Song Analysis 1

Chicago released “Hard To Say I’m Sorry/Get Away” in 1982 on their album Chicago 16. It hit number one on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and U.S. Billboard Adult Contemporary in 1982. Also it hit number one on the Canadian, Irish, Swiss, and Italian Singles Charts in 1982-83. Chicago was a soft rock band that incorporated horns, synthesizer, and electric guitar into their music. In this particular song, the narrator talks of a loved one who is fed up with him for his mistakes. He is heartbroken and pleads his case. Shifting from remorseful to exuberant diction, in “Hard To Say I’m Sorry/Get Away”, Chicago uses essential repetition, serious tone, and indifferent irony to convey the idea that mistakes can be forgiven if true sorrow is expressed.

            Repetition is essential to the overall message and affect of the song. The narrator is obviously heartbroken, so he cannot help but to repeat himself. Though he repeatedly exclaims, “It’s hard for me to say I’m sorry”, he is making a point and emphasizing it which creates a sense of truth. Through the repetition of “I will make it up to you/I promise to”, the narrator evokes his feelings by saying he will not feel better until his lover does. He exclaims “I can’t let go” especially after “all we’ve been through”. Without his lover, he could not go on. Through repetition, the narrator gets his lover back.

            In the seriousness of the tone lie the narrator’s true feelings of sorrow. Distressed and living the consequence of his mistake promotes a serious-feeling realization as his lover explains that “Everybody needs a little time away/…from each other”. The realization of his mistake immediately sends him into shock. His shock reveals the truth within him as he states his case. Obviously, lying at this point would only cause the situation to worsen and his lover would completely ignore him and leave. But, the serious tone brings his lover to stop and think, eventually reasoning that he is truly sorry and deserves another chance.

            When the narrator gets his lover back, he is completely indifferent to the ironic situation. It is ironic that even after such a big mistake his lover takes him back. She even tells him, “Even lovers need a holiday”, to try to tell him off. Of course, once reunited, the narrator then becomes completely indifferent to the mistake and even the fact that she is mad at him. All he cares about is that she is back and that the love between them is renewed. Also ironic is the fact that he will probably make another mistake and the entire process will happen all over again. The love maybe made but the narrator’s immediate indifference foreshadows another problem in the relationship.

            Through essential repetition, serious tone, and indifferent irony, Chicago portrays the idea that true sorrow can fix mistakes in “Hard To Say I’m Sorry/Get Away”. Chicago explains that forgiving is an act that can be done easily when someone is truly sorry. But they also warn us of the dangers and tricks of love that lead to entering a vicious circle.  

Dave Matthews Band: "Funny the Way It Is" Song Analysis

“Funny the Way It Is” was recorded by the Dave Matthews Band in their album Big Whiskey and the GrooGrux King. They hit number one on U.S. Billboard Album Adult Alternative. In this song Dave Matthews (who writes all the songs they do not cover) talks completely casually about the events going on in the world. He explains the good and bad events as opposites. In “Funny the Way It Is”, Dave Matthews uses neutralizing dramatic irony, thoughtful imagery, and nonchalant satire to convey the theme that the world is filled with opposites.

            Dave Matthews shows us his world of opposites through neutralizing dramatic irony. To start off each chorus Matthews uses “Funny the way it is” as a way to make the listener anticipate a happy thought. Instead he gives a sad event and then a happy event. These events are all polar opposite and cancel each other out, leaving the listener unable to feel any emotion. “On a soldier’s last breath his baby’s being born” keeps one wondering whether to be happy or sad. Also it is ironic that “One kid walks 10 miles to school, another’s dropping out” and dramatically confusing to the listener. All these ideas come together to add the effect of meandering through the song, as if it is leading nowhere. But through his imagery, Matthews leads us somewhere.

            Using thoughtful imagery, Dave Matthews portrays opposites in the world. Matthews asks questions about the world and how it works. He exclaims, “Watch the sky, the jet planes, so far out of my reach/ Is there someone up there looking down on me?” to express his wonder of a divine force watching him. Also, he thinks about past obstacles for mankind: “when there was no bridge just water” how did they get across? He reminisces about “Mountains and oceans and winters and rivers and stars” which were so such big wonders for man to get through. But “Now the world is small” and these are simple objects. His wonders and thoughts reflect mankind as able to put things behind them. Even though “Someone’s heart is broken…it becomes your favorite song”; therefore, it is acceptable for that heart to be broken. Matthews is explaining that all our differences, or opposites, are ignored because we are indifferent.

            Utilizing nonchalant satire, Dave Matthews explain a world of opposites. Ultimately, Matthews is making fun of all the things that have opposites. He says, “Someone’s house is burning down on a day like this”, as it is a “beautiful day”. By giving a depressing scene happiness, he is poking fun at it. “Funny the way it is” that Matthews makes fun of all these bad situations. Matthews has an ‘oh well’ attitude as a “Boy chase a bird…/ He’ll never catch her”. He means to say that mankind will never change, so why should he feel bad. Instead of stopping to sob, he moves on. In the long run, this removes obstacles through his life, making it easier on himself. So he pairs each bad event with a good event to save time and time is important “if you think about it”.

            Neutralizing dramatic irony, thoughtful imagery, and nonchalant satire convey the theme that the world is filled with opposites in Dave Matthews’, “Funny the Way It Is”. Matthews is all for making fun of mankind for being so indifferent to each other. He also explains that the ‘oh well’ persona is used often. Everybody seems the same to him. Dave Matthews leads us to go out and make a difference and to be someone different. He asks us to “remember how it used to be”.  

Tears In Heaven by Eric Clapton

Would you know my name

If I saw you in heaven

Will it be the same

If I saw you in heaven

I must be strong, and carry on

Cause I know I don't belong

Here in heaven

Would you hold my hand

If I saw you in heaven

Would you help me stand

If I saw you in heaven

I'll find my way, through night and day

Cause I know I just can't stay

Here in heaven

Time can bring you down

Time can bend your knee
Time can break your heart

Have you begging please

Begging please

Beyond the door

There's peace I'm sure.

And I know there'll be no more...

Tears in heaven

Would you know my name

If I saw you in heaven

Will it be the same

If I saw you in heaven

I must be strong, and carry on

Cause I know I don't belong
Here in heaven

Cause I know I don't belong

Here in heaven

   

      In "Tears In Heaven", Eric Clapton uses hopeful symbolism, sorrowful imagery, and questioning motif in order to portray the idea that time can destroy memories and feelings.