review on song essay

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How To Write A Music Review: An Ultimate Guide

Everyone loves music. Whether you’re a fan of hip hop or country, classical or rock-n-roll, music is the soundtrack of our lives. But not all music is created equal. Some of it hits us harder than others. Some can take us to the heights of emotion, and some lulls us to sleep in an elevator. Whatever type of music you listen to, chances are that you’d like to know what’s good or what’s bad before you waste your time downloading a new album or purchasing a vinyl collector’s edition. That’s where music reviews come in. A music review will tell you what a critic thought of a piece of music so you can make an informed decision about whether you will enjoy that music. However, writing a music review isn’t as simple as saying whether you liked it. Instead, you need to offer specific and clear reasons for your reaction. In this article, we’ll take a look at the steps to writing a music review.

Define Fundamentals

First, however, we need to say a word about the role of music reviews in today’s streaming environment. In years past, most listeners would learn about new bands and new music from reviews, whether written in music magazines or delivered orally by friends or influencers. However, today, listeners are more likely to encounter new music as part of the automatic recommendations and tailored playlists delivered by music streaming services like Spotify. As a result, the role of the music review is less about exposing readers to new music and is now more about ratifying opinions about which albums are important, essential, or must-listens. 

It is important not to get too personal when writing about music. Reviews are normally not about your likes and dislikes, they are more about analysis. In some cases, you can add some personal touch, but in most, it is better to avoid it. You should show an understanding of music in general, not your taste.

Delegate If You Don’t Have Time

One of the most important areas for music reviews is actually in academic writing, where instructors assign music reviews in a variety of courses to help students think about understanding a variety of musical genres and their connection to subjects outside and beyond music. However, most students are not professional music critics and don’t always know how to write an effective music review. Reputable academic writing services like Write My Paper Hub can help students to do their essays and papers. These online services allow students to pay experts for the academic writing they need. Is it a good idea for an essay about music or a music review? It all depends on how you feel about the assignment and how much time you have. If the deadline is too close, and you know that it is difficult for you to concentrate on such a broad topic rather fast — it is better to delegate it. If you are not a big fan of music in general, you may like some songs, but you don’t understand fundamentals — again, it is better to delegate. If you feel like it can be nice to dig into this topic and get more information, express your option — write a review yourself.

Write a Music in Six Steps

If you are going to write your own music review, either for a class or for publication, you need to follow a few simple rules to make sure you give your audience the best music review experience. 

• Listen to the music. This might seem obvious, but the first step in any music review is to listen to the music you plan to review. Ideally, you will listen to the album at least twice so you can form an initial impression and also consider how it hits you on a repeat listen, when some of the novelty has worn off. Keep track of your feelings and write notes about your reactions as you listen through the album. 
• Research the album and the artist. When you have formed your own view and opinion, begin researching the album and the artist. Find out the background and the inspiration for the music, as well as any unusual songwriting or technical production information that might cast light on the purpose of the album so you can judge how well the album achieved the artist’s goals.
• Compare the music to its broader context. Where does the album fit in the broader context of its genre, or in the history of music? Is there something new and innovative? Does it carry on time-honored traditions? Such questions can help to evaluate the overall importance and meaning of the album under review.
• Consider your own biases. We all have particular music or artists we like or don’t like, but just because we don’t like someone doesn’t mean the quality of their music is bad, nor does our favorite artist always produce top-shelf material. As you work on your review, consider your perspective and preferences and try to adjust for them so you can provide an objective analysis of whether the album is good or bad.
• Always be honest. It can be tempting to follow the crowd and write what you think they want to hear. But if you love an album that other critics don’t like, or hate one they do, your readers will rather know your honest opinion than a fake opinion you think will gather the most likes on social media. Audiences can recognize when a writer isn’t shooting straight, and they are less likely to keep reading if they don’t trust you are being square with them.
• Follow good writing practices. It goes without saying that it’s important to follow good writing practices, including clarity and conciseness. Be sure to revise and edit your work carefully to make sure it is readable and easily understood by your target audience.

While it is not a good idea to let someone write your music for you, it is a good idea to delegate writing about it when you are not exactly in the mood. However, if you are, just follow the tips above and be ready in a matter of hours to write a music review from scratch. 

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3 responses.

This article was very informative because I train A&Rs how to write reviews but sometimes they can get stuck on their personal opinions and not looking at it the music project is in demand commercially.

Yvonne, I understand the commercial part of the industry. But there has to be a divider. If you’re commercial, be that. If you’re an artist, it changes everything. Some people don’t know how to tell the two apart, I on the other hand do. Not bragging, just the truth.

I like your article and as a musician myself, I like to start a music review platform.

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• Writing Tips

8 Tips on How to Write a Music Review

• 3-minute read
• 16th May 2020

When you write a music review, you’re aiming to share your impression of the music with the reader. And when you’re reviewing an album, these tips will help you to write something that is readable and engaging.

Before you start writing a review, listen to the music from start to finish at least twice. As you listen, note down your initial thoughts and feelings.

Next, think about how you will introduce and summarize the music. As well as sitting down to listen critically to the music, it might help to listen through speakers or headphones as you go about your day.

2. Research Is Key

Once you’ve listened to the music, do your research. Read articles and interviews with the artist to gather facts about them and the music you’re reviewing. It can also help to read other people’s reviews so you become familiar with the language used in music writing.

3. Think About Context

Think about the music in the context of its genre and the artist’s history. How does it compare with the rest of its genre? Is it a classic example of bubblegum pop, or does it bend the boundary between heavy metal and hardcore punk? And how does it compare to the artist’s previous work?

4. Consider Different Angles

Think about all aspects of the album: how it works as a whole, the individual songs, the lyrics, the artwork , the instrumentation, and its production. Set out your overall impression and go into detail on anything you find interesting (e.g., a theme running through the lyrics or a repeating melody).

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5. Avoid Bias

If you write for as wide an audience as possible, try to be objective. Whether it’s music by your favorite artist or a band and genre you hate, try not to let this cloud your judgement. If you don’t like an artist or a genre, this doesn’t necessarily mean that the quality of the music is bad.

6. Be Honest

It might be tempting to copy what everyone else is writing about the music, but your review should give your honest opinion. If you loved an album that the rest of the world seems to despise, let everyone know!

You can acknowledge other people’s opinions and general attitudes to the music, but it is your review and therefore your own opinion matters most.

7. Write Clearly

Your review should be clear and readable. For longer reviews, use subheadings and cover different aspects of the album in separate sections to make it easy to follow. You can also include images of the artist or the album artwork to break up the text and illustrate your writing.

8. Edit Your Review

Once you’ve written a first draft of your review, think about how to edit it. Look for ways to make it clear and memorable. It may help to read it aloud or ask others to give you feedback. Make revisions where necessary, and remember to check your spelling, grammar and punctuation .

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4 Tips on How to Write a Music Review Essay

There is hardly even one person on the planet who can’t stand music. We all have playlists for different moods or songs which associate with memorable events. However, when it comes to writing a music review essay, we seem to be stuck and don’t know what to begin with. Some students even tend to reach out for essay help , not to cope with an assignment on their own. We have prepared a simple guide for you to follow to write an excellent music review essay.

What is a Music Review Essay?

A review of a song is your opinion or feedback on a musical composition. You have to make this essay less subjective and contain as much reliable information as possible. Just like any other type of academic writing, it consists of the introduction, the main body devoted to various aspects of the music analysis, and a conclusion.

1. Get ready

Before you start writing your essay, you should, of course, listen to a piece of music and study some information about the artist and the song itself. First of all, listen to the composition for the first time and write down your thoughts. Try not to think about the lyrics and concentrate on the feelings. The second time, pay attention precisely to the lyrics of the song (if there are any) and again describe your emotions. It would help if you didn’t read other people’s reviews and the story behind the song until you’ve formed your very own opinion of it.

It is best to begin by analyzing the melody, its sound, the music, and the setting. First of all, the music and the melody create the impression of the song. Only by listening to a piece several times in a row can you form a correct opinion of it and understand its meaning.

Describe the tone of the song, the quality of the arrangement, the sound of some of the musical instruments. For example, the bass guitar creates the main tone or there would be no drums and the song would not succeed. In the case of writing a review for a specialized publication or on request, you need to describe everything in professional terms, trace the composition of the song, analyze all its parts.

It is necessary to note the musical style in which the song was written, the quality of the recording, and it is better not to compare it with the previous repertoire of the performer unless, of course, this song will be radically better or worse than previous ones. Note what emotions the song evoked in you, what impressed you most, and what upset you most.

The second component of the song is the lyrics. You should briefly describe the content and meaning of the song. Emphasize the beauty of the lyric, its meaningfulness, the beauty of the verse, and convey its meaning and content. If the author used some striking comparisons or metaphors, it would not be superfluous to tell about them. Try to imagine what the author wanted to convey to the audience and how he succeeded or failed.

4. Background

Tell more details about the song, the story of its creation. Don’t forget to trace the connection to events that were happening in the world or in the life of the musician at the time. All the facts obtained about it will help to make a deeper analysis and understand the hidden meaning. Just do not go into the smallest details because it will not make sense, and it can spoil the impression. However, it often happens that without knowing the history of creation and the events that prompted the creation of the musical composition, listeners underestimate the art or even consider the song to be outright nonsense. For example, if you don’t know the history of the Taro song by Alt-J, you would probably not get a thing. But if you dig deeper, you will understand that this is a beautiful love song about two protographs — Robert Capa and Gerda Taro — who died during the war and reunited in their afterlives.

It would help if you analyzed the work as objectively as possible. Your attitude toward the author or performer should not affect the quality of the review in any way. You must be as honest as possible with the reader and write a review, which should include neither solid praise nor only negative reviews.

You should describe both the strengths and weaknesses of the song. You can express your personal opinion, however, not to be biased. Your readers might not be familiar with the song and the art of a performer. You have to keep this in mind and not miss any essential details in your essay.

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How to Write a Music Review Essay

Hardly anyone on the earth dislikes music. We all have music collections for certain emotions or songs connected to special occasions. But when it comes to composing a music review essay, most seem to be at a loss for words and have no idea where to start.

Typically, the purpose of writing a review is to make an impression. The reader’s perception of the song or album is formed after reading the essay. Therefore, the assessment must be impartial and feasible and provide the most trustworthy facts imaginably. Read on to learn how to write a music review essay.

Your assessment or criticism of a musical work is what a song review essay contains. The paper has an introduction, a major body covering several parts of the music analysis, and a conclusion. It is much like any other piece of academic writing. However, to better understand how to write one, below are several tips to guide you.

Listen to the Music

It would help if you listened through the entire song at least two times before beginning to write a review. When doing so, try to create your opinion on the music. Furthermore, think about the song’s melody and rhythm. Remember, the rhythm and music complete the song’s impression. After giving the piece a few listens, you may assess it critically to comprehend its message.

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It is crucial to consider the song’s music style and the caliber of the production. Remember, it is best to avoid comparing it to the musician’s previous work unless the current song will be notably better or worse than earlier works. Take note of the feelings the song brought up for you and what impressed and upbraided you the most.

