God & Guns by Lyrnyrs Skynyrd

Social Relevance in God & Guns by Lynyrd Skynyrd

God & Guns by Lyrnyrd Skynyrd is a song that has social relevance. The artist uses a politician and different scenarios to show that this country depends of God and guns to keep it running. For example, he sings, “Last night I heard this politician/Talkin’ ‘bout his brand new mission/’Liked his plans, but they can undone when he got around to/God and guns”. These lyrics show that a politician’s “mission” was only possible with the aid of God and guns. Also, later lyrics state that this politician did not grow up “down at the hunting club” because he didn’t know much about the working man. According to Lyrnryd Skynyrd, “God and Guns/Keep us strong/That’s what our country was founded on”, which means that, if they were taken away, then “we might as well give up and run”. To show that guns rule our country, Lyrnyrd Skynyrd says that we used to be able to sleep with the doors unlocked but now, you have to “say your prayers and thank the lord/For the peacemaker in the dresser drawer”. These lines mean that, at one time we were safe without guns, but now we cannot be at peace if we don’t have a gun to protect us. This song portrays its message, that our country is dependent on God and guns.

Runaway by Bon Jovi

Social Relevance in Runaway by Bon Jovi

In Runaway by Bon Jovi, the song addresses a common social issue today. It is about a typical girl who turned to partying, drinking, and bad stuff because her father didn’t pay enough attention to her or didn’t give her the love she needed. This caused her to find love in the wrong ways. Bon Jovi sings these lines to show that what she wanted was her father’s love, “All your life you asked’\/When is your daddy gonna talk to you”. The lack of her father’s attention for her caused the girl focused on her social image of “lipstick, plastic, and paint”. To show what the girl got into, the artist sings, “You know she likes the lights/at night in the neon Broadway signs”. Another example of this is, “See you out on the streets/Call me for a wild time”. Bon Jovi made this song for a purpose. This purpose was to make a song that addressed the social issue today. They did these by making a hypotheticalcharacter to represent all the girls who have gotten into trouble because of problems at home. Girls runaway, like the hypothetical girl in this song, and get into bad things because they did not get the love they needed at home.

We Are The World by Michael Jackson

Social Relevance in We Are The World by Michael Jackson

We are the World by Michael Jackson is a song that he had written in the 80s but, still has social relevance today. This is song is about making a difference. He says that everyone has to make a difference in order for the world to change. As Michael Jackson sings, “Pretending day by day/That someone, somewhere will soon make a change”. These lines serve as a motivator to make people get up and make a difference. The chorus says, “We are the world/We are the children/We are the ones who make a brighter day”. This shows that everyone is a part of the world and the younger generation consists of the people who will grow up to make a difference. Another message that is intertwined into the song is hope. Jackson sings these words to show this, “When you're down and out/There seems no hope at all/But if you just believe/There's no way we can fall.” These lyrics show that when someone needs help, they should have faith and believe that they will be okay because is everyone joins together, we cannot fall. Michael Jackson is trying to portray a message, and that message is about everyone joining in to make a difference in our world.

Social Relevance In...

We Are the World by Michael Jackson

Runaway by Bon Jovi

God & Guns by Lynyrd Skynyrd

Religion

Knockin' On Heavens Door
(Guns N' Roses version)

Mama, take this badge off of me
I can't use it anymore.
It's gettin' dark, too dark for me to see
I feel like I'm knockin' on heaven's door.

Knock, knock, knockin' on heaven's door
Knock, knock, knockin' on heaven's door
Knock, knock, knockin' on heaven's door
Knock, knock, knockin' on heaven's door

Mama, put my guns in the ground
I can't shoot them anymore.
That long black cloud is comin' down
I feel like I'm knockin' on heaven's door.

