Metaphorically Speaking...

Using Metaphors in Songs or Writing

The definition of a metaphor is a figure of speech in which an implied comparison is made between two unlike things that actually have something in common. Metaphors are a great way to describe emotions by taking an actual thought and comparing it with a figure of speech that is commonly known to most people.

The song I'm going to analyze in this blog is titled "Everything" by Michael Bublé. This is actually one of my favorite songs because I am a huge fan of metaphors. In this song, there is an excessive use of metaphors but it really helps to define the meaning of what he is thinking. The lyrics basically speak to you through the metaphors. The main metaphor in this song is the end of the chorus as well as the title "You're Everything."

We see the use of excellent metaphors in the first verse several times. A great one that demonstrates an example of something people commonly know is "get away car;" it isn't actually a real thing but in society we know what it is, and refer to it when people are hurriedly entering a vehicle to drive away. Another great example is the "swimming pool on an August day." While swimming pool is an actual thing, the fact that he refers to it being on an August day makes it fittingly perfect and we are able to understand what he means due to past experience, movies, or simply other people talking about it. The last one of that verse is when he says "the perfect thing to say." There is no such thing as this but as people we commonly refer to this when we have said something that sounded "perfect" at that particular moment.

"You're Everything" by Michael Buble

Lyrics:

You're a falling star, You're the get away car.
You're the line in the sand when I go too far.
You're the swimming pool, on an August day.
And you're the perfect thing to say.

And you play it coy, but it's kinda cute.
Ah, When you smile at me you know exactly what you do.
Baby don't pretend, that you don't know it's true.
Cause you can see it when I look at you.

[Chorus:]
And in this crazy life, and through these crazy times
It's you, it's you, You make me sing.
You're every line, you're every word, you're everything.

You're a carousel, you're a wishing well,
And you light me up, when you ring my bell.
You're a mystery, you're from outer space,
You're every minute of my everyday.

And I can't believe, uh that I'm your man,
And I get to kiss you, baby just because I can.
Whatever comes our way, ah we'll see it through,
And you know that's what our love can do.

[Chorus:]
And in this crazy life, and through these crazy times
It's you, it's you, You make me sing
You're every line, you're every word, you're everything.

So, La, La, La, La, La, La, La
So, La, La, La, La, La, La, La

[Chorus:]
And in this crazy life, and through these crazy times
It's you, it's you, You make me sing.
You're every line, you're every word, you're everything.
You're every song, and I sing along.
'Cause you're my everything.
Yeah, yeah

So, La, La, La, La, La, La, La
So, La, La, La, La, La, La, La, La, La, La, La

Now that you have read the lyrics, I think you should have established a good understanding of my statement above. Obviously this "you" (implied female) cannot actually be a line in a song, falling star, or a carousel and wishing well, but since we are familiar with all of these things, we understand his feelings towards her. Some really great writers use metaphors constantly to describe their emotions.

Suggestions:

When writing songs, I definitely believe it will be beneficial to have at least a few metaphors to help spice things up. Because metaphors use everyday expressions and real life feelings, listeners and readers are able to get a better connection the song. A line or a song that has a metaphor is love at first sight, metaphorically speaking.

To listen to this song, click the following link below:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SPUJIbXN0WY

- Amanda Bonbrisco