Song Analysis 3---"What would you do?"

Ashlie LaCivita
4/30/09
Period A
Song Analysis #3
Trapped
“What would you Do?” by City High portrays an important message for single mothers. It is about a woman who feels as though she has to sleep with different men to make enough money to provide for her son. The male in the song cannot believe how much she has changed since he last saw her in middle school and says, “I guess a whole lots changed since I seen you last”. He tries to make the audience realize that becoming prostitutes and strippers are not the only options for young women who are single mothers. There are plenty of other jobs out there where they can make enough money for their child, and feel as though they are respected by the people around them. Overall, City High is able to make their message more unique by using many different types of poetic devices.
City High feels as though women should be treated better than an item for men to do whatever they want with. Women deserve the same respect as anyone else, whether they are married and have children, or are single mothers. Single mothers need to receive support from people around them because raising a child on their own is not an easy thing to do. They need to know that they do not have to turn to prostituting themselves or stripping in front of people to make a decent amount of money so they can raise their child. The woman in this song believes that “thee only way to feed him is ta sleep wit a man for a little bit of money”, but the male is trying to get her to realize that is not true. He says, “Girl you aint thee only one wit a baby, that’s no excuse to be livin all crazy”. His goal is to get her to realize that there are other jobs out there that provide benefits and a decent paycheck. The paychecks at a new job may not be fast cash, but at least she would be able to feel proud of how she is making money to take care of her little boy. She then backfires at him and says that he has no clue how rough her life has been and he has no right to be giving her advice on how she should live her life. She tells him, “Me and my sister ran away so my daddy couldn’t rape us, before I was a teenager, I done been through more s*** you can’t even relate ta”. She wants him to realize that for her, it is easier said than done because she has not had an easy life. Her own father, who was supposed to take care of her, raped her and her sister, and they were forced to run away in order to protect themselves. Loni assumes that he never had to deal with any difficulties and he has no clue what she is talking about, but his mother was also a single mother; “Girl I know if my mother could do it baby you can do it”. All in all, City High makes their listeners realize that anything is possible, no matter what they have gone through.
City High makes their song even more catchy by using poetic devices. One poetic device that is used is rhyme. Rhyming can help make a song flow easier and make the song simpler to sing. Some examples from the song include; cup and buck, cash and last, baby and crazy, and eye and die. Another poetic device that is used is consonance. The line, “you do” is an example of consonance because it has the same “ou” sounding. Also, other examples include; “little bit”, and “rock now”. Finally, the last example of a poetic device that is in this song is alliteration; which is “the repeated occurrence of a consonant sound at the beginning of several words”. Some examples include, “six strippers”, “somewhere smoking”, and “what would”. Overall, these three types of devices are what make the song an all time hit.
In conclusion, “What Would you do?” by City High is a very influential song. It not only teaches single mothers that they are able to do anything they set their minds to, but also that no matter how many struggles people have been through, there is a way to get their life back on track. Also, Loni and her sister were raped by their father and in order to protect themselves, they made a hard, but intelligent decision to run away. Although she went through many difficult times, like being a single mother, the man in the song does not believe that is a valid excuse to be living the way that she is living. He believes that since his mother, who was also a single mother, was able to raise him alone with working a decent job, she can do the same thing. There is no need for her to publicly display her body just to make easy money when she could go out and find a decent job that could possibly provide health benefits for her and her son. The listener is able to realize this message not only through the poetic devices, but also through the tone, which is stressed out, tired, emotional, and angry. All in all, City High created one of the best songs that are on the radio.

City High- What Would You Do? lyrics

City High - What Would You Do?
Boys and girls wanna hear a true story

Saturday night I was at this real wild party

They had the liquor overflowing the cup

About five or six strippers trying to work for a buck

Then I took one girl outside with me

Her name was Loni she went to junior high with me

Said why you up in there dancing for cash

I guess a whole lots changed since I seen you last

She said

What would you do if your son was at home

Crying all alone on the bedroom floor

'Cause he's hungry

And the only way to feed him is to

Sleep with a man for a little bit of money

And his daddys gone

Somewhere smoking rock now

In and out of lock-down

I ain't got a job now

So for you this is just a good time

But for me this is what I call life

Girl you ain't the only one with a baby

That's no excuse to be living all crazy

Then she looked me right square in the eye

And said everyday I wake up hoping to die

She said n**** I know about pain 'cause

Me and my sister ran away so my daddy couldn't rape us

Before I was a teenager

I done been through more s***

You can't even relate ta

What would you do if your son was at home

Crying all alone on the bedroom floor

'Cause he's hungry

And the only way to feed him is to

Sleep with a man for a little bit of money

And his daddy's gone

Somewhere smoking rock now

In and out of lock-down

I ain't got a job now

So for you this is just a good time

But for me this is what I call life

Then she said

What would you do if?

Get up on my feet and let go of every excuse

What would you do if?

'Cause I wouldn't want my baby to go through what I went through

What would you do if?

Get up on my feet and stop making up tired excuses

What would you do if?

Girl I know if my mother could do it baby you can do it!

What would you do if your son was at home

Crying all alone on the bedroom floor

'Cause he's hungry

And the only way to feed him is to

Sleep with a man for a little bit of money

And his daddy's gone

Somewhere somking rock now

In and out of lock-down

I ain't got a job now

So for you this is just a good time

But for me this is what I call life

[Repeat 2 more times]

Sorry, Blame it on Me lyrics--creative proj.

Sorry, Blame It On Me
As life goes on
I’m starting to learn more and more about responsibility
I realize everything I do is affecting the people around me
So I want to take this time out to apologize for things I have done
And things that have not occurred yet
And the things they don’t want to take responsibility for
I’m sorry for the times I left you home
I was on the road and you were alone
I’m sorry for the times that I had to go
I’m sorry for the fact that I did not know
That you were sitting home just wishing we
Could go back to when it was just you and me
I’m sorry for the times I would neglect
I’m sorry for the times I disrespect
I’m sorry for the wrong things that I’ve done
I’m sorry I’m not always there for my sons
I’m sorry for the fact that I'm not aware
That you can’t sleep at night when I am not there
Because I am in the streets like everyday
Sorry for the things that I did not say
Like how you are the best thing in my world
And how I'm so proud to call you my girl
[Bridge]
I understand that there are some problems
And I am not too blind to know
All the pain you kept inside you
Even though you might not show
If I can't apologize for being wrong
Then it’s just a shame on me
I’ll be the reason for your pain and you can put the blame on me
[Chorus]
You can put the blame on me [4x]
Said you can put the blame on me [3x]
You can put the blame on me
Sorry for the things that he put you through
And all the times you didn’t know what to do
Sorry that you had to go and sell those packs
Just trying to stay busy till you heard from Dad
And you would rather be home with all your kids
As one big family with love and bliss
And even though Pops treated us like kings
He got a second wife and you didn’t agree
He got up and left you there all alone
I’m sorry that you had to do it on your own
I’m sorry that I went and added to your grief
I’m sorry that your son was once a thief
I’m sorry that I grew up way too fast
I wish I would’ve listened and not be so bad
I’m sorry your life turned out this way
I’m sorry that the FEDS came and took me away
[Bridge]
I’m sorry that it took so long to see
They were dead wrong trying to put it on me
I’m sorry that it took so long to speak
But I was on tour with Gwen Stefani
I’m sorry for the hand that she was dealt
For the embarrassment that she felt
Just a little young girl trying to have fun
Her daddy should never let her out that young
I’m sorry for Club Zen getting shut down
I hope they manage better next time around
How was I to know she was underage
In a 21 and older club they say
Why doesn’t anybody wanna take blame
Verizon backed out disgracing my name
I’m just a singer trying to entertain
Because I love my fans I’ll take that blame
Even though the blame’s on you [3x]
I’ll take that blame from you
And you can put that blame on me [2x]
You can put that blame on me
And you can put that blame on me

Creative Project

I am going to draw a picture that is inspired by the song "Sorry Blame it on me" by Akon.

