Kayla Flaherty
November 20, 2008
Poetry of Song; Period: A
Mini-Research paper.
John Lennon’s Assassination
John Lennon was the guitarist of the ever famous, and beloved band, The Beatles. Lennon was born on October 9, 1940 in his hometown of Liverpool, England. After a troubling childhood of moving from relative to relative’s care, Lennon finally back in Liverpool. His sister, Julia, first taught him how to play the banjo, and played Elvis Presley’s records for him. The Band ‘The Beatles’ officially kicked off their reign on May 9th, 1962 by signing a label with George Martin. And throughout the rest of the bands days it was; all Beatles all the time.

According to sources, the band allegedly began to break up in 1967, when their manager since 1961, Brian Epstein, died. Right after the death, the singer of the Beatles, Paul McCartney, tried to step up and become the leader of the group. Along with the numerous responsibilities that the role came with, McCartney’s first decision was to involve the group in an upcoming movie, “Magical Mystery Tour”, in which they would also have to produce an album for. Despite the fact that the album did well, the movie was a complete disaster. So led to John scoffing at McCartney’s failure.

Although indeed it was a factor that the fight between John & Paul led to the break-up, all the members began to move into different directions. John Lennon, for instance, became more interested in ‘avant-garde art scene’, which led him to meeting the one and only woman for him, Yoko Ono; they had their first child, Sean Ono Lennon, when Lennon was 35. The rest of the members stayed in the music business, and began to write his own song(s). Despite the fact that they were no longer together as a group, they peacefully led on their own lives, in occasional checking up with one another.

On the eighth of December, in 1980 it seemed to just be another day in the life of John Lennon. He and his wife Yoko Ono were walking out of their house in New York City, New York, where he was welcomed by hundreds of his fans awaiting his presence outside his home. When he was shot and killed. According to sources, he was not just shot once or twice; but six times! Right after the shooting Lennon was rushed by a police car to St Luke's Roosevelt Hospital Center, where soon after he died at the age of 40.

Along with many conspiracy theories, Lennon’s killer was identified as David Chapman. His weapon of choosing: Charter Arms .38 revolver which he killed Lennon with after shooting five-six times. Chapman was not found guilty because of a plea of “insanity”. But was charged with second degree murder, and according to sources he was taken to Bellevue Hospital for psychiatric examination. However, he was quickly moved to Riker’s Island jail in New York City, when police officers were tipped off that some of Lennon’s Fans were plotting to storm into Bellevue Hospital.

So how to punish a non-guilty insanitee that did commit second degree murder? Well, he was punished to 20 years to life in prison at Attica State Prison, in Attica, New York. Although, the Beatles did break up all of the band members did attend the memorial, wake, and burial of John Lennon. His wife Yoko Ono, still lives today, but never got remarried, and their son, Sean Ono Lennon, is now a guitarist in Indie Pop and Rock, and Folk Rock. He sure would make his father proud, not also being a musician but also a huge supporter of peace. So in some aspects, John Lennon, still lives on, and is to never be forgotten.



Reputable Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Lennon
http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/2045/why-did-the-beatles-break-up
http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/december/8/newsid_2536000/2536321.stm

THE FOUR GREATEST SONGS OF ALL TIME.

1. Don't Be Shy by Cat Stevens
2. Have I Told You Lately That I Love You? by Rod Stewart
3. Stayin' Alive by 'the' BeeGee's
4. Better Together by Jack Johnson
5. Satellite by Dave Matthews Band

Criteria:
-universal theme

-lyrics that evoke emotion

-catchy rhythm

-good chorus


Every one of these 4 songs, all express a sense of happiness. And although I like all of them very much, not just because of their fantastic diction in their lyrics, but in a way everyone can connect to the theme that each song presents. Whether its happiness, as shown in "Stayin' Alive", by the BeeGee's; or 'Better Together' by Jack Johnson. Or perhaps inspirational songs, such as in 'Satellite' by Dave Matthews Band, "Don't Be Shy" by Cat Stevens, and "Have I Told You Lately That I Love You?" by Rod Stewart. To go along with the emotion gained, the universal theme, and the good diction in the lyrics, each and every song I chose has a very catchy rhythm that gives you that sense of happiness when the music crawls into your ear and snuggles inside like the lyrics are finding their way in to hug your insides. All-in-all these songs rock. :)

