NAME :___________________________

DATE :____________ CLASS_________

Song analysis - Poetry Assignment

DUE: Thursday September 20th 2018. Mr. D.R. Halen PCSS English 9

Many contemporary and lyric poems take on the form of popular songs today. While
many songs are written on the same subject, often the writers have something different to
say on that same subject.

The Assignment:
1. Choose two songs that deal with the same subject in different ways as listed at the
bottom of the page. Try to choose songs that have many verses and many parts.
2. Study the elements of each song, using the song as a textbook. Write a brief
description for each of the following:
a. History of the song (when was it written, what inspired it, stories about
how it came to be what it is in its final recorded version.) Please cite your
references. That is, say where you got the information about the history of
the song.
b. The performing artist. (who is singing the version you are analysing.)
c. The original song writer (often NOT the performer)
d. Rhyme Scheme (including differences in chorus or bridge)
e. Poetic devices used (use your glossary) and examples
thereof.
f. The HOOK, (what part sticks in your head. Possibly guitar riff, vocal,
drum beat, how a word is phrased or repeated)
g. Musical genre; what label it has (rock, metal, country etc)
h. Instrumentation (what instruments are played on the track, to what effect)
i. Themes or subject covered in the song
j. Mood of the song (both in the music and the lyrics)
k. Song elements present and in what order (include Intro, verse, chorus,
bridge, outro)
l. Perspective (is it in first or third person, from a persona created by the
author?)

Finally, compare the two songs in a well written paragraph. What does each have to
say about the subject? How are they the same and how are they different in terms of style,
theme, mood? Evaluate: which is the more effective song about this subject?

Please organize your project so that it’s easy to follow. That is,
introduce your topic and your songs and how they are similar, yet
different. Then study each song separately. Then write your comparing
and contrasting paragraph at the end.
Possible Subjects: age and aging, love (found, lost, romantic, familial etc),
war, protest (against politics, parents, environmental damage etc), nostalgia
(remembering good times), loss, regret, crime, death.
 NAME :___________________________
DATE :____________ CLASS_________

Useful websites: Songfacts.com Artist homepage chordie.com a-zlyrics.com

THE MAIN PARTS OF A SONG

1. Intro: A few bars of catchy rhythm or melody that

starts the song and grabs the listener’s attention. This is often
also a hook.

2. Verses: Melody is less varied, introduces plot setting,

mood and story. Verses are usually repeated in structure and
rhyme scheme, but the words are not repeated, they continue
the development of the ideas.

3. Pre-chorus: Often sets up the chorus in a one or

two line `chorus intro`. This often rhymes, and we hear a
change in pitch and chords.

4. Chorus: The most memorable melody of the song.

Repeated easily and often has the title in it. This may “hook”
you, but is not the hook of the song, which is usually more
musical than spoken.

5. Bridge: Offers melodic relief and expands on the

theme of the song, gives some crucial story information. It often
takes listeners to a higher place. This also is marked by a
change from chorus and verse.

6. Outro: Takes you out of the song. It repeats

fragments of the chorus, can fade-out or provide another
version of the intro.

NOTE: NOT ALL SONGS HAVE ALL OF THESE PARTS.

Staple this page to your work and hand it all in together with
your name and date on everything.
NAME :___________________________
DATE :____________ CLASS_________