"Sunday Bloody Sunday" by U2
This song could apply to countless situations. At the time it was written, the lyrics specifically applied to the conflicts in Northern Ireland. Part of this conflict involved the murder of multiple civil rights activists, which is now known as "Bloody Sunday."
"All for You Sophia" by Franz Ferdinand
This song was written about the assassination of the Archduke Franz Ferdinand, whom the band named itself after. Although it wasn't written about a war, it was written about an event that caused a war. There were seven "Black Hands" who were there to carry out the murder, and the seventh, Gavrilo Princip, shot the Archduke, triggering World War I.
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Saturday, May 1, 2010
Allusion, Allegory, & Ambiguity
"Don't Fear the Reaper" by Blue Oyster Cult
This song includes an example of an allusion, which is a reference to a historical figure, thing, or event. The narrator refers to "Romeo and Juliet," a well-known Shakespeare play. In the play, Romeo and Juliet plan to be "together in eternity," and their plan results in the two of them dying together. In the song, the narrator explains that "like Romeo and Juliet...men and women everyday redefine happiness."
"The Battle of Evermore" by Led Zeppelin
This song is an allegory because like a fable, it tells a story using representations. It includes fictional characters, such as "ring wraiths," "the dragon of darkness," and "the queen of light." This assists the narrator in describing the battle between good and evil and the struggle "to bring the balance back."
"Roundabout" by Yes
This song presents examples of ambiguity. For instance, "Catching the swirling wind the sailor sees the rim of the land" has its literal meaning along with different possibilities of other meanings. The listener could imagine a sailor sailing to land or someone seizing opportunities to achieve a goal.
This song includes an example of an allusion, which is a reference to a historical figure, thing, or event. The narrator refers to "Romeo and Juliet," a well-known Shakespeare play. In the play, Romeo and Juliet plan to be "together in eternity," and their plan results in the two of them dying together. In the song, the narrator explains that "like Romeo and Juliet...men and women everyday redefine happiness."
"The Battle of Evermore" by Led Zeppelin
This song is an allegory because like a fable, it tells a story using representations. It includes fictional characters, such as "ring wraiths," "the dragon of darkness," and "the queen of light." This assists the narrator in describing the battle between good and evil and the struggle "to bring the balance back."
"Roundabout" by Yes
This song presents examples of ambiguity. For instance, "Catching the swirling wind the sailor sees the rim of the land" has its literal meaning along with different possibilities of other meanings. The listener could imagine a sailor sailing to land or someone seizing opportunities to achieve a goal.
Friday, April 30, 2010
social relevence
"The Times They are a-Changin'" by Bob Dylan
This song explains that it is necessary that we notice the changes around us in society. The narrator claims that "There's a battle outside/... It'll soon shake your windows." This message indicates that we cannot afford to ignore the changes because we will all be affected by them in some way. The lyrics of this song can be applied to any period of history because society is always changing.
"Give Peace a Chance" by John Lennon
In this song, the narrator points out the various topics that are focused on in society. However, he argues that they are not the most important things to worry about. He believes that society's first priority should be to just "give peace a chance." This song was released during the Vietnam War, in which the U.S. defended South Vietnam in a fight to contain communism. Although the time period suggests that the song is directed towards the Vietnam War, it could be applied to any time of war.
"American Pie" by Don McLean
The lyrics of this song emphasize the importance of music in society. It has many allusions involving musicians that affected society. These allusions include but are not limited to Buddy Holly, Elvis Presley, Bob Dylan, Janis Joplin, the Beatles, and the Rolling Stones.
This song explains that it is necessary that we notice the changes around us in society. The narrator claims that "There's a battle outside/... It'll soon shake your windows." This message indicates that we cannot afford to ignore the changes because we will all be affected by them in some way. The lyrics of this song can be applied to any period of history because society is always changing.
"Give Peace a Chance" by John Lennon
In this song, the narrator points out the various topics that are focused on in society. However, he argues that they are not the most important things to worry about. He believes that society's first priority should be to just "give peace a chance." This song was released during the Vietnam War, in which the U.S. defended South Vietnam in a fight to contain communism. Although the time period suggests that the song is directed towards the Vietnam War, it could be applied to any time of war.
"American Pie" by Don McLean
The lyrics of this song emphasize the importance of music in society. It has many allusions involving musicians that affected society. These allusions include but are not limited to Buddy Holly, Elvis Presley, Bob Dylan, Janis Joplin, the Beatles, and the Rolling Stones.
Thursday, April 15, 2010
6 song themes
"Life After You" by Daughtry
One of the main messages of this song is about joy. The narrator explains, "All that I'm after is a life full of laughter/ As long as I'm laughin' with you." He wants nothing more than to be with this person because he knows that it brings him happiness.