Finally, pay attention to the song’s lyrics. Poems make up a significant portion of the music. Therefore, you should pay attention to their meaning and content. Draw attention to the lyric’s beauty, completeness, and value.

Conduct a Background Research

The research comes next after you’ve finished listening. To gather information about the music, you could also try to study articles and reviews written by the artist. You could also listen to and watch their interviews. In a background study, research the song’s history and composition. Don’t forget to establish the connection to current happenings in the globe or the songwriter’s life at the moment as well.

The information gathered will aid in a more thorough examination and understanding of the underlying message. Listeners frequently underestimate the brilliance of a musical piece. It is because they are unaware of the history of its production and the circumstances that led to its conception.

To examine the song lyrics in greater detail, print them out. Find literary devices in the lyrics and analyze how they influence the song’s message and atmosphere. For instance, take note of the symmetry and repetition of harmonious sounds. Following a stressed vowel might give the impression that a line of poetry is harsher to the ear.

Formulate an Outline

As mentioned earlier, a music review essay is similar to other forms of academic writing. Therefore, it follows a particular structure too. The standard essay format demands the paper have an introduction with a thesis statement, a body, and a conclusion. Your review may be three, five, or even more paragraphs depending on the required length.

Remember, creating an outline forms a map you can easily follow when writing the review to ensure you include all the details.

The introduction paragraph may include details about the music as well as numerous phrases about the musician. You can also give some background info, such as describing how the song was composed. Don’t forget to provide a brief thesis statement outlining the subject of your review essay.

Your paper’s main body is entirely devoted to analyzing what you have heard. Each paragraph should contain a central concept, and every sentence that follows should help reinforce it. Here, you can recognize the musical components, composing techniques, and style.

Finally, the conclusion should reaffirm your viewpoint from the thesis statement. You might also briefly discuss the emotions and sentiments that the song elicits and how they affected your assessment.

Write the Draft

When composing your draft, remember to follow the standard grammatical, punctuation, and spelling norms for essays. Furthermore, remember to consider any particular instructions from your instructor.

In the introduction, establish your thesis and quickly describe your critical points of contention. The essay’s body should be devoted to elaborating on its supporting arguments. In the conclusion of your paper, restate your thesis and list the topics you covered.

It is crucial that you evaluate the music as objectively as you can; the caliber of your evaluation should in no way be impacted by your feelings toward the composer or performance. It would be best if you created a review that is as sincere as possible with the audience and avoid focusing solely on positive or negative remarks.

Proofread the Draft and Modify it Where Possible

After writing the draft, it is vital to proofread it while identifying possible mistakes and missing information. Additionally, you can read it aloud or ask others to provide feedback. Most essay writers forget or ignore this part, even those writing music review essays. However, it is one of the most crucial steps.

Remember, proofreading enables you to identify and correct grammatical errors such as spelling and punctuation errors. Furthermore, through a review of your work, you can quickly identify where your assessment is not solid enough. Afterward, you can modify the parts where you feel the essay falls short of your expectations or doesn’t meet specific requirements.

After editing the essay, proofread again to ascertain everything checks out. You can then submit the paper for marking or publishing afterward.

Most music-oriented students and writers find it challenging to write music review essays. They find it hard to describe their emotions and experiences after listening to music. Therefore, learning how to write a music review essay is pretty crucial. However, reading this article helps you with such writing when you face similar difficulties.

Home / Essay Samples / Music / Music Genre / Song Analysis

Song Analysis Essay Examples

A song analysis essay examples is a form of literary analysis that delves into the meaning, symbolism, and artistic elements of a song’s lyrics and composition. The purpose of such an essay is to explore the deeper layers of a song’s message, uncover its thematic implications, and provide insights into the emotions and ideas it conveys. Through careful examination, song analysis essays provide readers with a richer appreciation for the artistry of music and its ability to evoke powerful emotions.

Exploration of Lyrics and Themes

One of the primary goals of a song analysis essay is to explore the lyrics and themes of the song in-depth. This involves dissecting the words, metaphors, and narrative elements used by the songwriter to convey a specific message or tell a story. Essays of this nature aim to uncover the underlying emotions and ideas behind the song’s words.

Song analysis essays also focus on the musical elements of the composition, including melody, rhythm, harmony, and instrumentation. These essays explore how these elements contribute to the mood and atmosphere of the song, enhancing the overall impact of the message being conveyed.

Many songs incorporate symbolism to convey deeper meanings. Song analysis essays aim to interpret and decode the symbolic language used by the songwriter. This can involve analyzing recurring motifs, imagery, and metaphors to understand their significance and how they contribute to the song’s overall meaning.

Tips for Writing a Song Analysis Essay

Choose a Song: Select a song that resonates with you and has layers of meaning to explore. Thesis Statement: Begin with a clear thesis that outlines the main themes and elements you will analyze. Lyric Analysis: Examine the lyrics closely, paying attention to word choices, figurative language, and narrative structure. Musical Analysis: Discuss the musical elements and how they contribute to the emotional impact of the song. Context: Consider the historical, cultural, and personal context that might influence the song’s meaning. Supporting Evidence: Use quotes from the song’s lyrics and reference musical elements as evidence for your analysis. Interpretation: Offer your own interpretation of the song’s meaning, supported by your analysis. Conclusion: Summarize your findings and discuss the broader implications of the song’s themes.

A song analysis essay serves as a way to appreciate the artistry and depth of songs beyond their surface level. By analyzing lyrics, themes, and musical elements, these essays provide insights into the emotions, ideas, and experiences that music can convey, making the listening experience more meaningful and thought-provoking.

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Song&Music Review Examples and Samples

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A Comprehensive Guide to Song and Music Reviews

In the world of music, song reviews play a significant role in shaping public opinion and promoting talent. These reviews provide musicians with constructive feedback and help listeners discover new artists and songs. Whether you’re a seasoned music critic, an aspiring reviewer on Slicethepie, or a music enthusiast looking to express your thoughts, writing paid reviews requires a keen ear, a deep understanding of musical elements, and the ability to articulate your impressions in a meaningful way. This comprehensive guide will provide you with everything you need to know about music reviews, from understanding the music review platform to assessing commercial potential and recognizing high-quality production.

Understanding Slicethepie: A Premier Music Review Platform

Slicethepie is a premier platform where scouts (also known as reviewers) can listen to unsigned artists and provide feedback in exchange for compensation. It’s an excellent opportunity for anyone with a passion for music and a knack for critique. As a scout on Slicethepie, you can explore various genres of music and influence the career of up-and-coming musicians. It also provides an avenue to earn from your passion, as you receive payment for reviews based on their quality and depth.

What Makes a Song Worth Listening To: The Essential Musical Elements

Reviewing music goes beyond personal preference. It involves examining key musical elements such as melodies, vocals, lyrics, and instrumental arrangements. A good song usually has a catchy melody that captures the listener’s attention. Vocals and lyrics contribute significantly to a song’s emotional impact, and a well-crafted instrumental arrangement enhances the overall performance quality. As a music reviewer, you need to listen closely to these components and understand how they interact to create a compelling musical piece.

• Melody: The sequence of notes that forms the tune. A catchy and memorable melody can quickly capture the listener’s attention and make the song more appealing.
• Vocals: The singer’s voice is a critical part of any song. The quality of the vocals, including the singer’s tone, pitch, expressiveness, and emotional connection to the song, can significantly impact the listener’s experience.
• Lyrics: Lyrics are the words of the song and often convey the song’s story or message. Well-written lyrics can evoke emotions, inspire thoughts, and contribute to the song’s overall emotional impact.
• Instrumental Arrangement: This includes the rhythm, harmonies, and the variety of instruments used in the song. A well-crafted instrumental arrangement complements the vocals and enhances the song’s mood, adding depth to the overall musical piece.

Understanding these elements and how they interact with each other is essential for writing a comprehensive music review. As a music reviewer, your role is to analyze these elements closely and evaluate how effectively they contribute to the overall quality and appeal of the song.

The Role and Responsibility of a Music Reviewer

The reviewer, whether a scout on Slicethepie, a music critic, or a casual listener sharing their opinions, holds a significant responsibility. A well-written review can shape the listener’s perception and potentially influence an artist’s career trajectory. This role involves objectively assessing a song or an album and articulating a detailed critique. While personal taste is inevitable, the best reviewers can separate personal preference from the assessment of a song’s structure, lyrics, performance, and overall impact. A music reviewer should be fair, balanced, and respectful, appreciating the effort and creativity that goes into every musical piece. Before submitting your review, consider using an AI writer check to ensure clarity and coherence.

Evaluating Commercial Potential in Music

One important aspect of reviewing music is understanding its commercial potential. Not all songs are created with the intention to become mainstream hits, but recognizing marketability in a piece of music can influence how it is promoted and who its target audience may be. This does not only pertain to catchy, pop culture tunes but also niche genres that may have a smaller, yet dedicated fan base. As a music reviewer, it’s your responsibility to evaluate the song’s potential for commercial success. Factors such as the relatability of the lyrics, the attractiveness of the melodies, the performance quality, and the overall production quality all contribute to a song’s commercial appeal.

How to Earn from Writing Song Reviews

For those passionate about music, earning from writing song reviews can be a rewarding experience. Platforms like Slicethepie provide a streamlined way for reviewers to get compensated for their insights. The earnings for each review vary based on its quality – detailed, thoughtful reviews with clear reasoning are more likely to earn higher compensation. However, it’s important to remember that ethical practices are crucial when writing paid reviews. Your feedback should be genuine, unbiased, and aimed at helping the artist improve and the audience make informed decisions.

Distinguishing Quality in Music: From Artists to Production

When reviewing music, it’s crucial to consider both the artist’s performance and the quality of the production. The performer’s vocal skills, expressiveness, and connection to the lyrics play a significant role in bringing a song to life. On the other hand, the production quality – including the mixing, mastering, and instrumental arrangement – contributes to the listener’s overall experience. High-quality production can significantly enhance a good song, while poor production may detract from an otherwise excellent piece. As a reviewer, your job is to appreciate and critique both these aspects, providing constructive feedback that can help the artist grow.

Choosing the Right Genre: The Impact of Music Styles

Understanding and appreciating different music genres is a vital skill for a music reviewer. Each genre has its unique characteristics, norms, and audience expectations. Whether you’re reviewing a country ballad, a rap anthem, or an EDM track, it’s crucial to understand the conventions of the genre and how effectively the song adheres to or deviates from these norms. While it’s perfectly okay to have genre preferences, a good music reviewer should be open-minded and able to appreciate and critique a wide range of music styles.

The Magic of Vocal Melodies in Song Reviews

Vocal melody is a vital aspect of any song and thus plays a significant role in song reviews. It’s the melody carried by the singer’s voice and often the part of the song that listeners remember and sing along to. An effective vocal melody can evoke emotions, generate a sense of familiarity, and create an impact on the listener. As a reviewer, it’s crucial to pay attention to the vocal melody, considering how it interacts with the lyrics and the rest of the instrumental arrangement. The singer’s vocal tone and expressiveness can also significantly enhance the melody, creating a more immersive and emotive listening experience.

