact same lyrics but a different melody. Also Supernatural is a song that actually talks about a love that must be supernatural cause its an easy love and they fit so well together. Also it's interesting that she says I'll believe in you every night in Surrender My Heart cause in Supernatural she says you gotta believe in me.
I love this energy, Max. I wish I could understand it at all. She enjoys the melodrama of anxiety, longing, and tragedy. How's that different from 28 years of *The Moonlight Greatsword.* ...uh oh.
carly being driven around is not just an accidental leitmotif, she actually confirmed in an interview that she literally cannot drive herself anywhere LMFAOO
So technically the overarching narrative...you cant depend on someone else to make you feel better ,you have to love yourself first ....the validation,the conduit
Never listen to CRJ, but I love the weird Superman videos. Watched you all the way through. Smashed the Like button. Forwarded this to my daughters. They'll let me know if your CRJ take is legit or if you're tripping;) Appreciate you Max!
I noticed this with Emotion Side B when I was sad after person I liked not working out. I played it over like crazy. But I didn’t notice it with the rest of her discography
I loved The Loneliest Time and immediately wondered what your take on it was. Haha. I think The Gays™️ love her because she’s emotionally stunted from something in her childhood/teenage years
I really wanted you to make a reaction/review while listening to the songs and then analyse each album and what act is it. Please I beg you. Liked and Subscribed.
Any chance these are metaphors... like for drugs or something? In a bad place, yearning to escape, forbidden cope, getting high, then crashing. Moon... tunnel vision? Just trying to make this more fun; Never researched the lyrics.
I was going to give you shit over the Danny Glover/Driving Miss Daisy reference, but I guess I have to spend less time listening to CRJ, and more time watching Mos Def movies. 🤷♂️
What makes CRJ stand out from a lot of artists is how she manages to siphon and translate a feeling so huge into song form so well that it feels palpable through the music and you just can’t help but get sucked into it, Even if it just seem like basic pop songs talking about love, she has still been able to give nuanced exploration and paint a big picture about it, while also giving IMMACULATE production. I just hope a lot more people recognise her as more than the “Call Me Maybe” girl, but I believe she already has a long-lasting legacy because of EMOTION.
THIS! You took the words right outta my mouth
Her song “Too Much.” JEEZ is that song and feeling relatable.
I’VE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS VIDEO FOR YEARS
I stumbled on your original “Jepsen Pattern” essay back when it first came out. Had never listened to Carly Rae or heard the name Max Landis before then. By the time I finished reading your entire CRJ manifesto, I had also finished listening to her entire discography, and was a massive fan of both of yours.
EMOTION is such a catchy record, but it definitely has a dark side. “Haunting” is the perfect word for it, even though most people don’t seem to pick up on it. And it’s still one of my fav albums, one i’d never have listened to if not for your site. So thank you
Why do you say it’s haunting ??
Your original essay got me into Carly, which ultimately domino'ed into me appreciating a lot of other music so thanks for that.
I'm already seeing deeply embarrassing comments saying "this is every love song, all pop artists do this." That essentially means someone didn't finish the video, and didn't try the homework. It's not that Carly sings about these things, it's that she sings about ONLY these things, with ONLY these words and images, across 17 years. Name another popstar and I'll name a type of song from their discography that Carly hasn't sung. That's all that means when you make a comment like that; it's like going to a screening of Terminator and yelling out "I BET MICHAEL BIEHN LIVES, THE HERO ALWAYS LIVES IN ACTION MOVIES" and then walking out.
Yes, Taylor Swift has songs about crushes, escaping with someone, and being heartbroken.
But Taylor Swift also has songs about feeling young, a song where she rewrites the ending of Romeo and Juliet, songs about feeling confident and bad ass, songs about foods with other women, a song about buying a house and its history, songs about haters, songs about break ups that broke her heart, songs about not giving a shit about a guy she broke up with, songs about wanting to date a toxic guy, songs about being toxic in relationships, songs about towns and cities, songs about other women and her friends, songs about reinventing herself to face an adversary, songs about how great she is, I could go on and on. Songs about being deeply in love and happy, songs about a tough time in a relationship she’s getting through, literally you can go on and on.
