Song Analysis #1

"Sonny"- New Found Glory

Stick and Stones

I'm sorry

I heard about the bad news today

a crowd of people around you

telling you it's ok

and everything happens for a reason

when you lose a part of yourself to somebody you know

it takes a lot to let go

every breath that you remember

pictures fade away, but memory's forever

an empty chair at all the tables

and I'll be seeing you when all my days boil down

but its better where you're going anyway

I'm sorry

I heard about the bad news today

it's really hard to get through

tough times and long days

but it really just depends on the season

when you lose a part of yourself to somebody you know

it takes a lot to let go

every breath that you remember

pictures fade away, but memory's forever

an empty chair at all the tables

and I'll be seeing you when all my days boil down

for now we'll say good bye

we know it's not the last time

I've lost the best part of my day

but its better where you're going anyway

an empty chair at all the tables

and I'll be seeing you when all my days boil down

for now we'll say good bye

we know it's not the last time

I've lost the best part of my day

this is the last thing

i will remember

its better where you're going anyway

Analysis

In life, mostly everyone experiences the pain of loss, whether it is a close friend, a family member, or even a pet. It is never easy losing a loved one. It could be due to losing a friendship or perhaps the passing of a life. Regardless of the reason, loss is very unfortunate. In New Found Glory’s, "Sonny", they sing about the loss of lead singer Jordan Pundik’s grandfather, nicknamed Sonny. Many poetic devices are used through out the song to show and capture the emotion.

This song is an alternative rock song written in the first person. New Found Glory shows a good use of symbolism expressed through the line "an empty chair at all the tables". This line symbolizes a loss in the family, leaving an empty chair at the table that was once occupied by the lost loved one. The line "I’m sorry" is said at the beginning of each verse. This repetition shows sympathy for the unfortunate event. "Every breath that you remember", could be an example of a hyperbole. It would be impossible and exaggerated to remember every single breath taken through out your lifetime. In my opinion, the lines "pictures fade away, but memory’s forever", would be a cliche. It is a phrase that is used and heard quite often but it works well with this particular song and topic. Also "memory’s forever" could be a hyperbole as well. Unfortunately nothing lasts forever and all this come to an end. The lyrics of this song clearly show that the artist was dealing with loss at the time.

New Found Glory is an American rock band from South Florida. They formed during 1997 when all band members attended the same high school. They are known for their punk and alternative sound thanks to influences such as Green Day and The Offspring. Their song "Sonny", from the album Sticks and Stones, is great song about loss. The lyrics express the tough times of losing a loved one, but it also shows that it’s not the end for them. One day they will be together again. It shows that its not an end, but a new beginning.

Song writer biography: Gregg Allman

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y2_8AFSqMc8

Short Essay:
Gregg Allman was born on December 8th, 1947 in Nashville Tennessee. He was known as one of the greatest white blues singer ever. Allman is a rock and blues singer, keyboard player, and songwriter. He is most known as being the founder of The Allman Brothers Band. Before all the fame, Allman grew up in Daytona, Florida, along with his older brother Duane Allman. Growing up, Gregg took an interest in guitar before Duane, however Duane ended up being the superior guitar player. With Duane excelling at the guitar, Gregg focused more on vocals. His voice allowed him to place 70th in the Rolling Stone Magazines list of "The 100 greatest singers of all time." Gregg Allman personally received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Georgia Music Hall Of Fame in 2006. Allman has been in many bands throughout his life and soon started a solo career. His fame will always be primarily linked to The Allman Brothers Band but in 1973 his first solo album "Laid Back" was released. Allman now currently resides in Richmond Georgia, with wife Stacey Fountain.

10 interesting facts:

Gregg Allman is a rock and blues singer, keyboardist, guitarist, and songwriter.

He is best known as the founding member of the Allman Brothers Band.

The Allman Brothers Band was inducted into the Rock and Roll hall of Fame in 1995.

Gregg Allman personally received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Georgia Music Hall Of Fame in 2006.

He placed 70th in Rolling Stone Magazines list of the "100 Greatest Singers of All Time."

Gregg was raised in Daytona Beach, Florida and attended Sea Breeze High School with his older brother Duane.

Little Milton was one of Gregg Allman’s favorite singers.

In the mid to late 1960's the Allmans played in a series of bands The Escorts and The Allman Joys.

Allman has been married at least 6 times and has had several children, but his most famous married was to singer/actress Cher. The marriage lasted from 1975 to 1979.