Significance of Instrumental Arrangements in Music Reviews

Instrumental arrangement refers to how the instruments in a song are utilized and orchestrated. It includes everything from the rhythm and tempo to the variety of instruments used. A well-crafted instrumental arrangement can enhance a song’s mood, complement the vocals, and add depth to the overall composition. As a reviewer, it’s important to acknowledge the instrumental arrangement’s role in a song. Does it support the vocal melody and the song’s emotional tone? Does it add interest and variety without overpowering the vocals? These are crucial questions to consider when reviewing a song’s instrumental arrangement.

The Art and Impact of Songwriters in Music Reviews

Behind every great song, there are often one or more talented songwriters. These lyricists, composers, and music creators are responsible for crafting the melodies, harmonies, and lyrics that make up a song. In your reviews, it’s valuable to consider the songwriter’s contribution. Analyze the lyrics for their depth, cleverness, and emotional resonance. Assess how the composition contributes to the song’s overall mood and message. By acknowledging the songwriters in your reviews, you not only give credit where it’s due but also provide a more comprehensive critique of the song.

In conclusion, song and music reviews are an art form in themselves, requiring a keen ear, an understanding of musical elements, and the ability to articulate opinions clearly and respectfully. With these insights, you’re now equipped to dive into the world of music reviews and make meaningful contributions to the music community. Whether you’re seeking to earn through platforms like Slicethepie or simply wish to express your love for music, remember that your reviews can have a significant impact. So, listen carefully, write thoughtfully, and enjoy the journey of exploring music one review at a time.

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5 Tips on How to Write a Good Music Review

A music review contains the opinion or response of the author to the piece of music.

As a rule, a review is written to leave an impression. Reading the review forms a certain attitude towards the song or album for the reader. It is necessary that the review be as objective as possible and carry the maximum of reliable information.

Before you start to write your paper, we advise you to order a review sample on essayshark.com . An example like this will help you understand how to write your review correctly. You will also see how to structure the review and use the resources correctly.

And now, let’s proceed to the tips, which will help you to write a great music review.

1. Analyze the music and melody

Consider the melody and music of the song. First, the music and melody create the impression of the song. You can make an educated opinion about the song and understand its meaning after listening several times in a row.

2. Analyze the key of the song

Describe the key of the song , the quality of the arrangement, and the sound of some musical instruments. For example, listen to the root note of the bass, and think about what it would be like without drums. When writing a review for a specialized publication, you need to describe everything in professional terms, trace the composition of the song, and analyze all its parts.

3. Mention the musical style

It is necessary to note the musical style in which the song is written and the quality of the recording. It is better not to compare it with the previous repertoire of the performer, unless, of course, this song is radically better or worse than the previous ones. Note what emotions the song evoked in you, what impressed you the most, and what upset you.

4. Analyze lyricism

One of the main parts of the song is poetry – that’s why you should briefly describe its content and meaning. Emphasize the lyric beauty, its fullness, and the content.

5. Include details

Tell more details about the song, the history of its creation, how the writing was prompted by some events in the author’s life – all the facts about this will be very interesting to the reader. Just do not go into the very smallest details because it will not add meaning, and the impression can be ruined.

It is necessary to analyze the work as objectively as possible; your attitude towards the author or performer should not in any way affect the quality of the review. You should be as honest as possible with the reader and write a review that should not include either continuous praise or negative comments alone.

You must describe the strengths and weaknesses of the song, its beautiful moments, what you didn’t like, evaluating the talent of the musicians and the performer, and in general, all the positive and negative impressions. The main thing is that you must remember that you are analyzing the song and writing a review of it.

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wow, I have learnt a lot from this blog, I have a website where artists can upload their songs and even sell them, I will use the skills learnt here to do musical reviews for some of the songs. thank you

I think your post is so great because of your content! Keep it up thnaks a lot

As I indicated at the beginning of this post, there is no “correct” method to create a song. I’d strongly advise you to attempt every potential songwriting method. As songwriters, we frequently become stuck in a rut, returning to the same technique again and over.

A music review expresses the author’s viewpoint or reaction to the musical work.

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[SOLVED!] How to Write a Music Review Essay

Since listening to music is easier than writing music reviews, how to write a music review essay is a question that troubles a lot of music-oriented students. You have a hard time putting what you feel while listening to music into words?  In that case, you should find this article useful.

Music Review Essay

The review of the song about the musical configuration is our judgement or comment. Therefore, you need to make this essay less personal and include all authentic information. Like all other academic writing pieces, an essay includes:

• An introduction.
• A central body dealing with different aspects of music reviews.
• A final thought or conclusion.

7 Tips To Write A Music Review Essay

Keep in mind that when you are going to write a song review, you will convey your thinking about that song to the readers. So, when you are analyzing this music genre, these tips will play a vital role to write an engaging and readable piece.

First of all, you should listen to the song 2-3 times from start to end. As your listening process is going, you should also note down the primary feelings and think about them. After it, think about the introductory and summing parts of the song. On the other hand, you should also try to listen to the music from a critical perspective. The listening source may vary according to your choice.

2- Research Is Important

After completing your listening, the next step is research. You should try to read articles and reviews with the artist to collect evidence about the song as well. In this way, you will know other people’s reviews about it. Moreover, you will also come to learn the precise language to use in music essay writing.

3- Think About Context

In the 3rd step, you should wisely think about the song from the background perspective of its genre. You should also take a look at the background of the artist. The context outlook may be compared with its category, its stick of gum pop like classical type, etc. Either is blurring the line between heavy metal and committed punk.

4- Consider Album Aspects

While writing a musical review essay, you should look at all parts of the album, like how it performs as a whole, as a separate song, its lines, reproduction, tools and preparation. Now develop an entire fancy and describe it in detail, including all exciting things.

5- Impartiality

You should not copy others’ writing while writing your review. Your analysis should be impartial and unique, as it is your own, not others’ thinking. If you find it interesting and like it, you should let other people know about it. However, if you are critical about it, write your thoughts.

You can recognize other people’s feelings and think about the song, but this is your analysis. That is why your thinking and analysis is most important.

6- Write Evidently

Now you are close to closing your review essay. It must be clear and easy to understand. You should use headings and subtitles and highlight different song characteristics in distinct pieces to make it easier to follow. To make it more appealing and attractive, you can use images of the artist or the album creation to divide the text and explain your essay.

7- Modify Your Analysis/Review

After writing the rough draft of your essay:

• Look at how to modify it.
• Find ways to make it solid and notable. You can also read it loudly or request others to review and give their feedback.
• Proofread it, check the grammar mistakes and make suitable changes.

Encourage and Discourage

• You should have to write your review essay outstandingly. Note that review writing is a type where you must express your opinions and impressions. If not, it will be boring.
• Try to write in a clear and convincing style. If you like it, support your argument. If you dislike it, let the people know its weak point.
• Make a comparison of your review category to other reviews of the same genres.
• Before starting your essay, read other people’s reviews about this piece.

Discourage  

• You should not show biased behaviour about your analysis of the music.
• Your conclusion should not be illogical. If you are encouraging the audience to buy this album, you should support it logically.
• Don’t write too much length content. Try to write short but precise and concise sentences.

Music is an important part of our life. It soothes our moods and spreads happiness. But as much as it is interesting, it would be challenging for us to write a music review essay. While focusing on the above tips will help you to guide about it.

Hi music fan! I am Jeff. Hope that you enjoy some stuff I shared here in my personal blog.

About myself, Currently I am  in charging as Artist Manager/Music Supervisor at 72 Music Management. I did managed album to Grammy Award in 2017 with 7 Nominations from 2014-2020 and had the opportunities to work with : A.J. Croce, Blind Boys of Alabama, Bobby Rush, Dom Flemons, Dustbowl Revival, Sarah Grace

Governor of the Memphis Chapter of The Recording Academy is one of a award that I am lucky to achieved.

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Essay Samples on Song Analysis

Analysis of the song 'strange fruit' by billie holiday.

Introduction The haunting melody and poignant lyrics of "Strange Fruit" make it one of Billie Holiday’s most memorable and impactful songs. Originally a poem written by Abel Meeropol, a white Jewish teacher from New York, this song became an anthem against racism and the lynching...

• Song Analysis

Rhetorical Analysis of a Song: Unveiling the Power of Musical Artistry

Introduction In every song, behind the melody and rhythm, lies a powerful narrative. Songs are crafted not only with musical notes but also with words that convey emotions, tell stories, and make arguments. This rhetorical analysis of a song will delve into the layers of...

Song Comparison: A Tale of Two Ballad

Introduction The art of songwriting is a deeply personal, yet universally relatable form of expression. Songs can evoke emotions, tell stories, and connect listeners through shared experiences. This essay aims to undertake a song comparison of two iconic ballads: "Bridge Over Troubled Water" by Simon...

Our Lives, Our Theme Song: The Power of Personal Anthems

Introduction Music plays a significant role in many people's lives, often in the form of a "theme song." A theme song can be any piece of music that an individual feels represents their life, character, or the current chapter of their life story. Just like...

Songs That Describe Your Life: A Personal Soundtrack

Introduction We all have songs that resonate with our lives, capturing our emotions and experiences like a lyrical mirror. The beauty of music lies in its ability to evoke feelings and memories that transport us back to specific moments in our life journey. This essay...

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Pretty Hurts: Analysis Of Beyonce's Iconic Song

Are you happy with yourself? For many people the answer is no. as well, we also tend to equate happiness with beauty. Society pressures us into achieving an unrealistic physical appearance. Indeed, far too many people are never fully satisfied with how they look. More...

• Plastic Surgery
• Self Assessment

Man in the Mirror: Analysis of the Social Issues Brought Up in Michael Jackson's Song

“Man in the Mirror” was a song by Michael Jackson and was released in 1988. The song talks about making a positive impact and personal redemption to the world. Michael Jackson explains that changing the world is possible, and it can start from a single...

• Michael Jackson

“Me And My Monkey”: Analysis of Robbie Williams's Song

“Me and my monkey” is a song by Robbie Williams released in 2003 and is part of the album Escapology. The title of the song called “Me and my monkey” and there is only one way to interpret this song. Moreover, only one way it...

• Music Industry

Analysis Of The Chapell's Newest Album ‘Soul Man’

Chapell is rightfully an indie rock band on the rise. The band exhibits extraordinary musical talent that truly distinguishes them from the masses of junior musicians trying to make it big. The bands newest album ‘Soul Man’ is a work of art. Each song from...

Analysis Of The Song "The Farmer Is The Man" By Pete Seeger

The song “The Farmer is the Man” criticizes the economic system of merchants and bankers. These high-end people are driving farmers into endless debt. However, at the same time the song is an anthem for farmers. It is repeatedly stating how the farmer is the...

