What are some examples of figurative language in song lyrics?

mizzwillie

The original question has to do with figurative language and song lyrics which I'm sure
you have access to if you love music.  I would suggest you try Amy Winehouse because if you can
find figurative language in her dark songs, you can find it anywhere.  In her song, "Back
to Black", she uses awith the phrase, "life is like a pipe" which is a comparison
between two unlike objects using like or as and gives the picture of life being a long, narrow,
confining pipe.  Another example from this same song is theshe uses when she says, "And I'm
a tiny penny rolling up the walls inside." She is saying she IS the penny which is a
comparison between two unlike objects without using like or as which is a metaphor and gives the
listener the image of her feeling very small and fearful.  This also can be used asas a penny
cannot roll up anything itself which means it has been given the human power to do so.  The
image of her being so small and rolling up so tightly inside is also effective to show her fear
or despair.  Obviously, this artist would be okay for a college song lyric, but I would not use
her for anyone younger as a classroom assignment.  As a teacher, Amy Winehouse's lyrics would
cause too much grief because of her explicit words.

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