Knock, knock, knockin' on heaven's door
Knock, knock, knockin' on heaven's door
Knock, knock, knockin' on heaven's door
Knock, knock, knockin' on heaven's door



Like A Prayer
By: Madonna

Life is a mystery, everyone must stand alone
I hear you call my name
And it feels like home

Chorus:

When you call my name it's like a little prayer
I'm down on my knees, I wanna take you there
In the midnight hour I can feel your power
Just like a prayer you know I'll take you there

I hear your voice, it's like an angel sighing
I have no choice, I hear your voice
Feels like flying
I close my eyes, Oh God I think I'm falling
Out of the sky, I close my eyes
Heaven help me

(chorus)

Like a child you whisper softly to me
You're in control just like a child
Now I'm dancing
It's like a dream, no end and no beginning
You're here with me, it's like a dream
Let the choir sing

(chorus)

Just like a prayer, your voice can take me there
Just like a muse to me, you are a mystery
Just like a dream, you are not what you seem
Just like a prayer, no choice your voice can take me there

Just like a prayer, I'll take you there
It's like a dream to me

This song has allusions to religious elements.

Friendship

Thank You For Being a Friend by Andrew Gold

Thank you for being a friend
Traveled down the road and back again
your heart is true you're a pal and a confidant

I'm not ashamed to say
I hope it always will stay this way
My hat is off, won't you stand up and take a bow

And if you threw a party
Invited everyone you knew
You would see, the biggest gift would be for me
and the card attached would say,
Thank you for being a friend

Thank you for being a friend
Thank you for being a friend
Thank you for being a friend

If it's a car you lack
I'd surely buy you a cadillac
Whatever you need, anytime of the day or night

I'm not ashamed to say
I hope it always will stay this way
My hat is off, won't you stand up and take a bow

And when we both get older
With walking canes and hair of gray
Have no fear, even though it's hardly here
I will stand real close and say,
Thank you for being a friend

(I want to thank you)
Thank you for being a friend
(I want to thank you)
Thank you for being a friend
(I want to thank you)
Thank you for being a friend
(I want to thank you)
Let me tell you bout a friend
(I want to thank you)
Thank you for being a friend
(I want to thank you)
Thank you for being a friend
(I want to thank you)
Thank you for being a friend

And when we die, and float away
I'll see you there, and once again
Thank you for being a

Thank you for being a friend
(I want to thank you)
Thank you for being a friend
(I want to thank you)
Thank you for being a friend
(I want to thank you)
Thank you for being a friend
Whoa, tell you about a friend
(Thank you right now, for being a friend)
Thank you for being a friend
(I wanna tell you right now, and tell you again)
Thank you for being a friend
(I wanna thank you, thank you, for being a friend)
Thank you for being a friend




Letter To a Friend by Bon Jovi

Thank you for being a friend
Traveled down the road and back again
your heart is true you're a pal and a confidant

I'm not ashamed to say
I hope it always will stay this way
My hat is off, won't you stand up and take a bow

And if you threw a party
Invited everyone you knew
You would see, the biggest gift would be for me
and the card attached would say,
Thank you for being a friend

Thank you for being a friend
Thank you for being a friend
Thank you for being a friend

If it's a car you lack
I'd surely buy you a cadillac
Whatever you need, anytime of the day or night

I'm not ashamed to say
I hope it always will stay this way
My hat is off, won't you stand up and take a bow

And when we both get older
With walking canes and hair of gray
Have no fear, even though it's hardly here
I will stand real close and say,
Thank you for being a friend

(I want to thank you)
Thank you for being a friend
(I want to thank you)
Thank you for being a friend
(I want to thank you)
Thank you for being a friend
(I want to thank you)
Let me tell you bout a friend
(I want to thank you)
Thank you for being a friend
(I want to thank you)
Thank you for being a friend
(I want to thank you)
Thank you for being a friend

And when we die, and float away
I'll see you there, and once again
Thank you for being a