Best topics on Song Analysis

1. Analysis of the Song ‘Strange Fruit’ by Billie Holiday

2. Rhetorical Analysis of a Song: Unveiling the Power of Musical Artistry

3. Song Comparison: A Tale of Two Ballad

4. Our Lives, Our Theme Song: The Power of Personal Anthems

5. Songs That Describe Your Life: A Personal Soundtrack

6. Pretty Hurts: Analysis Of Beyonce’s Iconic Song

7. Man in the Mirror: Analysis of the Social Issues Brought Up in Michael Jackson’s Song

8. “Me And My Monkey”: Analysis of Robbie Williams’s Song

9. Analysis Of The Chapell’s Newest Album ‘Soul Man’

10. Analysis Of The Song “The Farmer Is The Man” By Pete Seeger

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Songs Analysis: Themes and Motifs Essay (Critical Writing)

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The Sugarhill Gang – Rappers Delight

The song Rappers Delight is clearly representative of what used to be the discursive essence of themes and motifs, explored by the early affiliates of the Hip-Hop musical genre. In it, the band members expound on the pleasures of enjoying life to its fullest, while implying that it is specifically one’s possession of a plenty of money, which allows the concerned individual to lead an independent and thoroughly delightful lifestyle: “I got bodyguards, I got two big cars… I got a Lincoln continental and a sunroof Cadillac”.

The song’s lyrics also explore the motif of sexuality – rappers make continual references to the fact that it is specifically their social status-related ‘coolness’, which allow them to have sex with as many women, as they can handle.

Even though that the earlier mentioned themes and motifs are clearly present in the modern rap-lyrics, the manner in which The Sugarhill Gang reflects upon them leaves only a few doubts, as to the fact that the song in question was composed in the late seventies. This is because; as opposed to what it is being the case with today’s rappers, the band members refrain from accentuating the aspects of their racial affiliation, as such naturally oppose them against the society.

In my opinion, this deprives the lyrics of Rappers Delight of a certain discursive depth and contributes to the fact that the discussed song can be well referred to, as such that promotes a highly stereotypical image of African-Americans, as people utterly alienated from the issues of a socio-political importance.

Africa Bambataa – Planet Rock

One’s exposure to the lyrics of Planet Rock , suggest that this song is being the least concerned with tackling any semantically identifiable issues. In essence, the song’s actual text consists of the lead-singer’s pleas for listeners to adopt a partying mood: “Party people, party people. Can y’all get funky?”. The most memorable aspect of how he does it is that there is an undeniable hype to these pleas, which in turn implies that the listeners’ likelihood to ‘get funky’ positively relates to their willingness to get high on alcohol or drugs.

Nevertheless, the song in question is not altogether deprived of a certain political sounding, because it subtly refers to the promoted activity, as being associated with the lifestyle of the self-proclaimed ‘Zulu Nation’ members.

In addition, the drumbeat, featured in the song’s melody, is clearly reminiscent of the drumbeat in African folk tunes. This subtly implies that the song’s semantic content (even though there is very little of it in the song) cannot be discussed outside of the band members’ clearly defined commitment to celebrate their ethno-cultural uniqueness.

Even though, as it was mentioned earlier, Planet Rock may not be praised on the account of its thematic richness; there is nevertheless a certain rationale in referring to it as being rather powerful, in the discursive sense of this word. This is because, it does prompt listeners to explore what happened to be their socially suppressed anxieties/desires – hence, empowering them to an extent, as individuals unaffected by the conventions of a perceptual euro-centricity.

Newcleus – Jam On It

This song is another good example of what hip-hop rapping used to be all about, during the course of the eighties. After all, the song’s most easily identifiable trademarks are: the ideological neutrality of its lyrics and the inclusion of electronic music, as the tool of emphasizing the melody’s rhythm. Briefly, the song’s lyrics glorify the lifestyle of intellectually liberated individuals, who strive to have fun, as the main purpose of their existence: “You gotta funk it up until it knocks you down”.

At the same time, however, some of the song’s lines do seem to sound rather politically charged, like the following: “Jammin… It’s what separates us from the rest”, “I’m down by law when it comes to rockin’ viciously, you see”. As these lines imply, there is indeed a qualitative difference between African-Americans (us) and the rest of Americans (them).

Moreover, the latter line subtly suggests that African-Americans are in no position to explore their music-related aesthetic tastes to the fullest, as it can be well deemed an ‘illegal’ activity.

Thus, Jam On It can well be referred to as a ‘transitional’ rap-song, which marked the process of Black rappers beginning to explore the issue of the Black people’s ‘otherness’, as such that defines their existential mode more than anything does, from the mid-eighties on. Therefore, this particular song can be recommended for listening by people who are interested in learning about the history of American hip-hop.

Kurtis Blow – The Breaks

In his song, Kurtis Blow enlightens listeners on the fact that one can never be in a full control of its life, as the life’s dynamics never cease being affected by a number of unforeseen developments – ‘breaks’: “Breaks to win and breaks to lose

But these here breaks will rock your shoes”. Nevertheless, even though Blow refers to these ‘breaks’, as being necessarily counter-beneficiary, there is an undeniable aura of optimism to the song.

Partially, this can be explained by the fact that, despite the song’s formal affiliation with the genre of hip-hop, it is heavily affected by the musical conventions of disco. This is also the reason why The Breaks can be well used, as the musical accompaniment to dancing. Because of that, there can be only a few doubts, as to the fact that the song in question was written in a time when the genre of hip-hop was through the early phase of its development.

Although The Breaks is a rather optimistic/’light’ song, there is a clearly defined philosophical sounding to it. This is because it does encourage listeners to contemplate on the sporadic nature of life-challenges. What it means is that, after having been exposed to this particular song, people would be much more like to adopt a proper stance, when it comes to anticipating and addressing these challenges.

Grandmaster Flash and The Furious Five – The Message

In this song, Melle Mel and Duke Bootee reflect upon the actual realities of an urban living in America. According to them, while dealing with life-challenges, many people end up being pushed to the limits of their endurance, because their experiences, in this respect, often cause them to realize that they are in fact living in an ‘urban jungle’: “It’s like a jungle sometimes, it makes me wonder.

How I keep from going under”. Hence, the song’s subtly conveyed message – it is specially the society, which should be blamed for the fact that many of its members fail at attaining a social prominence.

Unlike what it used to be the case with the semantic content of the hip-hop early compositions, the themes and motifs, featured in The Message , appear to be clearly socio-economic. After all, they emphasize the fact that is the very specifics of a post-industrial living in America, which cause many affected people to grow mentally unstable (Jenkins 9). This, of course, suggests that there are clearly political overtones to this song, as it tackles the issue of people’s exploitation in the intellectually honest manner.

Due to what has been pointed out earlier, I think that there is indeed a good rationale in referring to The Message , as a discursively powerful song. After all, this song can well be discussed, as such that indicts the country’s rich and powerful, on the account of the latter enjoying their lives, at the expense of denying the same opportunity to the society’s underprivileged members.

Run DMC – Sucker MCs

This particular song is concerned with the rapper (Jam Master Jay) expounding on the particulars of his lifestyle, as an individual who has what it takes to take a practical advantage of opportunities in life.

The song’s main theme is that it is specifically one’s financial well-being, which reflects the extent of the concerned individual’s happiness: “Champagne caviar, and bubble bath. But see ahh, ah that’s the life, ah that I lead”. The song also promotes the idea that the situation when many people fail, while striving to enrich themselves, is thoroughly natural, because it correlates with the objective laws of nature.

Even though that Sucker MCs can be best described as a rather apolitical song, it is nevertheless discursively progressive. This is because it encourages listeners to consciously realize something that the majority of people are being aware of on an unconscious level – the measure of just about any individual’s worth reflects the amount of money that he or she happened to have in the bank – pure and simple.

It is understood, of course, that many moralistically minded/religious people may disagree with the song’s foremost message. Yet, it does not make this message less valid. After all, the very notion of the ‘American Dream’ has traditionally been associated with the notion of a material prosperity. Therefore, it will not be much of an exaggeration to suggest that Sucker MCs is indeed an intellectually enlightening song.

UTFO – Roxanne Roxanne

Roxanne Roxanne is one of the most famous early hip-hop compositions. In it, the rappers (Shiller Shaun Fequiere and Jeffrey Campbell) tell the story of how they tried to win a favor with Roxane – a girl they met out on the street. As the song implies, it is specifically their ‘sophistication’, which each of the rappers believed was going to attract Roxanne: “She’ll (Roxanne) take to my rap, cause my rap’s the best. The educated rapper MD will never fess”. In the end, Roxanne agrees to go out on a date with one of the rappers.

Even though that Roxanne Roxanne if an ideologically neutral song, it nowadays would have been deemed politically incorrect. This is because, despite the fact that both rappers do express their admiration of Roxanne, they nevertheless appear fully aware that there is nothing truly special about her. In their eyes, she is nothing but one among the millions and millions of similarly minded ‘broads’ – pretty on the outside, but quite shallow on the inside: “I ain’t comitting suicide for no crab… calling her a crab is just a figure of speech”.

Thus, Roxanne Roxanne can be well referred to, as a song that accentuates the fact that men and women are different, in the psychological sense of this word. Yet, this is exactly what attracts them to each other – quite contrary to what the conventions of political correctness imply (Wouters 730).

Salt N Pepa – Tramp

In this song, the rap-singers (all female) go about warning women that they would be much better off exercising a caution in their relationships with men. This is because, according to these singers, men are obsessed with sex, which in turn causes them to treat women, as nothing short of prostitutes: “You know that kind (of men), excited all the time. With nothin’ but sex on the mind”. The song concludes with the band members suggesting that, due to their awareness of what accounts for men’s true agenda, they will not be easily victimized.

The earlier provided summary of this song leaves only a few doubts, as to the fact that feminists composed it. After all, the text implies that the singers’ foremost agenda in life was protecting their bodies from coming into a close contact with men – quite contrary to the fact that female bodies are being specifically ‘designed’ to be ‘penetrated’ by men for the purpose of ‘baby-making’.

Therefore, Tramp can be discussed, as such that reflects the singers might have been affected by the condition of a sexual frigidness, common among feministically minded women.

I personally do not think that there is much of a discursive value to the song Tramp . It is not only that it provides listeners with an utterly distorted view of male sexuality, but it also aims to stereotype all men, as sexual maniacs. Given the coarse sounding of the singers’ voices, we can speculate that the themes and motifs, contained in this song, are rather subliminal.

Sir Mix-a-Lot – Posse on Broadway

In this song, Anthony Ray raps about the road-trip that he and his friends undertook along the streets of Seattle: “In the Black Benz Limo, with the cellular phone. I’m callin’ up the posse, it’s time to get rippin’”. As they continue to drive around, the ‘posse’ is growing larger, while putting a strain of the car’s suspension. This, however, does not cause the rapper a great deal of worry. According to him, there can never be too high of a price for having fun.

What is especially noticeable about this particular song is that it emanates the strong spirit of solidarity – Ray and his friends appear to share the same existential values. In fact, this enables them to have fun, in the first place, as the sensation of unity, on their part, causes the crew members not only to feel quite safe, but also elevates them to a position of authority.

This is the reason why, while faced with the incident of some other man mistreating its girlfriend, one of Ray’s friends decides to give this person a lesson: “My homeboy P.L.B. co’ sprayed the boy with mace”.

Therefore, it will be appropriate to refer to Posse on Broadway , as such, that contains a clue, as to what accounts for the main difference between African-Americans, on the one hand, and Whites, on the other. This difference is concerned with the fact that, unlike what it is being usually the case with Whites, Black-Americans never hesitate to stick up for each other, when circumstances call for it.

