Thursday, May 7, 2009

Song Analysis 3

Lyrics:

Wake up everyone
How can you sleep at a time like this?
Unless the dreamer is the real you
Listen to your voice
The one that tells you to taste past the tip of your tongue
Leap and the net will appear

I don't wanna wake before
The dream is over
I'm gonna make it mine
Yes, I... I wanna own it
I'm gonna make it mine
Yes, I'll make it all mine

I keep my life on a heavy rotation
Requesting that it's lifting you up
Up, up and away
And over to a table at the gratitude café

And I am finally there
And all the angels they'll be singing
Ah la la la ah la la la I la la la la love this

Well, I don't wanna break before
the tour is over
I'm gonna make it mine
That's right, I... I wanna own it
I'm gonna make it mine
Yes, I'll make it all mine

Yes I will make it all mine

And timing's everything,
and this time there's plenty
I am balancing,
Careful and steady,
And reveling in energy that everyone's emitting

Well, I don't wanna wait no more
Oh, I wanna celebrate the whole world
I'm gonna make it mine
Because I'm following your joy

I'm gonna make it mine
Because I... I am opened
I'm gonna make it mine
That's right... I wanna show it
I'm gonna make it, it mine
gonna make, gonna make, gonna make, gonna make, gonna make, 
make it, make it mine
(I'll make it mine) yes, mine
(I'll make it mine) yes, mine
(I'll make it mine) oooh mine
Yes, I will make it all, make it all mine
Yes, i will make it all 

“Make It Mine”

            Often in music, songs are written as a form of liberation for the writer to get their message out and express their feelings. Many songwriters today use their music to sing about liberation, and the message the song sends may also be liberating for the listener. Jason Mraz is known for trying to share his views with his listeners via his music, and sings what he feels with his creative wordplay. The song “Make It Mine”, written and performed by Jason Mraz, is an inspirational tune with a tone of optimism that tells the story of a motivated person who wants to live life to the fullest.

            “Make It Mine” begins as the speaker is addressing his listeners, trying to inspire them to wake up and cherish the world around them. He sings, “Wake up everyone, how can you sleep at a time like this? Unless the dreamer is the real you”. Mraz is telling his listeners that they need to wake up and look at the world around them, and realize how beautiful life is. He asks them how they could “sleep” or be ignorant to the fact that life is such a beautiful thing, unless they are a dreamer and prefer to dream than face reality. Mraz continues to inspire his listeners in the next verse, in which he is trying to tell them to live to the fullest. He phrases this piece of advice eloquently, and says, “Listen to your voice, the one that tells you to taste past the tip of your tongue, leap and the next will appear”. By “tasting past the tip of your tongue”, Mraz is referring to living outside of the box and to the fullest. In the next verse, he is speaking to himself about his determination to live his life to the fullest and cherish every moment. He sings, “I don’t wanna wake before the dream is over, I’m gonna make it mine, yes I, I know it”. The “dream” he is speaking of is life, and he doesn’t want to wake from the feeling of contentment before his life is over. In the next verse, Mraz again gives his listeners a view into how he lives his life, and he says, “I keep my life on a heavy rotation”, meaning that he changes things up a lot, and likes to try different things. Next, Mraz cleverly tells his listeners that he wants to make them appreciate life more when he says, “Requesting that it’s lifting you up, up, up and away and over to a table at the Gratitude Café”. He is promoting seizing the day and living optimistically. He furthers his optimism and inspirational lyrics during the next verse when he sings, “And I am finally there, and all the angels they’ll be singing”.  Mraz is telling his listeners that he has reached the point of happiness and fulfillment in his life that he has been trying to find, and has been greeted with angels, a sign of the heavens. He says, “I am balancing careful and steady and reveling in energy that everyone’s emitting”, meaning that he is carefully living his life and soaking up everybody’s good energy. He closes saying, “Well I don’t wanna wait no more, oh I wanna celebrate the whole world”, optimistically saying that he wants to cherish his life and life it to the fullest that he can.

            “Make It Mine” contains many poetic devices that help enhance the listening pleasure of the song. It contains examples of alliteration, such as “taste past the tip of your tongue”, which repeats the consonant T. Another example of alliteration is “make it mine”, which repeats the consonant M. Anaphora is also used in the song, because “make it mine” is repeated consecutively several different times in different spots of the song. This enforces the theme of optimism in the song, and helps get out the speaker’s message.  

            This song is a perfect example of optimism and inspiration within music. Mraz’s clever wordplay and optimistic views on life are exhibited in this song, and are part of what makes it so inspirational to listeners. The speaker is trying to get out the message to live life to the fullest capacity, and to reach for the stars. 

Thursday, April 30, 2009

Creative Project

Creative Project

Type of Project: Short Story
Song: "Make It Mine" - Jason Mraz
Lyrics:


Wake up everyone
How can you sleep at a time like this?
Unless the dreamer is the real you
Listen to your voice
The one that tells you to taste past the tip of your tongue
Leap and the net will appear

I don't wanna wake before
The dream is over
I'm gonna make it mine
Yes, I... I wanna own it
I'm gonna make it mine
Yes, I'll make it all mine

I keep my life on a heavy rotation
Requesting that it's lifting you up
Up, up and away
And over to a table at the gratitude café

And I am finally there
And all the angels they'll be singing
Ah la la la ah la la la I la la la la love this

Well, I don't wanna break before
the tour is over
I'm gonna make it mine
That's right, I... I wanna own it
I'm gonna make it mine
Yes, I'll make it all mine

Yes I will make it all mine

And timing's everything,
and this time there's plenty
I am balancing,
Careful and steady,
And reveling in energy that everyone's emitting

Well, I don't wanna wait no more
Oh, I wanna celebrate the whole world
I'm gonna make it mine
Because I'm following your joy

I'm gonna make it mine
Because I... I am opened
I'm gonna make it mine
That's right... I wanna show it
I'm gonna make it, it mine
gonna make, gonna make, gonna make, gonna make, gonna make, 
make it, make it mine
(I'll make it mine) yes, mine
(I'll make it mine) yes, mine
(I'll make it mine) oooh mine
Yes, I will make it all, make it all mine
Yes, i will make it all 

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Society Messages #2 : Blowin' in the Wind - Bob Dylan


"Blowin' in the Wind"

Bob Dylan



How many roads must a man walk down
Before you call him a man?
Yes, 'n' how many seas must a white dove sail
Before she sleeps in the sand?
Yes, 'n' how many times must the cannon balls fly
Before they're forever banned?
The answer, my friend, is blowin' in the wind,
The answer is blowin' in the wind.