This type of variation is common to most pop artists. Katy Perry and Rihanna, Ariana and pink all have songs about wildly diverse things. Ariana Grande literally has a song about getting fucked so hard that you walk funny.
Carly Rae has songs about meeting someone and being excited about them, wanting to escape and be with someone but for some reason it isn’t working or there’s something in the way, and songs about being dumped but more explicitly being told that you are just a friend.
By making this comparison, you are denying reality.
You just look dumb to everyone who stayed to the end. I say that with love.
Time to explain to you somewhat why this occurs. Some of the other artists you mentioned... have more producers bring them songs. From my understand it's likely Jepsen has writing credits or reworks every song. I did a cursory glance and she has songwriter credits on like.. EVERYTHING. This isn't the normal pattern for other artists, who have songs that they've barely touched and were brought to them to be performed and fit into music but not the song written entirely or rewritten. I'd be willing to bet we could find patterns in some of the other artists you mentioned if we look at only songs they have writing credits for, people usually have things that captivate them. It might be a different pattern but I bet we could find some in others.
Also, I agree with you that she definitely has a type of song she likes to write along certain themes!
Bro, this diatribe though.
@@Folsomdsf2 so true about the songwriters, but I always hesitate to speculate on Carly‘s psychology or reasoning because it feels inappropriate.
pretty much any pop artist you name, I can name more than three stories they tell. Feel free to try. Some artist completely switch up what they sing about from album to album, most artists do. Carly never does ever.
@@Uptomyknees There's not much psychology to probably speculate on to be honest. Think of the content that you love to upload to youtube. It's all very similarly themed as is, it's just what captivates you to be honest. She's more left to her own devices than many other artists so it was obvious once you started pointing it out. I think it's just the type of stories she likes to see and write about.
I love stories that center around good triumph over evil heroes journey. Black and white, when I DM D&D my stories revolve usually around that in some way and I don't try to hide it. It's what I like to write/storytell about. There's not much psychology invovled in it, I just like them!
@@Folsomdsf2 oh god I'm- no I'm TRIGGERED THE MOON DOES NOT FUCKING APPEAR IN 1/5 OF MY RUclips VIDEOS DAVE, WRESTLING ISN'T WRESTLING, THE SLAP AND THE VIDEO WHERE I EXPLAIN MY GHOSTBUSTERS PITCH HAVE ZERO IN COMMON OTHER THAN MY DUMB STUPID FACE
I’d also like to point out that in her current live concert tour, there is a giant talking moon as a major part of her act. It’s the same one on “The Lonliest Time” music video. But it’s a MASSIVE MOON THAT TALKS TO THE AUDIENCE.
That was my first thought too when he mentioned the moon.
Her latest Spotify playlist cover. Lmao. Whenever someone says moon I immediately think of CRJ.
After reading the doc, I have no idea how someone could read this and NOT think you were a fan of Carly Rae Jepsen.
Max this shit is so insane I love it
oh shit he loved my comment, keep making bangers like Chronicle and Hellbound
👌
Also did you see The Loneliest Time music video. All of these themes. She wakes up from a bad dream and stares out the window. There’s a talking moon.
She's got a point, she's an icon, she's a legend and she is the moment
I think I subconsciously recognized this frequent description within her songs of the relationship being a fantasy or wrong, and the preeminence of limerence, but I never realized just how deep this pattern and just how consistent she is in creating and using these themes in her storytelling. Thanks for opening my eyes, I can't unsee it now.
So... That's how I join a cult.
IT BEGINS WITH GOING TO NERFWARS IN THE PARK WITH YOUR FRIENDS AND IT ENDS WHEN YOU BECOME JEPSEN/SUPERMAN GUY
THE DARK PASSAGE
@@Uptomyknees my last religion was Meghan Trainor / Challengers of the Unknown based. This feels like a HUGE step up.