LL Cool J – I Need Love

I Need Love is an essentially love-song, in which LL Cool J expounds on the fact that, having not had loved any woman for real, he could never make his life complete, and expresses his deep-seated desire to fall in love. The lines “I need love. I need love”, repeated over and over, throughout the song’s duration, emphasize the sheer genuineness of the rapper’s desire, in this respect.

One of the song’s most memorable aspects is the fact that it points out to love, as something can only be truly experienced within the context of men and women pursuing a heterosexual relationship with each other: “Warmth… is created by a girl and a boy; You’re as soft as a pillow and I’m as hard as steel”.

In its turn, this suggests that the author knew perfectly well that accounts for the actual mechanics of a loving relationship between the representatives of both sexes – namely the fact that, while on their own, men and women experience the sensation of a psychological incompleteness. This is why; it is in the nature of psychologically adequate men and women to long for each other.

This idea, clearly read between the song’s lines, cannot be deemed politically correct nowadays, when even the most grotesque sexual deviations are being discussed in terms of an ‘alternative sex-style’. Yet, this is exactly the reason why I Need Love should be recommended for listening.

MC Lyte – Paper Thin

Paper Thin is another song that belongs to the genre of the so-called ‘feminist hip-hop’. In it, MC Lyte positions herself as an emotionally (and probably sexually) frigid woman, incapable of entering into long-lasting relationships with men: “I’m not the kind of girl to try to play a man out.

I take the money and the gear and then break the hell out”. This, however, does not seem to worry the singer, whatsoever. Quite on the contrary – she takes pride in being deprived of any romantic illusions towards men, in general, and towards the person, she had just slept with, in particular.

Given the song’s actual content, mentioned earlier, it does not come as a particular surprise that it is being particularly popular with feminists. After all, its themes and motifs are indeed consistent with these women’s subliminal desire to grow out penises. This, however, is also the reason why Paper Thin may never appeal to the broader public – it is not only that it features a poorly rhymed text, but it also unappealing, in the aesthetic sense of this word.

As what has been said earlier implies, my personal reaction to this song is strongly negative. In all probability, while writing it, MC Lyte wanted to represent herself as a thoroughly progressive woman, aware of the world’s actual ways. Yet, she only succeeded in exposing the sheer extent of its own perceptual arrogance, as a cynically minded and simultaneously not very bright individual, who suffers from the deep-seated complex of being nothing less of a ‘man in a skirt’.

Ice-T – Squeeze the Trigger

Squeeze the Trigger is the good example of the so-called ‘gangsta rap’. In it, Ice-T raps about what he considers the actual truths of life – the fact that, despite the politically correct propaganda of ‘peace and tolerance’, the streets in American large cities are in fact war-zones, and the fact that hypocrisy is only the ‘talent’ that the American high-ranking politicians possess.

This is the reason why the people of color in the US have no option but to grow accustomed to violence – by doing it, they simply strive to increase the chances of their physical survival: “I rap about the life that the city streets gave me. Murder, intrigue, somebody must bleed”.

Even though that the song’s lyrics are indeed rather violent, Squeeze the Trigger is nevertheless a thoroughly progressive rap-composition. This is because it does not glorify violence, as a ‘thing in itself’, as much as it exposes the violence’s actual roots: “Homeless sleep on the city streets… While rich politicians soak their feet, in the pools at their ten million buck retreats”. This, of course, endows this particular song with a well-defined political sounding, which gives Ice-T an additional credit.

I think that Squeeze the Trigger does a good job, while encouraging listeners to face the reality, as it is – hence, making them more capable of adopting a proper stance, when it comes to addressing life-challenges.

Public Enemy – Rebel without a Pause

The lyrics of this particular songs are concerned with the singer’s understanding, as to what accounts for his existential self-identity, and with his willingness to celebrate it – even at the expense of being referred to as an ‘anti-social element’: “Hard – my calling card… Loud and proud kickin’ live next poet supreme”. This, of course, naturally causes the song in question to be perceived as utterly powerful, in the discursive sense of this word.

Just as it happened with the song, discussed earlier, Rebel without a Pause implies that those African-Americans that subscribe to the explored themes and motifs, no longer want to remain observant of the provisions of euro-centricity. The reason for this is simple – as opposed to what it happened to be the case with degenerate Whites, they have a plenty of vitality to them. In its turn, this naturally predisposes brothers to experience the sensation of being in control of the streets – in essence; this is what the discussed song is all about.

My opinion of this song is strongly favorable. Partially, this is because the song’s lyrics confirm the validity of my belief that there is no reason for one’s existential strength to seek any moral justification – being a strong individual is ‘good’ by definition, just as being weak is ‘evil’. Therefore, there can only be a few doubts, as to the song’s beneficiary effects upon those who listen to it.

Two Live Crew – Me So Horny

In this song, the band members rap about being horny to such an extent that they have no reservations, whatsoever, against discussing the subject matter in the extremely straightforward manner: “I’m like a dog in heat, a freak without warnin’. I have an appetite for sex, ’cause me so horny’”.

Even though that some people may find the song’s lyrics morally inappropriate, the rappers have to be given a credit on the account of their willingness to talk openly about what others only whisper.

This, of course, implies that Me So Horny can be referred to, as being an intellectually stimulating musical piece. After all, the song’s themes and motifs do imply that a sexual desire is one of the main driving forces in just about any person’s life (Treacy and Randle 20). In this respect, Me So Horny i s perfectly consistent with the provisions of psychoanalysis.

Moreover, this song is also intellectually liberating – while exposed to it, listeners grow to be increasingly aware of the fact that there is nothing ‘shameful’ about the physiological workings of their bodies.

Therefore, it will only be logical to think of Me So Horny , as being educational to an extent. After all, people’s willingness to expose the sheer fallaciousness of a number of moralistic dogmas, concerned with ‘tabooing’ the sense of sexuality, is nowadays being deemed socially beneficial.

Boogie Down Productions – My Philosophy

In this song, the rapper (RS-One) talks about what he considers the qualitative aspects of his life-philosophy. The foremost of them happened to be his awareness of the fact that, in order to be able to emanate power, one should refrain from acting in the stereotypical manner: “I don’t… reinforce stereotypes of today. Like all my brothers eat chicken and watermelon”. Apparently, while promoting the earlier mentioned idea, the rapper wanted to empower Africa-Americans even further.

This, of course, provides us with a rational to refer to My Philosophy , as another example of how rap-music can be used to serve essentially educational purposes. After all, the song’s main philosophical premise is concerned with the realization of the fact that, in order to for people’s authority-claims to be legitimate, those who come with them must be thoroughly versatile individuals, capable of subjectualizing themselves within the surrounding reality: “It (life) is not about a salary it’s all about reality”.

The progressive sounding of this idea is quite clear, as it does prompt listeners to remain analytical, while trying to take a practical advantage of the opportunities that life periodically offers.

Therefore, I believe that My Philosophy does deserve to be recommended for listening, as a musical piece that is potentially capable of enlightening people on the true significance of a number of discursive issues.

NWA – Fuck the Police

In this song, the rappers talk about the fact that in today’s America, colored people continue to suffer from being exposed to the different forms of a racial discrimination. This is especially being the case when they deal with police: “(Police) searchin my car, lookin for the product.

Thinkin every nigga is sellin narcotics”. However, the rappers also express their belief that this situation will not last for much longer, due to the essence of the demographic dynamics in the U.S.: “Fuck the police and Ren said it with authority, because the niggaz on the street is a majority”. This statement, of course, can hardly be disagreed with (Jones and Jackson 77).

Therefore, I have no option but to refer to Fuck the Police , as another rap-song, the listening to which is capable to empower African-Americans rather substantially, in the psychological sense of this word. This is because it encourages them to believe that it is specifically brothers, and not the police, who represent the de facto authority out on the streets.

As such, Fuck the Police represents an undeniable discursive value, as a song that enlightens African-Americans on the sheer extent of their yet not fully realized existential potency.

Works Cited

Jenkins, Alan. “Inequality, Race, and Remedy.” American Prospect 18.5 (2007): 8-11. Print.

Jones, Nicholas and James Jackson. “The Demographic Profile of African Americans, 1970-2000.” Black Collegian 31.3 (2001): 72-79. Print.

Treacy, Vicky and Jacqueline Randle. “Breaking Sexuality Taboos.” Pediatric Nursing 16. 2 (2004): 19-22. Print.

Wouters, Cas. “Sexualization: Have Sexualization Processes Changed Direction?” Sexualities 13.6 (2010): 723-741. Print.

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IvyPanda. (2019, January 17). Songs Analysis: Themes and Motifs. https://ivypanda.com/essays/review-of-songs/

"Songs Analysis: Themes and Motifs." IvyPanda , 17 Jan. 2019, ivypanda.com/essays/review-of-songs/.

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IvyPanda . 2019. "Songs Analysis: Themes and Motifs." January 17, 2019. https://ivypanda.com/essays/review-of-songs/.

1. IvyPanda . "Songs Analysis: Themes and Motifs." January 17, 2019. https://ivypanda.com/essays/review-of-songs/.

Bibliography

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How do I Write a Song Analysis Essay?

How to Analyze a Poem in Middle School

A good song is like poetry put to music, making it more difficult to analyze than some people might think. A song is full of literary devices and figurative language, and the music develops tone and mood. When writing an essay about a song, you can't pay attention to the lyrics alone. The way the melody accompanies the lyrics can intensify or even change their emotional meaning, because music is a language on its own.

Listen and Brainstorm

Listen to the song a few times. Without thinking too much about stylistic specifics yet, write down how the song affects you. Decide how it makes you feel, and try to discern a central theme or message.

Read Closely and Analyze

Get a printout of the song lyrics so you can scrutinize them more closely. Scour the words for literary devices and consider how their use affects the meaning and feel of the song. For example, consonance, the repetition of consonant sounds, especially after a stressed vowel, can make a line of poetry sound harsher to the ear. A songwriter might use it in a song lyric to communicate frustration over a recent breakup or to create emphasis by making the sounds stand out more.

Consider the Music

Listen to the song again with your notes in front of you. Consider how the music aligns with the words. Cock your ears for crescendos, pauses, instruments fading in or out of the arrangement and tempo changes. Ask yourself how these details enrich the meaning of the lyrics and contribute to the effects of poetic devices. Music with a fast tempo might make listeners more aware of sound devices like consonance, whereas music with a slow tempo can give listeners more time to think about imagery and symbolism in the lyrics. Record your ideas.

Research the Historical Context

Research the historical, social and political context of the song. Music is often reflective of life experience, so knowledge of world events and prevailing attitudes might affect your interpretation. For example, some people think that Don McLean's "American Pie" is a commentary on changes to American culture at the time, and Joni Mitchell's "Big Yellow Taxi" touches on environmental concerns at the beginning of the modern American environmental movement.

Examine the Album

Study the song within the context of the entire album. Ask yourself whether the album has a theme and how the song you've chosen to analyze contributes to its overall feel. Look at the order of the tunes, and decide if the artist chose a deliberate progression of songs to convey a message. Incorporate your ideas into your analysis, using specific evidence to support your assertions.

