Hidden Meanings: Interpreting Even the Most Difficult Song Lyrics
Ever wondered what your favorite song is really about? Is the melody catchy but the lyrics impossible to decipher? Here are some simple things you can look for that will help you interpret your favorite songs. You can start out by doing a little research. When was the song written? Did anything happen during that time that might have influenced the song? Look for clues in the song-s lyrics that might reference specific events. After you have done some background work, return to the song lyrics and see if you can pick out a story or a statement. This isn-t always obvious, since artists often embellish their stories with flowery language. Once you have a good idea of the story, look for words or phrases that might be metaphors or have more than one meaning. For example, if the song is about a fish in a glass bowl, it might metaphorically be a song about the artist feeling trapped. Look especially at any adjectives that seem particularly expressive. Lastly, go with your gut. If a certain turn of phrase grabs your attention, pick it apart and look at each individual word. You might be surprised at what pops out at you!