Lyric analysis

LYRIC ANALYSIS
ANALYSIS OF FOUR MUSIC VIDEOS FOR THEIR LYRICS

KEISHA – YOUR LOVE IS MY DRUG
[Verse 1]
Maybe I need some rehab, or maybe just need some sleep
I got a sick obsession, I'm seeing it in my dreams
I'm looking down every alley, I'm making those desperate calls
I'm staying up all night hoping, hitting my head against the wall
[Pre-Chorus]
What you've got, boy, is hard to find
I think about it all the time
I'm all strung out, my heart is fried
I just can't get you off my mind
[Chorus]
Because your love, your love, your love is my drug
Your love, your love, your love
I said your love, your love, your love is my drug
[Verse 2]
Won't listen to any advice
Momma's telling me I should think twice
Better left to my own devices
I'm addicted it's a crisis
My friends think I've gone crazy
My judgment's getting kinda hazy
My steeze is gonna be affected
If I keep it up like a lovesick crackhead
[Pre-Chorus]
What you've got, boy, is hard to find
I think about it all the time
I'm all strung out, my heart is fried
I just can't get you off my mind
[Chorus]
[Bridge]
I don't care what people say
The rush is worth the price I pay
I get so high when you're with me
But crash and crave you when you leave
Hey! So I gotta question
Do you wanna have a slumber party in my basement?
Do I make your heart beat like an 808 drum?
Is my love with your drug? Your drug
Huh, your drug - huh, your drug
Is my love your drug?
[Chorus (2x)]
[Outro]
Hey! Hey!
So...
Your love, your love, your love, your love
Is my drug
I like your beard

The main themes within the lyrics, i.e. drug usage, lust, desperation and
sensual feelings are visually explored within the video. For example, the
first screenshot shows her in a kaleidoscope view which can be likened
to how people see things when on psychedelics. There is also a shot of
her, with her body language resembling desperation and lust which are
explored lyrically.
The song also uses animation, which can link to the effects that
psychedelics have on people. They start to have hallucinations in the
form of random and colourful imagery, similar to what the video has
done.
Overall, the video mainly explores the metaphoric language through
visuals that resemble the relatable images seen when on drugs. This
can appeal to members of the audience who can identify with that
culture, however it mostly identifies with mainstream audiences as they
can identify with the colours and outlandish themes in the video which
explore the figurative language in the lyrics

In this verse, she is comparing her obsession on this
person to a drug addict or disturbed person. She is
questioning her insanity in the first line where she is
wondering weather the obsession is serious or if it is
just wearing her out. In her next line she admits to
having these obsessions and seeing it in her sleep. The
next line shows her desperate attempts to find this
person she is infatuated with, looking down alleyways
and making calls. She also admits to even losing sleep
over this and that has her frustrated.
The themes explored in this verse include
infatuation in a relationship comparing it to
known symptoms of drug addiction.
In the pre chorus, she is beginning to describe the
man in question. She is describing him as unique
by saying he has something special about him
(can be a sexual innuendo as most of the song
refers to explicit themes). The next line describes
her obsession over the special thing the man has.
Being “all strung out” can mean to be physically
and emotionally drained.. Finally, setting up the
chorus, she reiterates how she is unable to think
about anyone/thing else.
She is using metaphor of drugs to
emphasise her need for his love that he
gives. The repetition of the line “your
love” also further emphasises her
frustration on the impact this man has
had on her.
In the first line she refuses to listen to
any advice on what to do with her
obsession, implying that it is already
affecting her conscious decisions. It
could also mean her feeling intrigued
by these feelings she I having as the
“obsession” could be considered just a
metaphor for her strong infatuation.
The second line tells us what people close to
her think of the situation; her mother tells her
she should think twice, which she appears to
consider when including the line. This could also
be considered a reference to the song “Mama
Said” by The Shrielles which explores similar
themes of desperation and lust for another
person. She reiterates in the third line that she
is beyond help and is seriously addicted,
emotive language to show her extreme lust for
this person
With the next three lines,
she also reiterates her
judgement becoming
distorted and her being
unable to keep her cool
around people
(Steeze=style with ease).
The last goes back to the
drug reference in the songs
title as she uses a simile to
compare her to a crackhead
who is severely addicted to
crack cocaine. She adds
lovesick before the word to
make audiences aware that
it’s figurative.