Thank you for being a friend
(I want to thank you)
Thank you for being a friend
(I want to thank you)
Thank you for being a friend
(I want to thank you)
Thank you for being a friend
Whoa, tell you about a friend
(Thank you right now, for being a friend)
Thank you for being a friend
(I wanna tell you right now, and tell you again)
Thank you for being a friend
(I wanna thank you, thank you, for being a friend)
Thank you for being a friend

Joy (:

Joy:
Jump by Van Halen

I get up, and nothing gets me down.
You got it tough. I've seen the toughest soul around.
And I know, baby, just how you feel.
You've got to roll with the punches to get to what's real
Oh can't you see me standing here,
I've got my back against the record machine
I ain't the worst that you've seen.
Oh can't you see what I mean ?

Might as well jump. Jump !
Might as well jump.
Go ahead, jump. Jump !
Go ahead, jump.

Aaa-ohh Hey you ! Who said that ?
Baby how you been ?
You say you don't know, you won't know
until you begin.
Well can't you see me standing here,
I've got my back against the record machine
I ain't the worst that you've seen.
Oh can't you see what I mean ?

Might as well jump. Jump!
Go ahead, jump.
Might as well jump. Jump!
Go ahead, jump. Jump!

(guitar solo)
(keyboard solo)

Part of the video version: Aaa-ohh!

Might as well jump. Jump!
Go ahead, jump.
Get it and jump. Jump!
Go ahead, jump
Jump! Jump! Jump! Jump!



Girls Just Wanna Have Fun by Cindi Lauper

come home in the morning light
My mother says when you gonna live your life right
Oh mother dear we're not the fortunate ones
And girls they want to have fun
Oh girls just want to have fun

The phone rings in the middle of the night
My father yells what you gonna do with your life
Oh daddy dear you know you're still number one
But girls they want to have fun
Oh girls just want to have -

That's all they really want
Some fun
When the working day is done
Girls - they want to have fun
Oh girls just want to have fun

Some boys take a beautiful girl
And hide her away from the rest of the world
I want to be the one to walk in the sun
Oh girls they want to have fun
Oh girls just want to have

That's all they really want
Some fun
When the working day is done
Girls - they want to have fun
Oh girls just want to have fun,
They want to have fun,
They want to have fun....

"The World In Six Songs"

The six songs that define the world are of friendship, joy, comfort, knowledge, religion, and love.

Friendship:
Friends Will Be Friends
By: Queen

Joy:
Joy to the World
By: Three Dog Night

Comfort:
Just What I Needed
By: Cars

Knowledge:
Patience
By: Guns N' Roses

Religion:
Keep the Faith
By: Bon Jovi

Love:
Wind Beneath My Wings (so sappy;)
By: Bette Midler

Allegory In...

When Doves Cry
By: Prince

Dig if you will the picture
Of you and I engaged in a kiss
The sweat of your body covers me
Can you my darling
Can you picture this?

Dream if you can a courtyard
An ocean of violets in bloom
Animals strike curious poses
They feel the heat
The heat between me and you

How can you just leave me standing?
Alone in a world that's so cold? (So cold)
Maybe I'm just too demanding
Maybe I'm just like my father too bold
Maybe you're just like my mother
She's never satisfied (She's never satisfied)
Why do we scream at each other?
This is what it sounds like
When doves cry

Touch if you will my stomach
Feel how it trembles inside
You've got the butterflies all tied up
Don't make me chase you
Even doves have pride

How can you just leave me standing?
Alone in a world so cold? (World so cold)
Maybe I'm just too demanding
Maybe I'm just like my father too bold
Maybe you're just like my mother
She's never satisfied (She's never satisfied)
Why do we scream at each other?
This is what it sounds like
When doves cry

How can you just leave me standing?
Alone in a world that's so cold? (A world that's so cold)
Maybe I'm just too demanding (Maybe, maybe I'm like my father)
Maybe I'm just like my father too bold (Ya know he's too bold)
Maybe you're just like my mother (Maybe you're just like my mother)
She's never satisfied (She's never, never satisfied)
Why do we scream at each other? (Why do we scream? Why?)
This is what it sounds like

