Poetic Devices in Songwriting: a Mitski Analysis
Image: Lorne Thomson/Redferns via Getty Images
Some artists have a way of writing music so poetically that you almost feel like you’re living inside of it. But how do they do it? It requires a thorough understanding of poetic devices and how they’re used to pack the most punch.
One artist who has mastered this is Mitski. Let’s analyze my top five favorite examples and the significance of each one.
5) Repetition- “A Burning Hill”
“I’ve been a forest fire,
I am forest fire.
And I am the fire,
And I am the forest,
And I am a witness watching it.”
This line is a great first example of repetition as a poetic device in songwriting. By describing herself as a “forest fire,” she implies that she feels highly destructive and uncontrollable. However, by assigning herself as both the “forest” and a “witness,” she reveals that these impulsive feelings are aimed at herself. She knows about this destructive behavior but watches as she acts on it anyway. The repetition of the phrase makes these feelings and behaviors feel permanent and unchanging.
4) Irony- “Nobody”
“Venus, planet of love
Was destroyed by global warming”
Throughout this song, Mitski carries an overarching theme of loneliness while struggling with her insecurities and fears. Saying the “planet of love” was ruined under such harsh circumstances is ironic and insinuates that she once felt beautiful and powerful but now does not.
3) Metaphor- “Washing Machine Heart”
“Toss your dirty shoes
In my washing machine heart, baby
Bang it up inside”
Starting this song with a metaphor, she uses this poetic device to describe her heart as something that will love someone purely and take on their baggage to help them. The line, “Bang it up inside” shows that she doesn’t mind being hurt if it means her subject will feel better.
2) Imagery- “Pink in the Night”
“I glow pink in the night in my room
I’ve been blossoming alone over you”
Though this imagery could refer to the literal pink flush associated with blushing to show her affection, I believe it goes deeper than that. “I’ve been blossoming alone over you” allows the listener to infer that she has not told anyone about this affection she feels, and the pink glow refers to her emotions radiating from the inside.
1) Personification- “Your Best American Girl”
“You’re the sun,
You’ve never seen the night, but
You hear its song from the morning birds.
Well, I’m not the moon, I’m not even a star
But awake at night I’ll be singing to the birds”
This line is a unique example of personification, I will admit. This is because not only does she give the sun and the moon human aspects, she assigns them human aspects unique to herself and her subject. This adds a whole new layer to the story, as these traits aren’t just generic traits anyone could have. They are significant to her specifically.
These are just a few pieces of a full discography of poetry. Now that you’ve seen examples of how poetic devices can be used to better your art, I encourage you to look into your favorite artist’s music, or even your own to see what you can find!