How many years can a mountain exist
Before it's washed to the sea?
Yes, 'n' how many years can some people exist
Before they're allowed to be free?
Yes, 'n' how many times can a man turn his head,
Pretending he just doesn't see?
The answer, my friend, is blowin' in the wind,
The answer is blowin' in the wind.

How many times must a man look up
Before he can see the sky?
Yes, 'n' how many ears must one man have
Before he can hear people cry?
Yes, 'n' how many deaths will it take till he knows
That too many people have died?
The answer, my friend, is blowin' in the wind,
The answer is blowin' in the wind.




Analysis:

"Blowin' in the Wind", written and performed by Bob Dylan, contains many messages about society, and asks the questions about the world that most people ask in their heads each day, but nobody knows the answer to. In the first verse, Dylan asks, "How many seas must a white dove sail before she sleeps in the sand?" This is an analogy, and Dylan is really asking how many wars must there be until there is peace. A white dove is a symbol of peace, and the "seas" she "sails" are different countries and parts of the world waging war. He also asks, "How many times must the cannon balls fly before they're forever banned?" Dylan is wondering for how long will these weapons ("cannons") that kill be allowed to fly in the air and take the lives of innocent people before they are ("forever") banned, and there will be peace. Dylan is trying to express the concept of peace, and these rhetorical questions that he is asking express his views poetically and beautifully. In the second verse, Dylan asks, "How many years can some people exist before they're allowed to be free?" He is asking for how long will some people in the world be ruled under tyranny before they are allowed to be free and independent. Next, he asks, "How many times can a man turn his head and pretend he just don't see?" Dylan is asking his listeners how many times can people turn their heads and be ignorant to the things happening in the world and not do anything about them. He asks, "How many ears must one man have before he can hear people cry?" This question mocks the lack of sympathy of some people, and he wonders how some people can be so ignorant to the pain of others, and wonders what has to be done so they are aware of the suffering of others. He also asks, "How many deaths will it take 'til he knows that too many people have died?" This also refers to the ignorance of some people in the world, or people who just don't care about what is going on and refuse to do anything about it. Dylan is wondering how many people must die until they wake up and realize what is going on in the world around them and do something about it. Throughout the song, Dylan tells his listeners that "the answer, my friends, is blowin' in the wind". This perhaps means that the answer cannot be found, because wind is a fleeting, invisible thing that comes and goes; it is not permanent and it is not written out in stone. Perhaps, the answer must be found within themselves, or within society. This song is both inspirational and optimistic with it's messages of peace and freedom.

Society Messages # 1 : Let It Be - The Beatles


"Let It Be"

The Beatles



When I find myself in times of trouble
Mother Mary comes to me
Speaking words of wisdom
Let it be


And in my hour of darkness
She is standing right in front of me
Speaking words of wisdom
Let it be


Let it be, let it be
Let it be, let it be
Whisper words of wisdom
Let it be


When all the broken hearted people
Living in the world agree
There will be an answer
Let it be


For though they may be parted there is
Still a chance that they will see
There will be an answer
Let it be

Let it be, let it be
Let it be, let it be
there will be an answer
Let it be


Let it be, let it be
Let it be, let it be
Whisper words of wisdom
Let it be
Let it be, let it be
Let it be, let it be
Whisper words of wisdom
Let it be


And when the night is cloudy
There is still a light that shines on me
Shine until tomorrow
Let it be
I wake up to the sound of music
Mother Mary comes to me
Whisper words of wisdom
Let it be


Let it be, let it be
Let it be, let it be
There will be an answer
Let it be
Let it be, let it be
Let it be, let it be
Whisper words of wisdom
Let it be


Analysis:

"Let It Be" by the Beatles uses an optimistic approach to address the problems of society, and describes the possible solutions. In the first verse, the speaker states that "Mother Mary" comes to him in "times of trouble", or adversity, and she tells him to "let it be". This image is repeated again in the second verse, and "Mother Mary" approached him in his "hour of darkness", or hard times where he felt at rock-bottom. He says that she is standing "right in front" of him, serving as an inspiration to "let it be", and optimistically be at peace with what happens in his life. In the chorus, the speaker says, "Whisper words of wisdom". These "words of wisdom" are the ones that were told to him by "Mother Mary", who inspired him to "let it be". Then, the speaker addresses society, singing, "When the broken-hearted people living in this world agree, there will be an answer". He is perhaps referring to all of the people in the world who have been split from a lover, in any way, and says that when they all agree to be optimistic and look at the bright side, there will be an answer to their problems. In the next verse, the speaker readdresses these people, and says that, "For though they have been parted there is still a chance that they will see, there will be an answer". The speaker is being hopeful, saying that if the broken-hearted people think optimistically and try not to dwell on their loss, they will find the answer that they need to move on. Throughout these messages to society, he repeats the phrase "let it be", and this repetition is to reiterate the optimistic message of the song, and to inspire listeners to think as "Mother Mary" inspired him to, and let things happen as they should.

