Thursday, May 7, 2009

Song Analysis 3

Robert Southworth

Poetry of Song
Ms. Malone
May 8, 2009
Song Analysis 3
“Bartender”
The rocking music group called Dave Matthews Band has continuously released chart topping tracks that have them now famous worldwide. Founded at a small bar in Virginia, lead singer Dave Matthews took off with the idea of recorded some songs he wrote with his friends. Little did he know, those songs would lead them to numerous Grammy awards and much more. One of their songs not as well knew, “Bartender”, as powerful lyrics that demonstrate regret. Dave Matthew’s “Bartender” contains regret and poetic devices in the lyrics.
“Bartender” by Dave Matthews Band is a very emotional song that evolves an older man thoughts on dying. The narrator is sitting at a bar, depressed, and talking to anyone who will listen. The bartender engages the man in a conversation in which the man begins talking about his views on dying and his final wishes. As the narrator continues his talk, many religious references become apparent. The mentioning of God, the devil, and possibly heaven and hell all appear in the lyrics to “Bartender.” The narrator blames the devil for provided the “grapes” for the alcohol he consumes, which he believes will kill him. Suddenly, the elderly man drops to his knees and prays to God to protect him. An interesting lyrical aspect occurs as the song progresses. It seems the death of the man gets closer and closer as the music becomes faster. The narrator begins to pray more often and the tone of the narrator becomes more desperate. “Bartender” is a very complex song that involves many interesting parts.
Regret appears numerous times throughout Dave Matthew’s Bands “Bartender.” The elderly man begins to regret his relationships with his siblings throughout the song. This is expressed through the lyric “Oh brother of mine, please don’t forget me if I go.” The narrator displays some evidence that he and his brother were not that close. The sister also appears in the lyrics, in which the narrator asks her to “not regret me if I die.” The narrator may have done something to hurt his sister in order for him to feel this way.
Regret is displayed often in “Bartender.”
Some poetic devices are also found within the lyrics of “Bartender.” An example of alliteration occurs in the lyrics “sweet sister of mine.” The words “sweet” and “sister” both share the common sound of the letter “s”. An example of personification occurs later in the song. The lyrics “The wine that’s drinking me” is an example of personification because wine does not inhabit the human action of drinking. Another poetic device used in “Bartender” is anadiplosis. The lyrics “When I was young, I didn’t think about it
Now I just can’t get it off my mind” are an example of repetition. The lyrics continue the idea of death as a dream throughout the song. Poetic devices help to enhance lyrics and the song’s deeper meaning. Overall, Dave Matthews Band did a great job composing the lyrics to “Bartender.”
Dave Matthews Band has continuously produced songs that fully relate to the listener. Their music fully appreciates and communicates with their followers of the bands. The song “Bartender” fully demonstrates the theme of regret and denial. The poetic devices that are used by Dave Matthews help enhance the song and its meaning. The narrator of the song is obviously thinking that his time to depart this world is soon and he wants to say his final wishes. Dave Matthews Band once again proves their lyrical genius in the great rock song of “Bartender.”


Bartender


And if I go, before I’m old
Oh brother of mine, please don’t forget me if I go
And if I die, before my time
Oh sweet sister of mine, do not regret me if I die

Bartender, please fill my glass for me
With the wine you gave jesus
That set him free after three days down

Bartender, please fill my glass deep for me
With the wine you gave jesus
That set him free after three days down

On bended knees, I pray, bartender please
On bended knees, God please

Oh, and if this gold, should steal my soul away
Oh mother of mine, please redirect me if this gold...

Bartender, please fill one up for me
Of the kind you gave jesus
That set him free after three days down

On bended knees, I pray, bartender please
On bended knees, bartender please

[the newer version, from summer 2000]

If I go
Before I’m old
Oh, brother of mine
Please don’t forget me if I go

Bartender, please
Fill my glass for me
With the wine you gave jesus that set him free
After three days in the ground

Oh, and if I die
Before my time
Oh, sweet sister of mine
Please don’t regret me if I die

Bartender, please
Fill my glass for me
With the wine you gave jesus that set him free
After three days in the ground

Bartender, please
Fill my glass for me
With the wine you gave jesus that set him free
After three days in the ground

I’m on bended knees, I pray
Bartender, please

When I was young, I didn’t think about it
Now I just can’t get it off my mind

I’m on bended knees
Father, please

If all this gold
Should steal my soul away
Oh, dear mother of mine
Please redirect me if this gold...

