Choose a SONG and have FUN
In the blog this week, choose a song that has some interesting lyrics - then work on the imagery and musical devices that it uses - It is your decision on how to write this blog but that is the subject matter - now motivate and impress the rest of us!
"Brick By Boring Brick"
ReplyDeleteWell she lives in a fairy tale
Somewhere too far for us to find
Forgotten the taste and smell
Of a world that she's left behind
It's all about the exposure the lens I told her
The angles are all wrong now
She's ripping wings off of butterflies
Keep your feet on the ground
When your head's in the clouds
Well go get your shovel
And we'll dig a deep hole
To bury the castle, bury the castle
Go get your shovel
And we'll dig a deep hole
To bury the castle, bury the castle
So one day he found her crying
Coiled up on the dirty ground
Her prince finally came to save her
And the rest you can figure out
But it was a trick
And the clock struck twelve
Well make sure to build your heart brick by boring brick
Or the wolf's gonna blow it down
Keep your feet on the ground
When your head's in the clouds
Well go get your shovel
And we'll dig a deep hole
To bury the castle, bury the castle
Go get your shovel
And we'll dig a deep hole
We'll bury the castle, bury the castle
Oh whoa oh whoa oh whoa oh whoa
Well you built up a world of magic
Because your real life is tragic
Yeah you built up a world of magic
If it's not real
You can't hold it in your hand
You can't feel it with your heart
And I won't believe it
But if it's true
You can see it with your eyes
Oh, even in the dark
And that's where I want to be, yeah
Go get your shovel
And we'll dig a deep hole
To bury the castle, bury the castle
Go get your shovel
And we'll dig a deep hole
To bury the castle, bury the castle
This song is from the band Paramore, and they are one of my favorites. It is titled "Brick By Boring Brick", which is an alliteration, and contains some excellent imagery and musical devices. However, while it is not typical poetry, all songs are poetry of some sort. In many songs we are able to find imagery, allusion, musical devices, rhyme patterns, and rhythm and meter.
In the first stanza of this song, the speaker talks about a girl who has created her own world, a "fairy tale" (1) world which allows her to escape from the world that she used to live in, but has now abandoned. She is too far gone for anyone to find her and bring her back. The speaker had told her "it's all about the exposure the lens" which seems to me like a creative way of saying that it's how you look at a situation that determines its outcome. But now, the girl is seeing things in a skewed way, and she is no longer using this advice to change the outcome of her situation. "She's ripping wings off of butterflies" (7) is one of my favorite lines because it shows how the girl has lost her innocence. Most children are drawn to butterflies because of heir bright colors and delicate appearance. They know, instinctively, that they are supposed to be careful with these creatures, but instead this girl has turned to a darker side of herself where she is choosing to destroy the beautiful.
In the refrain, the speaker tells the girl that they will "bury the castle" (12). This girls castle has become so twisted that it resembles a fun house that you would find at a carnival. It is full of illusions and tricks that this girl has created around herself. Then, in the nest stanza, we see the girl on the ground crying. This imagery shows that she is distressed and we can feel the dirty ground beneath her. An allusion is used to reference Cinderella when they say "the clock struck twelve" (21) as in the story when the magic spell that her fairy god mother had placed on her disappeared. Then, in line 23 there is another illusion to Little Red Riding Hood when they say "or the wolf's gonna blow it down".
"Well you built up a world of magic / Because your real life is tragic" (33-34) really puts the whole song into perspective. This girl's life, the true one that she doesn't want, was a hard life. So, she decided to create a fake world to live in. She has not only tricked other people but she has tricked herself into believing it. To her, the fake world is the real world and vice versa. In the seventh stanza, the speaker says that anything that you can't physically feel isn't real, but if something can be seen "even in the dark" (41) then that is true.
DeleteThis song holds lots of meaning for those who choose to truly think about it, just as most songs do. It shows how the terrible things we experience can turn us upside down so that we wish for a world that is made up of tricks and illusions but that we can trick ourselves into believing is truly good. This assignment was really interesting because while I know songs are basically poems set to music, I never truly thought about the things that go into making a good song, such as the allusion and other devices found in poetry. Our poetry unit is helping me to see poetry in everything, and I love it. It's really great to continue to learn just by doing.
