Assonance, Similes and Metaphorically Speaking

Lyrics in Songwriting Example:
"Breathe (2AM)" music and lyrics by Anna Nalick
Songwriting Tools: Metaphor, Simile, Assonance, Alliteration

I've always been a big fan of well-written songs and tried-and-true songwriters, but I've found that, over the years, I've become less and less enthusiastic about embracing the work of current songwriters. I have to attribute this lack of pop-music passion to pure and simple burn-out from working in the 'business' for so long. All those years of being bombarded with 'must-have' music, 'quintessential' collections, '7-octave-range divas' (which is impossible by the way) and artists of 'genius' --- not to mention the daily grind of the marketing and promotional 'machinery' -- well, I just had to become impervious to all the noise and clutter. It was the only way I could stay 'centered' and maintain my own artistic integrity.

So imagine my surprise when I popped in a 'typical' artist's CD that had been laying around in my car for quite some time -- and found that I actually liked it! That hasn't happened to me in a very long time... What a welcomed relief! And a renewal of my faith in good songwriting. And the best part was, the songwriter used metaphors, similes, alliteration and assonance (which I love) in her lyrics [see definitions below]. Lots of great lyric writing tools and a beautiful 3/4 meter (which always 'gets' me). So that's the convoluted round-about story that compels me to talk about the use of assonance, similes and metaphors in lyrics! (note: I already spoke about Alliteration in lyrics in a prior blog, see Are You Alliterate?).

"Breathe (2AM)"
By Anna Nalick (music and lyrics)
(samples of assonance in bold)
(other literary tools noted at end of line)

2 AM and she calls me 'cause I'm still awake, (alliteration)
"Can you help me unravel my latest mistake?,
I don't love him. Winter just wasn't my season" (alliteration)
Yeah we walk through the doors, so accusing their eyes
Like they have any right at all to criticize,
Hypocrites. You're all here for the very same reason

'Cause you can't jump the track, we're like cars on a cable (metaphor, simile & alliteration)
And life's like an hourglass, glued to the table (simile)
No one can find the rewind button, girl. (metaphor)
So cradle your head in your hands (alliteration)
And breathe... just breathe,
Oh breathe, just breathe

May he turn 21 on the base at Fort Bliss (alliteration)
"Just a day" he said down to the flask in his fist, (alliteration)
"Ain't been sober, since maybe October of last year."
Here in town you can tell he's been down for a while, (alliteration)
But, my God, it's so beautiful when the boy smiles, (alliteration)
Wanna hold him. Maybe I'll just sing about it.

Cause you can't jump the track, we're like cars on a cable,
And life's like an hourglass, glued to the table.
No one can find the rewind button, boys,
So cradle your head in your hands,
And breathe... just breathe,
Oh breathe, just breathe
There's a light at each end of this tunnel,
You shout 'cause you're just as far in as you'll ever be out
And these mistakes you've made, you'll just make them again
If you only try turning around.

2 AM and I'm still awake, writing a song
If I get it all down on paper, it's no longer inside of me,
Threatening the life it belongs to
And I feel like I'm naked in front of the crowd
Cause these words are my diary, screaming out loud (metaphor)
And I know that you'll use them, however you want to

But you can't jump the track, we're like cars on a cable,
And life's like an hourglass, glued to the table
No one can find the rewind button now
Sing it if you understand.
and breathe, just breathe
woah breathe, just breathe,
Oh breathe, just breathe,
Oh breathe, just breathe.

Definitions:

Metaphor: a figure of speech containing an implied comparison between two or more seemingly unrelated subjects. (i.e. the curtain of night, all the world’s a stage)

Simile: a figure of speech in which one thing is likened to another dissimilar thing typically marked by the use of “like”, “as” or “than” (i.e. the snow was as thick as a blanket, madder than a bull)

Assonance: Likeness of sound as in a series of words or syllables

Alliteration: a literary device in which the same sound appears at the beginning of two or more consecutive words. (i.e. High Hopes, Time After Time, Bell Bottom Blues).

Anna Nalick: Wreck of the Day (CD) contains "Breathe (2AM)"

Wreck of the Day


Anna Nalick Links:
Anna Nalick Wreck of the Day CD
AnnaNalick.com
Anna Nalick Wikipedia