Runner Ups-
Stand by Rascal Flatts
Banana Pancakes & Upside down by Jack Johnson
Sway by Michael Buble
Live Like You Were Dyin' by Tim McGraw
Wanted Nothin' More by Kenny Chesney.

Song Analysis 3!

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0117826/bio





Everything lyrics by Michael Bublé

You're a falling star, you're the get away car.
You're the line in the sand when I go too far.
You're the swimming pool, on an August day.
And you're the perfect thing to say.
And you play it coy, but it's kinda cute.
Ah, when you smile at me you know exactly what you do.
Baby don't pretend, that you don't know it's true.
Cause you can see it when I look at you.

[Chorus:]
And in this crazy life, and through these crazy times
It's you, it's you, you make me sing.
You're every line, you're every word, you're everything.
You're a carousel, you're a wishing well,
And you light me up, when you ring my bell.
You're a mystery, you're from outer space,
You're every minute of my everyday.
And I can't believe, uh that I'm your man,
And I get to kiss you baby just because I can.
Whatever comes our way, ah we'll see it through,
And you know that's what our love can do.

[Chorus:]
And in this crazy life, and through these crazy times
It's you, it's you, you make me sing
You're every line, you're every word, you're everything.
So, la, la, la, la, la, la, la
So, la, la, la, la, la, la, la

[Chorus:]And in this crazy life, and through these crazy times
It's you, it's you, you make me sing.
You're every line, you're every word, you're everything.
You're every song, and I sing along.
'Cause you're my everything.
Yeah, yeah
So, la, la, la, la, la, la, la
So, la, la, la, la, la, la, la

Analysis

Michael Bublé, the multi-platinum jazz/swing singer, grew up near Vancouver, Canada. He was first introduced to swing music and old standards by his grandfather, who offered his services for free as a professional plumber to musicians who were willing to let Michael sing a couple of songs with them on stage. Bublé finally got his big break for show business after the former Prime Minster of Canada, Brian Mulroney, discovered his music . Just before Bublé was about to give up in his career, a music producer named David Foster, heard his work on a cd given to him by the Prime Minister. And since then, Michael Bublé, has taken a part in the very soul of jazz/sway music. He has sold a total of 20 million albums as of 2007 and 8 million of them in the U.S. alone.

On of his most beloved songs, "Everything" has made the hearts of his fans melt.
This song "Everything" uses many poetic devices, such as imagery&Local color. For example, in the very beginning of the song in lines 3-6, "You're the swimming pool, on an August day, And your the perfect thing to say, And you play it coy, but its kind of cute, When you smile at me you know exactly what you do." Bublé also uses multiple uses of romance, seen in lines 9-11, "And in this crazy life, and through these crazy times, its you its you, you make me sing, Your every line your every word, your everything." Also found in lines 16-19, "And I can't believe that, uh I'm your man, And I get to kiss you baby just cause I can, Whatever comes our way we'll see it through, and you know that's what our love can do,". Lastly, there is many many uses of metaphores in this song, as seen in lines 1-4, "You're a falling star, you're the get away car; You're the line in the sand when I go to far; You're the swimming pool on an August day; And you're the perfect thing to say". There is also a few usages of archetype(s) as seen in line 9, "And in this crazy life, and through these crazy times," indicated that it is happening in the present.

So all-in-all Michael Bublé's "Everything" most definitely is everything, at least everything perfect in a relationship. Not only do the lyrics make the song, but so does Bublé's voice, some would call it 'memorizing' and he is frequently compared to the all time, jazz/sway/pop artist Frank Sinatra. Just one thing to ask, can you handle everything?