"Friends" by Led Zeppelin
It is clear from the title of this song that it is about friendship. It illustrates how important friends are and how easy it is to be kind to others. When someone is lonely or sad, the narrator advises that you should "trade a smile with" them, or in other words, make them feel better.
"Time" by Pink Floyd
Comfort is expressed at the end of this song. The narrator says, "Home again/ I like to be here when I can/ And when I come home cold and tired/ It’s good to warm my bones beside the fire." The song illustrates how time passes more quickly than we think it does. After describing the frustration of realizing how little time we have, the feeling of comfort is described, using the example of home.
"In My Life" by the Beatles
This song incorporates the theme of love, which is common among many well-known songs. The narrator explains, "Though I know I'll never lose affection/ For people and things that went before... In my life, I love you more." He admits that he has loved many people and things throughout his life, but he had not loved any of them as much as he loves this person.
"Bohemian Rhapsody" by Queen
Knowledge is one of the themes of this song, although there are many possible translations of it. Several lines indicate that the narrator is searching for knowledge. The song begins with, "Is this the real life?/ Is this just fantasy?" He wants to know the difference between reality and fantasy.
"Forever Young" by Bob Dylan
This song is based on religious ideas. This song is written in second person point of view, in the form of a blessing. For example, the narrator expresses hope that the listener will be strong, courageous, true, and righteous, which are all qualities that the Bible encourages people to have.
One of the main messages of this song is about joy. The narrator explains, "All that I'm after is a life full of laughter/ As long as I'm laughin' with you." He wants nothing more than to be with this person because he knows that it brings him happiness.
"Friends" by Led Zeppelin
It is clear from the title of this song that it is about friendship. It illustrates how important friends are and how easy it is to be kind to others. When someone is lonely or sad, the narrator advises that you should "trade a smile with" them, or in other words, make them feel better.
"Time" by Pink Floyd
Comfort is expressed at the end of this song. The narrator says, "Home again/ I like to be here when I can/ And when I come home cold and tired/ It’s good to warm my bones beside the fire." The song illustrates how time passes more quickly than we think it does. After describing the frustration of realizing how little time we have, the feeling of comfort is described, using the example of home.
"In My Life" by the Beatles
This song incorporates the theme of love, which is common among many well-known songs. The narrator explains, "Though I know I'll never lose affection/ For people and things that went before... In my life, I love you more." He admits that he has loved many people and things throughout his life, but he had not loved any of them as much as he loves this person.
"Bohemian Rhapsody" by Queen
Knowledge is one of the themes of this song, although there are many possible translations of it. Several lines indicate that the narrator is searching for knowledge. The song begins with, "Is this the real life?/ Is this just fantasy?" He wants to know the difference between reality and fantasy.
"Forever Young" by Bob Dylan
This song is based on religious ideas. This song is written in second person point of view, in the form of a blessing. For example, the narrator expresses hope that the listener will be strong, courageous, true, and righteous, which are all qualities that the Bible encourages people to have.
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Simile/Metaphor
"Comfortably Numb" by Pink Floyd
The format of this song relates to a conversation between a doctor and a patient. Throughout the song, the narrator describes being comfortably numb, in which his feelings are gone, to represent his dreams being gone. One example of a simile is included in the song. When the narrator explains the "fever" he had as a child, he says, "My hands felt just like two balloons." This comparison between hands and balloons creates the idea of him being without feeling.
"Yesterday's Feelings" by The Used
This song is about letting go of worries from the past. The first verse includes one example of a simile. When the narrator gets rid of his worries, he can "See the changes, people's faces blurred out/Like sunspots or raindrops." In this simile, blurred out faces are compared to sunspots and raindrops. As he forgets about these faces, they gradually become less clear.
"I Am a Rock" by Simon and Garfunkel
Throughout this song, the narrator illustrates the fact that he is alone and without pain. Two metaphors are used several times to reinforce this image. The narrator says, "I am a rock,/ I am an island." An island can be compared to the narrator in this song because both are lonely in some way. The narrator is separated from other people, and an island is separated from other land. A rock can be compared to the narrator in this song because both do not feel pain despite being alone.
"You Shook Me All Night Long" by AC/DC
This song appeared on the album "Back in Black" in 1980. The first line of the song is an example of a metaphor. The narrator says that "she was a fast machine." This is a metaphor because the woman that he sings about is compared to a machine without using the words "like" or "as." She is not literally a machine; he is comparing her traits to the characteristics of a machine.
