Song Lyric Analysis Assignment EXAMPLE
Use the direction sheet provided to complete the document below. You received a paper copy
and there is a digital copy on the Google classroom assignment.
Song title:
Firework
Artist:
Katy Perry
Copy and paste your lyrics below:
(Take off any highlighting that may have transferred over from copying and pasting. Highlight
text in Google doc → Click the arrow next to the A in the toolbar → Select HIGHLIGHT→ select
NONE)
Do you ever feel like a plastic bag
Drifting through the wind, wanting to start again?
Do you ever feel, feel so paper thin
Like a house of cards, one blow from caving in?
Do you ever feel already buried deep six feet under?
Screams but no one seems to hear a thing
Do you know that there's still a chance for you
'Cause there's a spark in you?
You just gotta ignite the light and let it shine
Just own the night like the 4th of July
'Cause, baby, you're a firework
Come on, show 'em what you're worth
Make 'em go, "Aah, aah, aah"
As you shoot across the sky-y-y
Baby, you're a firework
Come on, let your colours burst
Make 'em go, "Aah, aah, aah"
You're gonna leave 'em all in awe, awe, awe
You don't have to feel like a wasted space
You're original, cannot be replaced
If you only knew what the future holds
After a hurricane comes a rainbow
Maybe a reason why all the doors are closed
So you could open one that leads you to the perfect road
Like a lightning bolt, your heart will glow
And when it's time you'll know
You just gotta ignite the light and let it shine
Just own the night like the 4th of July
'Cause, baby, you're a firework
Come on, show 'em what you're worth
Make 'em go, "Aah, aah, aah"
As you shoot across the sky-y-y
Baby, you're a firework
Come on, let your colours burst
Make 'em go, "Aah, aah, aah"
You're gonna leave 'em all in awe, awe, awe
Boom, boom, boom
Even brighter than the moon, moon, moon
It's always been inside of you, you, you
And now it's time to let it through-ough-ough
'Cause, baby, you're a firework
Come on, show 'em what you're worth
Make 'em go, "Aah, aah, aah"
As you shoot across the sky-y-y
Baby, you're a firework
Come on, let your colours burst
Make 'em go, "Aah, aah, aah"
You're gonna leave 'em all in awe, awe, awe
Boom, boom, boom
Even brighter than the moon, moon, moon
Boom, boom, boom
Even brighter than the moon, moon, moon
Citation for song lyrics
with URL address
AZLyrics.com. ""Firework" Lyrics." KATY PERRY LYRICS.
AZLyrics.com, 2015. Web. 10 Mar. 2015.
<http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/katyperry/firework.html>.
Song lyric analysis
For EACH term/element you will write at least 4 quality sentences explaining:
● The poetic term used and how it fits the definition (see example)
● How the use of the term has improved or impacted the song. Basically, why do you
think the artist used this element and why does it make the song “work”?
Terms to choose from: personification, hyperbole, onomatopoeia, alliteration, simile, metaphor,
imagery, word choice
Poetry term #1
In the lyrics above, identify the use of the term in by highlighting it green.
To highlight: highlight the text → Click the arrow next to the A in the toolbar → Select
HIGHLIGHT→ choose a bright green color (so the text is still readable)
Name of poetic element
highlighted green
Explanation (see requirements above)
Simile
The simile in this example is comparing a person to a house of
cards. The person is so vulnerable and unstable that any unkind
words, tough situation, or problem could make them collapse or
break down. This is a great use of simile because it really helps
the listener understand just how fragile this person is. By
drawing such a clear comparison between the person and the
flimsy house of cards, the audience can better connect with and
feel empathy towards the person being described in the song as
most people have felt similarly at one point in their life.
Poetry term #2
In the lyrics above, identify the use of the term in by highlighting it yellow.
