Beyond the film, the music video helped define the "MTV era" by proving that a high-concept movie tie-in could dominate the charts. It won the and solidified Irene Cara’s legacy as the voice of a generation of dreamers. The video doesn't just show a dance; it illustrates the psychological shift of "taking your passion and making it happen."
: This sequence represents the ultimate "all or nothing" moment. The video captures the tension of Alex facing a panel of rigid judges, effectively illustrating the struggle of the outsider seeking validation from the establishment. Cultural Legacy irene_cara_flashdance_what_a_feeling_official_m...
The essayistic value of the video is found in its literal and metaphorical interpretation of the lyrics. Beyond the film, the music video helped define
: Cara is depicted in a recording booth, dressed in casual 80s attire. Her performance is intimate and focused, acting as a "voice of God" or a narrator for the visual story unfolding around her. The video captures the tension of Alex facing
: The video emphasizes the strain on the human body. As the song builds, the clips transition from the mundane labor of the steel mill to the rhythmic, soaring freedom of the final audition scene. This mirrors the lyrical progression from "first, when there's nothing but a slow glowing dream" to the climactic "what a feeling!"
For deeper lyrical analysis, you can view the full text on Genius .
The video's core strength lies in its , which juxtaposes Irene Cara’s studio performance with iconic scenes of Jennifer Beals (and her dance doubles) from the film.