One major influence of Gregg Allman’s was Blind Willie McTell, the legendary Atlanta 12 string guitarist and composer of Statesboro Blues. He was also influenced by Bob Dylan, Taj Mahal, and Jack White.

Timeline:

1947: Gregg Allman was born on December 8th in Nashville, Tennessee.

1960s: Throughout this decade, Gregg Allman played in a bands like The Escorts and the Allman joys, touring around their native American Southwest. The Allman joys relocated to Los Angeles, California and were signed to Liberty Records, which renamed them The Hourglass.

1969: While Gregg was miserable with The Hourglass, his brother Duane called from Jacksonville, Florida to tell him about the band that he got together that was in need of a singer. Gregg quickly decided to join and learned how to play the Hammond Organ for the band which really excited him.

1970: Gregg begins his solo career.

1970s: Allman struggles with drugs, both legal and illegal, primarily cocaine, heroine, and alcohol.
1973: His first Album, "Laid Back" is released with a positive critical reception.

1975: Married to Cher, which was his most popular marriage.

1977: Gregg and Cher collaborate and released the album "Two The Hard Way"- billed as Allman and Woman.

1979: Gregg and Cher divorce.

1979: Allman was married to wife named Julie, and had a daughter named Delilah Island Allman.

1981: Allman and Julie divorce.

1986: Allman’s biggest hit single "I’m No Angel", from the album of the same name was released.
Late 1980's: Allman marries pornstar by the name of Savannah but they divorce shortly after.

1989: As an actor, Gregg had a role in the film Rush Week.

1991: Allman had a role in the film Rush.

Mid 1990's: Allman is clean and sober.

2001: Gregg marries Stacey Fountain and they both currently reside in Richmond, Georgia.


Title: Multicolored Lady
Album: Laid Back
I got on the bus in Memphis, destination Rome

But Georgia ain't on paradise, a place I could call home

I sat next to a broken hearted lady

She was crying, trying so hard to hide her selfish sorrow

I tried to get her talking she didn't have much to say

Asked me for a map to Desboro but I didn't know where

She had lost a million tears today

One look out my window at the pine trees and the rain

It wasn't her day, no

Multi-colored lady

You ain't like no rainbow I have ever seen

Multi-colored lady

Angry red, passion blue but mostly shades of grey

Midnight came and brought more rain

But nothing seemed to ease her pain

The hours that we talked seemed like minutes all in vain

Now I see these tears keep running wild

But by by by well well, after awhile she sit smiling

Mulit-colored lady

You ain't like no rainbow I've ever known

Mulit-colored ladyCome go with me

I'll take you to my home

Oh by the way I'm bound for Rome

Song Analysis:

Gregg Allman arguably had one of the best voices throughout music history. His voice was thought to be so good that he placed 70th in the Rolling Stone Magazines list of "The 100 greatest singers of all time." He was known for being one of the best white blues singer ever. With influence such as Blind Willie McTell, Bob Dylan, Taj Mahal, and Jack White, Allman was able to have a successful solo career. His talents included singing rock and singing the blues, playing guitar, key board, the Hammond Organ, being a song writer. A number of his songs display many poetic devices including imagery and simile. Among them, is the song "Multi-colored Lady" from Allman’s first solo record "Laid Back"

The song opens up with "I got on the bus in Memphis, destination Rome..." By beginning a song this way, it is clear that it was meant to be a narrative. It is written in the first person. Whether or not this song was inspired by true events, it was meant to tell a story. The lines "I sat next to a broken hearted lady, she was crying, trying so hard to hide her selfish sorrow" show the poetic device of imagery. With these lines in mind, you can easily picture yourself sitting next to a sad woman who is crying and is in a great deal of emotion pain. Another example of imagery is the phrase "Multi-colored Lady". It suggests that this woman is very colorful. To contradict that phrase, Allman uses a simile and says "you ain’t like no rainbow I’ve ever known." Allman compares this woman to a rainbow. Perhaps he is trying to say that even though she appears to be colorful and well, she isn’t true and happy, like a rainbow. A hyperbole is also seen in the lines "She had lost a million tears today." It is very unlikely that one woman can cry literally a million tears. That extreme exaggeration is what makes that line a hyperbole. Clearly, Gregg Allman was a songwriter who knew how to use poetic devices.

"Multi-colored Lady" is one of many songs on Gregg Allman’s first solo record titles "Laid Back". It is also not the only song that demonstrates many different uses of poetic devices. Gregg Allman was a very gifted musician, and also a very talented song writer as you can see. With help from the people in life that inspired and influenced him, Allman was able to have a very successful career in the music industry.