Figurative language in Katy Perry's "Firework"

“Firework” by Katy Perry English 12 Oral Presentation December 9th, 2010

Outline 1. Introduction to Katy Perry 2. References to fireworks in music/literature 3. Inspirations 4. Audience – who will “hear” this song? 5. Major themes presented 6. Figurative language 7. The Music 8. The Music Video 9. Critical Acclaim & Opinion 10. Sources 11. The Song

Who's Katy Perry?
Born October 25th, 1984
Santa Barbara, California
Former Christian folk singer turned pop star
Influenced by Alanis Morrissette's “Jagged Little Pill” (1995)
Her debut album “One of the Boys” featured hits “I Kissed a Girl” and “Ur So Gay” (and you don't even like boys...)

Why Fireworks? Reference to title: Singular firework Positive connotation (typically) Other songs titled “Fireworks” -Tragically Hip, Roxette, Drake, Animal Collective... Reference to Jack Kerouac's On The Road: "[...] the only people for me are the mad ones, the ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars and in the middle you see the blue centerlight pop and everybody goes 'Awww!'

Audience Who will “hear” this song? Youth (based on most of her other songs...) Troubled spirits? Those looking for inspiration American audience? Reference to Fourth of July... NOT for death metal fans...pop genre

Themes Presented Could be considered as personal philosophy Human spiritual growth and awakening Revelation of self to others Individual worth and self- esteem

Figurative language?
Do you ever feel like a plastic bag
Drifting through the wind
Wanting to start again
Do you ever feel so paper thin
Like a house of cards
One blow from caving in
Do you ever feel already buried deep
Six feet under scream
But no one seems to hear a thing
Personal appeal at start of song – use of various similes
“ Six feet under scream” mixes imagery of burial and frustration
“ No one seems to hear a thing” indicates lack of connection with others

Metaphor for the spirit...
You just gotta ignite the light
And let it shine
Just own the night
Like the Fourth of July
Baby you're a firework
Come on let your colors burst
Boom, boom, boom
Even brighter than the moon, moon, moon
Light imagery is huge here – symbolizes the human potential...
“ Let your colors burst” portrays inner talents as colors...metaphorical
“ Even brighter than the moon” uses hyperbole to inspire us...

Sound Devices
Make 'em go “Oh, oh, oh!”
As you shoot across the sky-y-y
Boom, Boom, Boom
Even brighter than the moon, moon, moon
It's always been inside of you, you, you
Cause baby you're a firework
Come on show 'em what you're worth
Use of repetition for sound effect and mood
Use of “boom” to imitate opening of spirit – onomatopoeia
Rhyme scheme is irregular, but present where convenient...

Other figurative language
You don't have to feel like a waste of space,
You're original, cannot be replaced.
If you only knew what the future holds,
After a hurricane comes a rainbow.
Maybe you're the reason why all the doors are closed,
So you can open one that leads you to the perfect road
Like a lightning bolt, your heart will blow
“ Waste of space” - bullying language
“ Hurricane...rainbow” - weather metaphor for potential
The “perfect road” - metaphor similar to Robert Frost
“ Like a lightning bolt” - use of simile to describe process

♪ The Music... ♫
Heavy bass beat typical of dance music
Addition of cello adds sophistication
Vocal role of Perry overpowers

The Music Video
Uses explosive image of fireworks exploding from chest area
Case study of four youths in differing situations
Video was partially “censored” in Britain
Filmed in Budapest, Hungary

Do People Like It? Reached no. 1 in two countries: -New Zealand (November 14th/10) -USA (Currently Billboard no.2!) -Highly ranked in Europe (but not no.1) MTV News quoted Perry as saying this song is “Probably my favourite song off the record.” Personal favourite of mine at the moment; great teacher song, catchy tune. Mixed reviews from “the experts”...

My sources “ Katy Perry Biography.” Author unknown. Source:http: //www.aceshowbiz.com/celebrity/katy_perry/biography.html. Online December 7/2010. “ Jack Kerouac quote.” Author unknown. Source: http://www.goodreads.com/quotes/show/3831. “ Katy Perry's 'Firework' video censored.” Author unknown. http://www.digitalspy.com/music/news/a286297/katy-perrys-firework-video-censored.html. “ Katy Perry on new single 'Firework'”. Author unknown. Online December 8/2010. http://www.novafm.com.au Cole, Matthew. “Katy Perry; Teenage Dream”. August 22,2010. Online. http://www.slantmagazine .com

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Figurative language in Katy Perry's "Firework"

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Figurative language in Katy Perry’s "Firework" — Presentation Transcript