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

Imagery Song # 2: Lucky - Jason Mraz feat. Colbie Caillat


Lucky

Jason Mraz feat. Colbie Caillat



Do you hear me, talking to you
Across the water across the deep blue ocean
Under the open sky oh my, baby I'm trying


Boy I hear you in my dreams
I hear your whisper across the sea
I keep you with me in my heart
You make it easier when life gets hard

I'm lucky I'm in love with my best friend
Lucky to have been where I have been
Lucky to be coming home again
Oooohhhhoohhhhohhooohhooohhooohoooh

They don't know how long it takes
Waiting for a love like this
Every time we say goodbye
I wish we had one more kiss
I wait for you I promise you, I will

I'm lucky I'm in love with my best friend
Lucky to have been where I have been
Lucky to be coming home again
I'm lucky we're in love every way
Lucky to have stayed where we have stayed
Lucky to be coming home someday

And so I'm sailing through the sea
To an island where we'll meet
You'll hear the music, fell the air
I put a flower in your hair

And though the breezes through the trees
Move so pretty you're all I see
Let the world keep spinning round
You hold me right here right now

I'm lucky I'm in love with my best friend
Lucky to have been where I have been
Lucky to be coming home again
I'm lucky we're in love every way
Lucky to have stayed where we have stayed
Lucky to be coming home someday

Ooohh ooooh oooh oooh ooh ooh ooh ooh
Ooooh ooooh oooh oooh ooh ooh ooh ooh


Analysis:


"Lucky", a duet celebrating a couple's luck in life and illustrates their optimism, contains imagery to enhance the song. The song begins with a man singing, asking, "Do you hear me talking to you?" Using imagery, he says that he is "across the water, across the deep blue ocean, under the open sky", illustrating a clear picture to his listener where he is as he is singing. Then, the other singer, a woman, answers, "Boy I hear you in my dreams, I feel your whisper across the sea", using imagery to let her lover know that she does hear him. She sings, "I keep you with me in my heart, you make it easier when life gets hard", telling the man how much he means to her, and showing the listener how much she cares about him. The chorus is very optimistic, with the couple singing, "I'm lucky I'm in love with my best friend, lucky to have been where I have been, lucky to be coming home again", expressing how grateful they are for who they have and where they've been. This chorus inspires the listener that they too are lucky for the people that they have and that they should cherish the ones they love. The next verse contains more imagery, and the man sings, "So I'm sailing through the sea, to an island where we'll meet. You'll hear the music fill the air, I'll put a flower in your hair". This passage clearly illustrates a beautiful scene in the listeners head of how the lovers will meet. More imagery occurs in the next lines, describing the nature around them. The woman sings, "Though the breezes through the trees move so pretty, you're all I see", illustrating the wind blowing through the trees and how beautiful they are. This song is happy and optimistic, and is inspiring for others everywhere to be appreciative of who they have in their lives.

Imagery Song #1: Tuesday Afternoon - The Moody Blues

Tuesday Afternoon
The Moody Blues
Tuesday, afternoon,
I'm just beginning to see,
Now I'm on my way,
It doesn't matter to me,
Chasing the clouds away.

Something, calls to me,
The trees are drawing me near,
I've got to find out why
Those gentle voices I hear
Explain it all with a sigh.

I'm looking at myself, reflections of my mind,
It's just the kind of day to leave myself behind,
So gently swaying thru the fairy-land of love,
If you'll just come with me and see the beauty of

Tuesday afternoon.
Tuesday afternoon.

Tuesday, afternoon,
I'm just beginning to see,
Now I'm on my way,
It doesn't matter to me,
Chasing the clouds away.

Something, calls to me,
The trees are drawing me near,
I've got to find out why
Those gentle voices I hear
Explain it all with a sigh.
Analysis:
"Tuesday Afternoon" by the Moody Blues contains lots of imagery, all of which compliment the song greatly. The song begins with the speaker having a sort of epiphany one "Tuesday afternoon", and he realizes that "now I'm on my [his] way". Something inspired the speaker to embark on a new journey in his life, and the song begins on an optimistic note. The speaker then states, "It doesn't matter to me, chasing the clouds away", hinting to the listener that perhaps his new journey was to be carefree and happy. He no longer worries about the trivial things in life, and "chasing the clouds away" appeals to the sense of sight, and gives the listener a vision of fluffy white clouds in the afternoon sky, and a carefree man chasing away his problems (the "clouds" in his sunny sky). More imagery occurs in the next verse of the song, and the speaker says, "Something calls to me, the trees are drawing me near", which gives the listener a visual image in their minds. Then he continues, "Those gentle voices I hear explain it all with a sigh", which gives another clear mental picture to the listener. The third verse contains the most imagery, with lines such as, "I'm looking at myself, reflections of my mind" and, "It's just the kind of day to leave myself behind", which are optimistic and illustrate a certain optimistic mentality to the reader. The optimism in the song continues in the next lines, "So softly swaying through the fairy-land of love, if you'll just come with me and see the beauty of Tuesday afternoon", showing that the speaker appreciates the beauty of life.

Wednesday, April 1, 2009

Song Analysis # 2: "Hey Jude" - The Beatles


Songwriters utilize music as a form of expression, and songs can be written for many different purposes. Songs may be written in a general sense to address a people and send them out a message, or it can be written on a more personal and dedicated to a certain person, group, or issue that the speaker feels strongly about. Many pieces of music have been written and dedicated to a certain individual (whether they are real or fictitious) with the purpose to send a message to them. Songs such as these often prove to be inspirational to the listener as well, and allow the listener to develop their own meaning for the song. “Hey Jude”, written by Paul McCartney for his son, Jules, to console him, serves to be an optimistic song that inspires not only Jules McCartney, but also the listener. 

