Song Meaning

    Can you sing an English song? Is it difficult for you or not?  Singing an English song can help us to learn English. It is a fun way. Do you have a favorite singer? Who is he/she? Why do you like him/her? Do you like his/her songs, too? One of the best tools to learn foreign language is using songs. The real songs can be very effective to help us understand English. There are some reasons why many people use songs to learn English. First, song are authentic materials. If we want to learn English, we should listen to English songs. Second, English songs also contain culture and history. The reason is that song contain repetitions and repetitions enhance learning. The next reason is it’s a good way to learn vocabulary and pronunciation. And last, English songs are fun, and they can easily energize the listeners.

    Song is a composition of tone or voice in sequence, combination and temporal relation to produce a musical composition that has unity and continuity.  Songs are used to express feelings and ideas in an entertaining world. Songs can be used to deliver social criticism. The moral values are hidden in the lyrics.

Language Features

   Song has linguistic characteristics, along with the linguistic characteristics of song.

• Imagery. Imagery describes about feelings and emotions. A song usually tries to describe the feelings felt by the writer.
• Rhythm. Rhythm is used to create mood. For example, if we are sad and listen to a song with a slow rhythm, then we will be carried away with the song. So, rhythm creates mood!
• Figures of speech

~ Metaphor, comparing two things that are not alike to suggest that they actually have something in common. e.g., “Time is a thief” or “Her hair was silk”.

~ Simile compares two things using “like” or “as’’. e.g. “My love is like a red rose”.

~ Hyperbole, a dramatic language. Big exaggeration, usually with humor. e.g. “That math homework took me 8 million years to finish”.

~ Personification, an object appears like a person. e.g. “The wind whisper” or “The snowflakes danced in the wind”.

~ Alliteration, the repetition of the same beginning sound in a series of words. e.g., “Peter Parker pick a pack of pants punctually”.

Structure

• The intro, which is the beginning of the song, usually has not heard the singer's voice (only the instrument)
• The verse, or stanza is the introductory part to the chorus.
• Refrain, the transition from verse to chorus.
• The chorus, the core part, is usually the easiest to remember.
• Bridge, connecting the chorus to the next chorus or to the coda.
• Coda, the ending of the song.

   The structure is not rigid, so not all songs have such an arranged structure. But every song in general must have verses, choruses, and bridges.