Essay Undergraduate 1,649 words

Song Lyrics as Poetry: Teaching Music Alongside Literature

~9 min read 6 sections Literature · Poetry

Abstract

This paper argues that song lyrics deserve a place in literary education alongside traditional poetry. Through a close reading of Cornelius Eady's poem "The Supremes" and Taylor Swift's song "Mean," the paper demonstrates that lyricists employ the same literary devices as poets — including metaphor, simile, imagery, and layered meaning — to address complex themes such as bullying. The analysis traces historical connections between music and literature, examines how both works approach bullying from contrasting perspectives, and concludes that lyrics should be taught as poetry, with the same critical eye applied to distinguishing profound work from more superficial expression.

Key Takeaways

Introduction: The Poetry–Lyrics Debate: Historical context and thesis on lyrics as poetry
Literary Devices in Cornelius Eady's 'The Supremes': Metaphor and layered meaning in Eady's poem
Taylor Swift's 'Mean' as Literary Text: Simile, imagery, and violence in Swift's lyrics
Comparing Perspectives on Bullying: Shared literary economy in both works
The Continuum from Poetry to Song: Rap and spoken word bridge poetry and song
Should Lyrics Be Taught as Poetry?: Qualified case for lyrics in literary education

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What makes this paper effective

The paper grounds its argument in direct textual evidence, quoting both works with specific line numbers to support each analytical claim rather than relying on generalizations.
It uses a productive parallel structure: analyzing each work's treatment of a shared theme (bullying) before drawing comparative conclusions, which keeps the argument focused and easy to follow.
The paper moves skillfully from close reading to a broader pedagogical claim, showing how the literary analysis supports the real-world recommendation to include lyrics in literature curricula.

Key academic technique demonstrated

The paper exemplifies comparative literary analysis: placing two texts in dialogue with each other to reveal shared techniques and contrasting perspectives. By selecting works from different genres that address the same theme, the writer can highlight what is universal about literary craft — the use of metaphor, layered meaning, and imagery — while also noting how medium and perspective shape expression differently.

Structure breakdown

The essay opens with historical and cultural context before introducing the two primary texts. It then moves through close readings of each work in turn, identifying specific literary devices. A comparative section synthesizes these findings, followed by a broader reflection on the poetry-to-song continuum (including rap and spoken word). The essay closes with a qualified pedagogical recommendation — lyrics should be taught as poetry, but with critical discrimination about quality.

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Essay 1,649 words

Introduction: The Poetry–Lyrics Debate

One of the more interesting discussions in modern literature is whether song lyrics should be considered poetry. Historically, there was not necessarily a distinction between songs and literature, as bards used music to help convey literary ideas — whether in the form of songs, spoken verse, or even stories set to music. However, modern society has differentiated song lyrics from poetry, and has done so in a manner that can be dismissive of the meaning embedded in lyrics. Song lyrics are often regarded as merely a part of popular culture, while poetry is treated as a distinct art form.

The reality, however, is that song lyrics can engage in the same in-depth level of storytelling and address the same issues as poetry. Cornelius Eady's poem "The Supremes" discusses bullying in schools from the perspective of the bullies themselves. Taylor Swift's "Mean" — arguably the most widely known song about bullying — approaches the same topic from the perspective of the victim. When the two works are examined together, it becomes clear that both employ literary devices to convey their messages.

5 Sections Hidden · 950 words

Literary Devices in Cornelius Eady's 'The Supremes'280 words

Eady begins his poem with a metaphor: "We were born to be gray" (1). This figurative image signals to the audience from the outset that…

Taylor Swift's 'Mean' as Literary Text290 words

On its surface, Taylor Swift's song may appear more straightforward than Eady's poem. Nevertheless, Swift employs many of the same literary techniques. Where Eady…

Comparing Perspectives on Bullying120 words

Examining the two works side-by-side, it becomes clear that songwriters use many of the same techniques as poets. By analyzing a song and a poem that tackle the same…

The Continuum from Poetry to Song130 words

Moreover, certain genres of music are nearly indistinguishable from poetry. Consider the divide between spoken word lyrics in rap and hip-hop…

Should Lyrics Be Taught as Poetry?130 words

Because songwriters demonstrably employ the same literary techniques as poets, lyrics should be taught alongside traditional poetry in literary education. It is important, however, to apply the same standards of critical…

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Works Cited

Eady, Cornelius. "The Supremes." Name of Textbook. Ed. Editor's Name(s). City of Publication: Publisher, Year. 361–362. Print.

Swift, Taylor. "Mean." Speak Now. Big Machine, 2010. CD.

Appendix A: Lyrics to "Mean" by Taylor Swift

You, with your words like knives
And swords and weapons that you use against me
You have knocked me off my feet again
Got me feeling like I'm nothing
You, with your voice like nails on a chalkboard
Calling me out when I'm wounded
You picking on the weaker man
You can take me down with just one single blow
But you don't know, what you don't know

Someday, I'll be living in a big ol' city
And all you're ever gonna be is mean
Someday I'll be big enough so you can't hit me
And all you're ever gonna be is mean
Why you gotta be so mean?

You, with your switching sides
And your wildfire lies and your humiliation
You have pointed out my flaws again
As if I don't already see them
I walk with my head down
Trying to block you out 'cause I'll never impress you
I just wanna feel okay again
I bet you got pushed around
Somebody made you cold
But the cycle ends right now
'Cause you can't lead me down that road
And you don't know, what you don't know

Someday, I'll be living in a big ol' city
And all you're ever gonna be is mean
Someday I'll be big enough so you can't hit me
And all you're ever gonna be is mean
Why you gotta be so mean?

And I can see you years from now in a bar
Talking over a football game
With that same big loud opinion
But nobody's listening
Washed up and ranting about the same old bitter things
Drunk and grumbling on about how I can't sing
But all you are is mean
All you are is mean
And a liar, and pathetic, and alone in life
And mean, and mean, and mean, and mean

But someday, I'll be living in a big ol' city
And all you're ever gonna be is mean
Someday I'll be big enough so you can't hit me
And all you're ever gonna be is mean
Why you gotta be so?

Someday, I'll be living in a big ol' city (Why you gotta be so?…)
And all you're ever gonna be is mean (Why you gotta be so?…)
Someday I'll be big enough so you can't hit me (Why you gotta be so?…)
And all you're ever gonna be is mean
Why you gotta be so mean?

Key Concepts in This Paper

Song Lyrics Literary Devices Bullying Themes Figurative Language Comparative Analysis Spoken Word Metaphor and Simile Literary Education Layered Meaning Poetry and Music