“Hey Jude” is an encouraging ballad that’s purpose is to lift the spirits of ‘Jude”, a young man in despair, and inspire him to go after the girl he’s in love with. The speaker begins by saying, “Hey Jude, don’t make it bad”, trying to inspire Jude not to focus on the negatives, and instead on the positives by taking “a sad song and make[ing] it better”, or taking a bad situation and making the best of it. The speaker wants Jude to let the girl that he loves “into [Jude’s] heart” so that he can “start to make it better”. Once Jude has his love in his life, he will become a happier person and make his life better. The speaker assures Jude not to be afraid, and that he was “made to go out and get her”, insinuating that he believes Jude and the girl he loves are soul mates and meant to be together. The speaker insists that the minute that Jude and his lover become close, when he “lets her under [his] skin”, his life will be better and happier. In the next verse, the speaker tries to advise Jude not to let things build up and stress him out. He sings, “Anytime you feel the pain, hey Jude, refrain” and tells him “don’t carry the world upon your shoulders”. He then tells Jude that he is a fool for pretending he is fine when he really is not (“for well you know that it’s a fool who plays it cool by making his world a little colder”). The next verse serves as a piece of motivation for Jude, and the speaker tells Jude, “Don’t let me down”. He then says, “You have found her, now go and get her”, motivating him to go after the girl who could very well be the one who is meant for him. The speaker then repeats, “Remember to let her into your heart, then you can start to make it better”, which hints to Jude that by getting to know her, his life will be better. The next verse begins, “So let it out and let it in, hey Jude, begin”, and the speaker tells Jude to take deep breaths and just calm his thoughts. Then he points out, “You’re waiting for someone to perform with”, meaning that Jude has been solo for so long, and he has been waiting for a companion to spend his life with. He asks Jude, “Don’t you know that its just you?” meaning that Jude is the only one for her. According to the speaker, the “movement [Jude] need is on your shoulder”, the movement being a shrug. Jude needs not to carry the stresses of the world on his shoulder, and instead needs to shrug it all off and live for himself. This song is trying to get the message out that one shouldn’t carry the burdens of the world upon their shoulders, and that love in any form cures anything. 

There are many different poetic devices used in “Hey Jude”, all of which enhance the listening pleasure of the song and make it fit in with all of the other catchy Beatles classics. Repetitions of sounds are found frequently in the song, and alliteration, consonance, and assonance are used. In the first verse, alliteration with the consonant “s” is present: “sad song”. Assonance is also used in the song various times with the phrases: “anytime you feel the pain, hey Jude, refrain”, “for well you know that’s it’s a fool who plays it cool”, and “don’t you know that its just you, hey Jude, you’ll do”. Epistrophe, a repetition of words and phrases, is also evident within the song. The song says, “make it better” at the end of the second and fourth line in the first verse. These poetic devices increase the song’s catchiness and give it the signature Beatles sound.

This song, “Hey Jude”, fits into the theme of Optimism and Inspiration for many reasons, and is a perfect example of an inspirational ballad. This song was originally written to be inspirational to the songwriter’s son, and succeeded in fulfilling not only its original purpose, but also it inspired listeners around the world. It is very optimistic, and tries to lift the spirits of the listener, or “Jude”, by telling him or her to “take a sad song and make it better”, or make the best of the situation. This song serves to be not only inspirational for its original recipient, Jules McCartney, but also to the average listener who just needs a pick-me-up to lift their spirits when in despair.

Lyrics:

Hey Jude, don't make it bad. 
Take a sad song and make it better. 
Remember to let her into your heart, 
Then you can start to make it better. 

Hey Jude, don't be afraid. 
You were made to go out and get her. 
The minute you let her under your skin, 
Then you begin to make it better. 

And anytime you feel the pain, hey Jude, refrain, 
Don't carry the world upon your shoulders. 
For well you know that it's a fool who plays it cool 
By making his world a little colder. 

Da da da da da da, da da da, hey Jude... 

Hey Jude, don't let me down. 
You have found her, now go and get her. 
Remember to let her into your heart, 
Then you can start to make it better. 

So let it out and let it in, hey Jude, begin, 
You're waiting for someone to perform with. 
And don't you know that it's just you, hey Jude, you'll do, 
The movement you need is on your shoulder. 

Da da da da da da, da da da, hey Jude... 

Hey Jude, don't make it bad. 
Take a sad song and make it better. 
Remember to let her under your skin, 
Then you'll begin to make it 
Better better better better better better, oh. 

Da da da da da da, da da da, hey Jude...

Thursday, March 26, 2009

My Found Poem: Through a Looking Glass



Through a looking glass
I see a new world
Always laughter
Singing of gratitude
Suddenly I see
A map of the world
My eyes are captivated
By the power to see
Everything around is a silver pool of light
Feel the benefit of it
Celebrate the malleable reality
Life is but a dream


(lyrics taken from: "Live High" - Jason Mraz and "Suddenly I See" - K.T. Tunstall)

Monday, March 23, 2009

Repetition of Sounds 2: I Want To Break Free - Queen

I Want To Break Free
Queen
I want to break free
I want to break free
I want to break free from your lies
Youre so self satisfied I dont need you
Ive got to break free
God knows God knows I want to break free

Ive fallen in love
Ive fallen in love for the first time
And this time I know its for real
Ive fallen in love yeah
God knows God knows Ive fallen in love

Its strange but its true
I cant get over the way you love me like you do
But I have to be sure
When I walk out that door
Oh how I want to be free baby
Oh how I want to be free
Oh how I want to break free

But life still goes on
I cant get used to living without living without
Living without you by my side
I dont want to live alone hey
God knows got to make it on my own
So baby cant you see
Ive got to break free

Ive got to break free
I want to break free yeah

I want I want I want I want to break free....

Repetition of Songs 1: All These Things That I've Done - The Killers

All These Things That I've Done
The Killers
When there's no where else to run
Is there room for one more son
One more son
If you can hold on
If you can hold on, hold on
I wanna stand up, I wanna let go
You know, you know - no you don't, you don't
I wanna shine on in the hearts of men
I wanna mean it from the back of my broken hand

Another head aches, another heart breaks
I am so much older than I can take
And my affection, well it comes and goes
I need direction to perfection, no no no no

Help me out
Yeah, you know you got to help me out
Yeah, oh don't you put me on the back burner
You know you got to help me out, yeah

And when there's nowhere else to run
Is there room for one more son
These changes ain't changing me
The gold-hearted boy I used to be

Yeah, you know you got to help me out
Yeah, oh don't you put me on the back burner
You know you got to help me out
You're gonna bring yourself down
Yeah, you're gonna bring yourself down
Yeah, you're gonna bring yourself down

[x10]
I got soul, but I'm not a soldier
I got soul, but I'm not a soldier

Yeah, you know you gotta help me out
Yeah, oh don't you put me on the back burner
You know you gotta help me out
You're gonna bring yourself down
Yeah, you're gonna bring yourself down
Yeah, oh don't you put me on the back burner
You're gonna bring yourself down
Yeah, you're gonna bring yourself down

Over and in, last call for sin
While everyone's lost, the battle is won
With all these things that I've done
All these things that I've done
(Time, truth, and heart)
If you can hold on
If you can hold on