Children's Story Lyrics-- Slick Rick Analysis

"Children's Story" by Slick Rick is about how a child grew up on the wrong side of life. He was only a little kid when one of his other friends decided that it would be a good idea for them to rob some houses; "`Me & You, kid, we gonna make sum cash, robbin' old folks and makin' da dash`,. The two kids realized that they did not even have to do a lot to make fast cash, "They did the job, money came with ease". During one of his raids, the boy trys to steal from an undercover cop. The boy gets away but the cop sends other officers after him. Once he is surrounded he grabs a pregnant lady out of the crowd and points an automatic gun at her head; "Deep in his heart he knew he was wrong, so he let the lady go and he starts to run on". After doing this, he finally remembers what is right and what is wrong and lets her go. Eventually he gives in and drops his weapon and the storyteller says, "He was only seventeen, in a madman's dream,
the cops shot the kid, I still hear him scream". Overall, the social message that the artist is portraying in this song is that people need to be aware of the dangers that children face these days due to gang violence and wrong decisions; they need to try and help as many kids stay on the right path so they can eventually become successful in life.

Where is the Love analysis

"Where is the Love?" by Black Eyed Peas has a political message for its listener. The song is about the terrorist attacks that occurred on 9/11 and how the US is in Iraq fighting a war. Also, it talks about how the United States is so focused on helping other countries get rid of terrorists, that they do not see the awful things that are occuring in their own country. They say, "But we still got terrorists here livin' In the USA, the big CIA The Bloods and The Crips and the KKK" to show how much the United States needs to help its own self. The Black Eyed Peas are trying to get the message that no one really cares about what is going on, out there to the citizens of the US so that hopefully, in the future, they will pay attention and try to help out. The reasoning for the world's problems are always hidden from everyone so that it seems as though everything is under control; "A war is goin' on but the reason's undercover The truth is kept secret, it's swept under the rug". Overall, "Where is the Love" is a very persuasive song that attracts the attention of people all over the world.

Children's Story Lyrics-- Slick Rick

CHILDREN'S STORY LYRICS

~Slick Rick~

Girl:Uncle Ricky, could u read us a bed time story please, o please

(Alright you kids get to bed i'll get the story book. yall tucked in?)yea

Here we go,

Oncee upon a time not long ago,

when people wore pajamas and lived life slow,

When laws were stern and justice stood,

and people were behavin' like they ought to good,

There lived a lil' boy who was misled,

by anotha lil' boy and this is what he said:

"Me & You, kid, we gonna make sum cash,

robbin' old folks and makin' da dash",

They did the job, money came with ease,

but one couldn't stop, it's like he had a disease,

He robbed another and another and a sista and her brotha,

tried to rob a man who was a D.T. undercover,

The cop grabbed his arm, he started acting erratic,

he said "Keep still, boy, no need for static",

Punched him in his belly and he gave him a slap,

but little did he know the lil' boy was strapped,

The kid pulled out a gun, he said "Why'd ya hit me?",

the barrel was set straight for the cop's kidney,

The cop got scared, the kid, he starts to figure,

"I'll do years if I pull this trigga",

So he cold dashed and ran around the block,

cop radioes it to another lady cop,

He ran by a tree, there he saw this sista,

a shot for the head, he shot back but he missed her,

Looked around good and from expectations,

so he decided he'd hit for the subway stations,

But she was coming and he made a left,

he was runnin' top speed till he was outta breath,

Knocked an old man down and swore he killed him,

(sorry)

then he made his move to an abandoned building,

Ran up the stairs up to the top floor,

opened up the door there, guess who he saw?,

Dave the dope fiend shootin' dope,

who don't know the meaning of water nor soap,

He said

(I need bullets, hurry up, run)

the dope fiend brought back a spanking shotgun,

He went outside but there was cops all over,

then he dipped into a car, a stolen Nova,

Raced up the block doing 83,

crashed into a tree near university,

Escaped alive though the car was battered,

rat-a-tat-tatted and all the cops scattered,

Ran out of bullets and still had static,

grabbed a pregnant lady and pulled out the automatic,

Pointed at her head and he said the gun was full o' lead,

he told the cops

(Back off or honey here's dead),

Deep in his heart he knew he was wrong,

so he let the lady go and he starts to run on,

Sirens sounded, he seemed astounded,

before long the lil' boy got surrounded,

He dropped the gun, so went the glory,

and this is the way I have to end this story,

He was only seventeen, in a madman's dream,

the cops shot the kid, I still hear him scream,

This ain't funny so don't ya dare laugh,

just another case about the wrong path,

Straight 'n narrow or yo' soul gets CAST.

Good Night.

Girl:oh boy, that uncle Ricky is really weird

I don't know, what does he mean straight 'n' narrow or your soul gets cast?

I don't know, I think he'll be crackin' it up for us,... Good night

Where is the Love? lyrics- Black Eyed Peas

WHERE IS THE LOVE?

~Black Eyed Peas~

What's wrong with the world, mama

People livin' like they ain't got no mamas

I think the whole world addicted to the drama

Only attracted to things that'll bring you trauma

Overseas, yeah, we try to stop terrorism

But we still got terrorists here livin'

In the USA, the big CIA

The Bloods and The Crips and the KKK

But if you only have love for your own race

Then you only leave space to discriminate

And to discriminate only generates hate

And when you hate then you're bound to get irate, yeah

Madness is what you demonstrate

And that's exactly how anger works and operates

Man, you gotta have love just to set it straight

Take control of your mind and meditate

Let your soul gravitate to the love, y'all, y'all

People killin', people dyin'

Children hurt and you hear them cryin'

Can you practice what you preach

And would you turn the other cheek

Father, Father, Father help us

Send us some guidance from above'

Cause people got me, got me questionin'

Where is the love (Love)

Where is the love (The love)

Where is the love (The love)

Where is the loveThe love, the love

It just ain't the same, always unchanged

New days are strange, is the world insane

If love and peace is so strong

Why are there pieces of love that don't belong

Nations droppin' bombs

Chemical gasses fillin' lungs of little ones

With ongoin' sufferin' as the youth die young

So ask yourself is the lovin' really gone

So I could ask myself really what is goin' wrong

In this world that we livin' in people keep on givin'in

Makin' wrong decisions, only visions of them dividends

Not respectin' each other, deny thy brother

A war is goin' on but the reason's undercover

The truth is kept secret, it's swept under the rug

If you never know truth then you never know love

Where's the love, y'all, come on (I don't know)

Where's the truth, y'all, come on (I don't know)

Where's the love, y'all

People killin', people dyin'

Children hurt and you hear them cryin'

Can you practice what you preach

And would you turn the other cheek

Father, Father, Father help us

Send us some guidance from above'

Cause people got me, got me questionin'

Where is the love (Love)

Where is the love (The love)

Where is the love (The love)

Where is the love

The love, the love

I feel the weight of the world on my shoulder

As I'm gettin' older, y'all, people gets colder

Most of us only care about money makin'

Selfishness got us followin' our wrong direction

Wrong information always shown by the media

Negative images is the main criteria

Infecting the young minds faster than bacteria

Kids wanna act like what they see in the cinema

Yo', whatever happened to the values of humanity

Whatever happened to the fairness in equality

Instead in spreading love we spreading animosity

Lack of understanding, leading lives away from unity

That's the reason why sometimes I'm feelin' under

That's the reason why sometimes I'm feelin' down

There's no wonder why sometimes I'm feelin' under

Gotta keep my faith alive till love is found

People killin', people dyin'

Children hurt and you hear them cryin'

Can you practice what you preach

And would you turn the other cheek

Father, Father, Father help us

Send us some guidance from above'

Cause people got me, got me questionin'

Where is the love (Love)

Where is the love (The love)

Where is the love (The love)

Where is the love (The love)

Where is the love (The love)

Where is the love (The love)

Where is the love (The love)

Imagery Analysis'

The song, Kiss Me Thru The Phone, by Soulja Boi, is an example of imagery through sight and touch. While listening to the words of the song, the listener can see the image of the man sitting by the phone just waiting until he can go and see his girlfriend. He talks about how hard it is for him because he is not with his girlfriend, but he knows that it is not possible at the time and says, "But I cannot baby girl and that's the issue." Also, imagery through touch is seen in this song when Soulja Boi says, "Kissing you in public, thinking nothing of it." This line makes the listener feel like they can see the couple actually kissing in public. Overall, Soulja Boi's song relates to struggles through hip hop and rap since the couple is struggling with being able to see each other.

