Contemporary songs that use metaphors

The use of metaphors is not exclusive to poetry and literature in general. Currently there are numerous popular songs that include metaphors that are used to compare and indirectly express different emotions, feelings and situations. Some examples of contemporary songs that use metaphors are: My universe , by BTS and Coldplay; Happy , by Pharrell Williams; Titanium by Sia and David Guetta; and Naturally , by Selena Gomez, among others.

what is a metaphor

A metaphor is a literary device used to indirectly compare two different objects, ideas, or people that have some characteristic in common. Metaphors are often used to describe, explain, emphasize, or have a greater impact on the reader. Because of this, metaphors frequently appear in both poetry and prose, and even in song lyrics.

Some of the most common metaphors are those related to love, time, life and death: the heart, the sun, the moon, the sea and the elements of nature, among others.

Use of metaphors in songs

The writing of a poem and the composition of a song have several points in common. In both poems and songs, metaphors add complexity and depth to what the author wants to communicate, allow for implicit comparisons, and convey feelings that are difficult to describe in direct words.

In a song, the use of metaphors can express so much more in just a few words and give the listener the chance to make sense of the song by connecting with their own interpretation, experiences and feelings.

18 popular songs with metaphors

There is a large number of songs that include metaphors. Some of the most popular are:

• My universe – BTS and Coldplay
• Happy – Pharrell Williams
• Shape of you – Ed Sheeran
• Can’t stop the feeling – Justin Timberlake
• Stereo Hearts – Maroon 5
• One thing – One Direction
• This is what you came for – Rihanna and Calvin Harris
• Shallow – Lady Gaga
• Girl on Fire – Alicia Keys
• Naturally – Selena Gomez
• Delicate – Taylor Swift
• Firework – Katy Perry
• Titanium – David Guetta and Sia
• Everything – Michael Bublé
• One –U2
• Little stars and goblins – Juan Luis Guerra
• Forget You – Ricardo Arjona
• And yet – Joaquin Sabina

1. My universe , by BTS and Coldplay

You (you), you are (you are) my universe
And I (I) just want to put you first

My universe , by BTS and Coldplay

The successful South Korean Kpop band, BTS, released the song My universe , “My universe”, together with the famous British band Coldplay in 2021 . In the first verse of this song, the metaphor of the universe appears, indicating that the loved one is everything for whom he dedicates those verses. The universe is around us, in everything that exists, therefore it is one of the best expressions to express that someone is very important to you.

2. Happy , by Pharrell Williams

I’m like a hot air balloon that could go into space […]

Clap your hands if you feel like a room without a roof

Happy by Pharrell Williams

The American singer-songwriter Pharrell Williams achieved international fame with the release of his song Happy , “Happy”, in 2013. This song contains several metaphors that refer to the different sensations that happiness produces. For example, the sensation of floating, of feeling light, without ties and without limits.

3. Shape of you , by Ed Sheeran

I’m in love with your figure
We push and pull like a magnet

Shape of you , by Ed Sheeran

Several of English singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran’s songs are internationally recognized for the beauty of their lyrics. In particular, the song Shape of you , “Tu figura”, released in 2017, uses the metaphor of the magnet to describe the attraction he feels for a woman and the flirtation between them.

4. Can’t stop the feeling , by Justin Timberlake

I have that sun in my pocket

I have that good soul on my feet

Can’t stop the feeling , by Justin Timberlake

In the song Can’t stop the feeling (2016), “I can’t stop this feeling”, the American singer Justin Timberlake uses one of the most frequent metaphors: the sun. With her, he expresses the happiness he feels when he sees her partner dance. In the following verse he uses a play on words when mentioning soul , “soul”, a term with which the soul music genre and its dance are also called. This word also has a pronunciation similar to sole , which in English means “sole of the foot.” At the same time, this play on words serves as a metaphor to describe that the dancer is a good dancer or that he loves to dance.

5. Stereo Hearts , by Maroon 5

my heart is a stereo

It beats for you so listen closely

Stereo Hearts , by Maroon 5

In the title and verses of the song Stereo Hearts , “Stereophonic Hearts”, by the American pop rock band Maroon 5, another of the most popular metaphors appears: the heart. This metaphor refers to true feelings, love, what is done with good intentions and what you really feel. It is also used as a comparison with the expressiveness of music, and more precisely, the connection between sounds and the rhythm of the heartbeat.

6. One thing , by One Direction

You’re my kryptonite
, you keep making me weak

One thing by One Direction

The renowned British band One Direction released in 2011 the song One thing, “One thing”, where it uses the metaphor of kryptonite, an extraterrestrial material that is the weakness of the comic book hero, Superman. In the verses of this song, this metaphor is used to indicate that the loved one is the author’s weakness or weak point.

7. This Is What You Came For , by Rihanna and Calvin Harris

Baby this is what you came for
Lightning strikes every time it moves

This Is What You Came For by Rihanna and Calvin Harris

The famous singer from Barbados, Rihanna, and the Scottish singer Calvin Harris, released in 2016 the duet song This is what you came for , “This is what you came looking for”, which includes the metaphor of lightning in reference to the power and charisma of a woman, the impact she makes and the force with which she captures everyone’s attention with her presence.

8. Shallow , by Lady Gaga

I’m out of the deep, watch as I dive […]

[…] On the surface

We are far from the surface

Shallow , by Lady Gaga

One of the most outstanding musical themes of the soundtrack of the film A Star Is Born (2018) starring Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper, is Shallow , “Superficial”, a song that they sing as a duet and includes the metaphor of the depth of the water to describe the nature of feelings in a relationship and its ups and downs.

