Metaphor

I Want You by Third Eye Blind

Metaphor

A metaphor is a poetic device comparing two things that have something in common without using the words "like" or "as." The song "I Want You" by Third Eye Blind has comparisons such as "my urge is genuine." This compares his urge to being genuine. Also "the rhythm is so feminine," he is comparing his rhythm to being feminine. He also says "deeper than bones" which is comparing how low his soul goes with how deep bones are, but without using the simile words.


More Than A Memory by Hoobastank



Metaphor

This song, "More Than A Memory" by Hoobastank holds a metaphor in its chorus, which is throughout the entire song. The title of the song and the main part of the chorus is "you're so much more than a memory" which is comparing this person as more than a memory without using the words "like" or "as." There is another part of the song that holds metaphor. This is "it seems crystal clear to me." This is comparing something, or "it" to another thing that is crystal clear.

Simile

Love Song by 311


Simile

The song "Love Song" by 311 is a great song for this literary device. In each verse the narrator compares how this person they are longing for makes them feel. Such as "you make me feel like I am home again," "you make me feel like I am whole again," "you make me feel like I am fun again," "you make me feel like I am free again," and "you make me feel like I am clean again." Because a simile is a comparison using the words "like" or "as," this song fits perfectly into those guidelines.


Better Together by Jack Johnson



The song "Better Together" by Jack Johnson is all about comparing what life is with and without this girl, and that in the end it is better when they are together. He uses simile when he says "like, a shoebox of photographs" when comparing his dreams and how they are made out of real things like a shoebox of photographs. Also, he says "love is the answer, at least for most of the questions in my heart like, why are we here, where do we go, and how come its so hard." He is comparing love and the questions in his heart.

Irony and Paradox

11am by Incubus


Irony


The song 11am by Incubus has a significant line that exemplifies the peotic device of Irony. The phrase "you're always first when no one's on your side" is ironic because when you come in first there is nobody there to bask in your glory with you. Usually when somebody comes in first in some sort of race, they have somebody at the finish line to congratulate them for their win. In this case, it is ironic that when this person comes in first, nobody is there to cheer him on.

Here Without You by 3 Doors Down


This line from the 3 Doors Down song, "leave their way to say hello" is ironic because people do not usually leave to say hello. Usually people go places to say hello, they do not leave places to do so. The irony used in this phrase is situational irony because it is an unexpected outcome. The unexpected outcome is saying hello after leaving somewhere.


You and Me by Dave Matthews

Paradox

This phrase "and you know we could do better than anything that we did" is a paradox because it is contradictory towards the people it is about, but it makes sense at the same time. Usually people would like to do their best the first time they do something. This phrase is suggesting that these people should do better than anything that they did, which is also hard to do because they have already done these things, and time cannot be turned back in order for them to do things better a second time around.

Personification

Amber by 311



Personification

The song "Amber" by 311 has a couple examples of personification. First, the narrator says "amber is the color of your energy" this statement personifies energy because energy cannot physically be a color. It makes energy seem like it is a live which is not the case in most situations. Another example of personification in this song is "head blind to fear." This personifies a head as being blind. In reality, a head is not blind but the eyes on the head are. It makes the head seem human-like itself without the other aspects of a persons body. Really, the head is nothing without the body and other organs, so it cannot be blind on its own.


For You by Barenaked Ladies


Personification

The song "For You" as a couple examples of personification. First, when the narrator says "enigma wrapped in a mystery" personification is present. The word "mystery" is personified because it cannot really wrap itself around something. It is a word, not a living being. Another example of personification in this song is "fool consumed by fear." Fear cannot physically consume anything, especially a fool. This phrase makes fear seem like a person consuming or eating a fool, or taking over their life.