When doves cry
When doves cry (Doves cry, doves cry)
When doves cry (Doves cry, doves cry)

Don't Cry (Don't Cry)

When doves cry
When doves cry
When doves cry

When Doves cry (Doves cry, doves cry, doves cry)
Don't cry
Darling don't cry
Don't cry
Don't cry

This song is an allegorical song because it uses a concrete object/animal to mean something abstract. Generally, doves symbolize peace. In this song, he uses the line "when doves cry" to show that the relationship between the artist and the girl when they are fighting sound like doves crying. This statement is very significant because when do birds of peace cry? The allegory in this song greatly enhances the artists' point in the song.

Allusion In...

Little Red Corvette
By: Prince

Little Red Corvette
Baby, you're much too fast (Yes you are)
Little Red Corvette
You need to find a love that's gonna last (Oh, oh)

This song uses the technique of allusion to prove its point. Prince alludes to a car, a Corvette, because they are known to be fast. The mention of a Corvette shows how fast the girl is that Prince songs about.

Ambiguity In...

She Blinded Me With Science
By: Thomas Dolby

It's poetry in motion
She turned her tender eyes to me
As deep as any ocean
As sweet as any harmony
Mmm - but she blinded me with science
"She blinded me with science!"
And failed me in biology

When I'm dancing close to her
"Blinding me with science - science!"
I can smell the chemicals
"Blinding me with science - science!"
"Science!"
"Science!"

Mmm - but it's poetry in motion
And when she turned her eyes to me
As deep as any ocean
As sweet as any harmony
Mmm - but she blinded me with science
And failed me in geometry

When she's dancing next to me
"Blinding me with science - science!"
"Science!"
I can hear machinery
"Blinding me with science - science!"
"Science!"

This song, "She Blinded Me with Science", contains the element of ambiguity because the song has two meanings. One way is literal. It can mean that the girl he is talking about literally blinded him with science, in which he is amazed by the amount of knowledge she has in science. Another meaning is that he is attracted to her. These two meanings of the songs make this song ambiguous.

Similes In...

Just Like Heaven
By: The Cure

"Show me how you do that trick
The one that makes me scream" she said
"The one that makes me laugh" she said
And threw her arms around my neck
"Show me how you do it
And I promise you I promise that
I'll run away with you
I'll run away with you"

Spinning on that dizzy edge
I kissed her face and kissed her head
And dreamed of all the different ways I had
To make her glow
"Why are you so far away?" she said
"Why won't you ever know that I'm in love with you
That I'm in love with you"

You
Soft and only
You
Lost and lonely
You
Strange as angels
Dancing in the deepest oceans
Twisting in the water
You're just like a dream

Daylight licked me into shape
I must have been asleep for days
And moving lips to breathe her name
I opened up my eyes
And found myself alone alone
Alone above a raging sea
That stole the only girl I loved
And drowned her deep inside of me

You
Soft and only
You
Lost and lonely
You
Just like heaven



In Just Like Heaven by The Cure, the artist sings "You're just like a dream." This is a simile because the artist is comparing his girlfriend to a dream. This is a simile because it uses "like" when comparing these two things. Another example of a simile in this song is "just like heaven." Here, the artist compares the same girl to heaven. In this song, the artist uses similes to show the girl he is with is amazing.

Simile In...