Song Analysis

Mixtape lyrics by Butch Walker!!! :D

You say hello, inside
I'm screaming I love you
You say goodnight, in my mind
I'm sleeping next to you
You drive away from my car crash of a heart
And I don't know
But you gave me the best mixtape I have
And even all the bad songs ain't so bad
I just wish there was so much more than that
About me and you
You talk to him, and it burns me like the sun
You talk to her, and you say that you feel like he's the one
I talk to me, but you can't hear the pain I feel
You don't know
Cause you gave me the best mixtape I have
And even all the sad songs ain't so sad
I only wish that there was more than that
About me and you

[Bridge]Oh, don't turn around and say bye again
Yeah it crushes my head when you call me
Your friend and I'm not the same person
From back in the day in the back of the class
That you thought was gay
No I can't find the words cause I lost them
The minute they fell out of my mouth
And it's love and I'm in it, so give me your lips
And just let me kiss 'em
And let's get messed up and listen to probably...
The best mixtape I have
And even all the bad songs ain't so bad
I just wish there was so much more than that
About me and you
About me and you
About me and you
About me and you
About me and you
About me and you

Butch and Avril.

Analysis

Along with some of the out coming artists, there is the phenomenal Butch Walker. Butfch not only writes and composes his own songs, but does so for other bands and artists, and he records other artists as well. He first started off as the lead singer of the rock band "Marvelous 3". After the breakup, in early 2000, Butch decieded to go on in the music buisness on his own. releasing the albums "Left of Self-Centered" in 2002 on Epic Records and the critically acclaimed "Letters" in 2004 on Sony Records. Several of his songs have been major hits for other artists, including Bowling for Soup's "Girl All the Bad Guys Want" and Avril Lavigne's "Don't Tell Me" and her #1 song "My Happy Ending." He has produced albums for such artists as Bowling for Soup, Avril Lavigne, The Donnas, Sevendust and 'SR-71', and has also toured with such acts as Lit and Avril Lavigne.


This song, one of his more popular songs, "Mixtape", shows many poetic uses throughout the entire song. One of the poetic devices used is imagery, as seen in lines 1-4 "You say hello, Inside I'm screaming I love you, You say goodnight, in my mind I'm sleeping next to you". It gives you the image of someone feeling so much for one person they feel as if they are screaming on the inside. Also, in line 11, "You talk to him, and it burns me like the sun", he shows his pain by comparing it to the sun scorching him. That also can be used as a sense of hyperbole, or an extreme exaggeration. Other hyperbole's are found in lines 20&21, "Yeah it crushes my head when you call me your friend". This is because it doesn't really crush his head, more of really erratas him. Lastly, the song also has many uses of point of view(s). For examples in lines 23&24, "That you though was gay, No I cant find the words cause im lost in the minute" it changes from his lovers point of view, to his own. Lastly, one other use of a poetic device is in the same lines of 23&24, Butch chose to say "cause" instead of "because" and this is an example of diction used throughout the song.

All in all, Butch Walker is a great example of a true talented artist. He not only writes and composes his own songs, but other artists as well. He has realeased over 4 of his own albums and help compose the following albums:

Butch Walker's Produced Records
Avril Lavigne - Under My Skin (2004)
Avril Lavigne - The Best Damn Thing (2007)
Family Force 5 - Business Up Front/Party in the Back (2006)
Bowling for Soup - Drunk Enough to Dance (2002)
Pink - I'm Not Dead (2006)
Pink - Funhouse (2008)
Lindsay Lohan - A Little More Personal (Raw) (2005)
Simple Plan - Still Not Getting Any... (2004)
Sevendust - Seasons (2003)
Injected - Burn It Black (2002)
The Donnas - Gold Medal (2004)
Hot Hot Heat - Happiness Ltd. (2007)
American Hi-Fi - Hearts on Parade (2005)
Default - Elocation (2003)
Gob
Midtown - Forget What You Know (2004)
Pete Yorn - musicforthemorningafter (2001)
Pete Yorn - Day I Forgot (2003)
Pete Yorn - USNightcrawler (2006)
Quietdrive - When All That's Left Is You (2006)
All-American Rejects
SR-71 - Tomorrow (2002)
Rock Star Supernova - Self Tittled (2006)
The Academy Is... - Santi (2007)
The Automatic - This Is A Fix (2008)
Katy Perry - One of the Boys (2008)

Playlist

Comment por pavor.

