Analyzing a Song’s Message – Ohio State University

Analyzing a Song’s Message – Ohio State University

Question

Pick a song that you love and that you think has an important message about life today that will make sense in 2021. Write at least 4 pages (no title information) about it, double-spaced. The song you select must be composed from 1945 to the present, have lyrics, and be currently published in an online performance. Properly provide text and references to specific online performances you have seen (otherwise 0 out of 100). See page 2 for citation details. This handout covers all the components. You can (but don’t have to) provide a very modest amount of information about what other people have said about the song by simply comparing their ideas to yours and citing sources. Insert some very short passages from the lyrics of the song. Don’t write about the song “American Pie” or the specific songs you covered in class until you start working on it. Writing mechanics are built into your grade. Check your grammar and spelling using paragraphs. a

Interpretation is what the big idea of ​​the song is, what the song says about life, why it matters to the world today (2021), and why you think the song It’s a persuasive argument about who sympathizes with.

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Decide on a clear interpretation, the big idea conveyed by this song, and justify it thoroughly. Please note the following: Consider musical descriptions, emotional responses, current or current events/issues associated with it, lyrics, atmosphere, energy, tempo, and genre-related ideas, if any. Consider the ideas conveyed by the performer’s fictional body and how it influences your larger interpretation ideas. Note that they can be identical. Consider how they dress, move, gesture, express ideas, and interact with your audience. Also write about how this song resonates with your body when you experience it. How does it affect you specifically, how do you physically interact with it? why? explain.
Other performance elements (e.g. stage lighting) should only be included if you think they influence the big idea.
Explain how the music and lyrics relate to each other, including very short lyrical passages.
Discuss in detail why you think the song is important and personally meaningful, and how the song relates to some aspect of your identity and worldview.
Be specific about how it relates to today’s world. Include some examples of short passages of text in quotes to illustrate the idea
Write from your point of view. Don’t assume that other people see it the same way. How/when do you experience it? Describe when, where and how (with what technology) the song is heard. Describe the scenarios you typically experience, including the situation and the nature and impact of the technology you commonly use to listen. For example, how would listening to music on an MP3 player with earphones in public affect your musical, emotional, physical and intellectual experience?