Organize Your Notes

Examine the observations you've gathered, and look for a common thread that ties them together. Link your detailed observations to your general impression of the song. Your conclusion about the song will be the thesis for your essay. Choose which specific examples you'll use to support your argument. Be mindful of how long your analysis is expected to be, and choose the number of specific examples you can thoroughly discuss within those parameters.

Write Your First Draft

Draft your paper, and don't forget to use regular conventions of essay writing such as punctuation, spelling and grammar. Also remember to consider any special instructions from your teacher. State your thesis and briefly outline your main arguments in the introduction. Devote the body of your essay to expanding your supporting points. Restate your argument and summarize what your paper discussed in the conclusion. Edit your paper for spelling, grammar and clarity. Have someone else read your essay and provide constructive criticism before writing a final draft.

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A professional writer since 2006, Colleen Reinhart has held positions in technical writing and marketing. She also writes lifestyle, health and business articles. She holds a Bachelor of Arts and Business degree from the University of Waterloo, and a Master's degree in speech-language pathology from the University of Toronto.

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How to Write a Song Analysis for English Class

Listening to your favorite music might be an enjoyable pastime, but analyzing a song lets you apply what you're learning in English class to a favorite composition. Figurative language, tone and theme are just a few literary devices you can practice identifying as you write about music. By analyzing these elements, you can gain an greater appreciation for the practical application of the tools of English to songwriting.

Select an original, meaningful song for your paper topic. Consider the emotional depth of the lyrics, the themes and issues it introduces and its creative use of language as you choose a song to write about. For example, "Imagine" by John Lennon, which speculates about what a world full of peace would look like, presents a strong message about countering the effects of violence and spiritual conflict in the world.

Listen to the song with the lyrics in front of you. As you play the song, underline or highlight important lines and phrases that contribute to its meaning, as well as any personal thoughts or responses that come to mind. These reactions can help you shape the analysis of your song when you begin to write.

Introduce your song in the essay by giving some historical background about it, including the songwriter, year and any events that that shaped its creation. For example, "The Rising" by Bruce Springsteen showcases the resiliency of Americans after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. Describing this context would be a good way to introduce readers to the song and its theme of survival.

Analyze the lyrics by examining figurative language, phrases that describe something by comparing it to something else. In "The Sound of Silence," for example, Simon and Garfunkel use personification, which gives emotional characteristics to an object, animal or idea. By addressing the song to the "darkness" of nighttime, they emphasize the song's themes of loneliness and isolation. You can also write about the use of rhyme, repetition and other sound devices. In "Bleeding Me" by Metallica, the speaker uses repeated lines such as "I'm digging my way" and "This thorn in my side" to show his struggle in breaking away from addiction.

Analyze the song's use of musical arrangements. Think about how the song's choice of a major or minor key, dominant instruments and texture relate to the lyrics and theme and create a specific mood. For example, the minor piano chords and driving drumbeats of Adele's "Set Fire to the Rain" illustrate the speaker's desolation after the end of a bitter relationship.

Write a conclusion that emphasizes the main theme of the song. If you're writing about Christina Aguilera's "Beautiful," for example, you might say that the song encourages people who have been bullied to recognize and celebrate their uniqueness rather than let people's words hurt them. Draw your paper together in a way that shows how the song's lyrical and musical elements illustrate this message.

Things You'll Need

• Milton District High School: Lyric/Song Writing and Analysis

Kori Morgan holds a Bachelor of Arts in professional writing and a Master of Fine Arts in creative writing and has been crafting online and print educational materials since 2006. She taught creative writing and composition at West Virginia University and the University of Akron and her fiction, poetry and essays have appeared in numerous literary journals.

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Analyzing a Song – So Simple Every Student Can Do It

December 13, 2022 //  by  Lindsay Ann //   2 Comments

Sharing is caring!

English teachers, teaching your students how to analyze song lyrics needs to be a “go-to” strategy, a step toward deeper analysis of more complex texts .

Whether you’re teaching poetry, persuasive essays, or some other writing unit, analyzing song lyrics will give your students an opportunity to look at the different ways that language can be used to capture emotions and tell stories .

This close reading process will also help improve their vocabulary and grammar skills while they are having fun!

Here are some tips on how to teach students to analyze song lyrics so that they can gain valuable writing knowledge through a familiar medium they love!

Analysis of Song Lyrics

Taylor Swift makes analyzing song lyrics in the classroom easy peasy. Like her or not, you can count on her to write songs that tell a story, are layered in deep meaning, and littered with Easter eggs that are fun to try and collect (even for the non-Swifties). 

Taylor Swift’s “ Anti Hero” is a fun student-friendly song to bring into the classroom to practice analysis skills.

With callbacks to songs on other albums in lines like “I have this thing where I get older but just never wiser,” you can challenge students to analyze the development of a theme across multiple texts (helloooo higher level DOK and those really tricky to meet standards!).

Lyrics like “I’m the problem; it’s me” coupled with the title setup an opportunity to teach the concept of anti-hero (I especially like the idea of teaching about anti-heroes after teaching about the hero’s journey) and challenging students to analyze how Swift herself could be seen as this archetype by analyzing other songs and conducting online research.

“Anti Hero” also has what appear to be two references to pop culture ( 30 Rock and Knives Out ) that had even the swiftest of Swifties stumped online. These references are an accessible way to introduce the idea of allegory. 

Taylor has really teed up the song analysis practice in English classrooms to be endless with so many rabbit holes to go down at every turn! 

Song Meaning “Hallelujah”

Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah” has a deep meaning making it a popular choice for teaching song analysis.  The meaning of Hallelujah is about someone who was deeply in love and is mourning the guilt of the loss of that love .

The song can teach students how to analyze lyrics by pointing out that even though it doesn’t say so explicitly, this is a song about a break-up .

They can also learn other aspects of reading literature, like examining tone and form. Analyzing song lyrics enables students to apply what they’ve learned as they read other texts or songs.

After reading a poem or listening to a song’s lyrics, students should be able to answer questions like: 

• Who is speaking? 
• How do you know? 
• What do you think the speaker’s feelings are?
•  What does this tell you about their personality? 
• Do these feelings make sense for the situation?

Good Songs to Analyze

When choosing good songs to analyze remember these three things:

• Choose a song that tells a story
• A song with a deep meaning or theme that challenges students’ inferential thinking skills works best
• Pick songs that students will know and be excited to listen to (that means that while “We Didn’t Start the Fire” is technically a great song for analysis, it might not be the most engaging for your students)

Here are some songs for teaching song analysis that will not only help you teach important analysis skills but also engage and delight your students:

• “ Pray for Me ” by the Weeknd ft. Kendrick Lamar
• “ Thunder ” by Imagine Dragons 
• “ Bohemian Rhapsody ” by Queen (this one is suitable for older students)
• “ Born This Way ” by Lady Gaga
• “ Getting Older ” by Billie Eilish 
• “ Drivers License ” by Olivia Rodrigo 
• “ This is America ” by Childish Gambino/Donald Glover
• “ Matilda ” by Harry Styles
• “ Victoria’s Secret ” by Jax (does have some profanity – I’ve linked the “clean” version)
• “ Vacation ” by The Dirty Heads (does say “shit”)

How to Analyze a Song

Teaching students how to analyze a song is similar to teaching poetry or literary analysis, but using songs disguises the learning as a fun activity making it really engaging and accessible for all learners.

Start by having students listen to their song twice .

• Instruct them to listen through for the first time just for enjoyment and to follow along with the printed lyrics (or digital if you have a way for students to access the lyrics online).
• Then have them listen a second time but this time have them highlight and circle words and phrases that they think are important and interesting. 

Challenge students to consider the following questions during their second time listening and to annotate the lyrics as they go:

• Who’s telling the story? What’s their perspective? How do they feel? What’s making them feel that way?
• What’s the mood of the song? Do the lyrics or the music contribute more to the mood?
• What figurative language do you notice in the lyrics? Why might the songwriter have chosen to include that figurative language?
• What could the songwriter be saying about human nature or society through their lyrics? How could you write a theme statement about these lyrics?

Once you’ve gotten your students started with the analysis process, make sure to involve your students. Ask them what they notice and use their insights to build discussion. Have them write a summary of the song or write a detailed analysis or work on a more creative, visual response.

Song & Poem Analysis Paired Text Lesson Plans

Make close reading, textual analysis and literary analysis of songs (and poems)  less intimidating  with these detailed, CCSS-aligned  close reading song analysis lesson plans for paired texts . Integrated close reading, text-based writing, speaking, listening, and inquiry skills, make these lessons both  engaging and worthwhile.

To help you save prep time, I’ve put together some awesome lessons for you HERE , including:

• Carrie Underwood’s song “Cry Pretty” & Macklemore & Ryan Lewis’ song “Growing Up”
• William Ernest Henley’s poem “Invictus” & Imagine Dragons’ song “Whatever it Takes”
• Maya Angelou’s poem “Still I Rise” and Tupac’s song “Still I Rise”
• Stephen Dobyns’ poem “Loud Music” and Incubus’ song “Dig”
• “Anti-Hero” by Taylor Swift
• “Boulevard of Broken Dreams” by Green Day and “Brick by Boring Brick” by Paramore
• “Hotel California” by the Eagles and “Stairway to Heaven” by Led Zeppelin
• Protest Songs
• “Mad World” by Tears for Fears and “A Million Dreams” sung by Pink / The Greatest Showman

Wrapping Up

When students analyze songs, they think about its overall impact.

What makes this song great, and why do you like it? What is it about this song that makes it stand out?

Thinking through these ideas with easily-accessible texts makes transferring their skills and knowledge to literature (ya know, the kind with the capital L ) easier.

They’ll have practice analyzing craft moves like figurative language and allegory, but they’ll also have practice with those more complex reading strategies like making inferences and connections .

Have a song you think would be perfect to analyze in the classroom? I’d love to hear about it! Drop me a comment below to share! 

About Lindsay Ann

Lindsay has been teaching high school English in the burbs of Chicago for 19 years. She is passionate about helping English teachers find balance in their lives and teaching practice through practical feedback strategies and student-led learning strategies. She also geeks out about literary analysis, inquiry-based learning, and classroom technology integration. When Lindsay is not teaching, she enjoys playing with her two kids, running, and getting lost in a good book.

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Home — Essay Samples — Entertainment — Song — Song Review: “I Lived” by Onerepublic

Song Review: "I Lived" by Onerepublic

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Published: Sep 19, 2019

Words: 1082 | Pages: 2 | 6 min read

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How To Write A Song Analysis Essay

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• Author Sandra W.

The Perfect Song Analysis Essay

Many people may not think so but a song may be difficult to analyze. The difficult comes in as many people may think a song is music but not, should be like poetry.  Music adds another layer of meaning to a song as it is full of literary devices and figurative language. Do not just pay attention to the lyrics alone when writing an essay about a song. Melody in a song just tries to modify the meaning played along with the words. A song should have good language since it can also deliver a message. here is  how to write a song analysis paper

Steps to guide you when writing a song analysis essay

• Take time and Listen to the song a few times. Do not think too much about stylistic specifics rather take few minute to listen to the song then write down how the song affects you. Discuss the feeling that you get from the song. Discuss the central theme or the message you get.
• For you to scrutinize the song lyrics more closely get a printout of your song. Consider how the words have been literally scoured, their use, and their effect to the meaning and feel of the song. A songwriter can communicate frustration using song lyric over being down played in a certain deal.  Listen to the song again with your list of lyric observations in front of you. Check how the music lines are relating with words. Analyze how the song details enrich the meaning of the lyrics and contribute to the effects of poetic devices as you take notes.
• Research the historical, social and political context of the song. Check if your music is displaying a life experience, world events and the knowledge within, and prevailing attitudes. This might affect your interpretation in quite a big way.