Dave Matthews Band, a band of great inspiration in the rock genre of the present day. The band con sits of; Dave Matthews, Carter Beauford, Stefan Lessard, Boyd Tinsley, and the recently deceased LeRoi Moore. Two of their most well-known songs are "Satellite" and "The Dreaming Tree". Both of these songs are insperational in their own way, and the diction used with in them corresponds to the time period of which it was made (21st Century). Diction, is as definition of Mr. Kefor, a choosing of words by the writers own view. To go along with that genral idea, both of the songs "Satellite" and "The Dreaming Tree" have both of their own uses of diction.





The song "Satellite" is about a 'satellite' looking down from space, peering upon the Earth. Clearly has many uses of diction, to go along with the catchy, slow and relaxing music to go along with it. As found in lines 4-6, "Satellite strung from the moon, And the world your balloon. Peeping Tom for the mother station." & lines 7-10 "Winter's cold, Spring erases, And the calm away by the storm is chasen, Everything good needs replacing, Look up, look down all around, hey satellite." Those lines indicate the useage of 'imagery' and frequently jumps from scene to scene. The song also switches perspectives, in lines 11-16, "Satellite headlines read, Someone's secrets you've seen, Eyes and ears have been, Satellite dish in my yard, Tell me more, tell me more, Who's the king of your satellite castle?" The view switches from the Satellite's view(Satellite headlines read, Someone's secrets you've seen), to the singers view(Tell me more, tell me more), and back to the Satellite's(Who's the king of your Satellite castle? Lastly, the song also has uses hyperbole's, or extreme exaggerations. As seen in line 22, "Rest high above the clouds; no restriction," which of course is in reality impossible, due to its attraction to the Earth's atmosphere it does have restrictions.





Next, the song "The Dreaming Tree" by Dave Matthews Band, also has it's own distinct uses of diction. It has uses of imagery throughout the song, as seen in lines 21-25, "The air is growing thick, A fear he cannot hide, The dreaming tree has died." Also in lines 1-5, "Standing here, The old man said to me, Long before these crowded streets, Here stood my dreaming tree, Below it he would sit." It also has many uses of hyperbole(s), or extreme exaggerations. As seen in lines 8-9, "And now he's falling hard He feels the falling dark."

All-in-all Dave Matthews Band uses their own special ways of diction. Not only does it switch from song to song and from the differencies of beats, they always conquere their own work. Dave Matthews is truely a supurb band.

Diction

Dave Matthews Band
{Satellite}
Satellite in my eyes
Like a diamond in the sky
How I wonder.
Satellite strung from the moon
And the world your balloon
Peeping tom for the mother station
Winter's cold spring erases
And the calm away by the storm is chasing
Everything good needs replacing
Look up, look down all around, hey satellite
Satellite, headlines read
Someone's secrets you've seen
Eyes and ears have been
Satellite dish in my yard
Tell me more, tell me more
Who's the king of your satellite castle?
Winter's cold spring erases
And the calm away by the storm is chasing
Everything good needs replacing
Look up, look down all around, hey satellite
Rest high above the clouds no resrictions
Television we bounce 'round the world
And while I spend these hours
Five senses reeling,
I laugh about the weatherman's satellite eyes.
Satellite in my eyes
Like a diamond in the sky
How i wonder.
Satellite strung from the moon
And the world your balloon
Peeping tom for the mother station
Winter's cold spring erases
And the calm away by the storm is chasing
Everything good needs replacing
Look up, look down all around, hey satellite
Rest high above the clouds no restrictions
Television you bounce from the world
And while I spend these hours
Five senses reelingI laugh about this weatherman's satellite eyes.




