Metaphor is a key element in songwriting, serving as a bridge between the literal and the figurative. It allows songwriters to express complex emotions and concepts in a relatable way. As a songwriting coach, I often guide my clients through the process of creating metaphors, helping them unlock deeper meanings in their lyrics.
Creating a Metaphor
Creating a metaphor involves drawing a comparison between two seemingly unrelated things, suggesting a similarity between them without using “like” or “as” (which would make it a simile). Focus on an idea, emotion, or situation; think about the qualities of that concept and identify something unrelated that also shares some of those characteristics. Then bring them together, as seen in the following examples.
Iconic Metaphors in Music
“Wild is the wind” (Nina Simone) evokes a sense of untamed, unpredictable emotions, capturing the essence of a volatile and passionate relationship.
“Tangled up in blue” (Bob Dylan) describes the complicated, unresolved feelings and situations in life.
“Red right hand” (Nick Cave) often symbolises power, control, or ominous intervention.
“Blood red river” (Beth Orton) represents intense, deep-rooted emotions or tumultuous events.
“Heart-shaped box” (Nirvana) can symbolise the complexities and traps of love.
“Love is blindness” (U2) expresses the idea that love can often obscure our rational judgement.
“We are stardust, we are golden” (Joni Mitchell) uses cosmic imagery to convey both a truth and a sense of universal connection and purity of spirit.
“Seashell eyes” (John Lennon) serves as a metaphor for delicate and intricate beauty.
“Shine on your crazy diamond” (Pink Floyd) celebrates individuality and the brilliance of uniqueness.
“Blackbird singing in the dead of night, take these broken wings and learn to fly” (The Beatles) offers a powerful metaphor for the civil rights movement, symbolising hope and the struggle for freedom.
Moreover, “She lives with a broken man, a cracked polystyrene man, who just crumbles and burns. He used to do surgery for girls in the 80s, but gravity always wins” (Radiohead) criticises the artificiality and superficiality of modern life.
“But we’re trash, you and me. We’re the litter on the breeze. We’re the lovers on the streets” (Suede) likens the song’s characters to discarded objects, reflecting feelings of societal alienation.
“I dreamed I saw the bombers, riding shotgun in the sky. They were turning into butterflies above our nation” (Joni Mitchell) presents a surreal image of transformation from destruction to beauty and peace.
“Strawberry Fields” (The Beatles) metaphorically represents a nostalgic, idealised place of childhood innocence.
“Rows of houses, all bearing down on me. I can feel their blue hands touching me” (Radiohead) paints a picture of oppressive, inescapable societal pressures.
“Purple haze all in my brain. Lately, things just don’t seem the same. Acting funny, but I don’t know why. Excuse me while I kiss the sky” (Jimi Hendrix) describes a disorienting, psychedelic experience.
“And moving lips to breathe her name, I opened up my eyes. And found myself alone, alone, alone above a raging sea that stole the only girl I loved and drowned her deep inside of me” (The Cure) employs dreamlike imagery to express the intensity and ethereal quality of love.
Finally, “Words are flowing out like endless rain into a paper cup. They slither while they pass; they slip away across the universe. Pools of sorrow, waves of joy are drifting through my opened mind, possessing and caressing me” (The Beatles) combines simile and metaphor to describe the boundless nature of thoughts and emotions.
The Power of Metaphor in Songwriting
These examples illustrate the profound impact metaphors can have in songwriting, allowing artists to explore and express a vast array of themes and emotions. As a vocal coach and artist mentor, I find that metaphors enrich songwriting, making lyrics resonate more deeply with listeners.
Working Together
I love writing songs with my clients, an entire lyric can generally be produced in one session. All material is 100% your property. I simply ask questions to encourage metaphors, contrasts, and themes while typing up your material. It’s a lot of fun! Reach out!
