Counting Crows is a rock band from San Francisco, California. They released their debut album “August and Everything After” in 1994. They’ve been signed to the label Geffen. The band is one of the few bands that encourage bootlegg recordings from their concerts. They even have a section on their website dedicated to fans trading their bootlegged recordings. Their songs have appeared in several movies and tv shows including Mr. Deeds, Shrek 2, Cold Case, and One Tree Hill. Their song “Accidentally in Love” was nominated for best song and performaded at the 2006 Academy Awards.
One of their most famous is “Anna Begins”. This song contains many poetic devices. “Wrap her up in a package of lies, Send her off to a coconut Island” is imagery, hyperbole, and personification. “We are always changing” is a hyperbole. “If you don’t want to talk about it then it isn’t love” is hyperbole. “And I guess I’m going to have to live that” is personifaction because you can’t literally live something. “I’m sure theres something in a shade of gray or something in between” is also imagery. “To make yourself forget is hyperbole because you can’t make yourself forget anything. “She can’t stop shaking and I can’t stop touching her” can also be considered imagery. “Kindness falls like rain” is a simlie and personification. Kindness is given the ability to fall. “It washes her away” is imagery and hyperbol. “Im not gonna bend and Im not gonna break” as well as “Snap her up in a butterfly net- Pin her down on a photograph album” are imagery. “Because I don’t get no sleep in a quiet room” is a paradox because usually people need it to be quiet in order to sleep. “It washes me away” is personification and imagery. “Anna begins to toss and turn” is also imagery. “Every word is nonsense but I understand it” is a paradox. “Her kindness bangs a gong” is personification because kindness can’t bang anything. “It’s moving me along” and “it’s chasing me away” are also considered personification. “She dissappears” is hyperbole.
All in all, this song is a great representation of Counting Crows’ talent. This song is about devotion to a girl that is changing her mind and drifting away. This happens to everyone in their life at least once, therefore everyone can relate to this song.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Anna Begins by Counting Crows
My friend assures me its all or nothing
I am not worried- I am not overly concerned
My friend implores me for one time only,
Make an exception. I am not not worried
Wrap her up in a package of lies
Send her off to a coconut island
I am not worried - I am not overly concerned
With the status of my emotions
Oh, she says, were changing.
But were always changing
It does not bother me to say this isnt love
Because if you dont want to talk about it then it isnt love
And I guess Im going to have to live that
But, Im sure theres something in a shade of gray
Or something in between
And I can always change my name if thats what you mean
My friend assures me its all or nothing`But I am not really worried
I am not overly concerned
You try to tell your self the things you try tell your self to make
Yourself forget
To make your self forget
I am not worried
If its love she said, then were gonna have to think about the
Consequences
She cant stop shaking and I can t stop touching her and.....
This time when kindness falls like rain
It washes her away and anna begins to change her mind
These seconds when Im shaking leave me shuddering
For days she says.
And Im not ready for this sort of thing
But Im not gonna break
And Im not going to worry about it anymore
Im not gonna bend. and Im not gonna break and
Im not gonna worry about it anymore
It seems like I should say as long as this is love...
But its not all that easy so maybe I should just
Snap her up in a butterfly net-
Pin her down on a photograph album
I am not worried
Ive done this sort of thing before
But then I start to think about the consequences
Because I dont get no sleep in a quiet room and...
The time when kindness falls like rain
It washes me away and anna begins change my mind
And every time she sneezes I believe its love
And oh lord.... Im not ready for this sort of thing
She s talking in her sleep-
it s keeping me awake
And anna begins to toss and turn
And every word is nonsense but I understand it and
Oh lord. I m not ready for this sort of thing
Her kindness bangs a gong
Its moving me along and anna begins to fade away
It s chasing me away. she dissappears, and oh lord Im not ready for this sort of thing
I am not worried- I am not overly concerned
My friend implores me for one time only,
Make an exception. I am not not worried
Wrap her up in a package of lies
Send her off to a coconut island
I am not worried - I am not overly concerned
With the status of my emotions
Oh, she says, were changing.
But were always changing
It does not bother me to say this isnt love
Because if you dont want to talk about it then it isnt love
And I guess Im going to have to live that
But, Im sure theres something in a shade of gray
Or something in between
And I can always change my name if thats what you mean
My friend assures me its all or nothing`But I am not really worried
I am not overly concerned
You try to tell your self the things you try tell your self to make
Yourself forget
To make your self forget
I am not worried
If its love she said, then were gonna have to think about the
Consequences
She cant stop shaking and I can t stop touching her and.....
This time when kindness falls like rain
It washes her away and anna begins to change her mind
These seconds when Im shaking leave me shuddering
For days she says.