The Dreaming Tree
Standing here
The old man said to me,
"Long before these crowded streets
Here stood my dreaming tree."
Below it he would sitFor hours at a time
Now progress takes away
What forever took to find
And now he's falling hard
He feels the falling dark
How he longs to be
Beneath his dreaming tree
Conquered fear to climb
A moment froze in time
When the girl who first he kissed
Promised him she'd be his
Remembered mother's words
There beneath the tree"
No matter what the world
You'll always be my baby."
"Mommy come quick,
The dreaming tree has died."
The air is growing thick
A fear he cannot hide
The dreaming tree has died
Oh, have you no pity?
This thing I do
I do not deny it
All through this smile
As crooked as danger
I do not denyI know in my mind
I would leave you now
If I had the strength to
I would leave you up
To your own devices
Will you not talk?
Can you take pity?
I don't ask much
But won't you speak, please?
From the start
She knew she had it made
Easy up 'til then
For sure she'd make the grade
Adorers came in hordes
To lay down in her wake
Gave it all she had
But treasures slowly fade
Now she's falling hard
Feels the fall of dark
How did this fall apart?
She drinks to fill it up
A smile of sweetest flowers
Wilted so and soured
Black tears stain the cheeks
That once were so admired
She thinks when she was small
There on her father's knee
How he had promised her,
"You'll always be my baby."
"Daddy come quick,
The dreaming tree has died
I can't find my way home
There is no place to hide
The dreaming tree has died.
"Oh, if I had the strength to
I would leave you up
To your own devices
Will you not talk?
Can you take pity?
I don't ask much
But won't you speak, please?
Take me back, take me back, take me back...Save me please.

Song Analyisis

Wilco- California Stars

I'd like to rest my heavy head tonight
On a bed of California stars
I'd like to lay my weary bones tonight
On a bed of California stars I'd love to feel
Your hand touching mine
And tell me why I must keep working on
Yes I'd give my life
To lay my head tonight on a bed
Of California stars
I'd like to dream
My troubles all away
On a bed of California stars
Jump up from my starbed
Make another day
Underneath my California stars
They hang like grapes
On vines that shine
And warm the lovers' glass
Like friendly wine
So I'd give this world
Just to dream a dream with you
On our bed of California stars
I'd like to rest my heavy head tonight
On a bed of California stars
I'd like to lay my weary bones tonight
On a bed of California stars
I'd love to feel
Your hand touching mine
And tell me why I must keep working on
Yes I'd give my life
To lay my head tonight on a bed
Of California stars I'd like to dream
My troubles all away
On a bed of California stars
Jump up from my starbed
Make another day
Underneath my California stars
They hang like grapes
On vines that shine
And warm the lovers' glass
Like friendly wine
So I'd give this world
Just to dream a dream with you
On our bed of California stars
So I'd give this world
Just to dream a dream with you
On our bed of California stars
(Dream a dream with you)


-This song has many uses of imagery. Imagery is words or phrases that creates a picture for a listener/reader.

Ex.
"I'd love you feel your hand, touching mine."
"I'd like to rest my heavy head tonight, on a bed of California stars"
"I'd like to lay my weary bones tonight On a bed of California stars "
"Jump up from my starbed"
"They hang like grapes On vines that shine And warm the lovers' glass Like friendly wine "
"So I'd give this world Just to dream a dream with you On our bed of California stars "

3 Genra Choices

So my three choices..

1.) The most insperational songs of the 21st century
2.) The most feelgood songs of country music.
3.) The best love songs of the 21st century.


Let me know what you think. :)

The Beatles!

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10 most interesting facts about The Beatles!

1.) They have their own edition of monopoly!

2.) They were on the chart(s) for a total of one thousand two hundred and seventy eight-weeks.

3.) They have a version of the world famous 'Cirque De Soleil' dedicated just to them!

