This document provides guidance on interpreting song lyrics through a 6-step process: 1. Listen to the song while reading lyrics 2. Read lyrics alone to understand intent and meaning 3. Focus on concrete imagery and senses in lyrics 4. Unpack unusual or poetic phrases individually 5. Check lyric annotation sites for additional context 6. Remember there is rarely one right meaning, but interpretations should be backed by lyric evidence

1. Song
Interpretation
Grade 12 – Level A, B, C, D
SMA Budi Utama

2. Table of Contents
Lyrics
Understanding
Song’s Lyrics
Project 3 – Song
Interpretation
Song
01
02
03
04

3. Song
01.

4. Song
- a usually short piece of music with words that
are sung
- a composition made up of lyrics and music, with the
intent of the lyrics being sung, for the purpose of
producing a proportionate feeling or emotion in
relation to a particular matter.

5. “Words make you think.
Music makes you feel.
A song makes you feel a thought.”
― Yip Harburg

6. Song's Lyrics
02.

7. Lyrics
Lyrics and its parts
Verses
Refrain
The words of a song are
called lyrics.
Lyrics can include a series
of verses, the longer sections of
the song that tell the story, and
a refrain, a short phrase repeated
at the end of every verse.

8. A Picture Is
Worth a
Thousand Words

9. Understanding
a Song’s Lyrics
03.

10. Pull the lyrics up online to make sure
you're not mishearing any of them!
What is the overall mood of the
song?
How do the lyrics match up with the
instruments?
Do they have a similar feel or are
they conflicting with each
other?
1. Listen to the song while
reading the lyrics

11. Great lyrics are a form of poetry, and reading them
without the distraction of instruments can help you parse
out their intent!
● Who is the speaker? Don't just assume that the
speaker is literally the singer -- they could be playing
a character or referencing a larger issue.
● If there is a "you" or a "we" in the song, who does this
refer to? A lover? A friend? A politician?
● What are the major images or ideas that keep
popping up?
2. Read the lyrics on
their own to decipher
their meaning!

12. Good lyrics have a "visual" component as
well. They describe a scene or feeling with
images, not just vague ideas or phrases.
● Where does the song take place? This
could be a very specific location, like a
girl's bedroom in Taylor Swift's "Love
Story."
3. Focus on concrete
imagery and senses!

13. 4. Unpack unusual or
poetic phrases one at
a time!
Metaphors and figurative
language are when the words
don't literally mean what they
say.
"the answers, my friend,
are blowing in the wind,"
The answers are simple and all
around us if we just take the time
to stop and look.
It likely means she is beautiful but
also dangerously thorny.
"My love is a rose"

14. Sites like Genius.com allow anyone
to annotate lyrics with
interpretations, explanations, and
definitions of each line.
- Try out SongMeanings, SongFacts,
and LyricInterpretations, as well.
5. Check a lyric annotation site for
additional clues.

15. 6. Remember that there
is rarely one "right"
meaning.
● The Eagles' "Hotel California" is one of the
most debated songs of all time, because so
many people have so many interpretations of
it.
● What is most important is that you can defend
your position with evidence from the song. As
long as you can back up your meaning with
actual lyrics or stories, it is a valid meaning.

16. Project 3
Interpreting
Songs’ Lyrics
04.

17. Good Luck!
Thank you
Do you have any
questions?