Hannah,
DeleteI also love Paramore. Their songs are written so well. I have heard this song, but never looked into it like this. I always listened, never thought about it. I did not realize that It alluded to so many fairytales. It reminded me of my childhood. I thought I lived in this world where my Prince Charming would come and find me. I remember wishing that Aladdin or Spider-Man would come out of the television and steal me away.
This song made me think of when I reached middle school. I stopped thinking that those characters were coming to save me. I noticed a change in myself. In seventh grade I became really weird, like everyone else. For my school picture I wore an outfit that did show the real me. My makeup covered up my face. I was fake. I will admit it. At one point in my life I was fake, meaning I was trying to cover up who I really was. I was still a girl who wished that Aladdin or Spider-Man was going to save me.
This song makes me feel like this girl wants to hide who she really is. She wants everyone to believe she is alright when she is not. That is why there are so many allusions to fairytales. She wishes that they would become real, like you said, until they do become real. She forced the fairytales to become real, yet she tries to pretend that those fairytales are "silly kid stuff." I can relate to haw this girl feels. Great job!
Hannah along with you and Kaitlin, I love Paramore. I never even really thought about the title being an alliteration. I wish I would have noticed that. Your explanation of the uses of imagery are very accurate and I couldn’t disagree. You spent a lot of time of your blog explaining what a lot of lines meant and because of this, I feel like if I wouldn’t have heard this song before, your blog would have definitely made me go look it up, and then end up falling in love with it as much as you did.
DeleteThe comment you made to the illusion of Little Red Riding Hood after the allusion to Cinderella was very good because most people wouldn’t necessarily pick those out. I have to admit, those lines are my favorite in the entire song. I have to agree with Kaitlin, the song, but especially your explanation of the song makes me feel like I understand that the girl in the song wants to hide who she really is because she wants to fool everyone around her into thinking that she’s something that she’s not. I’m really glad you chose this song and made me realize just how deep of an underlying meaning there is behind it. Good work!
Savior by Rise Against
ReplyDeleteIt kills me not to know this but I've all but just forgotten
What the color of her eyes were and her scars or how she got them
As the telling signs of age rain down a single tear is dropping
Through the valleys of an aging face that this world has forgotten
There is no reconciliation that will put me in my place
And there is no time like the present to drink these draining seconds
But seldom do these words ring true when I'm constantly failing you
Like walls that we just can't break through until we disappear
So tell me now
If this ain't love then how do we get out?
Because I don't know
That's when she said I don't hate you boy
I just want to save you while there's still something left to save (whoa, whoa)
That's when I told her I love you girl
But I'm not the answer for the questions that you still have (whoa, whoa)
But the day pressed on like crushing weights
For no man does it ever wait
Like memories of dying days
That deafen us like hurricanes
Bathed in flames we held the brand
Uncurled the fingers in your hand
Pressed into the flesh like sand
Now do you understand?
So tell me now
If this ain't love then how do we get out?
Because I don't know
That's when she said I don't hate you boy
I just want to save you while there's still something left to save (whoa, whoa)
That's when I told her I love you girl
But I'm not the answer for the questions that you still have (whoa, whoa)
One thousand miles away
There's nothing left to say
But so much left that I don't know
We never had a choice
This world is too much noise
It takes me under
It takes me under once again
I don't hate you
I don't hate you, no
So tell me now
If this ain't love then how do we get out?
Because I don't know
That's when she said I don't hate you boy
I just want to save you while there's still something left to save (whoa, whoa)
That's when I told her I love you girl
But I'm not the answer for the questions that you still have (whoa, whoa)
I don't hate you
I don't hate you (whoa, whoa)
I don't hate you
I don't hate you, no (whoa, whoa)
This is truly a different poem to look at for the lyrics mask the imagery in this piece In different ways. Just like any great poem the reader/listener can interpret it to their life in different ways, depending on their personal backstory. In the case of music and music videos we can see the writers meaning behind the song, which tells us about the politics. If you watch the video closely you can see a polar bear, an endangered species, getting picked on in a mosh pit by other animals. One In particular being an elephant, republican party, and the polar bear gets out finally. He decides that enough is enough and leaves the rave/concert. Then while on the city transit bus, the bear sees the elephant limping. He then pulls the stop wire, so the elephant can come on board and get off the streets. The music video is all about we the people of this nation forgiving our government, much as we forgive ourselves. But that's the videos ideas not the lyrics, which can also be interpreted as a break up.
