Chapter 5

Memory Songs
A.Introduction
Music evekos memories.It means that songs from
the past can stir powerful emotions and transport
us back in time.Music helps us memorize the past
because it provides a rhythm,rhyme,and sometimes
alliteration which helps to unclock that information
with cues.It is the structure of the song that helps
us to remember it,as well as the melody and the
images the words provoke.So,Songs may function
as evoking memories through the structure and the
lyrics.
B.Song Lyrics
A song is a short musical composition of words
and music.The words of a song are called lyrics.
There are many genres of songs,for example,pop,
rock,etc.Lyrics can include a series of verses,the
longer sections of the song that tell the story';and a
refrain or chorus,a short phrase repeated at the end
of every verse.Songs can have a simple structure
of one or two verses,or a more complex one with
multiple verses and refrains.Songs ussually have a
meter or beat.Whether you sing or speak the lyrics.
1.Social Function of Songs Lyrics
Songs have many purposes.
a.To entertain the listeners.
b.To teach moral value through the lyrics of songs.
c.To express personal feeling (emotion).
d.To criticize a particular condition.
e.To tell stories.
f.To convey a belief in faith.
g.To give motivation or help in solving problem.
h.To express art.
2.Language Fetaures of Song Lyrics
The following are language features used in song
lyrics.
a.Use of first,second,or third person.
b.Use of figurative language.
Figurative language is language that uses words or
expressions with a meaning that is different from
the literal interpretation.Figurative language
includes figures of speech.A figure of speech is a
word or phrase is used in some other way than its
literal meaning.
The following are figures of speech usually used in
songs.
1)Metaphor
Metaphor is a comparison between two unrelated
things.
Example:Life is a rollercoaster.
2)Simile
Simile is a stated comparison(usually formed with"
like"or"as")between two fundamentally dissimilar
things that have certain qualities in common.
Example:She is like the wind.
3)Hyperbole
Hyperbole is an exaggeration of a fact or statement.
Example:I've told you a milion times.
4)Personification
Personification is a figure of speech in which an
inanimate object or abstraction is endowed with
human qualities or abilities.
Example:The moon won't come out to play .
5)Alliteration
It is the repetition of an inital consonant sound.
Example:A big bully beats a baby boy.
6)Repetition
Repetition is a literary device that repeats the same
words or phrases a few times to make an idea
clearer.
Example:If you think you can do it,you can do it.
7)Use of imagery
Imagery is using words to draw on five senses.
01 face blossomed
Example:Her 02 when she caught03 a
glance of him.
8)Use of rhyming words
Usually Songs use a familiar catchy tune and rhyme.
A rhyme is a linguistic style based on consonance
or similar sound of two or more syllables or whole
words at the end of line.
Example:I saw two shooting stats last night/ I
wished on them but they were only satellites.
9)Use of informal language
Sometimes songs also use of contractions,
amusing 04words play,and 05 slang.Informal language is
language use characterized by spontaneous
speech in situations that may be described as
natural or"real-life",and the use of a "low" dialect or
language in prference to a "high"one.A word play is
the manipulation of language(in particular,the
sounds,and meaning of words)with the intent to
amuse;verbal wit.Slang is a kind of language
consisting of very informal words and pharses.
Example:gonna,wanna,ain't,etc.
10.Use of efocative language
Evocative language is language that creates a
strong response or feeling.
Example:How do I know what I think,until I see
what I say?