LYRICS - Structure

Week 6

Content vs Structure
CONTENT

Who, to whom, what, when,

where, why
Characters, narrative
Imagery
Ideas
Metaphor
Message

ie: WHAT YOU HAVE TO SAY

STRUCTURE
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Number of Lines
Length of Lines
Rhythm of Lines
Rhyme Scheme
Rhyme Type

HOW YOU SAY IT...

Effects of Structure
PROSODY: The ways that the structure supports, enhances, and reinforces the meaning of
the lyric. Generally, either by creating BALANCE/RESOLUTION/STABILITY or
IMBALANCE/TENSION/INSTABILITY.

SPOTLIGHTING: Highlighting particular lyrics by creating surprising or unexpected

moments using the structure.

Remember: There is no surprise without expectation; there is no expectation

without pattern.

CONTRAST: Creating effective contrast between different section types (eg between verse
and chorus).

Structural Elements in Detail

1. NUMBER OF LINES
The number of lines per section is determined by a combination of rhythm,
rhyme scheme, but most importantly the division of ideas into grammatical
units.
An EVEN number of lines = balance/stability/resolution
An ODD number of lines = imbalance/instability/tension/forward
momentum
Listening:

Let Her Go, Passenger -- prosody

Structural Elements in Detail

1. NUMBER OF LINES
Listening:
Let Her Go, Passenger -- prosody
I Will Follow You Into the Dark, Death Cab for Cutie -- spotlighting

Structural Elements in Detail

2.

LENGTH OF LINES

The length of a line is determined by the number of STRONG STRESSED

SYLLABLES.
Take the keys and close the door

4 stresses

Picture perfect memories

3 stresses

Time to say goodbye to the old crowd

5 stresses

Structural Elements in Detail

3.

RHYTHM OF LINES

The rhythm of a line is determined by the pattern of strong and weak syllables.
/
- /
/
/
Bring me the cake that you stole from my mum

4 stresses

/
- /
/ /
Think before you act on that

4 stresses

/
- - /
/
/
Sinking in the dark blue moon

4 stresses

Listening: 50 Ways to Leave Your Lover, Paul Simon -- prosody and contrast

SOME NOTES ON RHYTHM:

Individual syllables receive analysis, not whole words.

In any multi-syllable word, some syllables will be weak, and some strong.
If in doubt, consult a dictionary.
/
- - /
- / - /
Her beauty in the moonlight overthrew you

4 stresses

Single syllable words that receive stress: verbs, nouns, adjectives

Single syllable words that do NOT: pronouns, conjunctions, prepositions
- /
/ - / / - - /
/
/
The girl threw a red ball on the wet roof and she ran

7 stresses

Structural Elements in Detail

4.

RHYME SCHEME

Democracy is Coming to the USA, Leonard Cohen -- contrast

It's coming through a hole in the air
from those nights in Tianamen Square
It's coming from the feel
that this ain't exactly real
or it's real, but it ain't exactly there
From the wars against disorder
from the sirens night and day
from the fires of the homeless
from the ashes of the gay
Democracy is coming to the USA

Structural Elements in Detail

4.

RHYME SCHEME

Democracy is Coming to the USA, Leonard Cohen -- contrast

It's coming through a hole in the air
from those nights in Tianamen Square
It's coming from the feel
that this ain't exactly real
or it's real, but it ain't exactly there
From the wars against disorder
from the sirens night and day
from the fires of the homeless
from the ashes of the gay
Democracy is coming to the USA

Structural Elements in Detail

Some Peoples Lives, Janis Ian -- prosody, contrast, spotlighting
Some peoples lives
run down like clocks
One day they stop
And thats all theyve got
Some lives wear out
Like old tennis shoes
No one can use
Well its sad but its true
Didnt anybody tell them?
Didnt anybody see?
Didnt anybody love them
Like you love me?

Structural Elements in Detail

5.

RHYME TYPE

Perfect Rhyme
Coffee, ham and eggs
I can be your diner
Tired aching legs
I'll be your recliner
And when you need a breath of air
I'll be your balcony
When you need a laugh
I can be your joker
Cut a loss in half
I can be your broker
'Cos all of that and more
You have been for me
I Cant Be New, Susan Werner

Family Rhyme
I know they say, you can't go home again
Well, I just had to come back one last time
And Ma'am, I know, you don't know me from Adam
But these hand prints on the front steps are mine
The House That Built Me, Miranda Lambert
I come from down in the valley
where mister when you're young
They bring you up to do
like your daddy done
The River, Bruce Springsteen

Additive/Subtractive Rhyme
Where does it come from?
Where does it go?
Now you see it
And now you dont
Smoke and Mirrors, Sweet Talk Radio

Assonance Rhyme
You could be my favourite taste
To touch my tongue
I know someone who could serve me love
But it wouldnt fill me up
My Favourite Faded Fantasy, Damien Rice

Consonance Rhyme
Stop this train
I want to get off and go home again
I cant take the speed its moving in
I know I cant, but honestly, wont someone stop this train?
Stop This Train, John Mayer

Maybe the lateness of the hour

Makes me seem bluer than I am
But in my heart there is a shower
I hope shell be happier with him
Hope Shell Be Happier, Bill Withers

Consonance Rhyme
Lived in an apartment out on Avenue A
I had a tar-hut on the corner of tenth
Had myself a lover who was finer than gold
But I've broken up and busted up since
New York, New York, Ryan Adams

EXAMPLE ANALYSIS
VERSE

/
- /
- / /
He looks across the barren earth

- / - /
/ - /
The sunset turns from tea to wine

- /
/
/ - - /
/
The wild dogs howl up a moaning din

/
- /
- / /
The clouds refuse to cry for him

/
/
Dried up and parched

/ - /
Stoic and starched

perfect

- - / - - /
- /
- - /
He refuses to bow to the march of defeat

Internal rhyme,
subtractive

family

PRE-CHORUS

Emulation vs Ghost Method

EMULATION: Extract the most salient ideas or concepts, and adapt them.
GHOST METHOD: Perfectly match Number of lines, Length and Rhythm.