The piece tells of a man who has resulted to drinking after a brake up. Although he still has feelings for the girl he says that he has moved on. But when he does forget her for a few moments he gets flashbacks and painful memories,"It kills me not to know this but I've all but just forgotten/What the color of her eyes were and her scars or how she got them"(1,2). He goes on to tell how for the mistakes he has made "there is no reconciliation that will put me in my place"(5). The speaker then tells of the pressures of the day, in stanza fourth, constantly dragging him down to his time to drink or contemplate something more extreme. By the fifth stanza The speaker seems to have accepted that there is no way for them to get back together. She is to far gone, and there is no chance to come back together as a couple."One thousand miles away/There's nothing left to say" this evidence shows that the speaker accepts the break up. Then in the chorus could be quotes possibly, from a conversation between the couple while breaking up. She emphasizes to him that "I don't hate you boy,"(38,39) which implies she may be trying to comfort him because he has taken the break up very badly. "I just want to save you while there's still something left to save"(27),is telling us that she still cares about him and she is worried about him because she is scared he may do something drastic like taking his own life.
DeleteSadly this piece has no real musical devices that I saw in my numerous reads/listens. This song is simply a free verse poem, with no internal or external rhyme scheme. Although a few lyrics/lines do rhyme, this might be intentional or just subconsciously done. In either way there is no significant pattern, to justify any musical devices.
Devyn, I have never heard of this song before, or the band for that matter. You did an excellent job at explaining the lyrics and the situation being explained in the song, along with explaining the music video. It was a very smart idea to involve the music video, as it really does a good job to help explain different views that can be taken from the song and it's lyrcs. However, it would have been nice to include some specific scenes you imagined, separate from the music video. It would also have been nice to hear some of the musical devices involved. I noticed a few repeated sounds and syllables in some stanzas that could have been pointed out. It is hard to find them though in this song, they don't just jump out as opposed to some others.
DeleteChasing Cars - Snow Patrol
ReplyDeleteWe'll do it all
Everything
On our own
We don't need
Anything
Or anyone
If I lay here
If I just lay here
Would you lie with me and just forget the world?
I don't quite know
How to say
How I feel
Those three words
Are said too much
They're not enough
If I lay here
If I just lay here
Would you lie with me and just forget the world?
Forget what we're told
Before we get too old
Show me a garden that's bursting into life
Let's waste time
Chasing cars
Around our heads
I need your grace
To remind me
To find my own
If I lay here
If I just lay here
Would you lie with me and just forget the world?
Forget what we’re told
Before we get too old
Show me a garden that's bursting into life
All that I am
All that I ever was
Is here in your perfect eyes, they're all I can see
I don't know where
Confused about how as well
Just know that these things will never change for us at all
If I lay here
If I just lay here
Would you lie with me and just forget the world?
Snow Patrol's song "Chasing Cars" has always been a favorite of mine. It has an easy, reparative melody and simply guitar chords. However, what I love most is the message it sends about stereotypical love. How many times do we say I love you or it or that or whatever in a day? I cannot count. But I know that love has become a generic word for affectionate feelings; it has lost something. "Those three words/are said too much/they're not enough." (13-15) What does I love you even mean anymore? The writers of this song understand the loss of meaning in the words I love you. But the song is about more than love, it's also about growing up. The "speaker" of the song feels that the couple is running out of time and wants to "waste" (22) what time they have until they "get too old" (32). "Forget what we're told" (31) does not mean that they are literally forgetting anything, it means that they want to purposefully defy the rules of "the world" (9). If they "do it all" (1) "on their own" (3) than nobody will have the right to control the way they act or feel. Obviously, someone or something is against the love that the singer and his lover have since they want to "forget the world" (42) which means forget what the world expects or demands of them. All the singer wants is to "waste time" (22) finding himself in his lover's "perfect eyes" (36).