Bartender, you see
The wine that’s drinking me
Came from the vine that strung judas from the devil’s tree
It’s roots deep, deep in the ground

Bartender, you see
The wine that’s drinking me
Came from the vine that strung judas from the devil’s tree
It’s roots deep, deep in the ground
In the ground...

I’m on bended knees
Oh, bartender, please

I’m on bended knees
Father, please

When I was young, I didn’t dream about it
Now I think about it all the time

I’m on bended knees
Oh, bartender, please
Bartender, please

Thursday, April 30, 2009

Creative Project

Type of project-Short Story
Song- "Photograph" by Nickelback


Look at this photograph
Every time I do it makes me laugh
How did our eyes get so red?
And what the hell is on Joey's head?

And this is where I grew up
I think the present owner fixed it up
I never knew we'd ever went without
The second floor is hard for sneaking out

And this is where I went to school
Most of the time had better things to do
Criminal record says I've broke in twice
I must have done it half a dozen times

I wonder if it's too late
Should I go back and try to graduate?
Life's better now than it was back then
If I was them I wouldn't let me in

Oh oh oh
Oh God I

Every memory of looking out the back door
I have the photo album spread out on my bedroom floor
It's hard to say it, time to say it
Goodbye, goodbye

Every memory of walking out the front door
I found the photo of the friend that I was looking for
It's hard to say it, time to say it
Goodbye, goodbye
Goodbye

Remember the old arcade?
Blew every dollar that we ever made
The cops hated us hanging out
They said somebody went and burned it down

We used to listen to the radio
And sing along with every song we know
We said someday we'd find out how if feels
To sing to more than just the steering wheel

Kim's the first girl I kissed
I was so nervous that I nearly missed
She's had a couple of kids since then
I haven't seen her since God knows when

Oh oh oh
Oh God I

Every memory of looking out the back door
I have the photo album spread out on my bedroom floor
It's hard to say it, time to say it
Goodbye, goodbye

Every memory of walking out the front door
I found the photo of the friend that I was looking for
It's hard to say it, time to say it
Goodbye, goodbye

I miss that town
I miss their faces
You can't erase
You can't replace it

I miss it now
I can't believe it
So hard to stay
Too hard to leave it

If I could I relive those days
I know the one thing that would never change

Every memory of looking out the back door
I have the photo album spread out on my bedroom floor
It's hard to say it, time to say it
Goodbye, goodbye

Every memory of walking out the front door
I found the photo of the friend that I was looking for
It's hard to say it, time to say it
Goodbye, goodbye

Look at this photograph
Every time I do it makes me laugh
Every time I do it makes me

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Social/Political Messages

"Adam's Song" Blink 182

"Adam's Song", written by Blink 182, is an extremely powerful song that delivers a social message to everyone. The song expresses the moods of depression and sadness and their consequences if not dealt with. "Adams Song" lyrics are suppose to resemble a suicide note written by someone having suicidal thoughts. The relevance of the lyrics are suppose to show that people need help after tragedies if they are showing the signs of suicide. The lyrics "You'll be sorry when I'm gone" strike with so much pain. Blink 182 "Adam's Song" does a good job displaying the strong message of suicide.