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

Anadiplosis: Life is Wonderful by Jason Mraz

Life is Wonderful
Jason Mraz

It takes a crane to build a crane
It takes two floors to make a story
It takes an egg to make a hen
It takes a hen to make an egg
There is no end to what I'm saying

It takes a thought to make a word
And it takes some words to make an action
And it takes some work to make it work
It takes some good to make it hurt
It takes some bad for satisfaction

Ah la la la la la la life is wonderful
Ah la la la la la la life goes full circle
Ah la la la la life is wonderful
Ah la la la la la

It takes a night to make it dawn
And it takes a day to make you yawn brother
And it takes some old to make you young
It takes some cold to know the sun
It takes the one to have the other

And it takes no time to fall in love
But it takes you years to know what love is
And it takes some fears to make you trust
It takes some tears to make it rust
It takes the dust to have it polished

Ah la la la la la la life is wonderful
Ah la la la la la la life goes full circle
Ah la la la la la la life is wonderful
Ah la la la la

It takes some silence to make sound
And it takes a loss before you found it
And it takes a road to go nowhere
It takes a toll to make you care
It takes a hole to MAKE a mountain

Ah la la la la la life is wonderful
Ah la la la la la life goes full circle
Ah la la la la la la life is wonderful
Ah la la la la la life is meaningful
Ah la la la la la la life is wonderful
Ah la la la la la life is meaningful
Ah la la la la la la life is full of
Ah la la la la la life is so full of love
Ah la la la la la life is wonderful
Ah la la la la la la life is meaningful
Ah la la la la la life is full of
Ah la la la la la life is so full of love

Analysis:
"Life is Wonderful" by Jason Mraz uses a form of repetition, called anadiplosis, to enhance the meaning of the song. Anadiplosis is the repetition of words at the end of a phrase that are used at the beginning of the next phrase. The song is meant to be inspirational, saying that life goes full circle, and everything happens for a reason. The speaker uses anadiiplosis in the first verse to further support his ideas. He sings, "it takes an egg to make a hen it takes a hen to make an egg" to provide an example for his philosophy that life goes full circle. The speaker uses some anaphora as well, repeating the phrase "it takes" at the beginning of most of the lines of the song. This use of anaphora illustrates the dependence one thing has on another in order to make something happen. Cranes are needed to make cranes, thoughts are needed to make words, and it takes some fears to make you trust. Every occurence in life happens because of another occurence, and everything happens full circle. This song uses repetition to enhance its message and meaning, and its meaning makes it optimisitc and inspirational.

Anaphora: Rock & Roll Dreams Come Through by Meat Loaf

Rock & Roll Dreams Come Through
Meat Loaf

You cant run away forever
But theres nothing wrong with getting a good head start
You want to shut out the night
You want to shut down the sun
You want to shut away the pieces of a broken heart
Thing of how wed lay down together
Wed be listening to the radio so loud and so strong
Every golden nugget coming like a gift of the gods
Someone must have blessed us when he gave us those songs

I treasure your love
I never want to lose it
Youve been through the fires of hell
And I know youve got the ashes to prove it
I treasure your love
I want to show you how to use it
Youve been through a lot of pain in the dirt
And I know youve got the scars to prove it

Remember everything that I told you
Well Im telling you again that its true
When youre alone and afraid
And youre completely amazed
To find theres nothing anybody can do
Keep on believing
And youll discover baby

Theres always something magic
Theres always something new
And when you really, really need it the most
Thats when rock and roll dreams come through
The beat is yours forever
The beat is always true
And when you really, really need it the most
Thats when rock and roll dreams come through...for you...

Once upon a time was a backbeat
Once upon a time all the chords came to life
And the angels had guitars even before they had wings
If you hang on to a chorus you get through the night

I treasure your love
I never want to lose it
Youve been through the fires of hell
And I know youve got the ashes to prove it
I treasure your love
I want to show you how to use it
Youve been through a lot of pain in the dirt
And I know youve got the scars to prove it

Remember everything that I told you
Well Im telling you again that its true
Youre never alone cause you can put on the phones
And let the drummer tell your heart ehat to do
Keep on believing
And youll discover baby

Theres always something magic
Theres always something new
And when you really, really need it the most
Thats when rock and roll dreams come through
The beat is yours forever
The beat is always true
And when you really, really need it the most
Thats when rock and roll dreams come through...for you...

Analysis:
There are many examples of anaphora in the song "Rock & Roll Dreams Come Through" by Meat Loaf. Anaphora is used in the song for emphasis, and enhances the song tremendously. One example of anaphora is used to connect to the listener, or who the song was written for. The speaker sings, "you want to shut out the night, you want to shut down the sun, you want to shut away the pieces of a broken heart". Repetition is used here by the speaker to tell the listener (or who the song was written for) that he understands what they are going through and knows what they want. Another example of anaphora is used to inspire the listener, and enhances the mood of optimism. The speaker sings, "there's always something magic, there always something new" and "the beat is yours forever, the beat is always true". They want to tell the listener not to give up hope, because they will always have music and past memories to inspire them. The speaker also uses anaphora to reflect upon past times and how things used to be. He sings, "once upon a time was a backbeat, once upon a time all the chords came to life" to sing of better times. This song is inspirational and optimistic, and the anaphora used helps the listener think optimistically.

Thursday, February 26, 2009

Metaphor Song #2: Details in the Fabric by Jason Mraz (feat. James Morrison)

Details in the Fabric
Jason Mraz feat. James Morrison

Calm down 
Deep breaths 
And get yourself dressed instead 
Of running around 
And pulling all your threads and 
Breaking yourself up 

If it's a broken part, replace it 
If it’s a broken arm then brace it 
If it's a broken heart then face it 

And hold your own 
Know your name 
And go your own way 
Hold your own 
Know your name 
And go your own way 

And everything will be fine 

Hang on 
Help is on the way 
Stay strong 
I'm doing everything 

Hold your own 
Know your name 
And go your own way 
Hold your own 
Know your name 
And go your own way 

And everything 
Everything will be fine 
Everything 

Are the details in the fabric 
Are the things that make you panic 
Are your thoughts results of static cling? 

