A song analysis essay requires skills in both literary analysis and music theory to delve into the lyrical and musical aspects of a song. It involves dissecting lyrics for poetic devices and meanings while also understanding the musical elements of melody, harmony, rhythm, and instrumentation. The analysis must achieve a balance between objective assessment of components and subjective interpretation of the song's impact, presenting a nuanced analysis that goes beyond surface observations by unraveling layers of meaning in both the lyrics and music.