I never thought I'd die alone
I laughed the loudest who'd have known
I traced the cord back to the wall
No wonder it was never plugged in at all
I took my time, I hurried up
The choice was mine, I didn't think enough
I'm too depressed, to go on
You'll be sorry when I'm gone

I never conquered, rarely came
16 just held such better days
Days when I still felt alive
We couldn't wait to get outside
The world was wide, too late to try
The tour was over we'd survived
I couldn't wait till I got home
To pass the time in my room alone

I never thought I'd die alone
Another six months I'll be unknown
Give all my things to all my friends
You'll never set foot in my room again
You'll close it off, board it up
Remember the time that I spilled the cup
Of apple juice in the hall
Please tell mom this is not her fault

I never conquered, rarely came
16 just held such better days
Days when I still felt alive
We couldn't wait to get outside
The world was wide, too late to try
The tour was over we'd survived
I couldn't wait till I got home
To pass the time in my room alone

I never conquered, rarely came
Tomorrow holds such better days
Days when I can still feel alive
When I can't wait to get outside
The world is wide, the time goes by
The tour is over, I'd survived
I can't wait till I get home
To pass the time in my room alone


"If Everyone Cared" Nickelback

One of Nickelback's most influential work, "If Everyone Cared" is a great song that sends a deep social message. The song tries to displays most of the worlds issues from genocide to global warming. The relevance of the song is to show everyone how much we take for granted. If you take any problem and plug it into the lyrics, the lyrics relate perfectly. The lyrics "And as we lie beneath the stars
We realize how small we are" demonstrate the ideology of humans today. We are only a small piece in the middle of a humongous puzzle. If we continue to act the same way and keep up the same ways of living, we may dissapear. Nickelback does a great job displaying the social message of today's modern society.

From underneath the trees, we watch the sky
Confusing stars for satellites
I never dreamed that you'd be mine
But here we are, we're here tonight

Singing Amen, I, I'm alive
Singing Amen, I, I'm alive

[Chorus:]
If everyone cared and nobody cried
If everyone loved and nobody lied
If everyone shared and swallowed their pride
Then we'd see the day when nobody died

And I'm singing

Amen I, Amen I, I'm alive
Amen I, Amen I, Amen I, I'm alive

And in the air the fireflies
Our only light in paradise
We'll show the world they were wrong
And teach them all to sing along

Singing Amen, I, I'm alive
Singing Amen, I, I'm alive
(I'm alive)

[Chorus x2]

And as we lie beneath the stars
We realize how small we are
If they could love like you and me
Imagine what the world could be

If everyone cared and nobody cried
If everyone loved and nobody lied
If everyone shared and swallowed their pride
Then we'd see the day when nobody died
When nobody died...

[Chorus]

We'd see the day, we'd see the day
When nobody died
We'd see the day, we'd see the day
When nobody died
We'd see the day when nobody died

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

Imagery Song

"Breaking the Habit"
-Linkin Park

Linkin Park's "Breaking the Habit" is not one the most recognized from the band. The song meaning derives from the narrator, who is regretting a past action that he now wants to break free from. Some imagery is present in the song. The lyrics "I'm picking me apart again" is an example of imagery. The sense of touch is used in the specific lyric. Another example of imagery is found in the lyric "Clutching my cure." This also is a use of the sense touch. Linkin Park continuously uses the poetic device of imagery in their songs, including "Breaking the Habit."

Memories consume
Like opening the wound
I'm picking me apart again
You all assume
I'm safe here in my room
Unless I try to start again

[Bridge:]
I don't want to be the one
The battles always choose
'Cause inside I realize
That I'm the one confused

[Chorus:]
I don't know what's worth fighting for
Or why I have to scream
I don't know why I instigate
And say what I don't mean
I don't know how I got this way
I know it's not alright
So I'm breaking the habit
I'm breaking the habit
Tonight

Clutching my cure
I tightly lock the door
I try to catch my breath again
I hurt much more
Than anytime before
I had no options left again

[Bridge:]
I dont want to be the one
The battles always choose
'Cause inside I realize
That I'm the one confused

[Chorus:]
I don't know what's worth fighting for
Or why I have to scream
I don't know why I instigate
And say what I don't mean
I don't know how I got this way
I'll never be alright
So, I'm breaking the habit
I'm breaking the habit
Tonight

[Bridge:]
I'll paint it on the walls
'Cause I'm the one at fault
I'll never fight again
And this is how it ends

[Chorus:]
I don't know what's worth fighting for
Or why I have to scream
But now I have some clarity
to show you what I mean
I don't know how I got this way
I'll never be alright
So, I'm breaking the habit
I'm breaking the habit
I’m breaking the habit
Tonight



"Iris"
-Goo Goo Dolls

"Iris", written by the Goo Goo Dolls, is one of the most well known love rock songs ever wrote. Imagery is present everywhere in "Iris." The first line, "And I'd give up forever to touch you" is an example of imagery. The sense that is used in the lyric is touch. An example of the taste sense shows up in the lyric, "And all I can taste is this moment." The lyric "Cause I know that you feel me somehow" is also an example of touch. The Goo Goo Dolls have mastered the concept of imagery in their songs, which makes it easier from the listener relate to the song.