Sweet Child O' Mine
By: Guns N' Roses

She's got a smile that it seems to me
Reminds me of childhood memories
Where everything
Was as fresh as the bright blue sky
Now and then when I see her face
She takes me away to that special place
And if I'd stare too long
I'd probably break down and cry


Sweet child o' mine
Sweet love of mine


She's got eyes of the bluest skies
As if they thought of rain
I hate to look into those eyes
And see an ounce of pain
Her hair reminds me of a warm safe place
Where as a child I'd hide
And pray for the thunder
And the rain
To quietly pass me by


Sweet child o' mine
Sweet love of mine


Where do we go
Where do we go now
Where do we go
Sweet child o' mine


In this song, Sweet Child O' Mine by Guns N' Roses, it exemplifies a simile. For example, "Where everything was as fresh as the bright blue sky" is a simile because it compares everything to being fresh. He thinks of the bright blue sky is fresh. Therefore, he compares everything to the fresh sky, as he once perceived it a long time ago when he was with a special girl.

Similes In...

Sweet Child O' Mine
By: Guns N' Roses

She's got a smile that it seems to me
Reminds me of childhood memories
Where everything
Was as fresh as the bright blue sky
Now and then when I see her face
She takes me away to that special place
And if I'd stare too long
I'd probably break down and cry


Sweet child o' mine
Sweet love of mine


She's got eyes of the bluest skies
As if they thought of rain
I hate to look into those eyes
And see an ounce of pain
Her hair reminds me of a warm safe place
Where as a child I'd hide
And pray for the thunder
And the rain
To quietly pass me by


Sweet child o' mine
Sweet love of mine


Where do we go
Where do we go now
Where do we go
Sweet child o' mine


In this song, Sweet Child O' Mine, by Guns N' Roses, exemplifies a simile. For example, "Where everything was as fresh as the bright blue sky" is a simile because it compares everything to being fresh. He thinks of the bright blue sky is fresh. Therefore, he compares everything to the fresh sky, as he once perceived it a long time ago when he was with a special girl.

Copy Cat Songs...

Here I Go Again
By: Rihanna

Here I Go Again
By: Whitesnake


Here I Go Again
By: Rihanna

Chorus:
I look into your eyes and then
My heart remembers when
And I realize I neva gotten over you
Everytime I hear your name
It's like the sun shined through the rain
And I realize it's happening
Baby here I go again
Here I Go Again

Here I Go Again
By: Whitesnake

Chorus:
Here I go again on my own
goin' down the only road I've ever known.
Like a hobo I was born to walk alone.
An' I've made up my mind, I ain't wasting no more time
but here I go again, here I go again,
here I go again, here I go.


These two songs are examples of copy cats because the title is the same but the lyrics and melody are different. Whitesnakes' version is about him "walking alone" and waiting for "love's sweet charity". Rihanna's version is about her being in love with a boy that she broke up with and now she realizes she still wants to be with him.

Paradox In...

Same Old Song and Dance
By; Aerosmith

Get yourself cooler
Lay yourself low
Coincidental murder
With nothing to show
With the judges constipation
Will go to his head
And his wifes aggravation
Youll soon end up dead

Its the same old story
Same old song and dance, my friend
Its the same old story
Same old song and dance, my friend

Gotcha with the cocaine
They found with your gun
No smooth face laywer
Could get ya undone
Say love aint the same
On the south side of town
You could look
But you aint gonna find it around

Its the same old story
Same old song and dance, my friend
Its the same old story
Same old story
Same old song and dance

Fate comes a-knockin
Doors start lockin
Your old time connection
Change your direction
You aint gonna change it
Cant rearrange it
Cant stand the pain
When it's all the same to you, my friend

When you're low down and dirty
From walkin the street
With your old hurdy gurdy
No one to meet
Said love aint the same
On the south side of town
You could look
But you aint gonna find it around

Its the same old story
Same old song and dance, my friend
Its the same old story
Same old story
Same old song and dance

A paradox is a seemingly contradictory statement that may be true. In this song, Same Old Song and Dance by Aerosmith, uses the paradox “Coincidental murder”. This is a paradox because murder is not usually coincidental but it is in this case. It becomes a paradox because these two words are not usually paired due to the fact that they usually clash.

Personification In...