To highlight: highlight the text → Click the arrow next to the A in the toolbar → Select
HIGHLIGHT→ choose a light yellow color (so the text is still readable)
Name of poetic element
highlighted green
Explanation (see requirements above)
Metaphor
Throughout this song Perry compares the listener (or any
person) to a firework stating that they should show the world
what they’re worth and let their colors burst. By stating “show
'em what you're worth”and “let your colours burst” Perry is
encouraging people to be proud of who they are and the skills
they have. The “colors” represent the colors of the fireworks but
also the colors that people have inside them- all the traits that
make them unique as a person.
This is a wonderful metaphor to repeat throughout the song
because it encourages everyone to not be ashamed of their
differences but to actually show them off to the world, just like a
firework. Let people look at you and your differences and be in
awe of how amazing you are.
Poetry term #3
In the lyrics above, identify the use of the term in by highlighting it pink
To highlight: highlight the text → Click the arrow next to the A in the toolbar → Select
HIGHLIGHT→ choose a bright pink color (so the text is still readable)
Name of poetic element
highlighted green
Explanation (see requirements above)
Word choice
I really liked the unique word choice of ignite. I feel like it paints
a much more specific picture than other words Perry could have
chosen like “light” or “start”. By saying ignite, it makes me picture
a slow burn at the beginning and then all of a sudden the fire, or
light, just takes off and is shining brightly, much like a firework.
Ignite makes me think there needs to be some sort of spark to
get things going and not just a quick flip of a switch, like a light
switch. The use of this particular word is important because it
conveys to me that showing off who you are is not as easy as
flipping a switch, it will take time to really ignite, or spark, the
awesomeness within each of us.
THEME/MESSAGE
Explain the overall message of the song and why you feel that is the message. Use evidence
from the song to support yourself. (Write at least 1 solid paragraph with topic sentence, clear
support, concluding statement, 6-8 quality sentences).
The message of Firework by Katy Perry is to be proud of who you are no matter what.
Perry starts off by explaining that sometimes people can feel a little down about themselves or
they may feel like they have no direction in life (“Drifting through the wind, wanting to start
again?/Do you ever feel, feel so paper thin/Like a house of cards, one blow from caving in?”).
She paints a picture of someone who is struggling in life, but then she offers a bit of hope by
stating, “Do you know that there's still a chance for you/'Cause there's a spark in you?” What
she is saying is that no matter what is going on in your life, you have something to offer the
world. That “spark” is the creativity and wonderful differences that each person has within
themselves. When she says, “You just gotta ignite the light and let it shine/Just own the night
like the 4th of July” she is saying you need to utilize your skills and talents and make them grow
(“ignite the light”) and then you need to be proud of your fantastic abilities (“own the night”).
Take ownership and pride in who you are as a person. Perry sends the message to her
listeners that even though someone might feel a little down about themselves and think they
have no purpose in life, everyone has a small spark of something interesting to be proud of and
share with the world.
(This was 8 sentences)
MOOD
Explain the mood of the song and why you feel that is the mood. You may also factor in not just
the lyrics but the music as well. Use evidence from the song and/or music to support yourself.
(Write at least 1 solid paragraph with topic sentence, clear support, concluding statement, 6-8
quality sentences).
Katy Perry’s song Firework has a very inspiring and uplifting mood. The lyrics are
uplifting because they encourage everyone to have confidence in themselves and be proud of
the differences they have. Perry compares the listener to a firework which actually physically
lifts itself up into the sky. Not only that but fireworks are beautiful to look at and awe inspiring
with the pretty colors they possess. By comparing people to fireworks it inspires others to show
off the elements that make each person unique and different, which may inspire others to
celebrate who they are as a person. Not only are Perry’s lyrics inspiring and uplifting but the
actual music is as well. The music is upbeat which can automatically lift a person’s mood, but
there also seems to be a slow build in the music from the start of the song. By the time Perry
comes to the chorus for a second time, the music explodes, much like a firework, and really
takes off and picks up in intensity and volume. This change in beat and rhythm pumps energy
into the listener making them want to get up and move and maybe even make a change in their
life. The well written and pointed lyrics match well with the upbeat and poppy music to create a
very uplifting and inspirational mood for this song.
(This was 10 sentences)