Within the context of the entire album, take the song and study it carefully. Analyze if the artist chose a deliberate progression of songs to convey a message as you closely look at the order of the tune and the words used.

• Using the regular conventions of essay writing and factor in any special instructions that you have been given, draft your paper. Briefly state your thesis and make an outline your main arguments in the introduction. In the body of your essay discuss your main points.  Finally proof read your work.

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Jimin’s ‘Muse’: Every Song Ranked

The BTS star's sophomore solo release explores romance in all its facets while pushing the singer's musical, creative and vocal limits.

By Jeff Benjamin

Jeff Benjamin

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After BTS committed to releasing solo projects in the group’s “Chapter Two,” Jimin set the bar for creative ingenuity and commercial success with his Face EP from last spring. The brilliantly unconventional dark-pop lead single “Like Crazy” marked the first time a K-pop soloist hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 , while the 164,000 equivalent album units Face sold in its first week, resulting in a No. 2 debut on the Billboard 200 , created another set of new records for Korean artists.

Despite serving his mandatory Korean military service obligations at the moment, Jimin is still showing his willingness to expand and push himself with what he prepared with the release of his second solo record. A sharp contrast to the dark themes of his solo debut, Muse explores Jimin’s journey to find true inspiration to deliver an exploration of love through seven tracks.

Incorporating everything from R&B grooves and light hip-hop to Latin and Afrobeat flair, Muse flexes Jimin’s versatility as a genre-less artist. Meanwhile, the songwriting within the record feels intimate and introspective. With Jimin co-writing on six of the EP’s seven tracks, the opening song, “Rebirth (Intro),” sets the multifaceted theme of romance in searching for a lover as part of one’s self-improvement while the focus track “Who” explores the longing and confusion in love via Jimin’s first solo English single.

With “Who” and “Smeraldo Garden Marching Band” being Muse’s singles, all of the EP’s full tracks could fulfill that duty for their ability to successfully represent new sides of Jimin. Here’s our ranking of the songs on the BTS vocalist’s latest solo album, Muse .

“Interlude : Showtime”

A very cool musical moment to introduce the listener to the “Smeraldo Marching Band” (which we’ll officially meet later in the album), the interlude gets the last rank because it’s just over a minute that deprives us of Jimin’s flawless vocals on his solo album. Still, it’s a compelling artistic choice and reminiscent of how Christina Aguilera introduced the second disc on her Back to Basics double album with “Enter the Circus,” a similarly carnival-inspired, spoken-word interlude.

“Smeraldo Garden Marching Band” feat. Loco

Longtime ARMY fans know the mysterious Smeraldo flowers came into the BTS universe in 2017 around the band’s breakthrough Love Yourself: Her era. Jimin introduced his Muse era with the pre-release buzz track “Smeraldo Garden Marching Band” as a simple, feel-good ode to love to set the tone for his forthcoming solo record. The playful rhythmical production with pitched-up vocal samples is a sharp contrast to “Set Me Free Pt. 2,” an ominous opus that introduced Jimin’s first solo record, Face, last year to establish the brighter place the star finds himself today.

With the track’s bright and bouncy nature, Jimin sounds positively excitable, delivering lyrics like, “ Mmm I love you, babe…/ I want you, babe/ I wanna hold your hands” — the last line marking just one example of the track taking inspiration from The Beatles and their 1967 album Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band . Korean rapper Loco seamlessly slides into the second verse to bring a global update to an iconic album and musical era.

“Rebirth (Intro)”

Jimin opens Muse with an intimate gospel-inspired ambiance to signify his “Rebirth” on this new record. The intro track’s introspective dialogue (“If I’m trying to be special/ Can I get closer to you?”) ignites the romantic tone that underscores the album’s focus on love and personal growth. Jimin’s yearning for connection, and using it as a means for self-improvement through love, shines to make the introductory track a heartfelt prelude to the album’s deeper themes. The song closes with him singing, “I will be special all for you/ Special just for you…I wanna be with you” over the hums of a choir.

“Closer Than This”

After Jimin released one of 2023’s best and biggest-selling K-pop albums with Face , the superstar closed his remarkable year with this sweet, fan-dedicated song telling listeners: “Anytime you want me, I’ll be/ Right here where you call me, I’ll be/ I can never let you go” just after he enlisted for his mandatory military duties as a heartfelt gift during the time away.

A soothing blend of what sounds like acoustic guitar mixed into a subtle hip-hop beat, “Closer Than This” closes out Muse as its final track by nicely wrapping up the overall sentiments of affection and intimacy across the album for a warm, final message for fans to hold on to as they anticipate Jimin’s return in less than a year.

“Slow Dance” feat. Sofia Carson

From the unexpected collaborator in Sofia Carson to a dazzling saxophone flourish at the end, “Slow Dance” is a delightful duet delivering a sweet surprise at the halfway point of Muse . Jimin’s signature feathery high notes intertwine with Carson’s whispery, slightly raspy vocals (which sound as if she recorded them with Jimin in mind) to create a dreamy atmosphere. With soft and sentimental melodies and a refreshing R&B groove, the track showcases new facets of both artists’ music palettes for both a calming and captivating listen.

Another bold, musical departure with Latin and Afrobeat inspirations, “Be Mine” could have easily served as the main single of Muse — or even a BTS track, given the many genre and style shifts throughout it.

With confident and seductive lyrics (like “I know what you want, and baby, I want the same” or “Baby, come/ Show me what, show me what love is”), Jimin embraces a more mature expression of love on the standout track. His vocal performance is undeniably commanding over the sultry, rhythmic production and will undoubtedly be one of the top tracks fans look forward to seeing live one day.

Jimin made Billboard chart history when “Like Crazy” debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, a first-of-its-kind achievement for Korean-pop artists. With the lead single of Muse , “Who” sees the superstar once again breaking new ground with his first-ever solo English single. From the verses in his lower register to drawn-out falsetto belts, the single pushes Jimin’s vocal limits throughout an emotive performance. It makes for one of the most compelling listens in pop this year.

With clear sonic inspirations from the ’00s productions of the Neptunes and Timbaland, “Who” reminds listeners of the global superstar Jimin has become. Co-produced by and supported with background vocals from Jon Bellion (who is known for crafting successful crossover tracks with other K-pop artists like Jackson Wang, Rosé and BTS’ other Hot 100 chart-topper Jung Kook), “Who” expresses both romantic longing as Jimin sings, “Want to give her the world and so much more,” as well as and confusion, asking: “If I every day I think about her, yeah every day of my life/ Then tell me why I haven’t found her?” Overall, the song best encapsulates the range of romance dissected on Muse while exemplifying how far Jimin has come as an increasingly fuller artist.

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REVIEW: Phoenix #1 – A Space Age Love Song to Jean Grey

After the mutant nation of Krakoa fell, the X-Man Jean Grey rose from the ashes to embrace her identity as the one true Phoenix. Phoenix #1 is a blazing new beginning for an iconic heroine as she seeks her destiny among the stars.

David Curiel (color artist), Alessandro Miracolo (artist), VC’s Cory Petit (letterer), Stephanie Phillips (writer), Yasmine Putri (cover artist) Marvel Comics July 17, 2024

The X-Men famously protect a world that hates and fears them, but what X-Man is more hated and feared than the Phoenix? Once upon a time, founding team member and omega mutant Jean Grey bonded with the Phoenix Force to save the universe, but later, as the corrupted Dark Phoenix, she devoured a sun and killed billions to sate her cosmic hunger. Flash forward to 2024, and Jean Grey is the Phoenix once again – can she protect a universe that hates and fears her?

Stephanie Phillips and Alessandro Miracolo lay this supermassive black hole-sized question at the center of Phoenix #1. This comic is a departure for the fan-favorite redhead – literally, as it sends her millions of miles away from the only home and family she knows to protect the peace and safety of the galaxy. Cleverly, the issue begins with a full-circle moment for Jean; reigniting a dying sun, she saves countless lives in the inhabited star system. She then answers a distress call from Nova, as the intergalactic prison Kyln-2 is in danger of being consumed by a black hole. Saving a sun, stabilizing a black hole, and stopping an interstellar jailbreak should be no sweat for Phoenix – but even with the powers of a god, Jean Grey is still only human.

Look, it’s no secret – I love Jean Grey . And I love Phoenix #1. Phillips immediately displays a fantastic grasp on Jean’s character, introducing our heroine and all her cosmic contradictions via the young alien girl Adani who regards her with mythological awe. Jean is a passionate young woman, warrior, and wife, but also the physical personification of life and death in the universe. She’s the soul of the X-Men, but a destroyer of worlds. As Adani’s eloquent narration puts it, Jean is “the one who could make the planets stop spinning.” But it’s Jean’s mortal heart that makes her vulnerable, as the issue illustrates – in a dire moment, she makes what she thinks is the most compassionate choice, but may have unleashed a god-level threat on an unsuspecting world instead.

Favorite scene the second: Jean vs. the black hole. It’s easy to imagine a version of this scene that’s just a two-page spread of Phoenix blasting that big hole into submission. (Hey! Keep your eye emojis to yourselves!) Light vs. Dark, Life vs. Death, it writes (and draws) itself, right? Instead, Phillips and Miracola give us something much more inspired, more original, more visually dazzling, than a fight: a dance.

Phoenix gives her energy to the collapsing black hole in a gorgeously stylized sequence, with Jean’s elegant and precise movements becoming part of a celestial communion that saves the Kyln. David Curiel’s coloring is vital to this scene as well, bathing Jean in vivid golds and yellows like the heart of a star. And, again, no shade to any Marvel hero who would have just thrown a punch or a hammer at the black hole (Thor, we love you), but this scene is crucial to understanding Jean’s unique point of view as a hero and why the power of the Phoenix is infinitely more interesting when it isn’t treated as a generic Super Saiyan power-up.

Jean Grey became Marvel’s first cosmic superheroine all the way back in 1976’s Uncanny X-Men #101, and as many of her superfans (it’s me, I’m a superfan) will attest, this ongoing series is decades overdue – but thank that big fiery space chicken it’s here at last. Longtime fans of the redhead in question will be relieved to read a comic book that embraces her complexity and lets her finally (finally!) embrace her ultimate potential, and any new readers latching onto the new “From the Ashes” publishing push will get a strong introduction to a charismatic lead in search of celestial redemption.

Oh yeah, and there’s a pretty gasp-worthy cliffhanger, too.

Kayleigh Hearn

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Review & setlist: Regina Spektor’s kookiness contains multitudes at MGM

The kookiness spiking throughout her songs not only failed to break the spell of her performance, it enhanced it..