Even though the poem does not seem to have an abundance of imagery, it paints a picture for me. When I hear this song I can see a young man and a young woman who are in love despite opposition. The combination of the phrases "chasing cars/around our heads" (23-24) and "a garden that's bursting into life" (33) cause me to imagine them trying to find their own little utopia while society rages on around them. The "garden" (33) represents the "grace" (25) that he can only find with her while the "cars" (23) are symbolic of the fast paced and sometimes meaningless life that other people lead. The young man tries to qualm his lover's fears when he says "these things will never change for us at all" (39) which means that, no matter what they are supposed to be or do, he will always have time to "lay" (40) beside her and "forget the world" (42) for a moment.
DeleteI think the beauty in this song is really relevant in a time when so many ideas of love are wrong. I love you has become so generic that we use it to describe our feelings towards food as well as family members. As I get older, this song means more to me because the simplicity of childhood is fading away. I understand now that this song speaks about the burden the world can have on love, whatever love is anymore. As a hopeless romantic, I cannot help but feel saddened as I grow up and realize how many people get divorced or cheat on each other. Marriage does not mean what it used to either; it used to be sacred and forever. Something is lost when we get older, something is forgotten. That's why it's so important, as children, to learn to respect and love other people because otherwise we may spend our entire lives being part of the burden rather than part of those who try to stick out their relationships.
Ann,
DeleteI love that you chose this song. It is also one of my favorites, especially because I had the opportunity to hear this song live at Madison Square Garden. I agree with you 110% that "I love you" has lost meaning. I feel love can have so many meanings, but when it comes to our family, friends, or significant other, we all need to think before we say the three words.
Love is something that is not only said, but it has to be shown as well. How can an abusive boyfriend tell his girlfriend he loves her right after he hits her, or says cruel words to her? When I find that I am truly in love, I hope that I would go to the ends of the earth for my partner. I would hope he would do the same for me. From one of my favorite songs by Macklemore I believe "love is patient/ love is kind." Going back to the abusive boyfriend, if he truly loved his girl he would not hurt her intentionally. Obviously we all make mistakes and say hurtful things, but never does violence solve problems. I know in some worlds it may seem like it is the solution, but it is not. I have learned that loving someone come from the soul as well as the heart. Most times, love attacks someone during unexpected times.
This song is beautiful. I know many people love it. I believe everyone is able to relate to it, even if it is between food and their stomach. Love has never changed, but the meaning has been lost, like you said. I agree that we need to help the world to remember what love really means.
Ann,
DeleteI love this song too, I was about to choose it myself to be honest. Kaitlin I'm truly jealous I wish I would've had that opportunity. I agree with both of you fully, that love has lost its meaning and become a means of destruction rather than peace.
Just that one word "love" has become a destructive force that can parallel an explosion. I like your example Kaitlin, of the abusive relationship, and that is very prominent in today's society. More than we realize in our small town community, we kinda live in a protective bubble. The only time we hear of this is when a celebrity or someone of interest is caught on the news. Which is very sad cause people use "love" to deceive and hurt others. It is truly repulsive that someone would do this, but the world can't be perfect or else life would be a black and white run on.
Again Ann, I'm truly glad that you chose this piece. It is a great conversational piece, as well as an amazing song in and of itself.
Ann,
DeleteI will forever remember you sitting on the bus in middle school singing this song as we went on one of our numerous field trips. You might not remember it, but I do. As a group, I feel like we know each other well, our happy little AP Lit class. I think I could honestly say that I love each and every one of you. But that's just the problem isn't it. Today'so society has twisted love into a much more flippant thing than it used to be. Love has become synonymous with lust as we often see in young relationships. Boys and girls tell each other that if they're in love and then they feel they have good reason to begin having intimate relationships. I think that the word love has evolved just as we have evolved.
This was an excellent choice Ann. You have always had an excellent grasp on the musical and the poetical which you've really displayed here in your analysis. Your opinions always proctor more intense thought on the subject matter, and judging by the comments by Kaitlin and Devyn, you have succeeded again. I liked how you told us about the vision you saw in your head which made me connect your thoughts with my own. This is an excellent choice and I have a better understanding of this song now.
Good job!