CRJ writes love the way gay teenage boys experience it, especially when in love with someone straight/questioning. Almost every gay has an Act II and Act I is every new crush on a nice straight guy with a girlfriend.
This made me so happy. I’ve been a huge fan of CRJ and I’ve always noticed patterns like this..but you just laid it all out so I don’t have to hurt my brain analyzing it in my head anymore. Thank you. It’s all so true.
Holy shit dude, I feel like Neo after he learned about The Matrix's existence. I put on "The Loneliest Time" and as soon as I noticed it, it was over for me. Now I feel inclined to listen to the rest of her discography. It's like an itch that I NEED to scratch. Fuck man, I hate you for sending me down this rabbit hole cause it's all I'm going to be thinking about whenever I listen to her songs now.
Edit: The "Full Thesis" doc isn't allowing me access.
fixed!
PLEASE DO! Aside from feeding your Curiosity (ahem, a CRJ song), you also get to appreciate Carly's artistry. She IS underrated.
Welcome to the world of CRJ. I've actually discovered this when I did a side by side comparison of Emotions and Dedicated. Like, aim, shoot, fail/succeed; stages of dating/relationships. Personally, I can call her the "queen of hopeless romanticism but would taste it before dumping a guy" but that's just me. 😅
I think Bends might also be an exception, as it is about a family member passing. At first I thought it was about a breakup, but she confirmed in an interview that its about a family member passing away.
I'm curious to hear what you'd have to say about "it's not Christmas til somebody cries" lol
This is a great essay! I've always thought Carly was just really unlucky in love so all of her songs were "hey i just met you and this is crazy" - "let's spend some time together" - "ok actually i have too many issues and i'm not a relationship person at all but i'll fantasize about you when i'm lonely cause that's what i'll ever be anyways". That's actually why I'm draw to her songs
Edit: rephrase some
i just suddenly remembered of your theory today and went on to search for it after many years and i was so happily surprised that there's an updated video on this 😭
about to get even better
Max is too good at RUclips. It's a shame he doesn't go IN ON IT!! He could keep writing and working on features, but simultaneously transform the medium by bridging, and thus, narrowing the gap between the two.
I've always used this platform for my art and things I'm passionate about. It's an outlet for expression, not a money making venture. But I appreciate you!
@@Uptomyknees
Unfortunately too many people do RUclips for money. It should have never been an option for people to make money off RUclips in the first place.
A large part of the pattern for is accounted for by CRJ's interest in tarot/astrology. I didn't notice it until the line in let's be friends, "So Take the Tarot Card." Then several pieces fell together. The reason why the moon pops up everywhere is because the Moon in Tarot is the card of both fantasy and illusion. It's why her music has such a dreamy quality, and she can never have what she desires, or never had what she thought. Most of her work is rooted in fantasy and illusion. The lights/streetlights references I'm pretty confident are calls to The Hermit card. The artwork on the card features a prominent lantern, and the idea behind the card is to go on a long, loneley journal by yourself. The cars are all references to The Chariot card; It's a card of progress, meaning that events are going to unfold forwards, but it's not a necessarily positive card like some might suggest. It just means things will keep moving. Even her meme identity as Queen of Swords folds into everything, the Queen of Swords is completely caught up in her own mind and ruled by thought.
There's several other subtle references to tarot in her work, but these three really stand out and drive the story behind all three acts you describe. She's the queen of swords under the moon. Completely caught up in her thoughts, paralyzed by the fantasy and illusion of what she wants to feel. But, while she's stuck in the illusion, the chariot is still moving on without her, leaving her to be a hermit on a long journey by herself.=
So basically she sings my life. Great. That’s why I love her music so much
Well yeah, she invented windows and moons. As an inventor she's constantly refining her inventions, that's why moons and windows come up so often
It’s like you took the words out of my mouth. She really is the Kween of Unrequited Love and Kween of Yearning.