And I'd give up forever to touch you

You're the closest to heaven that I'll ever be
And I don't want to go home right now
Verse 2

And all I can taste is this moment
And all I can breathe is your life
Cause sooner or later it's over
I just don't want to miss you tonight
Chorus

And I don't want the world to see me
Cause I don't think that they'd understand
When everything's made to be broken
I just want you to know who I am
Verse 3

And you can't fight the tears that ain't coming
Or the moment of truth in your lies
When everything seems like the movies
Yeah you bleed just to know your alive

Chorus

And I don't want the world to see me
Cause I don't think that they'd understand
When everything's made to be broken
I just want you to know who I am
Chorus

I don't want the world to see me
Cause I don't think that they'd understand
When everything's made to be broken
I just want you to know who I am

I just want you to know who I am
I just want you to know who I am
I just want you to know who I am
I just want you to know who I am

Wednesday, April 1, 2009

Song Analysis 2

“Sorry” by Buckcherry
With Grammy nominations and numerous musical awards, Buckcherry has been one of the most recognized bands in the past decade. Founded in 1995, the band broke up after drugs and solo projects sidetracked the musicians. Buckcherry released their most successful album, 15, in 2006 after founder Josh Todd reunited the band in 2005 to produce a final album, but no one anticipated its success. Tracks from the album have had success in the United States, manly on the Billboard Top 100 charts. Buckcherry, in the past, has toured with mega rock stars Motley Crue, Papa Roach, and Avenged Sevenfold.
Buckcherry has been known in the past for their hard rocking songs that have sold thousands of copies. However, one of their latest songs entitled “Sorry” does not follow the same direction the band is used to. The slow and regretful love song written from lead singer Josh Todd’s heartache speaks to many couples. The overall meaning of the song deals with the regret and forgiveness the narrator feels for his loved one in their relationship. The identity could possibly be a girlfriend or a parental figure who has known the narrator in the past. The line “while I was away” indicates that the narrator has recently been separated from the one they feel regretful for. “Sorry” is written beautifully and greatly displays the theme of regret.
Regret is apparent in almost every line of Buckcherry’s “Sorry.” A main example of the narrator’s regret is with the continuously use of the lyric “I’m sorry.” The repetitive use emphasizes the narrator’s sincere apology, and overall enhances the song. The narrator is regretful for his absence in the relationship and his actions. There is also evidence that the relationship was abusive. “I’m sorry you’re blue” could refer to the bruises that have been caused by assault. The narrator also takes responsibility for his actions by stating “I think I’m to blame.” The honesty and remorse the narrator displays shows his true character and regret.
Poetic devices are found within the lyrics of “Sorry.” Anadiplosis is present in the lyrics “I'm sorry I'm bad, I'm sorry you're blue, I'm sorry about all things I said to you” The use of the same idea, the narrators regret, at the beginning of consecutive lines qualifies these lyrics as anadiplosis. The use of anadiplosis reinforces the thought of regret in the listeners mind. Rhyme is found in numerous places throughout the lyrics. One example of rhyme in “Sorry” is the lyric “I love all your sounds, and baby the way you make my world go round.” The repetitive use of the same sounds helps the listener to remember the song and create a catchy tune. Poetic devices help to enhance the musical lyrics used in songs.
The songs victim can be interpreted in many ways, each with its own scenario. If in fact the sufferer is a girlfriend, the narrator is sorry for his recent abusive relationship. He blames himself for the troubled times and takes responsibility for the pain he has caused her. The song can also be seen as the narrator and a parental figure. He may now be sorry for his childhood or a recent action that has caused pain to the family. The narrator now wants to apologize for his actions and try to re-heal. A third interpretation of