"Love Too Much"
ReplyDeleteTell me where did we go wrong
If it's all good intentions
Why are we scared of living
Yeah the weight of the world
It's hard enough to hold already
Why does it gotta be so heavy
Maybe it's the little things
Maybe we can change the world
One heart at a time
You can't say you love too much
You can't say you care enough
There's no such thing as reaching too far
We all got a heart
And you can't say love too much
You can't say love too much
As simple as a word you say
You never know the lives you can change
Never know the souls you can save
And I bet it happens everyday
Cause everybody's got a story, a past, or a song of glory
Just take a look around
Somebody needs you now
You're somebody's hero somehow
You can't say you love too much
You can't say you care enough
There's no such thing as reaching too far
We all got a heart
No you can't say love too much
And no you can't say love too much
I can't sleep tonight
It's burning in my mind
If I could change the world one heart at a time
Oh, I'd start with mine
Yeah
(can't say, can't say)
Oh, you can't say
Oh, you can't say
You can't say you love too much
You can't say you care enough
There's no such thing as reaching too far
We all got a heart
No you can't say love too much
(can't say can't say)
No you can't say love too much
(can't say can't say)
"Love Too Much" is performed by Hunter Hayes, one of my favorite artists. I've been listening to this song on repeat for while now, and I absolutely love the message it gives to listeners. The main reason for this song, I think, is to inform people that we are too careless with others' emotions, thoughts, and hearts. We are too quick to claim that we can't express love or kindness anymore to those around us. Hayes gets this point across by using some incredibly discreet imagery in the lyrics that force us to reconsider our lifestyle and character choices.
The first stanza sets the blame in place by asking "where did we go wrong" (1). Hayes accuses us of being "scared of living" (3), while also chiming in that the world does hold a lot of pressure and "weight" (4) that is already "hard enough to hold" (5). He then tugs at our hearts by telling us that we have the power to "change the world / One heart at a time" (8-9). Performing little deeds, such as giving someone a hug or smiling at a stranger, can make the biggest difference, and today's society has sort of forgotten that cordiality. Listeners can remember the missed chances they had to make that difference, but then they also recall that there will be more opportunities but it's a matter of accepting the fact that no one can say that they "care enough" (11). The refrain of this song drives the listener to want to try harder to love more and reach out to those who need kindness. It appeals to the kinetic sense, urging us to smile, hug, or give someone a pat on the back. Simple actions like these can make anyone forget the negativity happening around them. It would be easy to be "somebody's hero somehow" (23) simply by hearing their "story, past, or song of glory" (20). "You never know the lives you can change" (17) when you speak up or put your thoughts into action. As Hayes said, "if I could change the world one heart at a time" (32), he would start with his. As soon as you learn that you can make a difference in someone's life by starting a conversation or waving at them, this world will be a much better place. There is no one that can loved or cared enough for others, and "there's no such thing as reaching too far" (12).
Delete"Love Too Much" is a song that can relate to anyone, we have all been in both positions that this song discusses: we've been worn out and in need a friend, but we have also felt tired of being the positive one and just want to be left alone. It may take some time, but I have hope that people can change. I, for one, am going to try to be kinder to others, smiling even at those that I'm not close too. I also challenge each of you to listen to this song and hopefully decide to change your attitudes with me. After all, you can never love or care too much, especially in a world where it is most needed.
Natalie,
DeleteI'm normally not one for country music, but this song speaks to me for some reason. I love the lyrics, "You can't say you love too much/You can't say you care enough",(10,11) cause it's so true. You can never express your love enough when it comes to family. Family will alway be there for you when your down or just in a tight space. My mother has taught me this one lesson numerous times;"as long as your happy with your life, and remember your family. You'll be the wealthiest man in the world.".
My favorite part of your blog is your last paragraph. Hunter Hayes has made this song so it can relate to anyone and it does. I have had to be that steady shoulder for others to cry on, while I too just wanted to collapse and bawl my eyes out. But I had to stand firm for my family and friends who needed a pick me up. Also I feel like everyone could be nicer to one another, but it's the fact of making the change that stops people.
(Very great blog Natalie, and nice choice of song)
Wow, Natalie! This was an excellent analysis and an excellent blog. I am a huge fan of Hunter Hayes! I saw him in concert two years back and it was one of the best experiences ever! He was so much better in person, I didn't even know that it was possible! The ticket to see him was absolutely worth the money, I highly recommend him! However, after saying how much I love him, I feel a bit ashamed saying that I never heard this song. I can't wait to listen to it! You did such a great job analyzing it, and you gave such great examples of both imagery and of musical devices. I always look forward to reading your blog, and this weekend did not disappoint! Job well done!