After the second chorus, she seems to concede to
this addiction and accepts that she is no longer
concerned about her well being as she feels the
rush is “worth it”. “I get so high when your with me”
has connotations to both the drug culture and
common themes in relationships as getting “high” is
phrase used by people who smoke weed, while it
also relates to the romantic feeling of being
exuberated when with another person. Both
meanings can be intertwined as she could be
getting “high” with him while also feeling the same
way emotionally. She then describes the polar
opposite feeling of when he’s not around, again
comparing it to how a drug addict behaves when
missing their usual concoction.
The next three lines represent a casual conversation
she begins to have with the man she has been
singing about in the video, wanting to know if he
feels the same way about her (“Is my love your
drug?”= Are you as addicted as I am?). The
repetition at the end of “your drug” is reminiscent
of the sensation of being on drugs where
everything is unclear.
After the third and last chorus, she continues her conversational talk
with the man in question. The repetition of “hey” is her slurred talk
as she appears to behave like she is under the influence of a
substance. The repetition of “your love” also confirms this as there is
a return of the use of auto tune on these words which aren’t initially
in tune with the song. The last line shows her casual conversational
talk come back in the form of a humorous compliment, which also
still sounds like she’s under the influence.

CALVIN HARRIS – THINKING
ABOUT YOU
[VERSE 1]
IF I TOLD YOU, THAT THIS COULDN'T GET BETTER BABY
AND YOUR HEART BEAT, IT LET'S ME KNOW YOU FEEL THE SAME
I CAN HOLD YOU, KEEP YOU SAFE UNTIL YOU FALL ASLEEP
NEVER WORRY CAUSE I CAN GIVE YOU WHAT YOU NEED
[BRIDGE]
NOW EVERYTHING I DO
IS ALL FOR LOVING YOU
IT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT WE'RE USED TO
NO OTHER WAY TO SAY, I NEED YOU EVERYDAY
AND NOW I'M GONNA CHANGE MY WAYS
AND IT'S A PART OF YOU I NEVER WANNA LOSE
I'D DO ANYTHING YOU WANT ME TO
LIKE ANY OTHER DAY I KNOW I'LL FIND A WAY
AND IF EVER I'M ALONE, YOU SAY
[HOOK]
I'LL BE THINKING ABOUT YOU [8X]
[Verse 2]
In a moment, I know that everything can change
And I know that my life will never be the same
You're the only one that's making sense to me
When I close my eyes you're the one I see
There's no other way I can ever be without you babe
[Bridge]
[Hook]

The lyrics used in the song appear to be generic as there is no specific
reference to anyone in particular. As the video progresses it is clear
that there are several separate narratives happening that have no link
to the songs lyrics, however this could be interpreted as the lyrics
having multiple meanings as long as there is an interpretation of a
relationship.
The first example is of a women on a boat who looks to be reminiscing
about someone else as she sings the song lyrics (she is the singer
featured on the song.
The second example is of a lesbian relationship that occurs later
throughout the video as a result of a dispute between one of their
relationships.
The last example is of a sexual relationship that occurs on a plane.

The female in question is wondering if the person she is with
can sense that they are in a good place (most likely
figuratively). She can tell in the next line that he feels the
same way from his own heartbeat suggesting that they are
close together. The next suggests a motherly relationship as
she says she will be there to hold the person until they no
longer need her (falls asleep). She becomes more comforting
in the last line of the verse when she adds that she can
provide for the person.
The bridge confirms to this person that she is in love with the
other person and does everything with love for them,
something confirmed in the first few two lines. She then goes
onto say how its “not something we’re used to” which could
refer to how humans in general are selfish and do things for
themselves, even without knowing.
The next line shows how she is unable to find any other way
to express her feelings for this person. She’s decided to
change for him as she does not want to lose him, indicated
on the next two lines. The next two lines indicate that she
would use her sexuality if anything else fails to grab his
attention, setting up the hook.
The one line that is repeated throughout the beat
drop indicates that she has the persons attention.
This can be interpreted as the other person (a male)
having sexual thoughts of her as in the previous line
she had found a way ti get him to think about her.
The second verse shows how she concedes with her having
doubts about if the relationship will last. She also concedes that
she may never be the same again. But she then says that this
person is the only thing she perceives as reality and where she
can be happy. She can find no other way to be happy.