Human Nature
By: Michael Jackson

Looking Out
Across The Night-Time
The City Winks A Sleepless Eye
Hear Her Voice
Shake My Window
Sweet Seducing Sighs

Get Me Out
Into The Night-Time
Four Walls Won�t Hold Me Tonight
If This Town
Is Just An Apple
Then Let Me Take A Bite

If They Say -
Why, Why, Tell �Em That Is Human Nature
Why, Why, Does He Do Me That Way
If They Say -
Why, Why, Tell �Em That Is Human Nature
Why, Why, Does He Do Me That Way

Reaching Out
To Touch A Stranger
Electric Eyes Are Ev�rywhere
See That Girl
She Knows I�m Watching
She Likes The Way I Stare

If They Say -
Why, Why, Tell �Em That Is Human Nature
Why, Why, Does He Do Me That Way
If They Say -
Why, Why, Tell �Em That Is Human Nature
Why, Why, Does He Do Me That Way
I Like Livin� This Way
I Like Lovin� This Way

Looking Out
Across The Morning
The City's Heart Begins To Beat
Reaching Out
I Touch Her Shoulder
I�m Dreaming Of The Street

If They Say -
Why, Why, Tell �Em That Is Human Nature
Why, Why, Does He Do Me That Way
If They Say -
Why, Why, Tell 'Em That Is Human Nature
Why, Why, Does He Do Me That Way
I Like Livin' This Way



This song, Human Nature, by Michael Jackson uses personification. In verse 1, he sings “The City Winks a Sleepless Eye”. There is personification in this line because a city cannot literally wink; therefore, personification is used because it has a human-like quality. In verse 4, Michael sings, "the city's heart begins to beat". This is personification because the city is given human qualities such as breathing, which a city cannot literally do.

Personification In...

Love Bites
By: Def Leppard

If you've got love in your sights
Watch out, love bites

When you make love, do you look in the mirror?
Who do you think of?
Does he look like me?
Do you tell lies?
And say that it's forever?
Do you think twice, or just touch and see?
Ooh babe
Oh yeah
When you're alone, do you let go?
Are you wild and willin', or is it just for show?
Ooh C'mon

I don't wanna touch you too much baby
'Cos making love to you might drive me crazy
I know you think that love is the way you make it
So I don't wanna be there when you decide to break it
No!

Chorus
(Love bites, love bleeds)
It's bringin' me to my knees
(Love lives, love dies)
It's no surprise
(Love begs, love pleads)
It's what I need

When I'm with you, are you somewhere else?
Am I gettin' thru or do you please yourself?
When you wake up, will you walk out?
It can't be love if you throw it about
Ooh babe

I don't wanna touch you too much baby
'Cos making love to you might drive me crazy
Oh

Chorus
(Love bites, love bleeds)
It's bringin' me to my knees
(Love lives, love dies)
It's no surprise
(Love begs, love pleads)
It's what I need

(Guitar Solo)

Oh yeah!

I don't wanna touch you too much baby
'Cos making love to you might drive me crazy
I know you think that love is the way you make it
So I don't wanna be there when you decide to break it
No!

(Love bites, love bleeds)
It's bringin' me to my knees
(Love lives, love dies)
(Love bites, love bleeds)
It's bringin' me to my knees
(Love lives, love dies)
It's no surprise
(Love begs, love pleads)
It's what I need

If you've got love in your sights
Watch out, love bites


This song has personification because the artist personified love, he gave love human emotions. For example, he sings, "Love bites, love bleeds". This is personification because love cannot bite or bleed; therefore it has the human qualities of biting and bleeding. The artist also sings "Love lives, Love dies." This is also personification because love cannot literally live therefore, it cannot die.

Point of View In...

Pat Benetar's We Belong
This is an example of a song using the first-person narrative point of view.

Kansas' Carry On Wayward Son
This song is an example of a multiple person narration.

Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody
A stream of consciousnessis used in this song.

Pat Benetar's Love is a Battlefield
This songs is an example of a second-person narration because she refers to "you" and "us" while she is singing.