DeleteSamson by Regina Spektor
ReplyDeleteYou are my sweetest downfall
I loved you first, I loved you first
Beneath the sheets of paper lies my truth
I have to go, I have to go
Your hair was long when we first met
Samson went back to bed
Not much hair left on his head
He ate a slice of wonder bread and went right back to bed
And history books forgot about us and the bible didn't mention us
And the bible didn't mention us, not even once
You are my sweetest downfall
I loved you first, I loved you first
Beneath the stars came fallin' on our heads
But they're just old light, they're just old light
Your hair was long when we first met
Samson came to my bed
Told me that my hair was red
Told me I was beautiful and came into my bed
Oh I cut his hair myself one night
A pair of dull scissors in the yellow light
And he told me that I'd done alright
And kissed me 'til the mornin' light, the mornin' light
And he kissed me 'til the mornin' light
Samson went back to bed
Not much hair left on his head
Ate a slice of wonderbread and went right back to bed
Oh, we couldn't bring the columns down
Yeah we couldn't destroy a single one
And history books forgot about us
And the bible didn't mention us, not even once
You are my sweetest downfall
I loved you first
Hearing this song for the first time made me think of one specific movie. I do not know why Forest Gump popped into my head. Maybe my brain connected the movie to this song because the sing sets up a scene for the listener. In the movie, Jenny, a roaming girl, and Forest, an autistic man, are life long friends. Forest has loved Jenny since the first time they met. Jenny loves Forest too, but not in the same way. Throughout the whole movie, Forest constantly protects JennyG from the wrong in her life. Jenny did not want that, but Forest was still always saving her. After a long night, Forest brought Jenny back to his house to rest. Jenny crawled into Forest's bed and showed him her love for Forest. To me, this scene related to the song. Regina Spektor described a similar scene. The lyrics "he kissed me 'till the morning light" especially reminded me of this. However, not all the facts lined up.
One of my friends who also listens to this song said it was based on a Bible story. Samson was judge who had long hair. He was strong, and once knocked pillars down. The officials wanted to know where he got such strength. Delilah was a prostitute who Samson had fallen in love with. The officials offered her a great amount of money to find what makes Samson so strong. Delilah agreed to help. Fortunately, for the officials, Samson became ill. While Delilah was taking care of Samson she asked him where his strength came from. He lied telling her that seven dried bowstrings could hold him down like any other man. The officials found out the lie when they secretly hid while Delilah tied him up. She told Samson that the Philistines were gaining on him. This test proved that the dried bowstrings were a lie. Delilah guilted Samson into telling her his true weakness. She said he made her feel like he made a mockery of her. Samson broke down after another lie, and said his long hair was his true weakness. He never had cut his hair before. Delilah ordered a man to shave Samson's hair off when he had fallen asleep on her lap. She once again told Samson the Philistines were after him. This time he was not able to fight them. The Philistines blinded Samson by gouging his eyes out. They sent him to a life of slavery.
Samson was told specifically by God to never tell anyone of his hair. Due to Samson's lack of obedience God punished him. The Bible has shown us before that God has punished those who are not obedient. But God does not do such harsh punishments. The Bible is not made of true stories. The stories are simply stories made up to teach the children of God.
When I read the story of Samson and Delilah everything fell into place. Obviously, the song and the song are very similar, but there are some differences. One line says "I cut his hair myself one night." In the Bible, Delilah had someone else cut his hair. A specific line stand out to me. It says "Oh, we couldn't bring the columns down/ yeah we couldn't destroy a single one." This reminds me of when Samson knocked the pillars down by himself, but his love with Delilah is the true weakness. Although the Bible does mention Samson and Delilah it is not a common story. It seems that history "forgot" about the lovers. Yet, this story can relate to almost everyone. There has been someone we have lied to, but still loved them with all our hearts. Maybe the story was not as extreme, but to us it could have been.
DeleteThe musical devices used within this song is seen at the end. We constantly hear the words "bed" and "head" which is assonance. Other words like "light," "night," and "alright" are also used. This is consonance. Imagery is used to bring the feeling of the song seem somewhat sadder. I noticed that "a pair of dull scissors in the yellow light" was a use of imagery. The words "dull" and "yellow" help the listeners to really understand the situation. The scissors were dull from overuse, and yellow light was a cheaper lightbulb. The two characters are of a lower class. The song has much more meaning to it than most people realize. This song alluded to a story that not too many know about it. People relate to songs without even knowing what they are really relating too.
