Figurative Language in Songs

Jacob Warren

Simile

• Taylor Swift- Mean• “You, with your words like knives”• In this song, she is saying her ex boyfriend is

verbally mean to her

Metaphor

• Katy Perry- Firework• “Cause baby you’re a firework”• Katy Perry is comparing a person to an

explosive firework

Alliteration

• Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer• Rudolph’s full name uses the “R” sound at the

beginning of the word three times

Hyperbole

• Alicia Keys-Girl On Fire• “This girl is on fire”• In the song, she is exaggerating when

describing the girl

Onomatopoeia

• Nicki Minaj-Super Bass• “Cant you hear that boom, badoom, boom,

boom, badoom, boom, bass”• Nicki Minaj is using sounds to describe

something

Imagery

• Imagine Dragons-It’s Time• “The path to heaven runs through miles of

clouded hell right to the top”• These lyrics puts an image in your mind of

how hard it will be before you can finally reach success