CHRIS BROWN - LOYAL[INTRO: LIL WAYNE & CHRIS BROWN]
YOUNG MULA, BABY!
(HAHA, YOU THOUGHT IT WAS OVER?)
[VERSE 1: LIL WAYNE]
I WASN'T BORN LAST NIGHT
I KNOW THESE HOES AIN’T RIGHT
BUT YOU WAS BLOWING UP HER PHONE LAST
NIGHT
BUT SHE AIN’T HAVE HER RINGER NOR HER RING
ON LAST NIGHT, OH
NIGGA, THAT’S THAT NERVE
WHY GIVE A BITCH YOUR HEART
WHEN SHE RATHER HAVE A PURSE?
WHY GIVE A BITCH YOUR INCH
WHEN SHE RATHER HAVE NINE?
YOU KNOW HOW THE GAME GOES
SHE BE MINE BY HALF TIME, I’M THE SHIT, OH
NIGGA, THAT’S THAT NERVE
YOU ALL ABOUT HER, AND SHE ALL ABOUT HERS
BIRDMAN JUNIOR IN THIS BITCH, NO FLAMINGOS
AND I DONE DID EVERYTHING BUT TRUST THESE
HOES
(CB FUCK WITH ME!)
[HOOK: CHRIS BROWN]
WHEN A RICH NIGGA WANT YOU
AND YOUR NIGGA CAN'T DO NOTHING FOR YA
THESE HOES AIN’T LOYAL
THESE HOES AIN’T LOYAL
YEAH, YEAH, LET ME SEE
[BRIDGE: CHRIS BROWN]
JUST GOT RICH
TOOK A BROKE NIGGA’S BITCH
I CAN MAKE A BROKE BITCH RICH
BUT I DON’T FUCK WITH BROKE BITCHES
[Verse 4: Tyga]
Uhhhh
Rich young nigga
Name got bigger and my change got bigger
So my chains got bigger
Ferrari, Jaguar, switching four lanes
With the top down screaming out, "money ain't a thing"
Hah, me and CB in the bay with her
Send her back home so you can lay with her
Okay, let's talk about this ice that I'm carrying
All these karats like I'm a fucking vegetarian
Shout-out Weezy F., keep a red bone wet
Rose rolex, hoes on deck
She know I got a check
Do it too good when she ride that dick
Man I wouldn't trust that bitch
No!
[Verse 5: Chris Brown]
Come on, come on, girl
Why you fronting?
Baby show me something
When I call her, she gon’ leave
And I bet that bottom dollar she gon’ cheat
Come on, come on, girl
Why you fronting?
Baby show me something
You done spent your bread on her
And it’s all for nothing
[Hook]
Got a white girl with some fake titties
I took her to the bay with me
Eyes closed smoking marijuana
Rolling up that Bob Marley, I’m a rasta
She wanna do drugs, smoke weed, get
drunk
She wanna see a nigga trap
She wanna fuck all the rappers
[Hook]
Black girl with a big booty
If she a bad bitch, let’s get to it (right
away)
We up in this club
Bring me the bottles
I know girl, that you came in this bitch
with your man
That’s a no-no girl
All this money in the air
I wanna see you dance
[Bridge] + [Hook]

As hip hop lyrics have more of a subtext compared to
the generic pop and dance songs explored before, there
is deeper analysis needed for it.
This Chris Brown song is depicting a girl who only seeks
benefits for her in a relationship; hence the term in the
song “These ho’s ain’t loyal”. Although the some of the
lyrics are visually reflected in the form of either its
signifier or its signified meaning. For example, during
the first verse when he says “Got a white girl with some
fake titties”, a white girl appears on screen. This could
be mainstream hip hop’s way of sticking to the
unattainable realities of people in their position;
attractive people with lots of money.
There is also an example of some of the lyrics being
explored metaphorically. During Tyga’s verse where he
goes “All these karats like I'm a fucking vegetarian”,
there is a shot of him holding his chains to show off his
“karats”. This acts as a double entendre as the word
sounds like carrots, the vegetable.