Hyperboles In...

Walking on Sunshine
By: Katrina and the Waves

I used to think maybe you loved me now baby i'm sure
And i just cant wait till the day when you knock on my door
Now everytime i go for the mailbox , gotta hold myself down
Cos i just wait till you write me your coming around

Im walking on sunshine , wooah
Im walking on sunshine, woooah
Im walking on sunshine, woooah
and dont it feel good!!

Hey , alright now
and dont it feel good!!
hey yeh

i used to think maybe you loved me, now i know that its true
and i dont want to spend all my life , just in waiting for you
now i dont want u back for the weekend
not back for a day , no no no
i said baby i just want you back and i want you to stay

woah yeh!
Im walking on sunshine , wooah
Im walking on sunshine, woooah
Im walking on sunshine, woooah
and dont it feel good!!

There are hyperboles in tthis song. For example, the artist is not really walkin on sunshine; he is just exaggerating that he feels good and happy.

Alliteration In...

Under Pressure
By: Queen

(Partial lyrics)

Mm ba ba de
Um bum ba de
Um bu bu bum da de
Pressure pushing down on me
Pressing down on you no man ask for
Under pressure - that burns a building down
Splits a family in two
Puts people on streets
Um ba ba be
Um ba ba be
De day da
Ee day da

There are examples of alliterationin this song such as "pressure pushing" and "puts people" and "burns a building down". These use the "p" sound to make it the consanance form of alliteration.

Alliteration In...

Man in the Mirror
By Michael Jackson

(partial lyrics)

Ooh ooh ooh aah
Gotta make a change
For once in my life
It's gonna feel real good
Gonna make a difference
Gonna make it right

As I turned up the collar on
A favorite winter coat
This wind is blowin' my mind
I see the kids in the street
With not enough to eat
Who am I to be blind
Pretending not to see their needs

A summer's disregard
A broken bottle top
And a one man's soul
They follow each other
On the wind ya' know
'Cause they got nowhere to go
That's why I want you to know

I'm starting with the man in the mirror
I'm asking him to change his ways
And no message could have been any clearer
If you wanna make the world a better place
Take a look at yourself and then make a change, yey
Na na na, na na na, na na na na oh ho

I've been a victim of
A selfish kinda love
It's time that I realize
There are some with no home
Not a nickel to loan
Could it be really pretending that they're not alone

A willow deeply scarred
Somebody's broken heart
And a washed out dream
(Washed out dream)
They follow the pattern of the wind ya' see
'Cause they got no place to be
That's why I'm starting with me

I'm starting with the man in the mirror
I'm asking him to change his ways
And no message could have been any clearer
If you wanna make the world a better place
Take a look at yourself and then make a change

"Man in the Mirror" is an example of alliteration. Another example of consonance includes "broken bottle". "Follow each other" is assonance because to "o" sound is repeated.

Alliteration In...

Free Fallin'
By Tom Petty

She's a good girl, loves her mama
Loves Jesus and America too
She's a good girl, crazy 'bout Elvis
Loves horses and her boyfriend too

It's a long day livin' in Reseda
There's a freeway runnin' through the yard
And I'm a bad boy, 'cause I don't even miss her
I'm a bad boy for breakin' her heart

And I'm free, I'm free fallin'

All the vampires walkin' through the valley
Move west down Ventura Blvd
And all the bad boys are standing in the shadows
All the good girls are home with broken hearts

And I'm free, I'm free fallin'

I wanna glide down over Mulholland
I wanna write her name in the sky
I wanna free fall out into nothin'
Gonna leave this world for awhile

And I'm free, I'm free fallin'


There is a lot of alliteration in this song. For one, the title is "Free Fallin" which protrays consonance. The artist says "bad boy" multiple times which is an example of consonance. Another example of alliteration is "good girl".

Imagery In...