Are the things that make you blow 
Hell, no reason, go on and scream 
If you're shocked it's just the fault 
Of faulty manufacturing.

Everything will be fine 
Everything in no time at all 
Everything 

Hold your own 
And know your name 
Go your own way 

Are the details in the fabric (Hold your own)
Are the things that make you panic (Know your name)
Are your thoughts results of static cling? (Go your own way)

Hold your own 
Know your name 
Go your own way. 

Are the details in the fabric (Hold your own)
Are the things that make you panic (Know your name)
Is it Mother Nature's sewing machine? (Go your own way) 
Are the things that make you blow (Hold your own)
Hell no reason go on and scream (Know your name)
If you’re shocked it's just the fault (Go your own way)
Of faulty manufacturing 

Everything will be fine 
Everything in no time at all
Hearts will hold 

Analysis:

"Details in the Fabric", a soft lullaby by Jason Mraz and James Morrison is centered around one principle metaphor. The "details in the fabric" constantly referred to in the song is a metaphor for the little details in one's life. It assists in delivering the message of the song, everything will be fine. The song reaches out to a person struggling with problems in their life, and tries to inspire the person to think optimistically. The speaker tells the person in despair to "calm down" and take "deep breaths", and tells them to get up and live their daily life rather than sitting and breaking themselves up over what has happened to them. The chorus is a piece of advice that the speaker tries to give the person in distress in an effort to inspire them to be optimistic. He says, "hold your own, know your name, and go your own way", telling the person to be strong, know who you are, and continue living as if they had never been hurt, and then tells the speaker that "everything will be fine". In this song, the "details in the fabric" (the little things in ones life) are what makes the person in despair panic and get upset. The speaker asks the person, "Are your thoughts result of static cling?", meaning, are the little things in life flocking towards you and clinging, making you stressed and unhappy? The speaker tells the person that it isn't their fault that they are unhappy, and instead it is "just the fault of faulty manufacturing". The song ends with optimism, assuring the unhappy soul that "everything will be fine" in "no time at all", and "hearts will hold". 

Metaphor Song #1: Suddenly I See by K.T. Tunstall

Suddenly I See
K.T. Tunstall
Her face is a map of the world
Is a map of the world
You can see she's a beautiful girl
She's a beautiful girl
And everything around her is a silver pool of light
The people who surround her feel the benefit of it
It makes you calm
She holds you captivated in her palm

Suddenly I see (Suddenly I see)
This is what I wanna be
Suddenly I see (Suddenly I see)
Why the hell it means so much to me

I feel like walking the world
Like walking the world
You can hear she's a beautiful girl
She's a beautiful girl
She fills up every corner like she's born in black and white
Makes you feel warmer when you're trying to remember
What you heard
She likes to leave you hanging on her word

Suddenly I see (Suddenly I see)
This is what I wanna be
Suddenly I see (Suddenly I see)
Why the hell it means so much to me
And she's taller than most
And she's looking at me
I can see her eyes looking from a page in a magazine
Oh she makes me feel like I could be a tower
A big strong tower
She got the power to be
The power to give
The power to see

Suddenly I see (Suddenly I see)
This is what I wanna be
Suddenly I see (Suddenly I see)
Why the hell it means so much to me
Analysis:
"Suddenly I See" by K.T. Tunstall is a song that uses metaphors to describe a powerfully optimistic and inspirational girl. The speaker begins the song by describing this girl that ultimately inspires her to be who she wishes to be. She uses the metaphor "her face is a map of the world". This girl's face is not actually a map of the world, however it is a representation of success and what a person can achieve because she has the world at her feet. This metaphor is important, because it leaves the first impression of the girl on the listener and essentially describes who this girl is and what makes her so intriguing. The speaker uses another metaphor to describe how inspiring the girl is, saying "everything around her is a silver pool of light". The light is a representation of her optimism and ability to inspire those around her and is important because it gives the reader a sense of the girl's optimism. The speaker then goes on to use the hyperbole, "she holds you captivated in her palm" to further illustrate to the listener how much of an affect this girl has on the people around her. The chorus is sort of like an epiphany to the speaker, who is inspired by this girl and suddenly sees "this is what [I] want to be". Becoming the person she wants to be means a lot to her ("why [the hell] it means to much to me"). The second verse begins with the speaker feeling like walking the world, meaning she feels like exploring and enjoying the scenery around her. This is very optimistic, and her optimism can be attributed to the girl, who acts as a role model and inspiration to her. The speaker uses a simile, "she fills up every corner like she's born in black and white" to again describe the effect the girl has on those around her. The girl makes the people around her feel warmer, and her inspiring and optimistic presence is comforting. The girl makes the speaker feel like she can be a "big strong tower", and has "the power to be, the power to give, and the power to see". This strong, optimistic individual inspired the speaker to be who she wants to be and think optimistically.

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Simile Song #2: Crests of Waves by Coldplay

Crests of Waves
Coldplay

It could be worse
I could be alone
I could be locked in here on my own
Like a stone that suddenly drops
It never stops, no
I could be lost
Or I Could be saved
Calling out from beneath the waves
Beaten down by this ocean rain
Never again
Never again

Ohhh, Ohhh
Ohhh, Ohhh

Screaming out from the crests of waves

It could be worse
Bitter or sweet
It could be snapped from the jaws of defeat
Like a light lit upon a beach 
Wear your heart on your sleeve

Oh
You want to stop before you begin
You want to sink when you know you could swim
You want to stop just before you begin
Never give in
Never give in

Ohhh, Ohhh
Ohhh, Ohhh

Screaming out from the crests of waves

Nothing matters
Except life and the love you make

Nothing matters
Except life and the love you make
Nothing matters
Except life and the love you make
Except life and the love you make

Screaming out from the crests of waves

Screaming out from the crests of waves
Where your longing to be saved
Screaming out from the crests of waves
Where your longing to be saved
Screaming out from the crests of waves

Analysis:
"Crests of Waves" by Coldplay is a song that uses similes to emphasize how any certain situation could be worse than it actually is. The speaker begins the song by analyzing his situation and how it could be worse than it is. "It could be worse," he sings, and goes on further to say he could be alone, locked into this situation by himself. He thinks optimistically and assures himself that things aren't so bad and they could be worse. The speaker uses the similes, "like a stone that suddenly drops, it never stops" and "like a light lit upon a beach wear your heart on your sleeve" to inspire the listener. Wearing your heart on your sleeve means to make your emotions obvious to other people, much like a light lit upon a beach is obvious to people. After the first chorus, the speaker is speaking to another individual, encouraging them not to give up and to just hold on because things could be worse. He repeats, "never give in" to inspire the individual not to "stop before you begin", "sink when you know you could swim", or give up. The song ends with the inspiring line, "nothing matters except life and the love you make". The speaker is trying to deliver the message that no matter how hard things get, hold your head high and don't give up, because the only things that should matter are living life and loving others.

