Anyone know a song which is good for analyzing in English Lit class?

Question

I'm in 10th grade and recently we have been analyzing poems in English Literature. Last class we analyzed the song Eleanor Rigby by the Beatles to get a break from the poems. Now our assignment is to find and analyze (with notes about language devices such as connotation etc, tone, metaphors, general theme, etc etc) a song of our choice and go through it with the class next lesson. I want a "deep" meaningful song that can be analyzed thouroughly... Doesn't matter from what time period/genre. I wanna impress my teacher =D haha
thanks

Answer 1

Don McLean's "American Pie"
American Pie By Don McLean (BTW - the person who said t was about the JFK assassination... the ONLY part of the song that McLean will decipher is that theopening is about Buddy Holly and the plane crash.) A long, long time ago I can still remember how that music used to make me smile And I knew if I had my chance That I could make those people dance And maybe they'd be happy for a while. 1 But February made me shiver With every paper I delivered, Bad news on the door step, I couldn't take one more step, 2 I can't remember if I cried When I read about his widowed bride 3 But something touched me deep inside, The day, the music, died. 4 So... Refrain: Bye, bye Miss American Pie 5 Drove my Chevy to the levee but the levee was dry 6 Them good ol' boys were drinkin' whiskey 'n' rye 7 Singin this will be the day that I die. This will be the day that I die. 8 Did you write the book of love 9 And do you have faith in God above, If the bible tells you so. 10 And do you believe in rock 'n' roll? Can music save your mortal soul? 11 And can you teach me how to dance real slow? Well I know that you're in love with him Cuz I saw you dancin' in the gym. 12 You both kicked off your shoes 13 And I dig those rhythm and blues. 14 I was a lonely teenage bronkin' buck With a pink carnation and a pick up truck 15 But I knew I was out of luck, The day, the music, died. I started singin... Refrain Now for ten years we've been on our own 16 And moss grows fat on a rollin stone 17 But that's not how it used to be, When the jester sang for the king and queen In a coat he borrowed from James Dean 18 And a voice that came from you and me. 19 Oh and while the king was looking down, The jester stole his thorny crown 20 The courtroom was adjourned; No verdict was returned. 21 And while Lennon read a book on Marx, 22 The quartet practiced in the park 23 And we sang dirges in the dark, 24 The day, the music, died. We were singin'... Refrain Helter Skelter in a summer swelter 25 The birds flew off with a fallout shelter, Eight miles high and fallin' fast. 26 It landed foul on the grass. 27 The players tried for a forward pass 28 With the jester on the sidelines in a cast. 29 Now the half-time air was sweet perfume 30 While the sergeants played a marching tune. 31 We all got up to dance Oh but we never got the chance. 32 As the players tried to take the field The marching band refused to yield. Do you recall what was revealed, 33 the day, the music, died? We started singin'... Refrain Oh and there we were all in one place, 34 A generation lost in space With no time left to start again. 35 So come on, Jack be nimble, Jack be quick. 36 Jack Flash sat on a candle stick 37 Because fire is the devils only friend.38 Oh and as I watched him on the stage, My hands were clinched in fists of rage, No angel born in hell Could break that Satan's spell. 39 And as the flames climbed high into the night To light the sacrificial rite I saw Satan laughing with delight,40 The day, the music, died. He was singin'... Refrain I met a girl who sang the blues 41 And I asked her for some happy news But she just smiled and turned away. 42 I went down to the sacred store Where I'd heard the music years before But the man there said the music wouldn't play. 43 And in the streets the children screamed, 44 The lovers cried, and the poets dreamed. 45 But not a word was spoken, The church bells all were broken. 46 And the three men I admire most, The Father, Son, and the Holy Ghost, 47 They caught the last train for the coast, 48 The day, the music, died. And they were singin'... Refrain They were singin'... Bye, bye Miss American Pie Drove my Chevy to the levee but the levee was dry Them good ol' boys were drinkin' whiskey 'n' rye Singin' this will be the day that I die. Go to Jerry's Jukebox ________________________________________ Possible Interpretation of Lyrics The following represents a combination of some of the more popular interpretations of the meaning of the "American Pie" lyrics. McClean has remained silent on the meaning, except to say that the song was dedicated to Buddy Holly and that his death is referenced in the first verse. He has left it up to others to figure out what he really meant. 