And Im not ready for this sort of thing
But Im not gonna break
And Im not going to worry about it anymore
Im not gonna bend. and Im not gonna break and
Im not gonna worry about it anymore
It seems like I should say as long as this is love...
But its not all that easy so maybe I should just
Snap her up in a butterfly net-
Pin her down on a photograph album
I am not worried
Ive done this sort of thing before
But then I start to think about the consequences
Because I dont get no sleep in a quiet room and...
The time when kindness falls like rain
It washes me away and anna begins change my mind
And every time she sneezes I believe its love
And oh lord.... Im not ready for this sort of thing
She s talking in her sleep-
it s keeping me awake
And anna begins to toss and turn
And every word is nonsense but I understand it and
Oh lord. I m not ready for this sort of thing
Her kindness bangs a gong
Its moving me along and anna begins to fade away
It s chasing me away. she dissappears, and oh lord Im not ready for this sort of thing
Analysis
Death Cab for Cutie is an indie rock band from Bellingham, Washington. They started out in 1997 and released their first studio album in 1998, called “Something About Airplanes”. Their latest album “Narrow Stairs” was released in 2008. This album was nominated for a Grammy for “Best Alternative Music Album”. The song “I will posses your heart” on said album was nominated for “Best Rock Song”.
Besides their musical talent, Death Cab for Cutie is also known for their lyrical skills. The song “ I Will Follow You Home” contains many poetic devices. “Love of mine some day you will die” is personification since love can’t literally die. “I’ll follow you into the dark can be considered imager. The lines “No blinding light or tunnels to gates of white” and “Just our hands clasped so tight” are also considered imagery. “If heaven and hell decide that they both are satisfied” is personification where heaven and hell are given human qualities. “Illuminate the NOs on their vacancy signs” is imagery. Another line that would be considered personification is “When your soul embarks”. There is also irony present. “In Catholic school as vicious as Roman rule I got my knuckles bruised by a lady in black” is ironic because Catholicism is supposed to be a good religion, and then he says their schools are vicious and beat him (bruised knuckles). “Son fear is the heart of love” is a paradox. A line that contains hyperbole is “You and me have seen everything to see”. “And the soles of your shoes are all worn down” as well as “In the blackest of rooms are imagery.
This song by Death Cab for Cutie contains many different types of poetic devices. Besides that, it has great vocals and the acoustic guitar perfectly underlines the meaning of these lyrics. The fact that it’s easy to relate to this song makes it so amazing.
Besides their musical talent, Death Cab for Cutie is also known for their lyrical skills. The song “ I Will Follow You Home” contains many poetic devices. “Love of mine some day you will die” is personification since love can’t literally die. “I’ll follow you into the dark can be considered imager. The lines “No blinding light or tunnels to gates of white” and “Just our hands clasped so tight” are also considered imagery. “If heaven and hell decide that they both are satisfied” is personification where heaven and hell are given human qualities. “Illuminate the NOs on their vacancy signs” is imagery. Another line that would be considered personification is “When your soul embarks”. There is also irony present. “In Catholic school as vicious as Roman rule I got my knuckles bruised by a lady in black” is ironic because Catholicism is supposed to be a good religion, and then he says their schools are vicious and beat him (bruised knuckles). “Son fear is the heart of love” is a paradox. A line that contains hyperbole is “You and me have seen everything to see”. “And the soles of your shoes are all worn down” as well as “In the blackest of rooms are imagery.
This song by Death Cab for Cutie contains many different types of poetic devices. Besides that, it has great vocals and the acoustic guitar perfectly underlines the meaning of these lyrics. The fact that it’s easy to relate to this song makes it so amazing.
