Tuesday, March 13, 2018

Analyze a Song - Modern Jesus by Portugal. The Man

Lyrics Here

          Modern Jesus is part of the Evil Friends album by modern rock band Portugal. The Man. It is a song about not believing in anyone or anything but yourself. It incorporates a number of poetic devices in its verses and chorus, and while the lyrics aren't complicated, they fit together well enough to send its message.
          In the first and opening verse, there is heavy assonance on the "long e" sound. However, not the end of every line rhymes with each other, so the rhyme scheme isn't exactly ABAB, but more of an ABCBDEBBBFG, but with some internal and slant rhyme. In the chorus, following the first verse, assonance is also present, but this time on the "us" sound. Almost every line in the chorus ends with an "us" rhyme or another "short u" sound. The rhyme scheme here seems to be along the lines of AAABAA. Each line also ends smoothly, providing a mild euphony. Verse 2 is definitely the heaviest in poetic devices. Assonance is present on three distinct vowel sounds: the "long i", "long a", and the "long o". Being all "long" vowels, of course, this verse as a whole is a strong euphony. However, this verse isn't too heavy on rhyme, unlike the chorus. Finally, verse 3, as its relatives, is also heavy on smooth assonance; specifically, the "long e" and "long u" sounds. This verse is also has a similar rhyme scheme as the chorus, with only one line that doesn't seem to fit the verse's end rhyme scheme. Overall, this song as a whole is heavy with smooth assonance and euphony, and I believe that that helps convey its care-free style and send its message that you only need to worry about yourself.

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