The document analyzes the lyrics of the song "Somewhere Only We Know" by Lily Allen. It discusses how the lyrics describe a forest setting and how this could inform the music video. It also notes that the first person perspective makes the song feel personal. Finally, it discusses how the line "This could be the end of everything" is emphasized through a lack of rhyme, possibly signifying the reality behind the imaginary world created in the song. The overall analysis of the song's lyrics, emotions, and context will help in planning the music video's setting, storyline, and conveying of emotion.
1. Daniella Violet Bryce
Lily Allen-Somewhere Only We Know
(Original by Keane)
Furthermore the place
being described sounds to
be a forest as the nouns
'land', 'pathway', 'earth',
'river' etc all have the
connotations of a
woodland setting. This
could be helpful when
choosing the setting of the
music video as if it were to
be filmed in a forest the
video would connect with
the lyrics.
The song is in first person.
This makes the song seem
a lot more personal to the
listener. Also using first
person can make put
emphasis on the context
of the lyrics and so
encourages the listener to
come up with their own
perception of the lyrics.
The line "This could be the
end of everything" is used
twice in the song and both
times doesn't rhyme with
the adjacent rhyming. This
singles out the quote and
puts emphasis on its
meaning. Ultimately it has
no place in the song but
one could perceive it as
the reality behind the song
as this all may be
imagination
I walked across an empty land
I knew the pathway like the back of my hand
I felt the earth beneath my feet
Sat by the river and it made me complete
Oh simple thing, where have you gone?
I'm getting tired and I need someone to rely on
There are two verses
before the main chorus
that appear to be
describing the place that is
the subject of the song.
This not only creates
context but also allows the
reader to use their
imagination to visualise
the place being described.
I came across a fallen tree
I felt the branches of it looking at me
Is this the place we used to love?
Is this the place that I've been dreaming of?
Oh simple thing, where have you gone?
I'm getting old and I need something to rely on
And if you have a minute why don't we go
Talk about it somewhere only we know?
This could be the end of everything,
So why don't we go
Somewhere only we know
Somewhere only we know
Oh simple thing, where have you gone?
I'm getting old and I need someone to rely on
So tell me when you're gonna let me in
I'm getting tired and I need somewhere to begin
And if you have a minute why don't we go
Talk about it somewhere only we know?
'Cause this could be the end of everything,
So why don't we go
Somewhere only we know?
Somewhere only we know?
Overall the song's lyrics has many connotations of different
locations, emotions and context. Having looked into these it will
help me decide on the final settings for the production of the music
video and the overall context/storyline of the video. The emotions
conveyed will also help me in choreographing the emotions
conveyed by my artist though the video.
Throughout the song the
lyrics appear to be talking
about someone and a
particular place. This
combined with the first
person also makes the
song personal as the
listener can relate to their
own experiences and
people they know.
Throughout the song there
is the use of end rhymes.
Which is typically used not
only in songs but also in
poetry. This gives the song
an overall older feel as this
technique makes the
verses of the song flow
and interlock with each
other.