I can’t believe I’ve never said this out loud in the last 5 years, but Max, you are right about Carly Rae Jepsen.
i can finally delete youtube
As a Carly Rae Jepsen stan, your whole theory makes sense, after I revisited her old albums and songs, she really has these common themes and she never really strayed away too far, but at the same time, she keeps her sound fresh and also experimental for each album. Not sure how Carly is gonna react if she saw this video or your past videos lol
Your essay was written when her last album was emotions b side. Then Dedicated came and the name of the album alone gave me chills. Then the songs ......my god ...... Even lonliest time fits.
I love that this is a thing someone’s done and that I can’t escape hearing it either.
Thank you for your hard work.😁
Ever since I read the essay I've been talking about the pattern as an conversation ice breaker. This video is awesome.
Thanks Max. I now feel called out by Carly Rae Jepsen songs that I've never heard. 👍🏼
I read your thesis in 2017, and agreed 100% with it. When "Dedicated" was released, I looked for the pattern in "Everything He Needs", one of my favorite songs, and didn't find it. I thought "she's free." She wasn't.
"Hey, Landis. Why are there copies of the style section all over the floor?"
You have turned me into a Jepsen fan.
The closest I have ever got to this level of analysis for something similar is the UK girl band Girls Aloud. There are only 5-6 songs they have that I love, but are different to their usual songs and I spent way too long researching why those songs are different. First lyrically, emotional resonance and then exploring the song writers, etc. I even ended up doing a rant about it to friends.
While you took it to a whole other level... I understand.
I don't know why you got so much flack for your essay. You would think any artist would be grateful to have someone analyse and enjoy their work to this level.
Just to add something I haven't seen.
Some people have pointed out that why CRJ's music resonates so hard with queer people is because of the impossible love having "the closet" or some other dissonance in sexuality being the bad thing or obstacle in love. All of that plus the analysis of her motifs made me think that at the end CRJ sings about how powerless she is in front of love and having a lover. She always delegates the decition making to the lover; she never drives the car, she's always asking and proposing. She treats love as something that has to be persuaded, baited and lead towards her, instead of feeling powerful enough to put her intentions on the table and demand a response or directly a curious or rather intimidated yes.
The same way queer teenagers navigate love, specially in school and many gay adults do too for fear of rejection and put right trauma.
I declare myself mind blown and a bigger fan of Carly
well put!
Dude, I haven't thought about you since you owned movie fights, like, forever ago...but I just had to look you up since I just listened to Carly's new album and I'm also low key fascinated (and obviously followed you down the rabbit hole a half decade ago). Just checking in to see if you're still going strong. Love it, man! Keep on keeping on!
...also, I'll be sure to check out more of your work that I've neglected the past few years. ;-)
go watch The Deposition of Barry Allen and see what you think! Glad to have you here!
She did my favorite cover of 'Part of Your World'! Which was ... Yeah a song about wanting someone who doesn't notice you 😂😂
I’d also argue that “Bends” is an outlier because its more about familial love (The lyrics are based on how Carly felt being unable to visit family and be there for the death of a family member because of the pandemic). Though, there are still a few subthemes present.
I think this might be the one true exception as it is purely about the passing of a family member (she confirmed it in an interview)
I'm pretty sure Making the Most of the Night is about friendship, not romantic love.
Joshua Tree also doesn't fit, because it's about her escaping on her own. She never mentions the word "you" or "he" even once in the song. It's all "I".
you are ignorant - she literally says dream and moon on joshua tree
I did that deep dive back when you launched the site, and agree that this isn't some case where you can "not believe" in the pattern. Like, if you look for it you immediately see it. It recontextualizes everything, and in my opinion just makes her even more compelling as an artist! Those horns at the beginning of Run Away With Me still haunt me.
I’ve been singing that “I’ve got a lake house in Canada, and I’m probably gonna harvest your organs” song all week.
Story of every grindr fears and I'm shocked backlash hasn't happened due to a Netflix show
Great change of pace from the Epic your putting together. Love the deep dive into an artist theme's in her songs. Thank you
I think leitmotifs are specifically recurring melodies. Recurring themes are just regular motifs.
