Are songs similar to short stories?
In my last blog, I talked about if the use of repetition was good in songs and concluded that yes it is. However, in some it is not. A great example is the in the following song called "Here Comes Goodbye" by Rascal Flatts, which is written very similar to a short story. In my blog here, we are going to compare the lyrics to this song to the writing of most stories.
"Here Comes Goodbye" by Rascal Flatts
Lyrics:
I can hear the truck tires coming up the gravel road
And its not like her to drive that slow, nothings on her radio
Footsteps on the front porch, I hear my doorbell
She usually comes right in, now I can tell
Here comes goodbye, here comes the last time
Here comes the start of every sleepless night
The first of every tear I'm gonna cry
Here comes the pain, Here comes me wishing things had never changed
And she was right here in my arms tonight, but here comes goodbye
I can hear her say I love you like it was yesterday
And I can see it written on her face that she had never felt this way
One day I thought Id see her with her daddy by her side
And violins would play here comes the bride
But here comes goodbye, here comes the last time
Here comes the start of every sleepless night
The first of every tear Im gonna cry
Here comes the pain, Here comes me wishing things had never changed(d)
And she was right here in my arms tonight, but here comes goodbye
Why does it have to go from good to gone?
Before the lights turn on, yeah and you're left alone
All alone, but here comes goodbye
Oh-oh-oh-oh
Here comes goodbye, here comes the last time
Here comes the start of every sleepless night
The first of every tear I'm gonna cry
Here comes the pain, Here comes me wishing things had never changed
And she was right here in my arms tonight, but here comes goodbye
Similarities between short stories & the lyrics:
1) Includes a main plot and setting
2) Gets to the point
3) Reaches out to the audience
A. Reader is able to step into writer's shoes
B. Reader is able to perceive what the writer is telling
Differences between short stories & the lyrics:
1) Lyrics contain a catchy, repetitive chorus
2) Lyrics are broken into verses and short stories have paragraphs
3) Short stories are usually more descriptive of the past and future whereas lyrics are almost as excerpts of stories
I believe that this song is a perfect example of the similarities that lyrics can have to short stories. The first two verses we know what the girl is doing and see everything from the writer's point of view. For those who have experienced a break-up similar to this, they can relate and step into the writer's shoes. Like a short story that contains a main plot and setting, we know that this man is about to deal with a horrible goodbye from someone he loves dearly. Whether it is a death or a break-up, readers are able to relate and feel empathetic towards him. If the reader has never experienced a horrible goodbye, they are still able to be sympathetic.
The chorus is what provides us with the fact that it is a "goodbye" and we know that it is not a common occurrence due to the fact that this man is anxiously awaiting this awkward presence into his home. We are signaled that it will be awkward by her unusual approach to the door.
Suggestions:
The reason some people are so attracted to certain lyrics is because they tell a similar short story of something they are familiar with, or something that helps them acknowledge the fact that they are not alone in their feelings. Good writing enables readers to clearly understand the writer's thoughts and emotions, and maybe even relate to them in some manner.
In the music video of this song, an actual story is being portrayed. I believe that seeing this video is what inspired me to compare and contrast it with short stories. Below is the link to view the video to this song
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