Like most rappers, Lil Wayne introduces himself to the audience to let them
know who he is. Chris Brown also does his own little introduction addressing
the audience to let them know he is back with more tunes. Lil Wayne starts
off his verse by stating that he is aware of how some women (Hoe’s) aren’t
any good. He is referring to how they are unfaithful which he goes onto
explain in the next few lines. He then mocks the audience by saying you they
didn’t’ know and tried to communicate with her only for her to not pick up
and not display any form of faithfulness around others, all described in the
next two lines. He is also hinting that the girl has probably cheated with
another man when “you” (audience) were calling. The next line has several
meanings. According to genius.com, it could refer to the “nerve” in the sense
of great rudeness; a lot of audacity or brashness. (i.e. You have a lot of nerve!
You took my parking place!) It could also refer to the nerve in a more literal
sense, where being hit directly on a nerve can cause a more sharp pain, so it’s
noticeable.
So in that sense, she hit her boyfriend on that nerve with her unfaithful
actions and that caused him to feel a sharp pain. An emotional pain. The next
few lines outline why there isn’t any need to pay the hoe any attention as she
will not return the favour, describes in the next four lines. He claims that the
girl will be with her before he knows it, using the basketball term to describe
the short time it takes for her to become unfaithful. After repeating the
notion that these girls won’t be loyal, Lil Wayne drops his second moniker
which references his tutelage under Birdman who is his mentor and fellow
label mate. Lil Wayne then says once again that he doesn’t associate with
these hoes before shouting out Chris Browns initials, introducing him to.

The hook, sung by Brown, describes the typical
scenario for when a girl would be likely to leave
the relationship. According to genius.com: a rich
persons status, and everything associated
(wealth, fame, influence) causes them to be put
on a pedestal by their fans – in particular, the
groupie girls. This, coinciding with the fact that
their (Hoes) current guys “can’t do nothing” for
them, be it financially, emotionally or sexually,
results in them becoming disloyal when
presented with a better proposition – i.e., Chris
Breezy.
The bridge now sees him bragging about himself and
his worth. He claims to be rich and to have taken
another mans girl. He also claims to be able to make
any girl, even poor ones, rich too. According to
genius.com: Chris Brown has the financial and
influential capacity to make a normal girl rich. This
could be through direct donations of his own personal
wealth or by getting her onto centrefold just by being
seen in public with her. Chris believes that girls can
advance their entertainment careers by being with him.
However, he doesn’t associate himself with lesser
known girls who may just be gold-digging groupies.
In CB’s first verse, he describes a scenario with a white girl on a night out, where he smokes
marijuana with her. She repeatedly asks for outlandish and unnecessary things such as wanting to do
all these drugs, smoke more weed, getting drunk, seeing him sell dope (according to genius.com:
“Trapping” is slang for dealing drugs. A good drug dealer obtains a certain amount of money, power,
and respect, and the type of girl that Chris Brown is referring to is attracted to that. She loves life in
the fast lane and that includes the typical “bad boy” street guy) and even have sex with numerous
other rappers.

After another hook, CB’s second verse describes
another outing, this time with a black girl. He appears
to use both verses to compare his situation with
different coloured females, describing differing
stereotypes of them (white girls with “fake titties”
and now black girls with a “big booty”). He describes
a night at a club where she has come with her
partner. CB isn’t having it and wants her to dance for
him as he throws his money around, again
insinuating how wealthy he is.
After another hook from CB, Tyga drops his verse
echoing sentiments from both Weezy and CB that
those hoes aren’t loyal. His first few lines however, are
him bragging about himself in a sort of introduction to
him to himself. According to genius.com: Tyga with the
throwback to Jay Z’s Money Ain’t a Thang, quoting
Jermaine Dupri: In the Ferrari or Jaguar, switchin four
lanes
With the top down screamin out, money ain’t a thang
(This is in turn a reference to these lines from “Can’t
Knock The Hustle”) Tyga’s not just quoting these lines
randomly, though. King Gold Chains also drives in high
quality super cars and can quite comfortably say that
cash is no longer a problem for him, particularly after
dropping over $2m on a Maybach convertible back in
December 2013. As mentioned before, Tyga uses word
play to brag about his wealth in the line “All these
karats like im a fuckin vegetarian”. He shouts out yet
another Lil Wayne moniker while complimenting his
ability to get women excited. More from genius.com:
This line is taken from Lil Wayne’s “Shine”. Tyga’s last
line generalises the songs entire meaning as he agrees
to not trusting these hoes.
According to genius.com: The girl may
now be putting up a facade by acting as if
she’s not really that interested in Chris
and/or is faithful to her current man, but
Chris knows that the girl really wants him.
The girl’s now acting as if she isn’t
interested in Chris and is loyal towards her
man, but Chris knows that’s all a lie. CB
then addresses the audience knowing
already she is thinking of cheating on him.
After repeating the first few lines, he
mocks the average man for wasting his
money and time on her when it was all for
nothing.

Lyric analysis

Recommended

Recommended

More Related Content

What's hot

What's hot (15)

Viewers also liked

Viewers also liked (11)

Similar to Lyric analysis

Similar to Lyric analysis (19)

Recently uploaded

Recently uploaded (13)

Lyric analysis