9. Girl on Fire , by Alicia Keys

She’s got both feet on the ground

and it’s burning it

[…] This girl is on fire

[…] It looks like a girl, but it’s a llama

So bright, she can burn your eyes

Girl on fire , by Alicia Keys

Girl on fire , “Girl on Fire” (2012) is one of the most popular songs by American singer Alicia Keys. This song uses the metaphor of fire, like a flame that burns and ignites everything around it, a symbol of a person’s passion and success in what is proposed. It also has several metaphors that describe the qualities in a person that allow them to achieve success and continue to improve, such as her confidence, her willpower and being in control of her life.

10. Naturally , by Selena Gomez & The Scene

You are the thunder and I am the lightning
And I love the way you are
and for me it’s exciting
when you know it’s meant to be

Naturally by Selena Gomez & The Scene

The song Naturally (2009), “De manera natural”, by the American singer Selena Gomez and The Scene, includes the metaphors of thunder and lightning to describe the relationship between two people, a phenomenon that occurs naturally, where the two people they are connected to each other.

11. Delicate , by Taylor Swift

[…] Handsome, you are a mansion with a view […]

Delicate , by Taylor Swift

The song Delicate , “Delicate”, by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift contains the metaphor of a mansion with a view, with which she expresses the attraction she feels for her lover, who is characterized not only by his attractive external appearance, but also by his inner beauty and personality.

12. Fireworks , by Katy Perry

Cause baby you’re a firework
[…] As you shoot across the sky

Fireworks , by Katy Perry

The song Firework (2010), “Fireworks”, by the American singer Katy Perry is another example of songs with metaphors. In this case, she compares her beloved to fireworks, which are characterized by her beauty, brilliance, and power.

13. Titanium , by David Guetta and Sia

You shoot me but I won’t fall
I’m titanium

Titanium , by David Guetta and Sia

Titanium , “Titanium”, is a song released as a duet by French DJ David Guetta and Australian singer Sia. This musical theme includes the metaphor of titanium, which is a chemical element that stands out for being very resistant. The author uses this metaphor to describe his strength and emotional power to resist and overcome difficulties, negative situations, or toxic people.

14. Everything , by Michael Bublé

You’re a shooting star, you’re the car that drives away
You’re the line in the sand when I stray too far
You’re the pool, on an August day.
And you are the perfect phrase when speaking.

Everything , by Michael Bublé

The song Everything , “Everything”, by Canadian singer Michael Bublé is full of metaphors that describe the couple, which he compares to different elements and situations that evoke positive emotions and feelings: the magic of a shooting star, the nostalgia when a car leaves, the confusion or the ephemeral nature of a line of sand that blurs with the wind, the sensation of freshness of a swimming pool in the summer and the best words.

15.One by U2

Love is a temple
Love, the supreme law

One , by U2

Among the musical classics of all time is the song One , “One”, by the Irish rock band U2. This song was released in 1992 and includes metaphors about love, in which it is compared to a temple, referring to its sacred characteristics, and to the law, indicating the need to abide by it.

16. Little stars and goblins , by Juan Luis Guerra

I got tanned on your cheeks
like the sun in the afternoon

Little Stars and Goblins, by Juan Luis Guerra

The famous Dominican singer-songwriter Juan Luis Guerra stands out for including beautiful metaphors in almost all his songs. One of them, Estrellitas y duendes (1990), uses the metaphor of the sun and the verb to toast to express the sensation that being in contact with his beloved produces in her.

17. Forget You , by Ricardo Arjona

forget you, forget you

is wanting to pull the hair of a bottle

Forget You , by Ricardo Arjona

Guatemalan singer-songwriter Ricardo Arjona also makes use of metaphors in several of his songs. For example, in his song De él Olvidarte (1998), he uses the expression “pulling a bottle’s hair” as a metaphor to indicate that forgetting his beloved is impossible.

18. And yet, by Joaquín Sabina

Because a house without you is an ambush
The corridor of a train at dawn
A maze without light, nor red wine
A veil of tar in the look

And yet , by Joaquín Sabina

The Spanish singer-songwriter Joaquín Sabina is famous for composing songs full of poetry. One of them is And nevertheless (1999). In this song there are several metaphors that describe negative situations and emotions as a result of the lack of a loved one. First, he compares his absence in the house with an ambush, that is, an unsafe place. Later, with the desolation of a train corridor at dawn, and with a maze without light, as a metaphor for the feeling of being lost and in the dark. It also refers to red wine, as the lack of something good or things to enjoy. Finally, he uses the metaphor of the veil, which is not translucent, but dark like tar, and therefore something that blinds him and prevents him from seeing his way.

Other popular songs with metaphors

In addition to popular songs that include metaphors are:

• Dynamite , from BTS.
• Thinking of you , by Katy Perry.
• Through the rain , by Mariah Carey.
• Caged birds , by Rozalén.
• The forbidden hugs , by Vetusta Morla.
• Before the world ends , from Residente.
• Insurrection , from The Last of the Row.
• I’m already there , from Lonestar.
• The dance , by Garth Brooks.
• Trapped Genius , by Christina Aguilera.
• So Much I Tried It , by Quique González.
• I want it that way , by Backstreet Boys.
• Kilometers , from Sin Bandera.
• Swish Swish , by Katy Perry and Nicki Minaj.

Sources

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