Friday, January 9, 2009
I Will Follow You Into The Dark by Death Cab For Cutie
Love of mine some day you will die
But I'll be close behind
I'll follow you into the dark
No blinding light or tunnels to gates of white
Just our hands clasped so tight
Waiting for the hint of a spark
If Heaven and Hell decide
That they both are satisfied
Illuminate the NOs on their vacancy signs
If there's no one beside you
When your soul embarks
Then I'll follow you into the dark
In Catholic school as vicious as Roman rule
I got my knuckles bruised by a lady in black
And I held my tongue as she told me"Son fear is the heart of love"
So I never went back
If Heaven and Hell decide
That they both are satisfied
Illuminate the NOs on their vacancy signs
If there's no one beside you
When your soul embarks
Then I'll follow you into the dark
You and me have seen everything to see
From Bangkok to Calgary
And the soles of your shoes are all worn down
The time for sleep is now
It's nothing to cry about'cause we'll hold each other soon
In the blackest of rooms
If Heaven and Hell decide
That they both are satisfied
Illuminate the No's on their vacancy signs
If there's no one beside you
When your soul embarks
Then I'll follow you into the dark
Then I'll follow you into the dark
But I'll be close behind
I'll follow you into the dark
No blinding light or tunnels to gates of white
Just our hands clasped so tight
Waiting for the hint of a spark
If Heaven and Hell decide
That they both are satisfied
Illuminate the NOs on their vacancy signs
If there's no one beside you
When your soul embarks
Then I'll follow you into the dark
In Catholic school as vicious as Roman rule
I got my knuckles bruised by a lady in black
And I held my tongue as she told me"Son fear is the heart of love"
So I never went back
If Heaven and Hell decide
That they both are satisfied
Illuminate the NOs on their vacancy signs
If there's no one beside you
When your soul embarks
Then I'll follow you into the dark
You and me have seen everything to see
From Bangkok to Calgary
And the soles of your shoes are all worn down
The time for sleep is now
It's nothing to cry about'cause we'll hold each other soon
In the blackest of rooms
If Heaven and Hell decide
That they both are satisfied
Illuminate the No's on their vacancy signs
If there's no one beside you
When your soul embarks
Then I'll follow you into the dark
Then I'll follow you into the dark
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
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.
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.
The Words "Best Friend" Become Redefined by Chiodos
I've been hiding in this bed for weeks from this
Throats raw from screaming and I haven't said a word
The sky is calling, and the stars, they point to this
To a chair we see your breath in the air (breath in the air)
but only for a little while
Your cold pale skin and tainted purple lips
Let me embrace you with this kiss
And together we'll float like angels
Together... together we will float like angels
Higher than the heavens the clouds part ways
"Promise me to never look down!", and we'll stay like this forever
If your stomach feels weak, then my work here is done
To hide from our twisted ways,
I've been hiding in this bed
Been hiding in this bed for weeks
Throats raw from screaming and I haven't said a word
The sky is calling, and the stars, they point to this
To a chair we see your breath in the air (breath in the air)
but only for a little while
Your cold pale skin and tainted purple lips
Let me embrace you with this kiss
And together we'll float like angels
Together... together we will float like angels
Higher than the heavens the clouds part ways
"Promise me to never look down!", and we'll stay like this forever
If your stomach feels weak, then my work here is done
To hide from our twisted ways,
I've been hiding in this bed
Been hiding in this bed for weeks
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Swing Life Away by Rise Against
Am I loud and clear or am I breaking up?
Am I still your charm or am I just bad luck?
Are we getting closer or we just getting more lost?
I'll show you mine if you show me yours first
Let's compare scars I'll tell you whose is worse
Let's unwrite these pages and replace them with our own words
[Chorus]
We live on front porches and swing life away
We get by just fine here on minimum wage
If love is a labor I'll slave 'til the end
I won't cross these streets until you hold my hand
I've been here so long I think that it's time to move
The winter's so cold summer's over too soon
Let's pack our bags and settle down where palm trees grow
I've got some friends some that I hardly know
But we've had some times I wouldn't trade for the world
We chase these days down with talks of the places that we will go
[Chorus]
We live on front porches and swing life away
We get by just fine here on minimum wage
If love is a labor I'll slave 'til the end
I won't cross these streets until you hold my hand
Until you hold my hand
Ill show you mine if you show me yours first
Lets compare scars I'll tell you whose is worse
Lets unwrite these pages and replace them with our own words
We live on front porches and swing life away
We get by just fine here on minimum wage
If love is a labor I'll slave till the end
I wont cross these streets until you hold my hand
Swing life away
Swing life away
Swing life away
Swing life away
Am I still your charm or am I just bad luck?
Are we getting closer or we just getting more lost?
I'll show you mine if you show me yours first
Let's compare scars I'll tell you whose is worse
Let's unwrite these pages and replace them with our own words
[Chorus]
We live on front porches and swing life away
We get by just fine here on minimum wage
If love is a labor I'll slave 'til the end
I won't cross these streets until you hold my hand
I've been here so long I think that it's time to move
The winter's so cold summer's over too soon
Let's pack our bags and settle down where palm trees grow
I've got some friends some that I hardly know
But we've had some times I wouldn't trade for the world
We chase these days down with talks of the places that we will go
[Chorus]
We live on front porches and swing life away
We get by just fine here on minimum wage
If love is a labor I'll slave 'til the end
I won't cross these streets until you hold my hand
Until you hold my hand
Ill show you mine if you show me yours first
Lets compare scars I'll tell you whose is worse
Lets unwrite these pages and replace them with our own words
We live on front porches and swing life away
We get by just fine here on minimum wage
If love is a labor I'll slave till the end
I wont cross these streets until you hold my hand
Swing life away
Swing life away
Swing life away
Swing life away
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