Meredith Hiltbrand

English 112

Griffin

Section DJ

Figurative Language

Figurative language is used in almost everybody’s vocabulary daily. Most of the songs in my iTunes Library consist of some sort of figurative language. One that has always been a favorite of mine is called I’ve Seen a Love by Edwin McCain. The lyrics consist of many metaphors. McCain compares love and his feelings a lot throughout this song.

The phrase, “I've seen a love that rolls like thunder, I've seen a love that falls like rain” are both metaphors for the love that he has seen. McCain seems to be talking about how his love in his life is not going as well as he had planned.

More metaphors occur as the song proceeds. “And our kind of love it burns like summer, like I'm rolling down some old heartache road.” To be honest, I’m not sure what the first phrase is referring to. I could see it meaning that their love burns so hot meaning it as a negative thing or I could see it as a burning desire, a burning love for one another. I am assuming it is meant it a negative way considering this whole song is about how love isn’t working out for him and his significant other.

Edwin McCain is very famous for two of his songs, I’ll Be and These Are the Moments which both consist of metaphors. McCain, along with many other artists, incorporate many different types of figurative language within their music. Doing so creates an interesting light on the song; a new way of looking at a situation. I believe that the better the figurative language, the better the song will be. Lots of people take great interest in the lyrics. If the lyrics are interesting, unique and/or powerful, the song will most likely be a hit.

"I've Seen A Love"

By Edwin McCain

I've seen a love that rolls like thunder
I've seen a love that falls like rain
That kind of love it makes me wonder
Why my love causes me so much pain

I see my ring as it spins on the table
A perfect circle on the dusty wood
Tells of a life, the love and the laughter
Cries my tears for the times that were good

I've seen a love that rolls like thunder
I've seen a love that falls like rain
That kind of love it makes me wonder
Why my love causes me so much pain

One gets lost, one gets lonely
In another world love remains
That kind of love takes away all your empty
That kind of love takes away all your shame

I've seen a love that rolls like thunder
I've seen a love that falls like rain
That kind of love it makes me wonder
Why my love causes me so much pain

And our kind of love it burns like summer
Like I'm rolling down some old heartache road
And all my running and my demons
Can't seem to lift it
Can't seem to lift that love

I've seen a love that rolls like thunder
I've seen a love that falls like rain
That kind of love it makes me wonder
Why my love causes me pain