Analysis of a Poem or Song Lyrics

One task in this class is to analyze a poem or song lyrics with the help of eight questions. Everyone in class had to chose their favorite song or poem and bring it to class. There we talked about our choices. One assignment in order to prepare our analysis was to word up to eight questions relating to the feeling the song or poem provokes in us and the features that help to create this effect.

I chose to bring the song Hands by Jewel Kilcher to class. After a brief discussion with two classmates I phrased these questions, which someone may find helpful for an analysis.

The song Hands written by Jewel Kilcher makes me think about the fact that one individual is able to make a difference in the world or in one person’s life. This effect is created because of the author’s use of metaphors, personal pronouns and the repetition of the phrase “My hands are small, I know, but they’re not yours they are my own.”

Questions for analysis

1. The song’s title is "Hands" and in the chorus Jewel states that her hands are small, but they’re her own hands and not somebody else’s. What does she mean by this? Why does she use the image of “hands”? What message does this convey?
2. Jewel uses the personal pronoun “we” once in the very beginning of the song but then she continues to use “I”. At the very end, though, she completely switches to “we”. What effect does this have? What does the author do this?
3. What do you think the author wants to achieve with the altered last chorus?
4. The second stanza starts off with two metaphors. What message do these convey and why do you think the author decided to use them?
5. Jewel uses the image of God a few times throughout the song. Why do you think she does this? Do you think the song is about religion?

The song lyrics that I received to analyze are Just the way you are by Bruno Mars. I was given seven helpful questions.

1. Why do you think the author repeats certain phrases at the beginning of a stanza (e.g. “her eyes, her eyes”)?
2.   In the chorus the author uses the pronoun “your” rather than “her”. Which effect does that have on you? Why do you think the author does that?
3.  Are there any other passages where you feel spoken to? If so, why?
4. The author uses the expression “The whole world stops and stares for a while”. Why does he do this? Why do you think this image only appears in the chorus?
5. Why do you think the author starts the song with the expression “Her eyes make the stars look like they’re not shining”? Which effect does this have on you?
6. Which adjectives does the author use to highlight his feelings? What effect do they have on you?
7. In the song the author expresses certain feelings and thoughts he has about a girl. Do you think this song is kitschy because of its content? If not, how does he establish a feeling of reality (rather than a kitschy atmosphere)?

These questions helped throughout my analysis of this song by Bruno Mars. I will post the analysis later.