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Simile Song #1: Hero/Heroine by Boys Like Girls

Hero/Heroine
Boys Like Girls
It's too late baby, there's no turning around
I've got my hands in my pocket and my head in a cloud
This is how I do
When I think about you
I never thought that you could break me apart
I keep a sinister smile and a hole in my heart
You want to get inside
Then you can get in line
But not this time

Cause you caught me off guard
Now I'm running and screaming

I feel like a hero and you are my heroine

I won't try to philosophize
I'll just take a deep breath and I'll look in your eyes
This is how I feel
And it's so surreal
I got a closet filled up to the brim
With the ghosts of my past and their skeletons
And I don't know why
You'd even try
But I won't lie

You caught me off guard
Now I'm running and screaming

I feel like a hero and you are my heroine
Do you know that your love is the sweetest sin?

And I feel a weakness coming on
It never felt so good to be so wrong
Had my heart on lock down
And then you turned me around
And I feel like a new born child
Every time I get a chance to see you smile
It's not complicated
I was so jaded

And you caught me off guard
Now I'm running and screaming

I feel like a hero and you are my heroine
Do you know that your love is the sweetest sin?

(I feel like a hero and you are my heroine)
And I feel a weakness coming on
Never felt so good to be so wrong
Had my heart on lockdown
And then you turned me around
(Do you know that your love is the sweetest sin?)
I feel like a new born child
Every time I get a chance to see you smile
It's not complicated
I was so jaded

(I feel like a hero and you are my heroine)
And I feel a weakness coming on
Never felt so good to be so wrong
Had my heart on lockdown
And then you turned me around
(Do you know that your love is the sweetest sin?)
I feel just like a new born child
Every time I get a chance to see you smile
It's not complicated
I was so jaded

Analysis:
The song "Hero/Heroine" is centered around one simile. The speaker sings "I feel like a hero", to a girl, and tells her that "you are my heroine" (a metaphor). This girl turned the speaker's life around, and changed him from a "jaded" man who had very negative views on love due to his past experiences to someone genuinely happy. She makes him feel alive and optimistic, and by "breaking him apart" from his rough past with lovers, she inspired him to be more open to love. She makes him feel strong and alive, like a "hero". There is another important simile in this song that describes the effect that the girl has on the speaker. He sings, "I feel like a newborn child every time I get a chance to see you smile". Everytime the girl smiles, the speaker feels alive and happy. With her love, the girl inspires the speaker to ditch his gloomy outlooks on love and replaces it with feelings of warmth and optimism. He views love in a much brighter way because of her.

Monday, February 9, 2009

Live High - Jason Mraz

LIVE HIGH
Jason Mraz
I try to picture a girl
Through a looking glass
See her as a carbon atom
See her eyes and stare back at them
See that girl
As her own new world
Though a home is on the surface, she is still a universe

Glory God, oh God is peeking through the blinds
Are we all here standing naked
Taking guesses at the actual date and time
Oh my, justifying reasons why
Is an absolutely insane resolution to live by

Live high
Live mighty
Live righteously
Takin it easy
Live high, live mighty
Live righteously

Try to picture the man
To always have an open hand
And see him as a giving tree
See him as matter
Matter fact he's not a beast
No not the devil either
Always a good deed doer
And it's laughter that we're making after all

The call of the wild is still an ordination why
And the order of the primates
All our politics are too late
Oh my, the congregation in my mind
Is this assembly singing of gratitude
Practicing their lovin for you

Live high
Live mighty
Live righteously
Takin it easy
Live high, live mighty
Oh live righteously

Take it all, 
And just take it easy
And celebrate the malleable reality
You see nothing is ever as it seems
Yeah this life is but a dream

Lift me up to the almighty
Raise your hands and start acknowledging


Live high, live high
Live mighty, mighty, mighty, 
Oh live righteously
Takin it easy
Live high, live mighty
Oh live righteously
Just take, just just taking it easy
Live high
Oh live mighty, mighty, 
Oh live righteously
Take it all, just take it, take it easy
See live high, 
Oh live righteously
Just take it easy

Analysis: 