I swear this was eye opening but in a fun away. Listening to Carly always felt relatable but also distant like I was missing a piece of a puzzle, but the fact her music is a continuous narrative of the same if not similar situation, make so much sense. Honestly this makes me appreciate and like her more.
This must be why CJR lyrics make me cry. I was in a relationship with a woman I loved very much but I had an estranged wife. It's the biggest mistake and the only regret of my entire life.
I've only ever listened to a Jepsen album 4 times - Emotion twice and B Side and Loneliest Time once each. And even I had already noticed the moon thing.
Shame this only has 11K views - with as much as she's been talked about, all around the music world, I'm sure there's a lot more people who'd be interested in this.
this very theme she keeps singing about is such a familiar feeling to the queer experience. there’s a million ways to describe and it happens so often. the spark of hope you get when you have a crush who likes you back only to be gutted by the reality that they’re too scared to make a move. we have no other choice but to fantasize about it would be like if we were alone. i think this is why carly is such a gay icon bc she gets it! and she’s telling our story. i loved this video! thanks for the carly content
I spent this whole video trying to work out if this is a stealth ARG
Great essay. Lunatic and lunacy ruled by the moon! Heathcliff, it's me,
Let me in your window. Although climbing through the bedroom window always reminds me of Sam in Clarissa explains it all. She's found the winning formula I hope she never breaks it.
I don't have anything to add, but I'm leaving a comment so the algorithm can show this mind-blowing theory to more people!
MORE PLEASE
"Carly why is it always complicated?" She's a Scorpio sun pisces moon... That's why it's always complicated!
- Scorpio sun, pisces moon
Okay, at this point the pattern itself is undeniable. Even if it’s not perfect, and a few songs address themes that break the mold in different ways, the vast majority stays in the pattern. I am now stuck wondering why. I have a theory.
First, I’ll quickly address her past relationships. She has been in a handful of long term relationships over her career, one inspiring Call Me Maybe. Though we don’t know the specifics. EXCEPT for with the song Beach House. In a piece in Nylon Magazine she describes a situation identical to the Jepson pattern happening, and it inspiring the song.
CJR is a fantastic pop artist, perhaps the best of our time. Pop songs are mainly about relationships. She specifically avoids writing cliché love songs. So, pulling from real life events and her aim to write elevated pop, she writes about the complex situations in the patterns. Situations that twist the narrative, and this has been both artistically and emotionally fulfilling enough to continue doing.
The leitmotifs and imagery are different though, as the repetition in itself obfuscates her blending of the themes in service of telling unique not-so-love stories. It makes me question if the cars, moon, lights, etc. are in fact deeply personal symbols from a fundamental relationship before her career started. As a writer, I see important imagery sneak in often. You have a toolbox, and you have the reliable things you pull out to express something.
It’s the amount of use that leaves me questioning. She’s a pop writing genius, with the ability to craft such visceral short pop songs that one can expound a multitude of diametrically opposed themes from within them. Why keep the imagery stagnant? I’m gonna try to watch interviews and see if I can find anything about the imagery specifically.
I’m going to be thinking about this for awhile, fantastic video.
This is interesting, is now a weird time to admit I’ve never watched an interview with Carly Rae Jepsen?
@@Uptomyknees I feel like for what you are attempting to do, creating a pattern within the work, any sort of context from the author would cloud the process. However, now that it is clearly stated and backed up, I’m interested in looking towards her process as to explain how this came about. It’s a secondary analysis working off of this groundwork
The 149 pages doc paints a compelling story and touches on what probably really went down (as the Pattern appears on her first EP...) - but you can almost hear Max stopping himself before he crosses that last mile of putting it all together.
@@Uptomyknees she never really gives many interviews. Besides the ones that I have watched have her only talking about her writing and production process.
