Song Analysis

Chiodos is a hardcore/rock/emo band from Davison, Michigan. They started out with their self-released EP “The Best Way to Ruin Your Life” in 2002. Their second EP, “The Heartless Control Everything” appeared under the label Search and Rescue in the year 2003. Both of these CD’s were released under the name the Chiodos Bros. They then published three more albums under Equal Vision Records. “All’s Well that End’s Well”, “Bone Palace Ballet”, and most recently “Bone Palace Ballet: The Grand Coda”. Chiodos are known for their high pitch, but controlled vocals, and their well-written, poetic, lyrics.
Their song "The Words 'Best Friend' Become Redefined" from the album "All's Weel That End's Well" is a perfect example of these lyrical skills. Almost every line contains at least one poetic device and the diction is emxeplary. "I've been hiding in this bed for weeks from this" is an obvious hyperbole. He didn't really stay in his bed for weeks, but saying that he did makes it more dramatic. "Throws raw from screaming and I haven't said a word" is a simple paradox. It's a contradicting statement since your throat can't be raw if you haven't spoken. "The sky is calling, and the stars, they point to this" contains two personifications. The sky is given the ability to call while the stars are given the ability to point. "We see your breath in the air" and "Your cold pale skin and tainted purple lips" are imagery, where the second line is also simbolic for death. "Let me embrace you with this kiss" is also considered a hyperbole. Embracing someone means to hug them or hold them close, and doesn't refer to a kiss. "Together we will float like angels" is a simlie, imagery, and symbolism. There is a direct comparison between them floating and angels, which is a simlie. Angels simbolize death, and so does floating like one. It is also easy to picture it in your head, making it imagery. This is also the case for the line "Higher than the heavens the clouds part ways". "And we'll stay like this forever" is a hyperbole because you can't be in one state forever. "If your stomach feels weak then my work here is done" can have two different meanings, and is a paradox and ironic. Your stomach can be weak due to love, which is good, or due to sickness, which isn't. The fact that there are two paradoxical meanings to this statment makes it ironic.
This song is one of Chiodos' most popular songs, and it has many poetic devices including paradox, imagery, and hyperbole. Chiodos has affected many people with their unique and emotional lyrics and as their popularity is growing, their sound keeps maturing.