1. The song is about the history of rock and roll music and how it changed after Buddy Holly's death. It is also, however, about McLean's growing up, and his love of the pure rock and roll of the '50s. McLean was a musician. He wanted to make people dance. Most 50's music was meant for dancing and in general upbeat and happy, in contrast to 60's music. Back to Verse 2. McLean was a paperboy on February 3, 1959 when Buddy Holly's plane crashed. He was devastated by the news, since Holly was his idol. Back to Verse 3. Holly's recent bride was pregnant when the crash took place; she had a miscarriage shortly afterward. Back to Verse 4. The same plane crash that killed Buddy Holly also took the lives of Ritchie Valens ("La Bamba") and The Big Bopper ("Chantilly Lace"). Since all three were so prominent at the time, February 3, 1959 became known as "The Day The Music Died." Back to Verse 5. Goodbye to the music of America, the Rock 'n' Roll and dance music of the '50s. It's interesting how McLean has feminized 50's rock music here, the fact that it's a virgin (Miss) form of music that's as American as apple pie. Back to Verse 6. Chevy represents America. The Levee is the bar where McLean and his friends hung out in his hometown of New Rochelle, NY. It closed down. Back to Verse 7. This line is a play on words. Rye is a city in New York near where McLean grew up. When the Levee closed, the "good ol' boys," McLean and his friends, fled to drink in Rye where together they mourned the deaths of the trio. Back to Verse 8. One of Holly's hits was "That'll be the Day"; the chorus contains the line, "That'll be the Day that I Die." Back to Verse 9. "The Book of Love" by the Monotones; hit in 1958. Back to Verse 10. In 1955, Don Cornell did a song entitled "The Bible Tells Me So." This line could also refer to the sense of disparity that maybe God let us down after the assassination of John Kennedy and the general disillusionment of the early '60s. It is also likely that these lines are meant to garnish rock 'n' roll with religious imagery, because most of the early musicians, including Holly, got their start in church choirs or by singing hymns. An old children's hymn called "Jesus Loves Me" has the line "the Bible tells me so" in the lyrics. Back to Verse 11. This is a lament of the decline of the dance music of the '50s. It might also be a reference to The Lovin' Spoonful's hit in 1965 with John Sebastian's "Do You Believe in Magic?" Or, McLean might be questioning the integrity of music and its worth after the plane crash Back to Verse 12. Dancing slow was an important part of early rock and roll dance events -- but declined in importance through the 60's as things like psychedelia and the 10-minute guitar solo gained prominence. Back then, dancing was an expression of love, and carried a connotation of commitment. Dance partners were not so readily exchanged as they would be later. Allegorically, the "him" is probably all the young, handsome teen idols that were common in the late '50s and early '60s. The "you" represents all the teenage girls who swooned over those idols. Back to Verse 13. A reference to a "sock hop," generally held in gymnasiums. Back to Verse 14. McLean is letting us know he prefers the R&B music of the '50's to the sock hop music. Back to Verse 15. "A White Sport Coat (And a Pink Carnation)," was a hit for Marty Robbins in 1957. McLean was lonely because his music was out of style. Back to Verse 16. It was roughly 10 years after the death of Buddy Holly that McLean started writing "American Pie." Back to Verse 17. The "rolling stone" is a reference to Bob Dylan, since "Like a Rolling Stone" (1965) was his first major hit; he was busy writing songs extolling the virtues of simple love, family and contentment while staying at home and raking in the royalties. It also is a reference to The Rolling Stones, and a symbolic reversal of the aphorism, "A rolling stone gathers no moss." To McLean, the music of the '60s was gathering moss--growing stale. "That's not how it used to be" refers to the early days of Dylan. Back to Verse 18. The jester is Bob Dylan. The king could refer to Elvis. The Queen is probably the Queen of England, whom Dylan performed for. In the movie "Rebel Without a Cause", James Dean has a red windbreaker that holds symbolic meaning throughout the film. In one particularly intense scene, Dean lends his coat to a guy who is shot and killed; Dean's father arrives, sees the coat on the dead man, thinks it's Dean, and loses it. On the cover of "The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan", Dylan is wearing just such as red windbreaker, and is posed in a street scene similar to one shown in a well-known picture of James Dean. Bob Dylan played a command performance for the Queen and Prince Consort of England. He was not properly attired, so perhaps this is a reference to his apparel. Back to Verse 19. A reference to Dylan's style of music, folk music, from the people (you and me). Back to Verse 20. This could be a reference to Elvis's decline and Dylan's ascendance. (i.e. Presley is looking down from a height as Dylan takes his place.) The thorny crown might be a reference to the price of fame, or another religious metaphor. Back to Verse 21. This could be the trial of the Chicago Seven. It could also refer to the aftermath of the Kennedy assassination, which really had no "verdict," and is still open to speculation. Most likely, it is a reference to the fact that there really is no true "king" of rock 'n' roll during this period. For even though Dylan has grabbed (stolen) the mantle of rock's spokesman, the verdict is still out. Back to Verse 22. This is a play on words. Literally, John Lennon reading about Karl Marx; figuratively, the introduction of radical politics into the music of the Beatles. Both Lennon and Lenin (Soviet dictator) believed in Marxist philosophy. Back to Verse 23. Allegorically, this line probably refers to the time when the Beatles were still playing in England and Europe. They were still "practicing" because they had not come to America yet. Back to Verse 24. A "dirge" is a funeral or mourning song, so perhaps this is meant literally, mourning the death of Holly or his music...or, perhaps, this is a reference to some of the new "art rock" groups which played long pieces not meant for dancing. It's likely just a reference to McLean's unhappiness with the way music was going. Back to Verse 25. "Helter Skelter" is a Beatles song which appears on the "White Album." Charles Manson, claiming to have been "inspired" by the song led his followers in the Tate-LaBianca murders. The "summer swelter" might be a reference to the "Summer of Love" or perhaps to the "long hot summer" of Watts. Back to Verse 26. The Byrd's "Eight Miles High" was on their late 1966 release "Fifth Dimension". It was one of the first records to be widely banned because of supposedly drug-oriented lyrics. Back to Verse 27. One of the Byrds was busted for possession of marijuana. Back to Verse 28. The football metaphor could be the Rolling Stones, i.e. they were waiting for an opening which really didn't happen until the Beatles broke up. Or it could refer to attempts of other musicians to come into the limelight while Dylan was laid up. Back to Verse 29. On July 29, 1966, Dylan crashed his Triumph 55 motorcycle while riding near his home in Woodstock, New York. He spent nine months in seclusion while recuperating from the accident. Back to Verse 30. Drugs, or the hidden messages about drugs in some of the songs of the mid-'60s (half-time in the decade). Back to Verse 31. A clear reference to Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, the Beatles 1967 album that changed rock 'n' roll forever. It was the first theme album, the first to put lyrics on the cover, the first to use synthetic sounds. It had no hit singles, another new concept in album production. It had purported hidden messages, mostly drug messages, allegedly, in songs like "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds (LSD). McLean liked it (sweet perfume). Back to Verse 32. All the youth got into this album. They didn't get the chance to dance because the Beatles had now pushed rock music away from its dance roots. They used orchestras. They wrote long, slow songs with ponderous rhythms. Or it could also refer to the fact that the Beatles' 1966 Candlestick Park concert lasted only 35 minutes. Back to Verse 33. No one could compete against the Beatles. Some folks think this refers to either the 1968 Democratic Convention or Kent State. What was "revealed" was the dark underlying messages of rock music: the Marxism that was alluded to in the previous verse, the avocation of drug use, the overly self-obsessed quality of the lyrics. Back to Verse 34. The "place" was Woodstock. Back to Verse 35. Perhaps this is a reference to "hippies", who were sometimes known as the "lost generation", partially because of their particularly acute alienation from their parents, and partially because of their presumed preoccupation with drugs. It could also be a reference to the '60s TV show, "Lost in Space," whose title was sometimes used as a synonym for someone who was rather high. Perhaps, their preference for psychedelia had pushed rock and roll so far from Holly's music that it couldn't be retrieved. Back to Verse 36. Probably a reference to Mick Jagger of the Rolling Stones; "Jumpin' Jack Flash" was released in May, 1968. Back to Verse 37. The Stones' Candlestick park concert? Candlestick Park was also the venue for the Beatles' final performance--the end of the rock 'n' roll era. Back to Verse 38. It's possible that this is a reference to the Grateful Dead's "Friend of the Devil". Back to Verse 39. While playing a concert at the Altamont Speedway in 1968, the Stones appointed members of the Hell's Angels to work security (on the advice of the Grateful Dead). In the darkness near the front of the stage, a young man named Meredith Hunter was beaten and stabbed to death -- by the Angels. Public outcry that the song "Sympathy for the Devil" had somehow incited the violence caused the Stones to drop the song from their show for the next six years. This incident is chronicled in the documentary film "Gimme Shelter". It's also possible that McLean views the Stones as being negatively inspired (remember, he had an extensive religious background) by virtue of "Sympathy for the Devil", "Their Satanic Majesties' Request" and so on. Back to Verse 40. This could be a reference to Jimi Hendrix burning his Stratocaster at the Monterey Pop Festival, or simply the bonfires that were lit at the outside concerts. It could be a reference to Jagger dancing and prancing while the murder was happening. Mick Jagger is Satan, the murder provided the sacrifice. Back to Verse 41. Janis Joplin Back to Verse 42. Janis died of an accidental heroin overdose on October 4, 1970. Back to Verse 43. The "sacred store" might be Bill Graham's Fillmore East, one of the great rock and roll venues of all time. Alternatively, this refers to record stores, and their longtime (then discontinued) practice of allowing customers to preview records in the store. It could also refer to record stores as "sacred" because this is where one goes to get "saved". (See above lyric "Can music save your mortal soul?") The music "wouldn't play" means that nobody is interested in hearing Buddy Holly et.al.'s music anymore. Or, as above, the discontinuation of the in-store listening boot