This story is from Judges 16 if anyone wants to know the whole story.
DeleteKaitlin,
DeleteThis is such a good song! I could also see how you thought of Forest Gump during this song; some of the lyrics definitely relate to the movie. I never knew the song was based on a Bible story. Although the story was a little strange, I also found it beautiful. Samson's love for Delilah was so powerful, he lost the grasp he had on his own strength. I thought was smart of you to examine the differences between the song and the story, too. I think the changes made in the sing make it more realistic in today's society. I really liked how you made the notion that Samson's true weakness was his love for Deliliah. Also, you said that this Bible story is fairly unknown, and that made me think of the lyrics "And history books forgot about us," like you did. The musical devices you pointed out were also good. Overall, this was a great blog and good choice of song!
Kaitlin,
DeleteThis made me feel very sad. When you know the background behind something it changes the whole thing. It also made me wonder what other songs might have biblical meaning. I appreciated that you took the time to explain the story of Sampson and then point out the differences between the story and the song. Maybe, when the singer says "I cut his hair myself one night" she meant that, although Delilah didn't physically cut Sampson's hair, she was the direct cause of it. Either way, I see how the story and the song line up. It was interesting that you mentioned Forest Gump. I've never actually seen the movie, so your comparison was foreign for me, but I am aware of the relationship between Forest and Jenny and, in a way, it is similar to Sampson and Delilah. Forest just used his love for Jenny to motivate him instead of letting it be his downfall. I found this all very interesting, good job!
Down by Blink 182
ReplyDeleteThe drops of rain they fall all over
This awkward silence makes me crazy
The glow inside burns light upon her
I'll try to kiss you if you let me
(this can't be the end)
Tidal waves they rip right through me
Tears from eyes worn cold and sad
Pick me up now, I need you so bad
Down down down down [x4]
It gets me so
Down down down down [x4]
It gets me so
Your vows of silence fall all over
The look in your eyes makes me crazy
I feel the darkness break upon her
I'll take you over if you let me
(You did this)
Tidal waves they rip right through me
Tears from eyes worn cold and sad
Pick me up now, I need you so bad.
Down down down down [x4]
It gets me so
Down down down down [x4]
It gets me so
For those of you who are closer to me, you probably are aware of my love for Blink 182. Being one of the youngest cousins of the previous twenty-something cousins, I grew up with my older cousins and their music choices, mainly being Blink 182. Their songs never failed to make an appearance, wether it be through their cd players or through their garage “band.” Blink 182 and their songs stuck with my my entire life, with “Down” being one of my favorites. I specifically remember sitting in 7th grade vocal class, drawing out the words in waves.
I always imagined this song to be explaining a heart break. I pictured the scene to be the couple driving home through a storm with “drops of rain” “falling all over”. (2) The chorus comes along, “Tidal waves they rip right through me/ Tears from eyes worn cold and sad/ Pick me up now, I need you so bad.” The storm outside takes form within the speaker, their mood and emotions matching the weather.
Lines 13-15 in the fourth stanza really help to describe the girl- in this situation, the heartbreaker. “Your vows of silence fall all over, The look in your eyes makes me crazy, I feel the darkness break upon her.” A distant look in her eyes can be imagined as she turns to a more depressing side and refuses to talk to the speaker, denying him any explanation.
It is obvious where the song gets its title, “Down”, as it is repeated time and time again throughout the song. Repetition is commonly used in a lot of Blink 182’s songs, however this song has the most prominent example in my opinion. When closely observed, a few more musical devices can be found with the repetition of vowels and sounds.
Felicia, let me just start off by also expressing my love for Blink 182. They are just an all together great band and I’m happy to find someone else who enjoys them as much as I do. Having a plethora of older cousins, I can relate to growing up always listening to it in some way, shape, or form. I also imagine everything you described about the girls emotions in the forth stanza. It really tells of the deep feelings that are shared. I found your last paragraph very humorous for some reason. I think it was just the way you described how the song got the title and how it was repeated several times throughout the song. I wish you would have told a little bit more about the imagery the song had, but other than that, I very much enjoyed your blog. Good work!
