WHAT POETIC DEVICE

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POETRY IN MUSIC VIDEO

Artist: RhiannaSong: “Umbrella”

Took an oath I’ma stick it out till the end

Now that it’s raining more than ever

Know that we’ll still have each other

You can stand under my umbrella

Artist: RhiannaSong: “Umbrella”

Rhianna’s song “Umbrella” is an example of extended metaphor. In her song, the umbrella represents Rhianna’s love and friendship. She states that she will always share this friendship and it will protect her friend from all the sadness and hardship (rain) in his/her life. The umbrella/rain metaphor is present throughout the whole song.

Artist: AerosmithSong: “Dream On”

Dream until your dreams come true

Dream onDream onDream on

Artist: AerosmithSong: “Dream On”

Aerosmith’s song “Dream On” is an example of repetition. He uses the same phrase (Dream on) over and over.

Artist: Jason MrazSong: “Wordplay”

Cause they need a new song, like a new religion

For the record label puts me on the shelf up in the freezer

Well I built a bridge across the stream of consciousness

That always seems to be a flowingBut I don’t know which way my brain is going

Artist: Jason MrazSong: “Wordplay”

Jason Mraz uses a simile in the first line comparing a song to a religion using the word “like”. He uses personification when he says the label puts him on the shelf. He also uses rhyme “flowing” and “going”.

Artist: Foo FightersSong: “Times Like These”

I, I’m a one-way motorwayI’m the road that drives awayFollows you back home

I, I’m a streetlight shining

I’m a white light blinding brightBurning off alone

Artist: Foo FightersSong: “Times Like These”

The Foo Fighters use metaphors throughout the song “Times Like These”. They are comparing the speaker to several different things; such as, a motorway and a streetlight. They use internal rhyme and assonance in the line “I’m a white light blinding bright”. They also use alliteration with the words: blinding, bright, burning

Artist: B.O.B. featuring Hayley WilliamsSong: “Airplanes”

Can we pretend that airplanes in the night skiesAre like shooting starsI can really use a wish right nowWish right nowWish right now

Artist: B.O.B. featuring Hayley WilliamsSong: “Airplanes”

The song “Airplanes” uses a simile comparing airplanes to shooting stars using the word “like”. The song also uses repetition by using the phrase “wish right now” several times.

Artist: Paul McCartneySong: “Band on the Run”

Well the rain exploded with a mighty crash as we fell into the sun

And the first one said to the second one there I hope you’re having fun

Band on the run, band on the runAnd the jailer man and sailor Sam were

searching everyone

Artist: Paul McCartneySong: “Band on the Run”

Paul McCartney uses rhyme; the lines end with: “sun”

“fun”“run”

“everyone”

Artist: Shania TwainSong: “That Don’t Impress Me Much”

Okay, so you’re Brad Pitt?That don’t impress me muchSo you’ve got the looks but have you got the

touch

Artist: Shania TwainSong: “That Don’t Impress Me Much”

Shania Twain uses allusion when she refers to a famous figure known for good looks (Brad Pitt) instead of just saying “Okay, so you’re handsome”.

Artist: Gloria EstefanSong: “Turn the Beat Around”

‘Cause when the guitar player starts playing

With the syncopated rhythm, with the scratch, scratch, scratch

He nails the beat with the syncopated rhythm

With the rat, tat, tat, tat, tat, tat on the drums

Artist: Gloria EstefanSong: “Turn the Beat Around”

Gloria Estefan uses onomatopoeia by imitating musical sounds with the words “rat, tat” and “scratch”.

Artist: EminemSong: “Lose Yourself”

You better lose yourself in the music, the moment

You own it, you better never let it go

Artist: EminemSong: “Lose Yourself”

Eminem uses assonance by repeating similar vowels in the words: moment

own it

and in the words: better

never

let

Artist: Michael JacksonSong: “Rockin’ Robin”

He rocks in the tree tops all day longHoppin’ and a-boppin’ and singing his songAll the little birdies on Jaybird StreetLove to hear the robin go tweet tweet

tweet

Rockin’ robin, rock, rockRockin’ robinBlow rockin’ robin‘Cause we’re really gonna to rock tonight

Artist: Michael JacksonSong: “Rockin’ Robin”

Internal Rhyme – hoppin’ and boppin’

Repetition – “rockin’ robin”

Alliteration – rockin’, robin, really, rock

Onomatopoeia – tweet, tweet, tweet

Artist: Dave Matthews BandSong: “Funny the way it is”

Funny the way it isIf you think about itSomebody's going hungry and someone else is eating outFunny the way it is, if you think about itOne kid walks 10 miles to school, another's dropping outFunny the way it is, not right or wrongOn a soldier's last breath his baby's being bornFunny the way it is, nor right or wrongSomebody's broken heart becomes your favorite song

Artist: Dave Matthews BandSong: “Funny the way it is”

Dave Matthews uses irony to show how people’s lives are very different at any given moment.