What I found incredibly sursprising is that she’s very sweet and kind and humble. She doesn’t seem like the type to hold grudges or think ill about others. So it kinda took me aback when she sings about cheating or wanting the guy all to herself and that she can save them. Obviously music is a hyperbole but still.
Look, I highly disagree with you.
Firstly I love how carly mixes up the core themes and leitmotifs randomly. This permutation and combination leads to vastly different songs ranging from different emotions.
Secondly we agree that she is a great songwriter and to be great at something one has gotta be true to oneself. Our likes and dislikes, instincts, etc almost stay the same throughout our lives. Unless one has a a really life changing experience one can’t really change that much. Looking at Carly she has a pretty stable constant life. So naturally her temperament, the type of relationship she wants, the kind of guys are gonna be the same as well. The dynamic that she wants to have is gonna be the same too. She herself has said that she mostly gets into relationships with writers or producers. Almost all of her songs are about her chasing or wanting those specific guys. She never desires to be chased after which is very different from the teeny pop music. She is just indifferent to guys who like her as in THE ONE.
Thirdly, her level of fame has been constant throughout her life. She’s not mainstream like Taylor or Nicky Minaj, etc wherein her ENTIRE LIFE is changed because of being famous. She’s more or less the same before her fame except that she richer now but not crazy level. So her life and thereby her experiences are gonna be the same. That’s why we don’t really see a vastly huge difference in almost two decades of her career. We don’t get songs about her feuding, falling out with friends, etc. she isn’t gay or bi so there is no scope to write about those coming out difficulties. She hasn’t had a poor or traumatic childhood, fked up family dynamics so that checks out. She doesn’t suffer from any addiction or health issues afaik so that checks out too. All this is evident in her Zack sang interview and just knowing about her in general) so there really isn’t much to write about except her love life. Also she has said that writing for her is therapeutic. It’s an outlet for her ruminating thoughts. She writes excessively. So if her life hasn’t changed then why would her emotions, the thoughts that she gets or her coping mechanism change ? Why would the way that she CHOOSES to look at things change ? Does she even want that to change ?? She’s incredibly possessive about her songwriting- almost like it’s her baby so I doubt she even thinks about changing stuff up just so she could be different.
I would like to see a full video of Lex Luthor reacting to the Jepsen pattern as presented by Edward Nigma
And in that universe, Lex Luthor would probably be the guy Carly sings about.
Another fun fact: There is a great scene in Curb where Larry does the "we will be friends, let's have lunch together! Every day!" routine like Max does here. Where he pretends to be mentally handicapped to scare a potential tenant away. (They did it in Idiots by Lars von Trier, too.)
It’s like Daniel Johnston forever writing songs about his high school crush. I really hope Carly is okay and not traumatized by this one experience all of her songs seem to be about.
This dropped during my work shift I need to enjoy this when I get home
….wow I guess I am now a Carly Rae Jepson fan! This was an epic video, I still think your trailer for the essay is one of your best short videos, the music, the acting, the tone!!
Another another fun fact: There is a great book by Kurt Kreiler (Anonymous Shake-Speare) where he proves through textual analysis (much like Max here) that Edward de Vere is Shakespeare.
Using 'Man on the Run' in the outro feels like a subtle flex
Do you think if Carly found one of your things on the Pattern she'd be relieved that finally someone gets it, feel embarrassed and called out and immediately do something to break the pattern, or just kind of weirded out? And how would you feel if someone told you Carly had seen it?
Someone has told me that Carly has seen the original. I have no idea if they were being honest or what her reaction was.
@@UptomykneesVery interesting! And since she's still releasing pattern songs, there is actually a universe where it is all an intentional art piece and you're the one who discovered it. That would be pretty cool.
I wish Carly to be happy... but I won't do that. We can be friends.
Can’t wait to see your reaction to her most recent album The Loveliest Time. Fantastic. Experimental groovy joy!
Also its interesting that on Dedicated Side B she has two songs that have the exact same lyrics but a different melody. Also Supernatural is a song that actually talks about a love that must be supernatural cause its an easy love and they fit so well together. Also it's interesting that she says I'll believe in you every night in Surrender My Heart cause in Supernatural she says you gotta believe in me.
what songs?