DeleteFelicia,
DeleteI have never heard this song before, so I thank you for the lovely introduction! I would never have gotten the whole breakup visual that you did unless if you had explained it as you did. That was really interesting and once I went back and read it again, I really came into touch with this song and it's lyrics.
I love how they repeat "down" in the refrain, because like you said it created an easy opportunity for a title, but also because to me the repetetiveness made me think of digging a hole deeper and deeper and deeper. He is sinking deeper and deeper into his sorrow and anguish over the loss of his girl that it just seems like he is forever going down, away from the bright light of the sun. This was a really good thought provoking front to choose and I really loved getting to take a look at it.
Good work!
Felicia,
DeleteI really liked how you picked a song so meaningful to you! I almost said I loved it, but that would have really made me a little hypocritical after my own blog. Anyway, I think we find more meaning in a song that has been part of our lives, like we've been analyzing it without knowing since we first heard it and, as we get older, it holds new meaning for us. Personally, I have never heard this song, but I was really drawn into your blog as you compared the lyrics to a heart break. They way you perceive this is beautiful and, as always, a little dark. I also liked how you mentioned the use of repetition in several of their songs. It's nice that you know enough of their music to compare the musical device patterns throughout their work. Great job, this was one of my favorite blogs from you!
I hear the drums echoing tonight
ReplyDeleteBut she hears only whispers of some quiet conversation
She's coming in twelve-thirty flight
Her moonlit wings reflect the stars that guide me towards salvation
I stopped an old man along the way
Hoping to find some old forgotten words or ancient melodies
He turned to me as if to say: "Hurry boy, it's waiting there for you"
It's gonna take a lot to drag me away from you
There's nothing that a hundred men or more could ever do
I bless the rains down in Africa
Gonna take some time to do the things we never had
The wild dogs cry out in the night
As they grow restless longing for some solitary company
I know that I must do what's right
Sure as Kilimanjaro rises like Olympus above the Serengeti
I seek to cure what's deep inside, frightened of this thing that I've become
It's gonna take a lot to drag me away from you
There's nothing that a hundred men or more could ever do
I bless the rains down in Africa
Gonna take some time to do the things we never had
Hurry boy, she's waiting there for you
It's gonna take a lot to drag me away from you
There's nothing that a hundred men or more could ever do
I bless the rains down in Africa
Gonna take some time to do the things we never had
Although “Africa” by Toto is an older song, it is full of imagery and musical devices. The rhyme scheme isn’t one that one would suspect. Instead, the band mixes masculine and feminine rhymes together to create a song that is known by many people through out the world. In the first verse of the song, words such as “tonight” and “flight” are paired together as masculine rhymes while other words like “conversation” and “salvation” are put to rhyme. Although Salvation and conversation don’t sound like they rhyme as well as tonight and flight do, they are consanance.
The song itself is about a man who comes to Africa and has to make a decision about the girl who comes to see him. Although when just hearing the song, the listener does not think of that because the song has a very catchy beat that is easy to dance along to. After all, most of us can admit that we don’t analyze the songs that we listen to, we just dance, and sometimes even sing along. However, the deeper meaning to “Africa” is something that once someone understands, makes it impossible for them to ever listen to the song the same way again.
The imagery throughout the poem is sort of like the true meaning of the song. You can hear the drums as they echo in the night atmosphere, see the reflections of the moon as it shines bright, and even possibly feeling the wrinkly skin from the old man’s hand as you stop him for advice or feel the rain as it pours around you. The imagery is another part of the song that allows for it to flow off the tongue and become even more relatable. This song is one of my personal favorites to dance to while also having a meaning that is common in today’s world and is very relatable to the teenage generation.
Jessica,
DeleteWhen I first read the lyrics to the song you chose, I felt like I had heard them somewhere, but not all of them. I then realized that the refrain is also used in the song "Fight For You" by Jason Derulo. So, I decided to YouTube your song since I hadn't listened to it before, and I kind of liked it. I was glad you mentioned that it was an older song because then I wasn't hoping for something more modern. Anyway, it was good that you picked up on the masculine and feminine rhymes in the lyrics, something I did not notice right away. The imagery you pointed out was great. I could definitely feel the rain as it poured down and hear the drums and the dogs in the wild night. Overall, this is was a wonderful song to choose for the blog! I think I found new song to listen to!