Figurative Language in Song lyrics

Directions: Identify the appropriate kind of figurative language underlined in each example. Then
see if you can identify the song as well ( title and artist).

Example
My music hits me so hard / makes me say oh my lord / personification Vanilla Ice
Thank you for blessing me / with a mind to rhyme / and Ice Ice Baby
A too hype beat

Lyrics Figurative Language Artist / Song Title

1. Springsteen, Madonna, Way before Nirvana / There

was U2 and Blondie and music still on MTV / Her two
kids in high school tell her that she’s uncool / ‘cause
she’s still preoccupied with 19, 19, 1985

2. Now and then I think of when we were together /

Like when you said you felt so happy you could die. I
told myself that you were right for me / But felt so
lonely in your company.

3-4. Boy you got my heartbeat runnin’ away

Beating like a drum and it’s coming your way
Can’t you hear that boom, badoom, boom
Boom, badoom, boom bass?

5. We are young
So let’s set the world on fire
We can burn brighter than the sun

6. ‘Cuase baby, you’re a firework

Come on, show ‘em what you’re worth
Make ‘em go, oh, oh / As you shoot across the sky

7. And when you smile

The whole world stops and stares for awhile
‘Cause girl, you’re amazing
Just the way you are

8-10. 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.
11. What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger
Stand a little taller / Doesn’t mean I’m lonely when I’m
alone / What doesn’t kill you makes a fire.

12. You try to scream but terror takes the sound

before you make it / You start to freeze / as horror
looks right between the eyes, You’re paralyzed

13. Hey there, Delilah, what’s it like in New York City

I’m a thousand miles away / But girl tonight you look
so pretty / Yes, you do / Times Square can’t shine as
bright as you.

14. If you’ve ever been to Heaven, this is twice as nice

I’m cold as fire, baby / Hot as ice

15. Throw your soul through every open door / Count

your blessings to find what you live for / Turn my
sorrow into treasure gold / You’ll pay me back in kind
and reap just what you sow.
Answer Key to figurative language in songs
1. Allusion
2. Hyperbole
3. Personification
4. Onomatopoeia
5. Idiom
6. Metaphor
7. Hyperbole
8. Simile
9. Metaphor
10. Simile
11. Idiom
12. Personification
13. Allusion
14. Oxymoron
15. Figurative language