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Found Poem

Found Poem
“Sorry” Buckcherry, “Jump” Simple Plan, “One” U2, “Scars” Papa Roach

Is it getting better?
I dont wanna wake up today
I tried to help you once
So I offered you my hand
Forget your problems
You got someone to blame
With this one life
I’m sorry

Monday, March 9, 2009

Repetition

*Example of Anaphora
"Shoulda" by Hinder

Hinder's "Shoulda" is a great example of a song that contains anaphora. The repetition of the word "shoulda" enhances the song. The narrator repeats himself numerous times to get the point across that he is very regretful for his past behavior. Their is a very interesting lyric found in the song. The line "I'd say those three words" could be interpreted in many ways. To me, those three words are "I love you." The narrator is full of regret and wishes he "coulda" and "shoulda" done things better either in a past relationship or to a parent.

Before I hung up the phone all I could hear
Was the dial tone ring in my ear
If I could go back in time
I'd say those three words
I shoulda woulda coulda said it back to you
And this can't be saved if you can't be found
You hung up and left me for dead on the ground
You didn't even say goodbye
I shoulda woulda coulda said it back to you
I shoulda woulda coulda said it back to you

Now that you're gone I'm wasting away
The life has been siphoned right out of my veins
If I could go back in time
I'd say those three words
I shoulda woulda coulda said it back to you
And this can't be saved if you can't be found
You hung up and left me for dead on the ground
You didn't even say goodbye
I shoulda woulda coulda said it back to you
I shoulda woulda coulda said it back to you

When you said those three words
I kinda freaked out
When you said them first my jaw hit the ground
I shoulda woulda coulda said it back to you
And this can't be saved if you can't be found
You hung up and left me for dead on the ground
You didn't even say goodbye
And this can't be saved
And this can't be saved
If you can't be found
If you can't be found
I shoulda woulda coulda said it back to you
I shoulda woulda coulda said it back to you

*Example of Anadiplosis
"Jump" Simple Plan

Jump!

The song "Jump!" contains the repetition enhancer of anadiplosis. The continuation of the singer's topic of "sick" qualifies this song as having anadiplosis. The lyrics "I'm sick of this town, Sick of my job, Sick of my friends,'cause everyones jaded, Sick of this place" are examples of anadiplosis. The repetition enhances the song because it stresses the point of how the narrator has had enough. The narrator is regretful and has had an epiphany of how he has done nothing with his life. The narrator is "frustrated" of his current lifestyle and wants to "break free."

I dont wanna wake up today
Cause everyday's the same
And I'd been waiting so long
For things to change
I'm sick of this town
Sick of my job
Sick of my friends 'cause everyone's jaded
Sick of this place, I wanna break free
I'm so frustrated, I just wanna

Jump! (Jump!)
Don't wanna think about tomorrow (Jump!)
I just don't care tonight
I just wanna jump (Jump!)
Don't wanna think about my sorrow
Let's go
Forget your problems
I just wanna jump

I don't wanna wake up one day
And find out it's too late
To do all the things I wanna do
So I'm gonna pack up my bags
I'm never coming back
'Cause the years are passing by
And I'm wasting all my ti-ti-time
Sick of this house
Sick of being broke
Sick of this town, that's bringing me down
I'm sick of this place, I wanna break free,
I'm so frustrated, I just wanna jump

Jump! (Jump!)
Don't wanna think about tomorrow (Jump!)
I just don't care tonight,
I just wanna jump (Jump!)
Don't wanna think about my sorrow
Let's go
Forget your problems
I just wanna jump
I just wanna jump

I can't take it anymore [x3]

Forget tomorrow, I just wanna jump (Jump!)
Don't wanna think about tomorrow (Jump!)
I just don't care tonight,
I just wanna jump (Jump!)
Don't wanna think about my sorrow
Let's go
Forget your problems
It's time to let them go
Forget tomorrow, I just wanna jump (Jump!)

I just wanna jump