Answer 2

With every day pass, our country is getting into more and more trouble. The inflation, unemployment and falling value of dollar are the main concern for our Government but authorities are just sleeping, they don’t want to face the fact. Media is also involve in it, they are force to stop showing the real economic situation to the people. I start getting more concern about my future as well as my family after watching the response of our Government for the people that affected by hurricane Katrina.

According to recent studies made by World Bank, the coming crisis will be far worse than initially predicted. So if you're already preparing for the crisis (or haven't started yet) make sure you watch this video at http://www.familysurvival.tv and discover the 4 BIG issues you'll have to deal with when the crisis hits, and how to solve them fast (before the disaster strikes your town!) without spending $1,000s on overrated items and useless survival books.

Answer 3

Being that your teacher was astute enough to choose a Beatles son, why not impress her by choosing another one. The Beatles wrote many songs that weren't just about love, which most songs in those days were. I would suggest George Harrison's song 'Taxman' which he wrote in response to the vast amount of tax that the Beatles paid on their earnings. At that time the top rate of Income Tax under Harold Wilson's Labour Government was 19s/00d in the £ which, in today's money is 95p per £. a massive 95%. Here are the lyrings and my additional notes to help you.

Taxamn (The Beatles)

Let me tell you
How it will be.
There's one for you,
Nineteen for me, (Reflects the income tax rate of 95%)

'Cause I'm the taxman.
Yeah, I'm the taxman.

Should five percent
Appear too small,
Be thankful I don't
Take it all. (Wry expression from the Taxman saying you should be grateful for even the 5% he leaves)

'Cause I'm the taxman.
Yeah, I'm the taxman.

If you drive a car,
I'll tax the street.
If you drive to work,
I'll tax your seat.
If you get too cold,
I'll tax the heat.
If you take a walk,
I'll tax your feet.
(All the different taxes he made)
Taxman!

'Cause I'm the taxman.
Yeah, I'm the taxman.

Don't ask me what I want it for,
(Taxman, Mr. Wilson.) (Prime Minister at the time)
If you don't want to pay some more.
(Taxman, Mr. Heath.) (Leader of Conservative opposition at the time)

'Cause I'm the taxman.
Yeah, I'm the taxman.

And my advice to
Those who die.
(Taxman!)
Declare the pennies
On your eyes. (In olden days pennies were placed on the eyelids of corpses to keep them shut)
(Taxman!)

'Cause I'm the taxman.
Yeah, I'm the taxman,
And you're working for no one but me. (In other words most of your earnings go to him)
(Taxman!)

Answer 4

Thick As a Brick - Jethro Tull
http://www.j-tull.com/discography/thickasabrick/
http://www.lyricsdomain.com/10/jethro_tull/thick_as_a_brick.html
Born In the USA - Bruce Springsteen
http://www.lyricsdomain.com/2/bruce_springsteen/born_in_the_usa.html
Suicide? - Barclay James Harvest
http://www.lyricsdomain.com/2/barclay_james_harvest/suicideq.html
This song pretty much speaks for itself:
Money for Nothing - Dire Straits
http://www.lyricsdomain.com/4/dire_straits/money_for_nothing.html

Answer 5

Why not try the song Terminal by Rupert Holmes. We discussed that song in our English class. It's a meaningful song that talks about life. Those that we take for granted and the simple things.