Keep the Faith
By Bon Jovi


Mother mother tell your children
That their time has just begun
I have suffered for my anger
There are wars that can't be won

Father father please believe me
I am laying down my guns
I am broken like an arrow
Forgive me
Forgive your wayward son


Everybody needs somebody to love
(mother, mother)
Everybody needs somebody to hate
(please believe me)
Everybody's ---
'cause they can't get enough
And it's hard to hold on
When there's no one to lean on


Chorus:
Faith: you know you're gonna live through the rain
Lord you got to keep the faith
Faith: don't let your love turn to hate
Right now we got to
Keep the faith
Keep the faith
Keep the faith
Lord we got to keep the faith


Tell me baby when I hurt you
Do you keep it all inside
Do you tell me all’s forgiven
And just hide behind your pride

Everybody needs somebody to love
(mother, father)
Everybody needs somebody to hate
(please don't leave me)
Everybody's bleeding 'cause the times are tough
Well it's hard to be strong
When there's no one to dream on


Chorus

Walking in the footsteps
Of society's lies
I don't like what I see no more
Sometimes I wish that I was blind
Sometimes I wait forever
To stand out in the rain

So no one sees me cryin'
Trying to wash away the pain
Mother father
There's things I've done I can't erase
Every night we fall from grace
It's hard with the world in your face
Trying to hold on, trying to hold on


Chorus




There is a lot of imagery present in this song. The song is introduced by saying that there are wars that cannot be won. This gives you the image of war. The artist says he is laying down his guns, as in giving up, and then says he is “broken like an arrow”. This makes you imagine an arrow that is broken. He doesn’t like society’s lies so he says, “sometimes I wish that I was blind” which makes you picture a blind person. The artist also says he “stands out in the rain so no one sees me crying”. These lyrics make you imagine a solemn man out in the rain crying. These examples of imagery, along with other lyrics, help to show why the artist is telling the listeners to “keep the faith”. The difficult time the artist is going through inspires other people to “keep the faith” through their own personal tough times.

Imagery In...

Don't Stop Believin'
By Journey

Just a small town girl
Living in a lonely world
She took the midnight train going anywhere
Just a city boy
Born and raised in South Detroit
He took the midnight train going anywhere

A singer in a smoky room
A smell of wine and cheap perfume
For a smile they can share the night
It goes on and on and on and on

{Refrain}
Strangers, waiting, up and down the boulevard
Their shadows searching in the night
Streetlight people, living just to find emotion
Hiding somewhere in the night

Working hard to get my fill
Everybody wants a thrill
Paying anything to roll the dice
Just one more time
Some will win, some will lose
Some were born to sing the blues
Oh the movie never ends
It goes on and on and on and on

{Refrain}

Don't stop believing
Hold on to that feeling
Streetlight people



I chose the song “Don’t Stop Believing” by Journey because it shows many example of imagery and also portrays the theme of inspiring music in the 80’s. The first verse starts out with “Just a small town girl living in a lonely world”. This gives you the imagery of a small town girl which is later compared to “a city boy born and raised in South Detroit”. The lyrics give you imagery to describe two different people who are taking “the midnight train going anywhere”. Many other examples include “a singer in a smoky room” and “a smell of wine and cheap perfume”. These are examples of imagery because you can imagine someone singing in a smoky room and bottles of wine and perfume. Dice are used as imagery to help portray the idea of chance. Shadows and streets are used as imagery to help show how love is hard to find. The many examples of imagery in this song help to portray the message of their song; love is difficult but you’ll find it someday so don’t stop believing.

Inspiring Music in the 80's

The topic I chose contains songs that inspire people. For my genre, I picked music in the 80's, mainly rock, because there are many great songs from that era, and it is my favorite type of music. Inspiring songs may cause people to do something or change something about an occcurence. Other songs may just make them aware of certain happenings. Some lyrics may inspire someone to get through tough times in life in general or love. Other songs simply inspire people to hope and believe. There are many memorable songs of the 80's that inspire people.