Next, the song, Echo, by Gorilla Zoe, shows imagery through hearing. The entire song talks about his ex-girlfriend and how she inevitably ruined their relationship. Now, she is all by herself and hears nothing but her own echo because he no longer wants to talk to her. The listener feels like they can hear his ex-girlfriend's echo because the word "echo" is repeated nineteen times throughout the song. This line, "It's just you and your Echo!", is also repeated throughout the song to show how lonely she is. Overall, this song relates to my theme and genre because the listener can feel as though they can hear the struggles of their relationship.

Kiss Me Thru The Phone Lyrics-- imagery

Kiss Me Thru The Phone
By Soulja Boy

Soulja Boy Tell 'Em

Baby you know that I miss you, I wanna get with you tonight

But I cannot baby girl and that's the issue

Girl you know I miss you, I just wanna kiss you

But I can't right now so baby kiss me thru the phone, I'll see you later on

Kiss me thru the phone, see you when I get home

Baby I know that you like me, you my future wifey

Soulja Boy Tell 'Em, yeah

You can be my Bonnie, I can be your Clyde

You could be my wife, text me, call me

I need you in my life, yeah all day everyday I need ya

And every time I see ya my feelings get deeper

I miss ya, I miss ya, I really wanna kiss you but I can't

Six, seven, eight, triple nine, eight, two, one, two

Baby you know that I miss you, I wanna get with you tonight

But I cannot baby girl and that's the issue

Girl you know I miss you, I just wanna kiss you

But I can't right now so baby kiss me thru the phone, I'll see you later on

Kiss me thru the phone, see you when I get home

Baby I been thinking lately so much about you

Everything about you, I like it, I love it

Kissing you in public, thinking nothing of it

Roses by the dozen, talking on the phone

Baby you so sexy, your voice is so lovely

I love your complexion, I miss ya, I miss ya, I miss ya

I really wanna kiss you but I can't

Six, seven, eight, triple nine, eight, two, one, two

Baby you know that I miss you, I wanna get with you tonight

But I cannot baby girl and that's the issue

Girl you know I miss you, I just wanna kiss you

But I can't right now so baby kiss me thru the phone, I'll see you later on

Kiss me thru the phone, see you when I get home

She call my phone like

Da, da, da, da, da, da, da, da, da, da, da, da, da, da, da

We on the phone like

Da, da, da, da, da, da, da, da, da, da, da, da, da, da, da

We taking pics like

Da, da, da, da, da, da, da, da, da, da, da, da, da, da, da

She dial my number like

Da, da, da, da, da, da, da, da, da, da, da, da, da, da, da
Six, seven, eight, triple, nine, eight, two, one, two

Baby you know that I miss you, I wanna get with you tonight

But I cannot baby girl and that's the issue

Girl you know I miss you, I just wanna kiss you

But I can't right now so baby kiss me thru the phone, I'll see you later on

Kiss me thru the phone, see you when I get home

Echo Lyrics by Gorilla Zoe

You did this to yourself

Now your all by your self

Acting like you hate me

All because you aint me

You played me to the left

Now their aint nobody left

To hear your complaining i'm gone

and all you hear is your own damn
(chorus)

Echo!

E-echo!

And i'm gone

And your all alone

Cant you hear the hear the

Echo!

E-echo!

No one to hear you

There's nobody near you

it started off great

But who was to know

That love that is lost

Cannot be let go

You said it's my fault

Ok then i'll go

It's better to know

Now there's nobody to argue with

Cause i'm not home

Don't care who your with

Don't call my phone

Or did you forget

You know your wrong

I'm gone!

And your all alone hearing your own damn
(chorus)
There's no one to trust

I trust no one no more

Just went with the flow

Found myself on the floor

When you went away

All my pain went astray

Like it's a new day

Now i have no one to argue with

Cause i'm not home

Don't care who your with

Don't call my phone

Or did you forget

You know your wrong

I'm gone

And your all alone

Hearing your own damn
Echo

Your own damn

E-echo

No one is near you

No one can hear you

With your own damn

Echo!

E-echo!

No one to hear you

There's nobody near you
All night long

I thought to my self

Why would i stay with you

Realized that you were the one with issues

So why would i miss you
No one to argue with

Cause i'm not home

Don't care who your with

Don't call my phone

Or did you forget

You know your wrong

I'm gone!

And your all alone

Hearing your own damn

echo!

It's just you and your

E-echo!

Its just your and your

I hope your talking alone

It's just you and your

Echo!

It's just you and your

E-echo!

There's no one to hear you

There's nobody near you

It's just your own damn

Echo!

Your own damn

E-echo!

Echo!

E-e-echo!

Echo

E-echo

E-e-echo
No one to argue with

Cause i'm not home

Don't care who your with

Don't call my phone

Or did you forget

You know your wrong

I'm gone!!

"Sorry, Blame it on me" lyrics by Akon

Sorry, Blame It On Me lyrics

As life goes on

I’m starting to learn more and more about responsibility

I realize everything I do is affecting the people around me

So I want to take this time out to apologize for things I have done

And things that have not occurred yet

And the things they don’t want to take responsibility for

I’m sorry for the times I left you home

I was on the road and you were alone

I’m sorry for the times that I had to go

I’m sorry for the fact that I did not know

That you were sitting home just wishing we

Could go back to when it was just you and me

I’m sorry for the times I would neglect

I’m sorry for the times I disrespect

I’m sorry for the wrong things that I’ve done

I’m sorry I’m not always there for my sons

I’m sorry for the fact that I'm not aware

That you can’t sleep at night when I am not there

Because I am in the streets like everyday

Sorry for the things that I did not say

Like how you are the best thing in my world

And how I'm so proud to call you my girl

[Bridge]

I understand that there are some problems

And I am not too blind to know

All the pain you kept inside you

Even though you might not show

If I can't apologize for being wrong

Then it’s just a shame on me

I’ll be the reason for your pain and you can put the blame on me

[Chorus]

You can put the blame on me [4x]

Said you can put the blame on me [3x]

You can put the blame on me

Sorry for the things that he put you through

And all the times you didn’t know what to do

Sorry that you had to go and sell those packs

Just trying to stay busy till you heard from Dad

And you would rather be home with all your kids

As one big family with love and bliss

And even though Pops treated us like kings

He got a second wife and you didn’t agree

He got up and left you there all alone

I’m sorry that you had to do it on your own

I’m sorry that I went and added to your grief

I’m sorry that your son was once a thief

I’m sorry that I grew up way too fast

I wish I would’ve listened and not be so bad

I’m sorry your life turned out this way

I’m sorry that the FEDS came and took me away

[Bridge]

I’m sorry that it took so long to see

They were dead wrong trying to put it on me

I’m sorry that it took so long to speak

But I was on tour with Gwen Stefani

I’m sorry for the hand that she was dealt

For the embarrassment that she felt

Just a little young girl trying to have fun

Her daddy should never let her out that young

I’m sorry for Club Zen getting shut down

I hope they manage better next time around

How was I to know she was underage

In a 21 and older club they say

Why doesn’t anybody wanna take blame

Verizon backed out disgracing my name

I’m just a singer trying to entertain

Because I love my fans I’ll take that blame

Even though the blame’s on you [3x]