@@mariof3780 felt this way and stay away
I love this energy, Max. I wish I could understand it at all.
She enjoys the melodrama of anxiety, longing, and tragedy. How's that different from 28 years of *The Moonlight Greatsword.*
...uh oh.
Fun fact: There is an episode in Castle where they solve the murder by analyzing the lyrics of a song.
PLAYLISTS FOR EACH ACT PLEASE!?!?
carly being driven around is not just an accidental leitmotif, she actually confirmed in an interview that she literally cannot drive herself anywhere LMFAOO
I really enjoyed the manifesto that you've written! 😍
This video made double my psych meds
I think I've heard about 2 Carly Rae Jepson songs in my entire life, but this was pretty haunting. That poor girl.
So technically the overarching narrative...you cant depend on someone else to make you feel better ,you have to love yourself first ....the validation,the conduit
Never listen to CRJ, but I love the weird Superman videos. Watched you all the way through. Smashed the Like button. Forwarded this to my daughters. They'll let me know if your CRJ take is legit or if you're tripping;) Appreciate you Max!
So what did they say? I'm actually curious
I hate you because now I have to listen CRJ's entire discography
Lucky guy
NO WONDER WHY SHE'S SO RELATABLE TO ME
Dan Brown is furiously scribbling down notes for his next novel.
This is so fascinating I didn't even care about leitmotif being pronounced wrong.
You know what you must do Max... You need to write a Carly Rae Jepsen song. Alternatively you write a biography just based on the songs
I noticed this with Emotion Side B when I was sad after person I liked not working out. I played it over like crazy. But I didn’t notice it with the rest of her discography
I loved The Loneliest Time and immediately wondered what your take on it was. Haha. I think The Gays™️ love her because she’s emotionally stunted from something in her childhood/teenage years
Here's a like, here's a view, not convinced listening to any of her songs is worth my time though XD
Don’t be a coward
High qaulity video. I miss 2010 max landis. My sweet boy, keep pushing content.
...who even was 2010 max landis did you even know him?
@@UptomykneesYou gave me the 2nd best Superman comic of all time. You're an All-Star Superman.
This was amazing. Thank you for making this. I'm such a huge fan of hers. :)
So early that there's no audio. _Noice._
Caffeinated pure-O paranoid sweats. Like a teenage first watching of Blue Velvet. That's how good this is
Hey max what are your thoughts on Black Adam and Henry Cavill returning to the DCEU to play Superman?
we are very curious about this
Wait, I believe this... so we're friends now? Rad!
Didn't she cover Joni Mitchell's Both Sides Now? That's one of music history's God-tier third act songs.
Yes.
anxious-preoccupied, man...
I really wanted you to make a reaction/review while listening to the songs and then analyse each album and what act is it. Please I beg you. Liked and Subscribed.
Someone sold my history and now she's singing it in every song😅
So this is why I listen to a lot of CRJ when I'm limerent myself..
my fav CRJ song is definitely the one playing at the end of this video
Any chance these are metaphors... like for drugs or something? In a bad place, yearning to escape, forbidden cope, getting high, then crashing. Moon... tunnel vision? Just trying to make this more fun; Never researched the lyrics.
I hope not, and I don’t think so.
As an Argentinian I can testify, Yerba Mate will do this to ya
I'm laughing here as I go through CRJ songs. It's all true. The only one I have trouble with placing is Sideways. Anyone care to help me?
it's honestly strange that we both enjoy Carly Rae Jepsen and professional wrestling
Me all the time watching the vide: right, right, so real, right!
I was going to give you shit over the Danny Glover/Driving Miss Daisy reference, but I guess I have to spend less time listening to CRJ, and more time watching Mos Def movies. 🤷♂️
The Loveliest Time follows the same pattern omg
Someday I want Max to come to my birthday party 🥰 I believe Max, I believe. 🤣
Here we go again