By Marc Hirsh

Regina Spektor at MGM Music Hall at Fenway, Wednesday, July 31

Nearly every Regina Spektor song has something silly packed inside. Maybe it’s the way she describes eating nothing but tangerines for a month in “That Time” by brightly squeaking “So cheap and juicy!” It could be her retching towards the end of “Music Box,” and then retching once more for good measure. Perhaps it’s the dolphin noises in “Folding Chair” (or the fact that said dolphin noises are simply Spektor going “ooh ooh ooh”). The singer is nothing if not playful, both as a performer and a songwriter.

So it feels strange to argue that the overriding emotion behind Spektor’s material is a weighty sadness. How can a song that begins “Summer in the city means cleavage, cleavage, cleavage” curlicue into a deep loneliness without suffering a distracting tonal break? Only Spektor knows; that’s her uncommon gift as an artist. At the MGM Music Hall at Fenway on Wednesday, she threaded that needle time and again over the course of an hour and a half with nary a hiccup.

More concert reviews:

Review and setlist: Foo Fighters bring the best of themselves to Fenway Park

Review & setlist: noah kahan’s new england is forever, review & setlist: blink-182 refuse to act their age at fenway park.

In fact, the kookiness spiking throughout her songs not only failed to break the spell of her performance, it enhanced it. “If I kiss you where it’s sore, will you feel better?,” she sang in “Better,” adding “Will you feel anything at all?,” and the tongue clicks she threw into the middle of the word “anything” offered joy and deep melancholy and a hand reaching out to provide connection.

Like a low-fi Laurie Anderson, her mouth was full of mechanical whirs as the up and down notes of her piano gave “Chemo Limo” a sense of soft alarm. All of it gave weight to the seriousness at the heart of her music, or at least argued that kookiness can itself contain seriousness and depth when strategically deployed, lest the heaviness of how life feels all the time break her down.

Alone on stage with a Steinway grand piano (moving to electric keyboard and electric guitar for one song each), Spektor had the flexibility to wander down unlit corridors without a band there to either slow her down or force her songs into more conventional shapes.

She started “On The Radio” by clapping a beat for the audience to follow, only to immediately slow it down once they had. “Raindrops” might have been fairly standard singer-songwriter fare but for a constant push-pull with the tempo that made it take place very nearly in free time. The mangled tango of “Baby Jesus” shifted musically and vocally so often – Spektor’s voice switching from high and chirpy to low and chewy in very short order – that it played like an exercise in keeping up with her.

And those few songs that played it entirely straight hit even harder. Built on Carole King gospel chording, “Firewood” was simultaneously delicate but forceful, heartwrenching and gorgeous, and she sang the traditional Jewish prayer “Avinu Malkeinu” straightforwardly.

The extraordinary “Après Moi” was an ominous whirlwind surrounding a single high piano note hammered incessantly as red light slowly rose behind her and she let out guttural explosions and slipped into Russian. And her piano on “All The Rowboats” was a gentle klaxon, not hard but insistent.

Spektor got lost trying to remember the lyrics following the interlude of that one, so she simply talked her way through a rough précis of what they were supposed to be rather than struggle for the words, stop the song or vamp aimlessly. That suggests that the funny little quirks that populate her music aren’t deliberate insertions but reflect the way she genuinely interacts with the world.

It came through in closing song “Samson,” the singer sympathetically giving herself over and recasting vulnerability as a defense mechanism and a weapon for building happiness wherever possible. Or, as she put it in “Raindrops” several songs earlier, “In a town that’s cold and gray/We will have a sunny day.”

Setlist for Regina Spektor at MGM Music Hall at Fenway — July 31, 2024

• Folding Chair
• The Flowers
• Becoming All Alone
• Summer In The City
• All The Rowboats
• Poor Little Rich Boy
• Après Moi
• Human Of The Year
• On The Radio
• Avinu Malkeinu (traditional)

Marc Hirsh can be reached at  [email protected]  or on Bluesky @spacecitymarc.bsky.social.

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What was with that heavy metal band? That was Gojira.

Gojira, a popular French band, became the first hard rock act to perform in an Olympic Games opening ceremony when it did a metal version of “Ah! Ça Ira,” a song that was popular during the French Revolution.

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By Alex Marshall

• July 26, 2024

Gojira, a leading French heavy metal band, became the first hard rock act to perform in an Olympic Games opening ceremony when it did a metal version of “ Ah! Ça Ira ,” a song that was popular during the French Revolution. The band had reworked the song in collaboration with Victor le Masne, and performed with the opera singer Marina Viotti.

Formed in 1996 by brothers Mario and Joe Duplantier, Gojira has since released seven albums and received three Grammy nominations for its pounding songs that often touch on environmental issues. Its last album, “Fortitude,” from 2021, included a track about the Amazon that warned, in guttural growls and aggressive riffs, that the rainforest was “burning to the ground.”

Before Friday’s performance, Joe Duplantier, 47, the band’s singer and guitarist, said in a phone interview that asking a heavy metal band to play a revolutionary anthem was a smart idea. “It was a very bloody era of French history, so it was very metal,” he said.

Duplantier said the band felt pressure to represent “the whole metal community on the world stage,” but insisted Gojira would not be toning anything down. “The song’s going to be in your face,” Duplantier said.

Alex Marshall is a Times reporter covering European culture. He is based in London. More about Alex Marshall

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Janet Jackson's Phoenix concert was thrilling. Too bad about the sound

Janet Jackson brought the U.S. leg of her biggest-selling tour to a crowd-pleasing finish in Phoenix, treating the packed crowd at Footprint Center on Tuesday, July 30, to a tightly scripted journey through the highlights of her life in music with the breathless pacing of a DJ set, no time time to dwell on any song beyond the time it takes to make a case for why it matters in the here and now.

The Together Again Tour was designed to be a celebration of her 50 years in entertainment, although the recorded speech that introduced Act II acknowledged that it’s now been 51 years since a preteen Jackson and her sisters performed at the MGM Grand Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.

“I feel so fortunate and so blessed to have the career that I get to continue to enjoy every day,” she said. “I was just a small child the very first time I stood on that stage before an audience. I still feel just exactly the same as I did all those years ago.”

And much to Jackson’s credit, she still moves remarkably the same as she did all those years ago — within reason, of course.

She's 58. I'm 58. I get it.

Janet Jackson setlist: Every song she sang on the Together Again Tour in Phoenix

The 4 acts of Janet Jackson's Together Again Tour

We’re coming up fast on the 40th anniversary of “Control,” the multiplatinum breakthrough that established Jackson — then a 19-year-old cultural phenomenon — as so much more than Michael Jackson’s little sister.

Concerts on the Together Again Tour have been divided into four acts, each one playing out like an extended suite as it seamlessly segues through a dizzying medley of songs and/or fragments of songs (mostly fragments) while giving her story the Super Bowl Halftime Show treatment she deserves, especially after America's Puritanical response to the wardrobe malfunction that gave the world Nipplegate.

Miss Jackson (if you're nasty) has a lot of hits she needs to get through if you want a proper overview of her career. And that’s exactly what this concert offered, nearly 40 songs or parts thereof, all in under two hours.

Jackson didn’t bother with her first two efforts — a self-titled album released in 1982 and “Dream Street,” neither of which tapped into her true potential as a future Queen of Pop.

She did, however, lean into her first three albums that connected with the kind of audience that makes it possible for someone Jackson’s age to headline huge arena tours in 2024.

Jackson did 6 songs from 'Control' and 7 from 'Rhythm Nation 1814'

The legendary singer made her way through six songs from “Control,” another seven from the even more successful “Janet Jackson’s Rhythm Nation 1814,” which sent four songs to the top of Billboard’s Hot 100, and six from “janet,” the six-times-platinum triumph that spun off the chart-topping “That’s the Way Love Goes” and “Again.”

She also touched on every album she’s released since “Janet,” including such obvious highlights as “I Get Lonely,” “All For You” and “Scream,” a video duet with Michael Jackson, whose appearance was greeted with shrieks of delight.

After bringing the set to a wonderfully choreographed conclusion with the title track to “Janet Jackson’s Rhythm Nation 1814,” she returned to end the concert with a hit-filled two-song encore — “Someone to Call My Lover” and the song that inspired the tour name, “Together Again.”

Janet Jackson's choreography was Broadway good

The choreography made it feel like a Broadway production, from the time her dancers took the stage to set the scene to the piped-in beats of Mr. V’s “Jus Dance” before the dance-pop made her entrance in a hooded cloak to “Night,” the first of two selections from “Unbreakable,” her latest effort.

Jackson rarely stopped moving, her dancing becoming more fluid as the night went on, as though she was loosening up, which would be easy to imagine.

As to her singing? There’s no way to tell how much of what we heard was taking place in real time. There were moments where it seemed unlikely that the vocals we were hearing hadn’t been heavily processed in a studio somewhere long before she hit the stage.

But if you think that matters, chances are you wouldn’t pay to see a Janet Jackson concert.

What you’re paying to experience is a performance. And it’s doubtful many people left that venue feeling disappointed that she may not have been singing every word.

Her authenticity is more about the artistry of her recordings than the challenges of staging these elaborate productions while actually committing to a truly live performance. James Brown may have done what James Brown did while singing every word, but this is not a James Brown concert.

Some fans may, however, have been disappointed in the mix, which often buried Jackson’s vocals in a muddy tidal wave of sound,

Nelly opens for Janet Jackson's Together Again Tour

Nelly's vocals were competing with a different issue altogether, speaker-rumbling bass so loud I had to step away and fashion makeshift earplugs out of paper towels.

The man has always been a charismatic entertainer, though. And that was certainly the case at Footprint Center, where the hip-hop hit machine, his DJs and their dancers treated Jackson fans to an entertaining journey through his biggest hits, from the Jagged Edge collaboration "Where the Party At" to "Country Grammar," the "Jeffersons"-sampling "Batter Up" and "Hot in Herre."

Janet Jackson Phoenix setlist 2024: Together Again Tour songs

Here's every song on Janet Jackson's Phoenix setlist on Tuesday, July 30, 2024.

• "Jus Dance (SOLE Channel Mix)" (dancers' intro)
• “Rock With U”
• “All Nite (Don't Stop)”
• “No Sleeep”
• “Got 'til It's Gone”
• “That's the Way Love Goes”
• “Love Will Never Do (Without You)”
• “What Have You Done for Me Lately (with elements of “Get It Out Me”)
• Nasty (with elements of “Nasty” by Tinashe)
• “The Pleasure Principle”
• “You Want This”
• “When I Think of You”
• “The Best Things in Life Are Free”
• “Son of a Gun (I Betcha Think This Song Is About You)”
• “Take Care”
• “Let's Wait Awhile” (with elements of “Lonely” and “Funny How Time Flies (When You’re Having Fun)”)
• “Any Time, Any Place”
• “I Get Lonely”
• “The Body That Loves You” (with elements of “Runaway,” “Spending Time With You” and "What's It Gonna Be")
• “All for You”
• “Miss You Much”
• “So Excited”
• “Would You Mind” (with elements of “You Ain’t Right” & “Dammn Baby”)
• “State of the World”
• “The Knowledge”
• “Scream” (with elements of “If” and “Black Cat”)
• “Rhythm Nation”
• “Someone to Call My Lover”
• “Together Again”