I’ll take that blame from you

And you can put that blame on me [2x]

You can put that blame on me

And you can put that blame on me

Song analysis 2

Blame
Akon does an amazing job of portraying his message that people need to realize their mistakes and try to fix them. His song, “Sorry, Blame it on me”, is about realizing all of the errors he made in his life and that he needs to work on them. This song represents the theme of struggles through Hip Hop and Rap music. It talks about how Akon had to leave his home all of the time to go on tours and how he was never there for his girlfriend. Then, he apologizes to his mother for never making any right choices and not seeing how much pain she was in since his father left her. Finally, he talks about the scandal that was all over the news, which was about how he kissed an underage girl at a club. Not only were these apologetic pieces able to make the song a masterpiece, Akon was also able to use poetic devices to make his song that much better.
Not only was Akon able to create a top hit in the music industry, he was also able to apologize to his girlfriend while in the process of making it. Akon realizes that he is never home to spend any time with his girlfriend or his sons because he is always on music tours playing at different concerts. He states in his song, “I’m sorry for the fact that I did not know, that you were sitting home just wishing we, could go back to when it was just you and me.” He is apologizing because he can now see why his girlfriend was always upset. All she ever wanted was to spend some time with him, but he never made the time for her. He wants to make up with her and this is evident in the song when he says, “like how you are the best thing in my world, and how I’m so proud to call you my girl.” Akon is trying to make everything better between them, and this shows how he is a remarkable person.
Next, Akon apologizes for not seeing all of the pain that his mother has had to deal with, and also for adding more to it. His father was extremely nice to him and his brothers, but his father left his mother so he could get remarried to another women. Akon realizes now how lonely his mother must have felt because she did not have anyone else to talk to except for her husband, until he left her. Not only did he not realize that at the time, but Akon also, “added to your grief.” Akon is talking about how he added extra stress to his mother’s life, when it was really not necessary. Not only did Akon steal when he was little, but the police ended up coming to take him out of their home because he was such a bad child. This verse in the song is wonderful because Akon notices how hard it was for his mother to raise him and he is trying to repay her for all of the stress that she had to deal with along the way.
The last verse of the song is an apology directed to some of his fans. Akon went “on tour with Gwen Stefani” and one of his shows ended up at Club Zen. At concerts, sometimes the male singers, or rappers, choose a girl from the audience to come up on stage with them. The artist usually either dances with them or sings to them once they get up there. Since this was a “21 and older club”, Akon did not think that any of the girls would be underage. He ended up kissing the girl that he pulled onto stage with him and it was caught on video by all of his fans. Eventually, word spread around and the girl’s father found out and pressed charges against Akon. Akon does not feel as though anything that happened that night was his fault because he was under the impression that everyone was either twenty one years or older. He states, “Just a little young girl trying to have fun, her daddy should never let her out that young.” Akon is basically putting the blame on her father for letting her go out to a nightclub, but at the end of the verse he says, “even though the blame’s on you, I’ll take that blame from you.” Akon realizes that even though it is not completely his fault, he needed to grow up and take some of the blame for his actions.
Finally, Akon uses many different types of poetic devices in his song to make it flow smoothly. Two of the devices that he uses are rhyme and assonance. Assonance is the “repetition of vowel sounds to create internal rhyming within phrases or sentences.” Even though this type of repetition of sounds is hard to find while listening to songs, once the lyrics are read, it seems like it would be hard to even miss the phrases that have assonance in them. The words; take and blame, are an example of assonance within this song because they both have that long “a” sound in them. Another example is road and alone. These words have the repetition of the long “o” sound. The other type of poetic device that is used excessively in this song is rhyme. At the end of each line, the word that is there always rhymes with the following word at the end of the next line. Neglect and disrespect are an example of rhyme because they both end in “ect”, which makes them have similar soundings. Overall, Akon was able to do an excellent job in incorporating poetic devices into his song.
Akon is seen as one of the best Hip Hop artists that are around these days. He succeeded in not only creating an excellent single, but also in apologizing to his family and his fans. Akon was able to cope with the fact that he is not always right, and find a creative and inspirational way to apologize to those people who he loves the most. Sometimes life ends up throwing people curveballs in their daily lives and many people are not able to overcome those difficulties, like Akon was able to do. This proves Akon’s message that people need to first, realize what their mistakes are, then try and fix them. A lot of people do not have the chance to apologize in the way that Akon was able to, but at least they can realize that there are a lot of different ways in which they can apologize to someone. In the end, Akon was able to create an apology through a song, while also being creative by using poetic devices.

Found Poem

Ghetto Survivor
I’ve been to the bottom
Suffered a lot
I’ve repped for the hood
Seen pain and sorrow
Many have died
Many have bled
Some still wearing their scars
But they are on a mission
And only some are destined for greatness
But I refuse to lose
I will live my dreams
Because I deserve to be rich
After all, I am a ghetto survivor

Tupac: Gotta Keep Ya Head Up--Assonance

Tupac: Gotta Keep Ya Head Up
[Verse One:]
Some say the blacker the berry, the sweeter the juice
I say the darker the flesh then the deeper the roots
I give a holler to my sisters on welfare
Tupac cares, and don't nobody else care
And uhh, I know they like to beat ya down a lot
When you come around the block brothas clown a lot
But please don't cry, dry your eyes, never let up
Forgive but don't forget, girl keep your head up
And when he tells you you ain't nuttin don't believe him
And if he can't learn to love you you should leave him
Cause sista you don't need him
And I ain't tryin to gas ya up, I just call em how I see em
You know it makes me unhappy (what's that)
When brothas make babies, and leave a young mother to be a pappy
And since we all came from a woman
Got our name from a woman and our game from a woman
I wonder why we take from our women
Why we rape our women, do we hate our women?
I think it's time to kill for our women
Time to heal our women, be real to our women
And if we don't we'll have a race of babies
That will hate the ladies, that make the babies
And since a man can't make one
He has no right to tell a woman when and where to create one
So will the real men get up
I know you're fed up ladies, but keep your head up
[Chorus]
Keep ya head up, oooo child things are gonna get easier
ooooo child things are gonna get brighter
[2x]
[Verse Two:]
Aiyyo, I remember Marvin Gaye, used to sing ta me
He had me feelin like black was tha thing to be
And suddenly tha ghetto didn't seem so tough
And though we had it rough, we always had enough
I huffed and puffed about my curfew and broke the rules
Ran with the local crew, and had a smoke or two
And I realize momma really paid the price
She nearly gave her life, to raise me right
And all I had ta give her was my pipe dream
Of how I'd rock the mic, and make it to tha bright screen
I'm tryin to make a dollar out of fifteen cents
It's hard to be legit and still pay tha rent
And in the end it seems I'm headin for tha pen
I try and find my friends, but they're blowin in the wind
Last night my buddy lost his whole family
It's gonna take the man in me to conquer this insanity
It seems tha rain'll never let up
I try to keep my head up, and still keep from gettin wet up
You know it's funny when it rains it pours
They got money for wars, but can't feed the poor
Say there ain't no hope for the youth and the truth is
it ain't no hope for tha future
And then they wonder why we crazy
I blame my mother, for turning my brother into a crack baby
We ain't meant to survive, cause it's a setup
And even though you're fed up
Huh, ya got to keep your head up
[Chorus]
[Verse Three:]
And uhh
To all the ladies havin babies on they own
I know it's kinda rough and you're feelin all alone
Daddy's long gone and he left you by ya lonesome
Thank the Lord for my kids, even if nobody else want em
Cause I think we can make it, in fact, I'm sure
And if you fall, stand tall and comeback for more
Cause ain't nuttin worse than when your son
wants to kno why his daddy don't love him no mo'
You can't complain you was dealt this
hell of a hand without a man, feelin helpless
Because there's too many things for you to deal with
Dying inside, but outside you're looking fearless
While tears, is rollin down your cheeks
Ya steady hopin things don't all down this week
Cause if it did, you couldn't take it, and don't blame me
I was given this world I didn't make it
And now my son's getten older and older and cold
From havin the world on his shoulders
While the rich kids is drivin Benz
I'm still tryin to hold on to my survivin friends
And it's crazy, it seems it'll never let up, but
please... you got to keep your head up