The format of this song relates to a conversation between a doctor and a patient. Throughout the song, the narrator describes being comfortably numb, in which his feelings are gone, to represent his dreams being gone. One example of a simile is included in the song. When the narrator explains the "fever" he had as a child, he says, "My hands felt just like two balloons." This comparison between hands and balloons creates the idea of him being without feeling.
"Yesterday's Feelings" by The Used
This song is about letting go of worries from the past. The first verse includes one example of a simile. When the narrator gets rid of his worries, he can "See the changes, people's faces blurred out/Like sunspots or raindrops." In this simile, blurred out faces are compared to sunspots and raindrops. As he forgets about these faces, they gradually become less clear.
"I Am a Rock" by Simon and Garfunkel
Throughout this song, the narrator illustrates the fact that he is alone and without pain. Two metaphors are used several times to reinforce this image. The narrator says, "I am a rock,/ I am an island." An island can be compared to the narrator in this song because both are lonely in some way. The narrator is separated from other people, and an island is separated from other land. A rock can be compared to the narrator in this song because both do not feel pain despite being alone.
"You Shook Me All Night Long" by AC/DC
This song appeared on the album "Back in Black" in 1980. The first line of the song is an example of a metaphor. The narrator says that "she was a fast machine." This is a metaphor because the woman that he sings about is compared to a machine without using the words "like" or "as." She is not literally a machine; he is comparing her traits to the characteristics of a machine.
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Paradox/Irony
"I Can't Explain" ~The Who
This song includes a paradox with the phrase "I feel hot and cold." It is difficult to imagine feeling hot and cold at the same time because they are opposites.
"I'm A Believer" ~The Monkees
This song includes several examples of irony. The second verse ends with, "When I needed sunshine, I got rain," which could be considered situational irony. The contrast of the verses with the chorus could also be considered situational irony. Each verse explains the doubt that the narrator had possessed in his mind, but the chorus declares that now he has "not a trace of doubt in" his mind.
"Jumpin' Jack Flash" ~ The Rolling Stones
This song includes irony in the contrast between its verses and chorus. The verses describe horrible experiences of the narrator, but they all lead into, "But it's all right now..." This example could be argued as either situational or verbal irony because the reader could take it as either a sarcastic tone or as an unexpected situation occuring. It would typically not be expected that someone would be all right after being drowned and "washed up and left for dead."
This song includes a paradox with the phrase "I feel hot and cold." It is difficult to imagine feeling hot and cold at the same time because they are opposites.
"I'm A Believer" ~The Monkees
This song includes several examples of irony. The second verse ends with, "When I needed sunshine, I got rain," which could be considered situational irony. The contrast of the verses with the chorus could also be considered situational irony. Each verse explains the doubt that the narrator had possessed in his mind, but the chorus declares that now he has "not a trace of doubt in" his mind.
"Jumpin' Jack Flash" ~ The Rolling Stones
This song includes irony in the contrast between its verses and chorus. The verses describe horrible experiences of the narrator, but they all lead into, "But it's all right now..." This example could be argued as either situational or verbal irony because the reader could take it as either a sarcastic tone or as an unexpected situation occuring. It would typically not be expected that someone would be all right after being drowned and "washed up and left for dead."
Monday, March 15, 2010
Songs with Personification
The first song that I chose was "Last Kiss," written by Wayne Cochran. It was brought back and performed again by several different artists, such as J. Frank Wilson and the Cavaliers & Pearl Jam. The first verse, in which two examples of personification appear, describes the car accident according to the narrator's memory. In the car ahead, "the engine was dead." An engine cannot literally die because it would not have been alive in the first place. In the imagery used to illustrate the crash, the narrator mentions "the screaming tires." Tires can make loud noises, but they cannot literally scream like a person screams. These human qualities are given to the parts of the cars to contribute to the tone. The narrator is describing a past event that he does not like to recall and which makes him feel helpless in the present.
I also chose the song "Brain Damage," by Pink Floyd. The beginning of the song describes the "lunatics." Personification is applied with the phrase, "The paper holds their folded faces to the floor." The ability to hold something is a human characteristic; a newspaper does not have hands to hold anything in. Like all other lyrics, there are numerous ways to translate the meaning of each line of this song. However, one possibility is that the paper is given this human quality to explain how it keeps the insane people insane.
I also chose the song "Brain Damage," by Pink Floyd. The beginning of the song describes the "lunatics." Personification is applied with the phrase, "The paper holds their folded faces to the floor." The ability to hold something is a human characteristic; a newspaper does not have hands to hold anything in. Like all other lyrics, there are numerous ways to translate the meaning of each line of this song. However, one possibility is that the paper is given this human quality to explain how it keeps the insane people insane.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)