Whenever I have free time, which is rare considering I'm in HISP, I usually browse Youtube, searching for a video to keep me entertained. I recently came upon a music video called "Dumb Ways To Die". I noticed it had an extreme amount of views, so I watched it and was instantly singing along to the catchy tune. This video, I learned at the end, was actually a commercial from the Metro train station to be safe around train tracks, stating that dying by "crossing the train tracks" is a dumb way to die as "dressing up like a moose during hunting season". This was probably the most interesting commercial I have seen, and it was effective in getting it's message across to any viewers.
The song was very catchy from the start, beginning with "set fire to your hair" as a dumb way to die, which to me is a pretty dumb way to die. The song then proceeds to list several other dumb ways to die, every few dumb ways to die split by a chorus of "Dumb ways to die, So many dumb ways to die" The song lists some pretty outrageous ways to die in the beginning of the song, but gets to the point at the end, with the last three ways to die being solely train-related. I think the wacky ways to die in the beginning were used as a hook, to interest the viewers. I asked my brother, who also watched this video, if he would have watched this if it was only about train safety. He replied instantaneously with a "No". I then asked him if he watched it because of all the crazy stunts in the beginning, and he replied with a "Yes". I found myself unconsciously agreeing with him, because I felt the video would be too boring if not for the odd ways to die. The way it was formatted worked well because the viewers were too interested to stop watching, and the message was relayed in the end to everyone.
The constant, up-beat tone throughout the video makes this a more cheerful video, as opposed to another approach of a sadder video. I think this happier tone worked a lot better because, and I can confirm this with personal experience, many people will sing along during the duration of the video, and long after. While going about my daily life, I caught myself humming this tune several times, and reinforcing the idea to stay safe around train structures, as if I was brainwashed after watching the video. This video was a very effective PSA, public service announcement, or commercial, and will most likely keep more accidents from happening. I wouldn't be surprised if I visited a train station one day, and several people were singing or humming this song, while staying a safe distance from the tracks.
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