Helena Vuu

8/25/23

Song analysis
“I’m Just a Ghost” and “Don’t Overthink It” are two compelling songs by YAEOW. “Don’t overthink it” talks
about how the artist is only in his circle and doesn’t dare to do the things he is awake because he is always
thinking about someone else’s gaze, the song also motivates people to have more strength to experience new
things, things that love to do, and most importantly, being myself without caring about other people’s gaze. As for
“I’m Just a Ghost”, it’s about loneliness, seemingly fading in relationships around, without a single friend. The
artist remembers that he has friends, and they do everything together, but the song also helps listeners feel that
they are not alone in this world, there will be many people who care about them. Both of them touch on inner
struggles and self-perception.
By using literary techniques, YEAOW was able to convey his message easily in his songs, specifically using
metaphor, rhyme, repetition, and simile. At the beginning of the comedy “I’m Just a Ghost”, YAEOW uses
metaphor, and rhyme in the sentence “I’m Just a Ghost/ Floating around” to refer to himself being invisible in
relationships, only hovering around without anyone seeing and no one caring, feeling the overwhelming
loneliness. YAEOW’s sadness and loneliness can be clearly seen in the next two sentences, “I don’t have a place
to go/ I feel so left alone”. Compared to “Don’t Overthink It”, the opening is equally bleak, with the use of
metaphor for the beginning of the song, “Sometimes it’s dark in my head” to show he is confused, filled with
negative thoughts and unable to see the way forward. This metaphor shows YAEOW’s inner self with the
emotional and cognitive difficulties he needs to face. In addition, the artist uses the repetition “Oh, I miss our
days” in Pre-Chorus and Chorus, emphasizing his longing for nostalgia. The repetition emphasises the desire to
relive the memories, it also strengthens the connection between the artist and the past that they always long to
remember. Above all, in “Don’t overthink it”, YAEOW uses repetition of the word “And…” in Verse 1 and the
Chorus to emphasize the inner thoughts and concerns in the artist’s head. This repetition affects the accumulation
of thoughts, highlighting the complexity and depth of YAEOW’s emotions. Not only that, but the repetition of
“Don’t overthink it” reinforces and emphasizes the importance of not thinking too much, also suggesting that
overthinking will lead to self-doubt. Instead, this expression encourages people to believe in themselves, relax and
simplify things. Besides, YAEOW also uses the metaphor “Empty with holes” in the song “I’m Just a Ghost”,
making the song more vivid and evocative to describe something significantly lacking in nature. It conveys a deep
feeling of emptiness, sadness, and loneliness, signifying an emotional void where satisfaction, happiness, and
meaningful connections should exist. Moreover, the song “Don’t overthink it” is more prominent, when YAEOW
cleverly puts internal rhyme in the line “I changed my hair, I changed my ways”, to reinforce and strengthen the
connection between the two actions described as changing his hair and changing his ways. The use of cohesion
and symmetry in the line, also adds a lyrical and memorable character to the phrase, highlighting the connection
between the two actions and adding melody. "I'm just a ghost" is used to add more vibrancy to the song along with
the simile, "When the rain wasn't as heavy as it feels right now", comparing the rain that YAEOW is experiencing
now to a previous time when the rain was particularly intense. By using this comparison, the song conveys the
emotions or sensations related to the rain, emphasizing its significance or impact compared to a previous
experience. It is easily recognizable that he is feeling sadder than usual through the descriptive imagery of the
rain, adding depth to the song, and allowing listeners to grasp YAEOW's emotions at that moment. For "Don't
overthink it," the simile "I used to feel like a ghost" is used to convey a sense of loneliness and detachment,
feeling unnoticed and invisible as a ghost can wander among the living without being seen as if losing connection
with those around, it suggests that YAEOW has experienced feelings of loneliness, isolation, or a lack of
connection with the world. "I'm Just a Ghost" and "Don't Overthink It" utilize literary techniques to convey
emotions, using metaphor and contrast to symbolize emotional separation and overthinking.
In conclusion, "Don't Overthink It," seize the moment; in "I'm Just a Ghost," confront emotional detachment. Both
songs illuminate human complexities. These songs encourage self-awareness and a multidimensional exploration
of human psychology and emotions through YAEOW's art. The skilful use of literary instruments deepens the
connection between the two songs, showcasing YAEOW's ability to navigate complex emotions through writing.

Word count: 779 (not including Title, name and days)