Day N Nite Lyrics--Alliteration

Kid Cudi –
Day N Nite Lyrics
Day n nite. I toss and turn, I keep stressin’ my mind, mind.
I look for peace, but see I don’t attain.
What I need for keeps this silly game we play, play.
Now look at this.
Madness the magnet keeps attracting me, me.
I try to run, but see I’m not that fast.
I think I’m first but surely finish last, last.
‘Cause day n nite,
the lonely stoner seems to free his mind at nite.
He’s all alone through the day n nite.
The lonely loner seems to free his mind at nite, ah ah at nite.
Day n nite.
The lonely stoner seems to free his mind at nite.
He’s all alone, some things will never change.
The lonely loner seems to free his mind at nite, ah ah at nite
Hold the phone.
The lonely stoner- Mr. Solo Dolo.
He’s on the move, can’t seem to shake the shade.
Within his dreams he sees the life he made.
Made.
The pain is deep.
A silent sleeper, you won’t hear a peep, peep.
The girl he wants don’t seem to want him too.
It seems the feelings that she had are through.
Through.
Cause day n nite.
The lonely stoner seems to free his mind at nite
He’s all alone through the day n nite.
The lonely loner seems to free his mind at nite, ah ah at nite.
Day n nite.
The lonely stoner seems to free his mind at nite.
He’s all alone, some things will never change.
The lonely loner seems to free his mind at nite, ah ah at nite
Slow mo.
When the tempo slows up and creates that new, new.
He seems alive, though he is feelin blue.
The sun is shinin man he’s super cool.
Cool.
The lonely nites, they fade away he slips into his white Nikes.
He smokes a clip and then he’s on the way,
To free his mind in search of…
To free his mind in search of…
To free his mind in search of…
Day n nite.
The lonely stoner seems to free his mind at nite
He’s all alone through the day n nite.
The lonely loner seems to free his mind at nite, ah ah at nite.
Day n nite.
The lonely stoner seems to free his mind at nite.
He’s all alone, some things will never change.
The lonely loner seems to free his mind at night, ah ah at night.

Repetition

"Mad" by Ne-Yo, uses a lot of epistrophe. This song mostly consists of chorus, which means that a lot of the words are repeated. Some of the most common words that are repeated are "screaming'", "listening", "rain", and "pain". All of these words are talking about how him and his girlfriend fight all of the time. Even though, most of the time, they do not know why they are fighting, it becomes a screaming match to see who can yell over whom the most. The repetition of these words definitely enhances the song because it is getting his point across of how ridiculous it is to be in a relationship where there is always fighting. All he wants to do is makeup and go back to the way they used to be, but he realizes how difficult it is going to be since they deal with so much "pain" and fighting. Overall, the repetition in this song makes the lyrics catchy and gets his point across to the listeners.

"Vacation" by Young Jeezy uses anaphora. The repetition in this song enhances it because Young Jeezy is talking about how "tired" he is and how badly he "needs a vacation" from his daily life. He has to deal with so much stress and it is getting to be overwhelming. He says, "I'm stressed out...so tired" which proves that he needs to find an escape. Sometimes having all of the fame and fortune that he has, becomes too much and this is why he repeats that he "needs a vacation"

Repetition-- at the end of the song

Ne-YoMad lyrics
Oh oh oh, oh oh oh... Oh oh oh... [Verse 1]She's starin' at me, I'm sittin', wonderin' what she's thinkin'.MmmmmNobody's talkin', 'Cause talkin' just turns into screamin'.Ohhh... And now is I'm yellin' over her, She's yellin' over me.All that that meansIs neither of us is listening, (And what's even worse).That we don't even remember why were fighting.So both of us are mad for... [Hook]Nothin'(Fighting for).Nothin'(Crying for).Nothin'(Whoahhh).But we won't let it go forNothin'(No not for)Nothin'.This should be nothin' to a love like what we got.Ohhh, baby... I know sometimesIt's gonna rain... But baby, can we make up now'Cause I can't sleep through the pain(Cant sleep through the pain).[Chorus]Girl, I don't wanna go to bed(Mad at you), And I don't want you to go to bed(Mad at me).No, I don't wanna go to bed(Mad at you), And I don't want you to go to bed(Mad at me)Ohhh no no no... [Verse 2]And it gets me upset, girlWhen you're constantly accusing.(Askin' questions like you've already known).We're fighting this war, babyWhen both of us are losing.(This ain't the way that love is supposed to go).Whoaaaaaaaaa... [What happened to workin' it out].We've falled into this placeWhere you ain't backin' downAnd I ain't backin' down.So what the hell do we do now... It's all for... [Hook]Nothin'(Fighting for).Nothin'(Crying for).Nothin'(Whoahhh).But we won't let it go forNothin'(No not for)Nothin'.This should be nothin' to a love like what we got.Ohhh, baby... I know sometimesIt's gonna rain... But baby, can we make up now'Cause I can't sleep through the pain(Cant sleep through the pain).[Chorus]Girl, I don't wanna go to bed(Mad at you), And I don't want you to go to bed(Mad at me).No, I don't wanna go to bed(Mad at you), And I don't want you to go to bed(Mad at me)Ohhh no no no... [Bridge]Oh baby this love ain't gonna be perfect, (Perfect, perfect, oh oh).And just how good it's gonna be.We can't fuss and we can't fightLong as everything alright between usBefore we go to sleep.Baby, we're gonna be happy.I know sometimesIt's gonna rain... But baby, can we make up now'Cause I can't sleep through the pain(Cant sleep through the pain).[Chorus]Girl, I don't wanna go to bed(Mad at you), And I don't want you to go to bed(Mad at me).No, I don't wanna go to bed(Mad at you), And I don't want you to go to bed(Mad at me)Ohhh no no no...

Repetition-- at the beginning of song

Vacation Lyrics
I go to..Like that don't chayeah yeah yeah (hahaha)yeah n****turn me up a lil bitsaid
I'm stressed out..so tired my days..so longsaid I'm stressed out..so tired gotta..move on I needa vacation I'm goin' to Decaturwhere its greatersee if I could stack me up some paper I needa vacation..I'm going to da bluffwhere its roughsee if I could cook me up enoughI needa vacation..I'm goin to College Parkwhere its darksee if I could cook me up somethin hardI needa vacation..I'm going to the fo'where it goan er'body know I make it snowI needa vacation..see me standin herelike a chandeliergangsta of da yearsippin' belvidereI'm smokin' inglewoodI'm feelin' hella goodA n**** wish he couldI wish a n**** wouldI'm smokin' on dat goodI'm grippin' on da grainlouie 13mixed wit hurricanelike a crippled maneyou could catch me wit dat canegonna be a bloody murdaif I catch you with my chainsee these hatin' a** n*****gettin' on my nervesI'm so up on da jobI'm at a loss fa wordsI put it on da hoodgettin' money til I'm deadonly thang I'm fearin' is da muh'f*****' feds I needa vacationI'm goin to Kirwoodwhere its greatersee if I could stack me up some paperI needa vacation..I'm goin' to Turner Fieldwhere its roughsee if I could cook me up enoughI needa vacation..I'm going to *\ala templewhere its darksee if I could cook me up some hardI needa vacation..I'm goin to Bankheadwhere it goer'body know I make it snowI needa vacation..yeah I'm outta hursend ya a post cardn if ya outta datsend ya some mo' hardI need some piecea mindsome relaxationI'm mindin' my binessso why ya n***** hatin'I keep it too realso why ya n***** fakin'ya try it if ya wantcuz my n***** waitin'won't let cha stress me out won't let cha worry mejus cause I'm doin' goodwon't let cha murda meits drivin' me insaneits makin' me crazyya know ya owe a n****so f*** you pay meI put it on da hoodgettin' money til I'm deadonly thang I'm fearin' is da muh'f*****' feds I needa vacationI'm goin to Pittsburghwhere its greatersee if I could stack me up some paper I needa vacation..I'm goin' to Summerhillwhere its roughsee if I could cook me up enough I needa vacation..I'm going to Edgewoodwhere its darksee if I could cook me up some hardI needa vacation..Jonesboro southwhere it goer'body know I make it snowI needa vacation..said I'm stressed out..so tiredmy days..so longsaid I'm stressed out..so tiredgotta..move OnI needa vacation..

