Estimated reading time 2 minutes
Table of Contents
Introduction
Do you want to write better songs using vivid imagery? Do you need to learn about figurative imagery? Figurative imagery expands your pallet of description beyond just literal imagery. Metaphors and similes are important literary tropes that help you to do just that. Read more to learn the answer to the question, “How do I write good songs using metaphors and similes?”
Defining Metaphors to Help with Writing Good Songs Using Metaphors and Similes
“How do I write good songs using metaphors and similes?” First, we need to define the term metaphor.
Sheila Davis states:
This major mode of thinking makes an implicit comparison that unites two dissimilar realms, and thereby creates a verbal equation. For example, the expression “jumpstart the economy” implies that the economy = a stalled engine. Of course, it is not literally a stalled engine: Metaphors, being figurative fancies rather than literal facts, lack actual existence. (The Craft of Lyric Writing 166)
We call a metaphor a figurative image:
- A metaphor takes the qualities of one thing and bestows it on something else.
- For instance, “The sound of the crickets was a lullaby that put Jon to sleep.”
- This metaphor takes the soporific qualities of a lullaby and compares it to the sound the crickets make.
- The word is works like an equals sign: sound of crickets = lullaby.
When you do this, you don’t just make simple descriptions using images:
- If done right, you can also imply an interpretation of what the metaphor means.
- For example, in Romeo and Juliet Act 2 Scene 2, Shakespeare wrote, “Juliet is the sun…”
- That makes a powerful statement about Juliet’s “warmth” and “radiance.”
- It bestows the qualities of the sun on Juliet while also commenting on Romeo’s love for her.
Defining Similes to Help with Writing Good Songs Using Metaphors and Similes
“How do I write good songs using metaphors and similes?” Now we need to talk about how a simile differs from a metaphor. A simile compares two dissimilar images by using the words as or like.
A metaphor skips the words as and like and directly equates the two images.
- This makes for a more powerful image.
- If Shakespeare had said Juliet is like the sun, instead of Juliet is the sun it wouldn’t be nearly as effective.
If similes create less powerful figurative images, why use them at all?
- Because metaphors can sometimes become confusing when it’s not clear if the writer intended the image to be literal or figurative.
- For instance, if your song has fantasy or sci-fi elements, it sometimes won’t be clear if a character is literally or figuratively a giant bug.
- Conversely, the words like and as make it clear that the image compares two dissimilar things in a non-literal way.
Summary for “How Do I Write Good Songs Using Metaphors and Similes?”
Here’s a summary of how to write good songs using metaphors and similes:
- Compare two unlike things so that you bestow the qualities of one thing onto another thing.
- Think about how this helps your audience to understand and interpret your song.
- Try to make striking and memorable images.
- Decide whether a metaphor or simile will work best for the image you want to create.
- Be sure that the figurative image you make will be something that the listener can imagine.
Have fun writing!
Related Posts
- Songwriting – Let Her Scream
- Where Do I Get Inspiration for My Lyrics?
- Overcoming Writer’s Block in Songwriting
- Do I Need Talent to Write Music and Compose Lyrics?
- Writing Well Crafted Songs
© 2023 Geoffrey Keith
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