4.) Their song "Hello Goodbye" is the theme song in Target commercials.

5.) They have an entire movie dedicated to them called "Across the Universe" where many of their songs are sung or played in.

6.)The average time of a Beatles concert in the U.S.A was only twenty eight minutes!

7.)Touring all over the world John and George roomed together while Ringo and Paul roomed together.

8.)Paul and Ringo were both left-handed.

9.)They got their name while John read in Mersey Beat article.

10.)With all four members of the band they altogether made 12 albums each selling over 1 million copies!

Timeline

December 1st, 1963

-The first American single sold, "I Want to Hold Your Hand"

February 7th, 1964
-The Beatles arrive to America.

February 11th, 1964

-They make their very first appearance for the kick off U.S. tour in Washington D.C., at the Coliseum.

April 4, 1964

-Had the top 5 slots on the charts.

October 26, 1965
-Receive the Members of the Order of the British Empire, or the (MEB) award.

April 6, 1965

-The Beatles start to record at 'Revolver' records.

July 29, 1965

-Lennon quotes, "We are more popular than God," in the 'Datebook'. Many people take offense to that later on.

June 25, 1965

-"All you need is love" is the very first song in concert to appear on satellite, seen by 400 million in 24 countries.

January 13, 1969

- Yellow Submarine is released by Apple Records.

(unsure date) 1970

-The Beatles receive the Grammy Award for the Best Original Score Written for A Motion Picture or TV Special. In this case it was "Let It Be."

August 14, 1978

-"Beatlemania", a Broadway show with look-a-like musicians is released.

The exact date of the break up was not found-

but they broke up for many reasons,

-Lennon was receiving death threats, and lots of them.

-The Beatles boycotted and the KKK protested their concerts.

-They were all very paranoid and decided to stay low, but never knowing when or would they return.

December 8, 1980
-John Lennon dies

December 30, 1999

-George Harrison and his wife Olivia are brutally attacked. At approximately 3:00 am their home was broken in, both survived but just barely.

November 29, 2001

-George Harrison dies of brain cancer.

Present Day

Only two of the original four members of The Beatles are still alive and doing quite well. Paul McCartney & Ringo Starr.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qf2S7kKLtEQ <-- Video

Song Analysis.

When I find myself in times of trouble.

Mother Mary comes to me

Speaking words of wisdom, let it be.

And in my hour of darkness

She is standing right in front of me

Speaking words of wisdom, let it be.

Let it be, let it be.Let it be, let it be.

Whisper words of wisdom, let it be.

And when all the broken hearted people

Living in the world agree,

There will be an answer, let it be.

For though they may be parted there is

Still a chance that they will see

There will be an answer, let it be.

Let it be, let it be.Let it be, let it be.

There will be an answer, let it be.

Let it be, let it be.Let it be, let it be.

Whisper words of wisdom, let it be.(instrumental break)

Let it be, let it be.Let it be, let it be.

There will be an answer, let it be.

And when the night is cloudy,

There is still a light that shines on me.

Shine on 'til tomorrow, let it be.

I wake up to the sound of music

Mother Mary comes to me,

There are will be no sorrow, let it be.

Let it be, let it be.

Let it be, yeah let it be.

There will be no sorrow, let it be.

Let it be, let it be.Let it be, yeah let it be.

Whisper words of wisdom, let it be.

-This song shows the sense of alliteration, as seen in the last line, "Whisper words of wisdom". Also in the 7th to last line, "Mother Mary". This song is about the struggle, and horror's of the war and the depression. The song also shows a sense of religious view. In this song it would be Catholic: "Mother Mary comes to me."

WHERE DID I GET ALL THIS INFO??!

1. http://www.thebeatles.com/

2. www.last.fm/music/the+beatles

3. http://www.iamthebeatles.com/
4.http://www.leninimports.com/beatlestimeline.html

5. www.rockhall.com/unductee/the-beatles

6.http://www.unsolvedmysteries.com/usm345602.html