Jason Mraz is known famously for his way with words (wordplay, as he calls it) and has earned himself the nickname “Mr. A-Z”. Mraz is known for his eccentricity; standing barefoot when playing live and almost always wearing one of his signature hats are just a few of his quirks. His song style is soft rock, and his gentle voice croons his cleverly phrased lyrics to listeners, taking them on a ride into his state of mind. Mraz is often acclaimed for having “feel-good”, eclectic music that can relate to almost anyone, and his clever wordplay is just one of the many reasons why he is such an interesting artist to look out for. “Live High” is a demonstration of Mraz’s clever wordplay skills that illustrate to the listener his unique way of thinking.
Jason Mraz uses the first verse of “Live High” to express his views on women in a unique, thoughtful way. He states that he tries to picture a girl “through a looking glass”, and examines her closely. Mraz views women as many things. Using similes, he says that he sees her as a “carbon atom” as well as “her own new world”. Essentially, every human being is made up of carbon atoms, so that is the simplest definition he can give. However, he also sees women as “[their] own new world”, meaning that they each live in a world of their own. He believes that women should be treated right and listened to; He tells the listener to “see her eyes and stare back at them”. Then Mraz describes the bigger picture. “Though a home is on the surface”, he begins. “She is still a universe”. Though everybody lives on the surface of the planet, each woman really is their own universe, because they are all different. They all see things differently and act differently, and just because everybody lives on one planet, each woman lives in their own world that they make and that should be embraced.
The second verse is used to delve into Mraz’s religious beliefs. Mraz begins it by saying, “Glory God, oh God is peeking through the blinds”. He expresses his views of God cleverly with imagery. He knows that God is watching him live his life and that he is always there when he needs him. He asks, “Are we all here standing naked, taking guesses at the actual date and time?” He wonders if everybody is just standing, clueless, wondering the meaning of life. Then he offers a piece of wisdom, inspired by his views of God, saying, “Justifying reasons why is an absolutely insane resolution to live by”. Mraz is trying to tell the listener that one shouldn’t sit and wonder why they are living or if they are living the right way. Instead, they should embrace the opportunity to live and not question why. God has put them all on Earth for a reason, and they shouldn’t question his methods.
Mraz mocks common hyperboles about men in the third verse, and explains that all men should not be judged by the negative connotation often associated with their gender. He tries to “picture the man to always have an open hand”, and uses simile to compare the man as a giving tree, as well as matter. These similes highlight Mraz’s optimistic outlook and open mind. He then addresses the negative connotations associated with men and assure the listener that the man is not a “beast” and “not the devil, either”. In fact, the man is “always a good deed doer”, and therefore not a bad person. Mraz ends the verse on a light note, saying that “its laughter that we’re making after all”. This is an attempt to get the listener to see things his way. According to Mraz, life can be negative if taken so, but it can also be great if one just realizes it and lives it so.
The chorus of the song preaches Mraz’s morals in a simple, effective way. He uses powerful adverbs to describe how he believes one should live their life. In his opinion, everybody should live “high”, “mighty”, and “righteously”. He believes that people should live their life to its fullest potential because it is a preciously powerful thing. The line “takin’ it easy” is supposed to ease the listeners mind and encourage them not to work too hard and forget what life is meant for, being happy.
The bridge of “Live High” highlights the whole meaning of this song and sums up how Mraz thinks and lives his life. The simple metaphor, “life is but a dream”, sums up Mraz’s entire outlook. The phrase “take it easy” is repeated, and this repetition effectively reiterates the moral of the song. Mraz urges the listener to “take it easy” because, after all, reality is “malleable” and can easily be turned around. He shares one last piece of wisdom to the listener that “nothing is ever as it seems”. This can be interpreted as saying life is beautiful and so easily changeable (malleable) that one shouldn’t worry about the logistics of it. Living high, mighty, and righteously is Mraz’s way of life, and “Live High” engulfs the listener into his world of optimism.
“Live High” fits into the theme of optimism and inspiration for many reasons. Mraz’s view on life is very optimistic and his ability to illustrate that to his listeners is very inspirational. His open-mindedness expressed in the song, whether it be seeing the girl as her own world or the boy as a giving tree, sparks optimism and illustrate to the listener Mraz’s unique way of thinking. The wordplay in this song is what makes it so appealing; without it the listener wouldn’t get the full essence of who Jason Mraz is. His eccentricity and wordplay is what makes him so interesting, and this song is a prime example of how he shows his listeners his way of thinking.

Wednesday, February 4, 2009

NARRATIVE SONG: New Shoes by Paolo Nutini

Woke up cold one tuesday,
I'm looking tired and feeling quite sick,
I felt like there was something missing in my day to day life,
So I quickly opened the wardrobe,
Pulled out some jeans and a T-Shirt that seemed clean,
Topped it off with a pair of old shoes,
That were ripped around the seams,
And I thought these shoes just don't suit me.

Hey, I put some new shoes on,
And suddenly everything's right,
I said, hey, I put some new shoes on and everybody's smiling,
And it's so inviting,
Oh, short on money,
But long on time,
Slowly strolling in the sweet sunshine,
And I'm running late,
And I dont need an excuse,
'Cause I'm wearing my brand new shoes.

Woke up late one thursday,
And I'm seeing stars as I'm rubbing my eyes,
And I felt like there were two days missing,
As I focused on the time,
And I made my way to the kitchen,
But I had to stop from the shock of what I found,
A room full of all my friends all dancing round and round,
And I thought hello new shoes,
Bye-bye blues!

Hey, I put some new shoes on,
And suddenly everything's right,
I said, hey, I put some new shoes on and everybody's smiling,
And it's so inviting,
Oh, short on money,
But long on time,
Slowly strolling in the sweet sunshine,
And I'm running late,
And I dont need an excuse,
So I'm wearing my brand new shoes.

Take me wondering through these streets,
Where bright lights and angels meet,
Stone to stone they take me on,
I'm walking 'til the break of dawn.

Hey, I put some new shoes on,
And suddenly everything's right,
I said, hey, I put some new shoes on and everybody's smiling,
And it's so inviting,
Oh, short on money,
But long on time,
Slowly strolling in the sweet sunshine,
And I'm running late,
And I dont need an excuse,
So I'm wearing my brand new shoes.

Oh, Hey, I put some new shoes on,
And suddenly everything's right,
I said, hey, I put some new shoes on and everybody's smiling,
And it's so inviting,
Oh, short on money,
But long on time,
Slowly strolling in the sweet sunshine,
And I'm running late,
And I dont need an excuse,
So I'm wearing my brand new shoes.

"New Shoes" by Paolo Nutini tells the story of a sad and depressed man who gets inspired by a new pair of shoes. The story begins on a Tuesday, where the speaker was "looking tired and feeling quite sick". When getting dressed, the speaker notices how his shoes were aged and had seen better days, so he opts to wear a new pair. After he puts on these new shoes, everything begins to look up for him ("and suddenly everything is right")and he begins to see things optimistically. The new shoes gave him an entirely new outlook on life, and inspired him to live life happily ("hello new shoes, bye bye blues!"). This relates to my theme of "Optimism and Inspiration" because of the effect the speaker's new shoes had on him. The new shoes inspired the speaker to be optimistic and live life happily.