Metaphor Song #2

"Like Toy Soldiers" by Eminem

Step by step, heart to heart, left right left We all fall down...

[Chorus] Step by step, heart to heart,left right leftWe all fall down like toy soldiers Bit by bit, torn apart, we never win But the battle wages on for toy soldiers

[Verse 1] I'm supposed to be the soldier who never blows his composure Even though I hold the weight of the whole world on my shoulders I am never supposed to show it, my crew ain't supposed to know it Even if it means goin' toe to toe with a Benzino it don't matter I'd never drag them in battles that I can handle unless I absolutely have to I'm supposed to set an example I need to be the leader, my crew looks for me to guide 'em If some s*** ever just pop off, I'm supposed to be beside 'em Now Ja said 'I tried to squash it, it was too late to stop it' There's a certain line you just don't cross and he crossed it I heard him say Hailie's name on a song and I just lost it It was crazy, this shit be way beyond some Jay-z and Nas s*** And even though the battle was won, I feel like we lost it I spent too much energy on it, honestly I'm exhausted And I'm so caught in it I almost feel I'm the one who caused it This ain't what I'm in hip-hop for, it's not why I got in it That was never my object for someone to get killed Why would I wanna destroy something I help build It wasn't my intentions, my intentions was good I went through my whole career without ever mentionin' Suge Now it's just out of respect for not runnin' my mouth And talkin' about something that I knew nothing about Plus Dre told me stay out, this just wasn't my beef So I did, I just fell back, watched and gritted my teeth While he's all over t.v. down talkin' a man who literally saved my life Like f*** it i understand this is business And this s*** just isn't none of my business But still knowin' this s*** could pop off at any minute cuz

[Chorus]

[Verse 2] There used to be a time when you could just say a rhyme And wouldn't have to worry about one of your people dyin' But now it's elevated cuz once you put someone's kids in it The shit gets escalated, it ain't just words no more is it? It's a different ball game, callin' names and you ain't just rappin' We actually tried to stop the 50 and Ja beef from happenin' Me and Dre had sat with him, kicked it and had a chat with him And asked him not to start it he wasn't gonna go after him Until Ja started yappin' in magazines how we stabbed him Fuck it 50 smash 'em, mash 'em and let him have it Meanwhile my attention is pullin' in other directions Some receptionist at The Source who answers phones at his desk Has an erection for me and thinks that I'll be his ressurection Tries to blow the dust off his mic and make a new record But now he's f***** the game up cuz one of the ways I came up Was through that publication the same one that made me famous Now the owner of it has got a grudge against me for nothin' Well f*** it, that mutherf***** can get it too, f*** him then But I'm so busy being pissed off I don't stop to think That we just inherited 50's beef with Murder Inc. And he's inherited mine which is fine ain't like either of us mind We still have soldiers that's on the front line That's willing to die for us as soon as we give the orders Never to extort us, strictly to show they support us We'll maybe shout 'em out in a rap or up in a chorus To show them we love 'em back and let 'em know how important it is To have runyun avenue and who sulked us up in our corners Their loyalty to us is worth more than any award is But I ain't tryna have none of my people hurt and murdered There ain't words that I can't think of a perfecter way to word it Then to just say that I love ya'll too much to see the virdict I'll walk away from it all before I let it go any further But don't get it twisted, it's not a plea that I'm coppin' I'm just willin' to be the bigger man If ya'll can quit poppin' off at your jaws with the knockin' Cuz frankly I'm sick of talkin' I'm not gonna let someone elses coffin rest on my conscience cuz

[Chorus]

"Like Toy Soldiers" by Eminem is about being the bigger man and not trying to get into any fights that may jeopardize his "followers" lives. Eminem does not want to be at fault for getting his friends killed because he cannot live with that on his conscience. He uses the metaphor, "There's a certain line you just don't cross" because he knows that people can only go so far until someone snaps. There is not really an actual line that people can see, but people know how far they can test the waters before they end up in trouble. Another metaphor that Eminem uses is, "We all fall down like toy soldiers" to show that eventually, everyone is going to end up failing, but they have to remain stong. Toy soldiers are always seen as strong and brave but eventually they fall, like everyone else does. Finally, "Even though I hold the weight of the whole world on my shoulders"means that Eminem feels like everyone is watching his every move. He feels as though people are pressuring him to be how they expect him to be and the pressure is getting to him. It is hard for him to be strong for everyone else, when he feels like he can barely make it in the world. Overall, Eminem is one of the best rappers out there whom is able to get his point across through metaphors.

Metaphor Song #1

Lose Yourself by Eminem
Look, if you had one shot, or one opportunityTo seize everything you ever wanted, one momentWould you capture it, or just let it slip? Yo

His palms are sweaty, knees weak, arms are heavyThere's vomit on his sweater already, mom's spaghettiHe's nervous, but on the surface he looks calm and readyTo drop bombs, but he keeps on forgettin'What he wrote down, the whole crowd goes so loudHe opens his mouth, but the words won't come outHe's chokin' how, everybody's chokin' now The clock's run out, time's up, over, bloah!Snap back to reality, oh, there goes gravityOh, there goes Rabbit, he choked, he's so madBut he won't give up that easy, no, he won't have itHe knows his whole back's to these ropesIt don't matter, he's dopeHe knows that, but he's broke, he's so stagnant, he knowsWhen he goes back to his mobile home, that's when it'sBack to the lab again, yo, this whole rhapsodyHe better go capture this moment and hope it don't pass him

You better lose yourself in the music, the momentYou own it, you better never let it go You only get one shot, do not miss your chance to blow This opportunity comes once in a lifetime

You better lose yourself in the music, the momentYou own it, you better never let it go You only get one shot, do not miss your chance to blow This opportunity comes once in a lifetime

The soul's escaping through this hole that is gaping This world is mine for the taking, make me kingAs we move toward a new world orderA normal life is boring, but superstardom's close to post-mortemIt only grows harder, only grows hotterHe blows us all over, these hoes is all on himCoast to coast shows, he's known as the globetrotterLonely roads, God only knows he's grown farther from homeHe's no father, he goes home and barely knows his own daughterBut hold your nose cuz here goes the cold waterThese hoes don't want him no mo', he's cold productThey moved on to the next schmoe who flowsHe nose dove and sold nadaSo the soap opera is told and unfolds, I suppose it's old partnerBut the beat goes on da da dum da dum da da

You better lose yourself in the music, the momentYou own it, you better never let it go You only get one shot, do not miss your chance to blow This opportunity comes once in a lifetime

You better lose yourself in the music, the momentYou own it, you better never let it goYou only get one shot do not miss your chance to blowThis opportunity comes once in a lifetime