Answer 6

To continue the Beatles theme, "She's leaving home" is an interesting one because of the different voices (narrator and parents) and the changing emotions of the parents as the song progresses.
http://www.lyrics007.com/The%20Beatles%20Lyrics/She's%20Leaving%20Home%20Lyrics.html

This is another with two voices. The 1st and 3rd by the man and 2nd by the woman. (I know because the lead singer had to explain it was written for two people when it was mistakenly assumed that he was gay after the 'you're a big boy now' line.
http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/snowpatrol/howtobedead.html

Stings albums had lots of imagery

http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/sting/letyoursoulbeyourpilot.html
http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/sting/ifieverlosemyfaithinyou.html

If you want a real challenge, then this is an extended metaphor. It's heaped with imagery.
http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/sting/thewildwildsea.html

Good luck

Answer 7

The Eagles's "Hotel California"
Although I think many of you have hit upon some very interesting ideas about the lyrics here (and justifiable ones at that -- especially the "in limbo" entries, as that is my 2nd choice regarding the meaning), nobody as yet has suggested that the song is about an alien abduction (yes, I believe in UFOs). [* Note well - the aliens' UFO/planet/people have apparently recreated the look of earth and earthlings to gain confidence and complicity by the abductees.] Here are arguments regarding my theory. 1) First off, the very opening lines certainly point to an abduction -- "On a dark desert highway, cool wind in my hair; Warm smell of colitas rising up through the air. Up ahead in the distance I saw a shimmering light -- My head grew heavy, and my sight grew dim; I had to stop for the night." Dissecting these lines, we find the following: 2) 'On a dark desert highway' = aliens nearly always take and perform their experiments at night, and pick remote areas to do so. 3) 'UP' (ahead...) suggests he saw something 'ABOVE' another thing (his car)-- i.e., in this case, the "something" being the spacecraft. 4) smell of colitas = some abductees report a strange odor emanating from the aliens or in the craft itself (possibly a formaldehyde-like substance??). 5) 'I saw a shimmering light' = well, we all know by now that them thar extraterrestrials like to flash their lights when flying/landing. 6) '...head grew heavy...sight grew dim...' = a hypnotic trance that aliens subject humans to, so that they do not resist abduction. Now on to the rest of the song - the alien mentions are more implicit than explicit, yet there are still clues: 7) 'There she stood in the doorway...this could be Heaven or this could be Hell...And she showed me the way; There were voices down the corridor - I thought I heard them say Welcome ...such a lovely place.' = The 'she' in the lines above can be looked upon as the (remember, in human guise) leader of the abductees in their doomed exile, like the farmer leading lambs to the slaughter (illustrated in the fact that "you can never leave"). 8) The extraterrestrial's realm will soon take control now, as the humans are brainwashed, repeating, like a mantra: Such a lovely place, Such a lovely face. 9) 'And still those voices are calling from far away; Wake you up in the middle of the night' = as in a dream /abductions occur at night and many victims say they thought it was only a nightmare. 10) This next segment, '...her mind is... (through)...Some dance to forget’ = is the narrator being lead on/enticed by the woman at the doorway, to comfort him before any predictably sinister goings on befall him. 11) 'bring your alibis' = hard to come by any witnesses to abductions – since there were nine for the narrator, despair may be setting in. 12)'Welcome to the Hotel California...Were all just prisoners here' = welcome to a prison-like existence where there is no leaving. 13) 'They gathered for the feast; they stab it with their steely knives, but they just can't kill the beast. Last thing I remember I was running for the door' = These lines are highly indicative of alien experiments, and this newcomer (not yet brainwashed) is still desperate to survive --> the beast /and/ to leave --> running for the door. 14) 'We are programmed to receive' = 'programmed' suggests something non-human. Hence, an alien. "You can check out any time you like But you can never leave." = 'Check out' represents a mental suppression of the abduction, yet the abductee's memory will 'never leave.' ~~~ Well folks, that's my interpretation (with limbo as close runner-up.) ~~ AJH, Aug. 2006

Answer 8

It might be a bit obvious but what about " Cat's in the Cradle" by Harry Chapin?
Here's the Wikipedia resource on it

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cat's_in_the_Cradle

Answer 9

Tapestry - Carol King

Answer 10

Broken home - Papa Roach
Hold On - Good Charlotte
Ring of Fire - Johnny Cash

Answer 11

American Pie by Don McLean