Pop music exhibits poetic characteristics as songwriters often use poetic devices when writing their songs. Poetic devices make the song more artistic hence listeners can relate to most of the lyrics. Figurative language, mostly metaphors, similes, and personification among others are the most common devices used by lyricists. Each of these devices has different functions in a song and are therefore used differently. Rihanna is one of the most sought-after artists, with several awards to her name. Her music displays poetic devices that make the songs memorable and enjoyable. The following is a poetic analysis of the song ‘Diamonds’ by Rihanna.
The lyrics to ‘Diamonds’ displays use of similes. Similes are used to create comparisons using related words such as “like” or “as.” In the song the lines “Shine bright like a diamond” and “we’re beautiful like diamonds in the sky” (Furler et al., 2012) are similes. The first line, which forms the refrain, urges the subject to shine bright, just the same way as diamonds shine brightly. Diamonds reflect a lot of light, hence causing them to glow brightly. The comparison of the shine to diamonds is a depiction of how beautiful the subject is. Furthermore, the second line compares the two personas to the beauty of diamonds. Diamonds are precious stones that are beautiful and valuable. Likening the subjects’ beauty to diamonds is explaining how appealing the subjects are.
Delegate your assignment to our experts and they will do the rest.
Imagery is also another stylistic device evident in the song. Symbolic representation is used when alluding to diamonds, as the whole song is a depiction of the beauty of diamonds. Diamonds, in this case, refers to love. These stones are exquisite, beautiful and are loved by many. Love is also beautiful and should be experienced and valued like the diamonds. The diamonds are too bright, just as love is deemed bright as well one as that which brings hope and light into the lives of lovers.
Imagery is also witnessed in the line “Feel the warmth, we’ll never die,” (Furler, Hermansen, Eriksen and Levine, 2012). As is the purpose of imagery to create sensory experiences in a song, this line appeals to the sense of touch whereby the subject feels warmth brought about by moonshine and molly. This feeling is a representation of bliss and ecstasy brought about by love, which is likened to drugs in this case. The phrase “feel the energy of sun rays” (Furler et al., 2012) is also another figurative language used to depict love as something that brings light and warmth to the lives of lovers, as the sun does.
Metaphors are meant to compare two things without using similar words. “You’re a shooting star I see” (Furler et al., 2012) is a metaphor that likens the subject to a star. A shooting star is associated with granting wishes. Therefore, the subject is seen to have granted the wish of love which shines bright like a diamond. The lover also expresses their love for the persona which is also the reason why the lover is likened to a shooting star. The other metaphor is witnessed in the line “I saw the life inside your eyes” (Furler et al., 2012). The eyes allow one to feel alive as they witness the events around them. Therefore, seeing the life in someone’s eyes is likened to experiencing joy and happiness, which gives the persona the feeling of being alive. The metaphor also describes the emotions awakened by the persona’s lover such that they provide the persona much excitement that makes them feel alive.
Alliteration is a form of figurative speech that represents the repetition of initial sounds. Alliteration creates the mood and rhythm of the song thereby creating a musical effect. This style also stresses the syllables to enhance the rhythm. Alliteration creates pleasure and makes the song appealing to listen to. In the song ‘Diamonds’ alliteration has been used in the line “At first sight, I felt the energy of sun rays” (Furler et al., 2012). The words sight and sun create an alliteration of the sound ( s ) thereby forming a rhythm. The words ‘I’ and ‘sight’ also generate an alliteration of the sound ( ai ) thus stressing the syllable. These alliterations make the song interesting an appealing.
Additionally, the rhyme scheme is a pattern created by the rhythm of a song. Rhyme scheme makes the song musical in addition to establishing its form. More so, it makes the song easy to remember. The song has an internal rhyme represented by the lines “so shine bright tonight, you and I,” and “eye to eye, so alive” (Furler et al., 2012). The words bright, tonight and I; and eye and alive create the internal rhyme. The rhyme scheme is a couplet represented at the end of the stanzas (Furler et al., 2012).
“Palms rise to the universe- A
As we moonshine and molly-B
Feel the warmth; we’ll never die-C
We’re like diamonds in the sky” -C
This rhyme scheme is a couplet because of the matching rhythm created at the end of the stanza.
In conclusion, Diamonds by Rihanna is a good representation of poetic devices used in songs. Pop music has adopted these devices in composing their songs to create an artistic appeal on the listeners. This song by Rihanna makes use of similes, imagery, metaphors, alliteration, and rhyme scheme to make the song musical and appealing. The styles have been used uniquely to cause various poetic effects on the listeners. The song itself is symbolic of a love that is wonderful and appealing to lovers that it is likened to diamonds, which are precious stones.
References
Furler, S., Hermansen, T., Eriksen, M., & Levine, B. (2012). Diamonds [Recorded by Rihanna] on Unapologetic [CD]. New York, NY: Roc the Mic Studios.