No more games, I'ma change what you call rage Tear this mothaf*****' roof off like 2 dogs caged I was playin' in the beginnin, the mood all changed I been chewed up and spit out and booed off stage But I kept rhymin' and stepwritin' the next cypher Best believe somebody's payin' the pied piper All the pain inside amplified by the factThat I can't get by with my nine to fiveAnd I can't provide the right type of life for my familyCuz man, these goddam food stamps don't buy diapers And it's no movie, there's no Mekhi PhiferThis is my life, and these times are so hardAnd it's getting even harder tryin' to feed and water my seed, plus Teetertotter caught up between bein a father and a prima donna Baby mama drama screamin on and too much for me to wannaStay in one spot, another day of monotonyHas gotten me to the point I'm like a snailI've got to formulate a plot or end up in jail or shot Success is my only mothaf*****' option, failure's not Mom, I love you, but this trailer's got to go I cannot grow old in Salem's lot So here I go with my shot, feet fail me notThis may be the only opportunity that I got

You better lose yourself in the music, the momentYou own it, you better never let it goYou only get one shot, do not miss your chance to blowThis opportunity comes once in a lifetime

You better lose yourself in the music, the momentYou own it, you better never let it goYou only get one shot do not miss your chance to blowThis opportunity comes once in a lifetimeYou can do anything you set your mind to, man

Lose Yourself by Eminem is about being able to make it as a rapper. Even though he went through as much as being "booed off stage", he did not let that stop him in his quest. He never let any opportunities of fame and fortune slip by him because Eminem believed that being famous was the only way he could make enough money to support his family. Food stamps and working a nine to five job were not his ideas of success, so he believed that if he kept trying, he would eventually get what it was that he wanted. He is able to portray these struggles that he faced by using many different metaphors. "You only get one shot, do not miss your chance to blow" is saying that people usually only end up with one chance to be famous and if they do not make the best of it, they could lose it. This is a metaphor because it sounds like it is talking about a gun, but it is talking about taking chances. Another metaphor is "The clock's run out" because a clock does not literally run out. Eminem is talking about time running out and missing the opportunity to do what you want in life because it may come unexpectedly. If they are not ready to take on the opportunity, then their time is going to run out and they will fail. Next, "The soul's escaping through this hole that is gaping" is another metaphor. It is saying that he is finally making it in the rap industry and success may come faster than he expected. Finally, "Best believe somebody's payin' the pied piper" means that eventually when you become famous, you are going to be paid. Overall, Eminem uses metaphors to show how important it was for him to become one of the best rappers of this time.

Simile Analysis 2

Title: My Life (ft. Lil Wayne) Artist: The Game

[Chorus: Lil’ Wayne]

And I’m grindin’ til I’m tiredThey say "You ain’t grindin’ til you tired"So I’m grindin’ with my eyes wideLooking to findA wayThrough the dayA lifeFor the nightDear Lord, you’ve done took so many of my people but I’m just wonderin’ whyYou haven’t taken (my life? x3)Like what the hell am I (doing right? x3)(My Life x3)

[Verse 1: The Game]Take me away from the hood like a state penitentiary Take me away from the hood in the casket or a Bentley Take me awayLike I overdosed on cocaine Or take me away like a bullet from Kurt Cobain Suicide (Suicide..suicide..)I'm from a Windy City, like "Do or Die"From a block close to where Biggie was crucifiedThat was Brooklyn's JesusShot for no f**kin' reasonAnd you wonder why Kanye wears Jesus pieces? (My Life x3)'Cause that's Jesus peopleAnd The Game, he's the equalHated on so much, "The Passion of Christ" need a sequelYeah, like Roc-a-fella needed SigelLike I needed my father, but he needed a needle (My Life x3)I need some meditation, so I can leave my peopleThey askin' “Why?" Why did John Lennon leave The Beatles?And why every hood n**** feed off evil?Answer my question before this bullet leave this Desert Eagle

[Chorus: Lil’ Wayne]And I’m grindin’ til I’m tiredThey say "You ain’t grindin’ til you tired"So I’m grindin’ with my eyes wideLooking to findA wayThrough the dayA lifeFor the nightDear Lord, you’ve done took so many of my people but I’m just wonderin’ whyYou haven’t taken (my life? x3)Like what the hell am I (doing right? x3)(My Life x3)

[Verse 2: The Game]We are not the same, I am a MartianSo approach my Phantom doors with caution (caution...caution)You see them 24's spinnin'? I earned themAnd I ain't no preacher, but here's my Erick SermonSo eat this black music, and tell me how it taste, now?And f**k Jesse Jackson cause it ain't about race, nowSometimes I think about my life with my face downThen I see my sons and put on that Kanye smile (My Life x3)Damn, I know his momma's proudAnd since you helped me sell my dream, we can share my momma nowAnd like MJB, "No More Drama" nowLivin’ the +good life+, me and Common on common groundI spit crack and n***** could drive it outta townGotta Chris Paul mind state, I'm never outta boundsMy life used to be empty like a glock without a round Now my life full, like a chopper with a thousand rounds (Gunshots)

[Chorus: Lil’ Wayne]And I’m grindin’ 'til I’m tiredThey say "You ain’t grindin’ 'til you tired"So I’m grindin’ with my eyes wideLooking to findA wayThrough the dayA lifeFor the nightDear Lord you’ve done took so many of my people but I’m just wonderin’ whyYou haven’t taken (my life? x3)Like what the hell am I (doing right? x3)(My Life x3)

[Verse 3: The Game]Walk through the gates of Hell, see my Impala parked in frontThe high beams on, me and the Devil share chronic bluntsListening to the "Chronic" album, playing backwardsShootin’ at pictures of Don Imus for target practiceMy mind f**ked up, so I cover it with a Raider hoodI'm from the city that made you motherf**kers afraid of Suge (Compton... Compton...)Made my grandmother pray for goodAnd never made her happy, when I bet that new Mercedes could (My Life x3)Ain't no bars, but n***** can't escape the hoodThey took so many of my n*****, that I should hate the hoodBut it's real n***** like me, that make the hoodRidin' slow in that Phantom just the way I should (My Life x3)With the top backIn my Sox hatI'm paid in full, the n**** Alpo couldn't stop thatEven if they brought the n**** 'Pac backI'd still keep this motherf**ker cocked back

[Chorus: Lil’ Wayne]And I’m grindin’ til I’m tiredThey say "You ain’t grindin’ til you tired"So I’m grindin’ with my eyes wideLooking to findA wayThrough the dayA lifeFor the nightDear Lord you’ve done took so many of my people but I’m just wonderin’ whyYou haven’t taken (my life x3)Like what the hell am I (doing right? x3)(My Life x3)(My Life x3)(My Life x3)(My Life x3)

This song is My Life by The Game. It was recently one of the most popular songs played on rap stations, like 94.5 and 106.3. The Game and Lil Wayne are some of the best rappers that are around today. They are able to incorporate poetry into their songs, like similes. One simile that is in this song is, "My life used to be empty like a glock without a round" and it is followed by, "Now my life full, like a chopper with a thousand rounds". These similes are different because the first one is saying that his life was not worth while and useless like a gun is without any bullets. The second simile is saying that now that he is famous and happy with his life, it is like a chopper which can carry a lot more than a gun. Another simile is, "Take me away from the hood like a state penitentiary". He is talking about being locked up in this simile because when the police take him out of his "hood", he is sent to jail for his actions. Next, these similes, "Take me away Like I overdosed on cocaine Or take me away like a bullet from Kurt Cobain" are very similar because they are talking about his death. He is telling the audience that he wants to die because he is not happy. He also does not care how he passes away, whether it be an overdose or being shot to death. Either way, he is finding a way out of his life. Overall, both of these rappers are extremely popular and also intelligent in the way that they use poetic devices in their songs.

