Repetition: Good or Bad?

Is Repetition good or bad? Or both?

Most lyrics to songs are the same word (usually the title or the main point) repeated over and over throughout the song. Below are the lyrics to a song called "Thunderstruck" by AC/DC. Let's see if this song uses its repetition to benefit the meaning or if it consists of meaningless repetition.

"Thunderstruck" by AC/DC

Lyrics:

Thunder) (x10)
I was caught
In the middle of a railroad track (Thunder)
I looked 'round,
And I knew there was no turning back (Thunder)
My mind raced
And I thought what could I do? (Thunder)
And I knew
There was no help, no help from you (Thunder)
Sound of the drums
Beatin' in my heart
The thunder of guns!
Tore me apart
You've been - thunderstruck!
Rode down the highway
Broke the limit, we hit the ton
Went through to Texas, yeah Texas
And we had some fun
We met some girls,
Some dancers who gave a good time
Broke all the rules, played all the fools
Yeah, yeah, they, they, they blew our minds
And I was shakin' at the knees
Could I come again please.
Yeah the ladies were too kind
You've been - thunderstruck, thunderstruck
Yeah yeah yeah, thunderstruck
Oh, thunderstruck, yeah
Yeah
Now we're shaking at the knees
Could I come again please.
Thunderstruck, thunderstruck
Yeah yeah yeah, thunderstruck
Thunderstruck, yeah, yeah, yeah
Said yeah, it's alright
We're! Doing fine
Yeah, it's alright
We're! Doing fine
So fine
Thunderstruck, yeah, yeah, yeah,
Thunderstruck, thunderstruck, thunderstruck
Whoa baby, baby, thunderstruck
You've been thunderstruck, thunderstruck
Thunderstruck, thunderstruck, thunderstruck
You've been thunderstruck

Writing in General:

In almost every style of writing, it is commonly known not to use repetition throughout the text. We learn to repeat important points at the end as an emphasis and review, but as writers it is known not to use the same word throughout. When readers are reading a piece that constantly uses the same phrase or word, it becomes an annoyance.

Let's take a look at how this song uses repetition:

The lyrics presented here show excessive use of the words "thunder" and "thunderstruck." From a reader's point of view, this common repeat of these two words becomes frustrating. In fact, once you have glanced further down at the last verse, you can see how the main word there is "thunderstruck." Readers have a tendency to skim through this because if they see the same words, they automatically believe it is not of any significance. Another frequent word used throughout is the word "yeah." In any other writing this would be viewed as unacceptable.

How songs are different:

This particular song, as well as other songs that constantly use the same word throughout, is extremely popular. People love it. Why? Because writers of song lyrics use the same word over and over again in order to get the listener hooked. When listening to a song, they don't want to hear a long drawn out story or something that doesn't sound like it makes sense. Most songs don't make sense to the readers/listeners due to its use frequent phrases throughout in order to get people to consider it as "catchy." Some only understand the point if the chorus has repetition. A song like "Thunderstruck" catches people's attention and makes them want to sing along because there aren't hard and confusing lyrics to turn them away.

Suggestions:

When writing lyrics to a song, use of repetition can most definitely be considered a good thing. It attracts people to listen to the song, even if readers (those who have never listened to it) believe that it is excessive and unnecessary use of the word.

If you, as a current reader, have never heard the lyrics to this song, I would highly recommend clicking the link below and listening to them to understand my full analysis on repetition.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zvoeeq-BH4w

-Amanda Bonbrisco