Simile Analysis

Ooh Ahh Lyrics by Grits

My life be like

Ooh ahh yea ooh oooh

My life be like

Ooh ahh yea ooh oooh

Ooh ahh yea ooh oooh

My life be like

Ooh ahh yea ooh oooh

It's times like these that make me say

Lord if you see me please come my way

Leavin' bread crumbs for when I stray

Rely on sacrifice and the price you paid

Feel me like a fingertip

Sometimes I fall I slip

My heartfelt desire be more like you

Trying not to quench your fire by the things that I do

On an island by my lonesome stranded

Low key and stayin' candid

Reflect on all the things I try my hand at

Search for the equations to persuasions

Im used to

Finding comfort in the zones of closet bones

I get loose to

A mountainous fontaine

Spinnin' and monsoonin'

Grinnin' its high octane

Explosive how I came
Rollin down hills cause lifes a hastle

Enriched by my folly like a moat surround a castle

Stay afloat catch a second wind

Thin is the air I breathe

Teary eyed nose runnin'

Wipe the snot on my sleeve

I'm calling on my saviour

To be all that hat I need

Please forgive me

My behaviour had me lost at light speed

It's times like these that make me say

Lord if you see me please come my way

Leavin' bread crumbs for when I stray

Rely on sacrifice and the price you paid

Feel me like a fingertip

Sometimes I fall I slip

My heartfelt desire be more like you

Trying not to quench your fire by the things that I do

The fear of never falling in love

And the tears after losing the feelings

Of what you thought love was

Like the dirt still up under the rug

Bad characteristics

Covered in christ's blood

The joy of new birth

And the pain of growing up

The bliss between giving my all

And giving up

The highs and lows

Paths and roads I chose

In the cold I froze

Trying to ease my woes

In this world of sin

Clothes to thin to fend

So to god I send

Words of help to win

In grumblings so deep

Letters could never express

So the sound of ooh aah

Beneath my breath projects

My life be like

It's times like these that make me say

Lord if you see me please come my way

Leavin' bread crumbs for when I stray

Rely on sacrifice and the price you paid

Feel me like a fingertip

Sometimes I fall I slip

My heartfelt desire be more like you

Trying not to quench your fire by the things that I do

My life be like ooh aah ooh

Come young diti

Here comes that boy from the capital city

Last up on the Grits new diti

But eight bars of the truth will do, eh

I believe there's a bride thats stunning

And, I believe in the kingdom coming

I believe if you seek the truth,

You don't need to look far cuz' it's gonna find you

But why oh why do I trip and stumble

And ohh ahh's can make me crumble

I can't believe that I'm here again Again, again

My life be like

It's times like these that make me say

Lord if you see me please come my way

Leavin' bread crumbs for when I stray

Rely on sacrifice and the price you paid

Feel me like a fingertip

Sometimes I fall I slip

My heartfelt desire be more like you

Trying not to quench your fire by the things that I do (x2)

This song is called Ooh ahh by Grits. It fits into my theme and genre because it is a rap song about the struggles he has with love and getting by in life. He is asking the Lord to help him because he is not doing as well in life as he would like to. One of the simile's that is used is "Feel me like a fingertip". This, to me, means that he is able to feel that the Lord is near him even though he is unable to touch him, like you would with your fingers. Another simile is,
"Of what you thought love was Like the dirt still up under the rug". This means that he thought that he was in love because they were together for so long like dirt under a rug. Also, they swept all of their problems that they had under the rug, which lead to heartbreak. Finally the last simile in this song is, "Enriched by my folly like a moat surround a castle". This means that he was very foolish in the things that he did and he compares it to a moat around a castle because it is not intelligent to have water surrounding a castle. This is not intelligent because if the enemy that is on the outside of the castle gets in, it is hard for either of them to escape the castle since there is only one exit. Overall, Grits is very talented in the way he uses similes in this song.

Essay for "Runaway Love" by Ludacris

Ashlie LaCivita
Poetry of Song
Ms. Malone
02/11/09
Analysis Essay

Struggles Faced by Adolescents
Ludacris does a remarkable job of portraying his message about the struggles that some adolescents are faced with. “Runaway Love”, by Ludacris, featuring Mary J. Blige, represents the theme of struggle through Hip Hop and Rap music. It is about little girls who are “stuck up in the world on her own”. They have to take care of themselves because no one else around them cares about them. They range from nine to eleven years old and their goal in life, at such a young age, is to run away from home. Ludacris is trying to get the listener to realize the struggles that even children have to face because adults are not the only ones who have problems, like most people believe. He is very successful in portraying his message through this song and the tone of the song also goes along well with the lyrics. Overall, Ludacris is the most talented artist in the music industry.
Girls at that young of an age should be enjoying their childhood, but instead they are forced to become adults and take care of themselves. Lisa, whom is nine years old, is always stuck at home alone. She never met her Father and she never sees her Mother because she is always out partying and then brings home men every night. Once her Mother passes out from the drugs, the men sneak into Lisa’s room and try to have their way with her. As much as she resists, she is only nine years old and not strong enough to fight them off. Since no one is around to stick up for her, “she says she’s `bout to run away and never come back”.
Nicole, whom is ten years old, also deals with the stress of being abused. Her step-father always abuses her, mentally and physically, and even though her teachers realize what is going on, Nicole makes excuses for him. Nicole wishes that she could leave, but she is unable to because there is no where she can really go. Finally, she is able to find someone whom she can relate to and also become friends with. Both Nicole and Stacy know that they are going to have to stick together, so they “promise that they always be tight `til the end”. Their friendship shortly ends when Stacy ends up getting shot and killed in her neighborhood one day. Nicole now feels like she is all alone again and that there is “nothing else to do but get her clothes and pack”.
Erica, whom is eleven years old, also has to deal with daily struggles in her life. She does not feel safe and ends up taking pills because she thinks that they can get rid of her pain. Erica is only an adolescent and does not realize that she can ruin her life by becoming addicted to taking pills. After a while, she meets a sixteen year old boy and without her seeing it, he takes advantage of her. He knows that she is going through a lot, so he pretends that he loves her so he can have sex with her. Erica truly believes that she is in love, so when he asks to have unprotected sex, she agrees. She becomes pregnant and the “love of her life” decides that “he ain’t ready for a kid”, so he leaves her. Now Erica is stuck with the responsibility to not only take care of herself, but also for the child that she will be having. Even though her life is not fair, she is unable to face her consequences and “she say she’s about to run away and never come back”.
The tone of “Runaway Love” is sad, depressing, and it opens the eyes of the listeners. Although Ludacris only uses a few poetic devices, they enhance the tone of the song. People who read the lyrics to Ludacris’ song can tell that he is portraying a very serious story. The melody is not upbeat, like most other hip hop or rap songs, which makes the listener hear what he is trying to say. Also, he uses the word “hell” three times in his song, which symbolizes how awful and miserable their lives are. Another poetic device that is used is rhyme. Rhyming is often used in hip hop and rap songs to make the lyrics flow together. The last word in every line rhymes with the word in the previous line, but only during the verses. The only parts that do not rhyme in “Runaway Love” are the hook and the outro. Finally, Ludacris uses imagery to make his song feel more powerful. Imagery helps the listener to relate with the characters in the song because they can see in their mind what is taking place. “Mama is on drugs getting high up in the kitchen” is an example of the imagery that is being used because the listener can picture the little girl sitting alone in her room, while her mom is taking drugs in their kitchen. This makes the listener sympathize for the little girl, Lisa, because she is only nine years old and her mother is too busy getting high to take care of her. Ludacris is able to make his listeners grasp how important it is to pay attention to signs of abuse so that adolescents do not have to feel like “hell is a place called home”.
In conclusion, Ludacris is an extraordinary hip hop artist. He makes his listeners feel like they are in the same position as the girls who are in his song, which in return, makes them aware of child abuse. Ludacris not only makes his listeners aware of child abuse through his songs, but he also has a program called “The Ludacris Foundation”. It was created for “helping youth help themselves”. The foundation contains five different programs that are all focused on helping children in our country. Finally, at the end of “Runaway Love”, Ludacris comforts the girls to make them feel like someone out there cares for them. His Foundation also helps children realize that someone out there would like to help them because not everyone has to struggle to get through life.