Writing a rhetorical analysis essay about a song changed how i hear music forever

[HenryDavis]

For my final project in composition class, I had to write a rhetorical analysis essay about any piece of communication. I chose a song that's been important to me since high school—one of those emotional indie folk things with poetic lyrics. I thought I knew everything about it.

I'd listened to it hundreds of times. But analyzing it rhetorically was a completely different experience. I looked at the lyrics as arguments—what is this song trying to convince me of? That heartbreak is universal? That vulnerability is strength? I looked at the musical choices—the minor key creating melancholy, the build to a climax creating catharsis, the quiet whispering vocals creating intimacy.

I looked at the artist's persona and how that shapes the message. By the time I finished the essay, I understood the song on a level I didn't know was possible. And now I can't listen to music the same way. Every song is a rhetorical artifact. Every artist is trying to persuade me of something, even if it's just "this feeling matters." It's beautiful and exhausting

 

[BenWilter]

For my final project in composition class, I had to write a rhetorical analysis essay about any piece of communication. I chose a song that's been important to me since high school—one of those emotional indie folk things with poetic lyrics. I thought I knew everything about it.

I'd listened to it hundreds of times. But analyzing it rhetorically was a completely different experience. I looked at the lyrics as arguments—what is this song trying to convince me of? That heartbreak is universal? That vulnerability is strength? I looked at the musical choices—the minor key creating melancholy, the build to a climax creating catharsis, the quiet whispering vocals creating intimacy.

I looked at the artist's persona and how that shapes the message. By the time I finished the essay, I understood the song on a level I didn't know was possible. And now I can't listen to music the same way. Every song is a rhetorical artifact. Every artist is trying to persuade me of something, even if it's just "this feeling matters." It's beautiful and exhausting

Now I can't read a poem without mentally scanning for meter, imagery, structure. It's ruined casual reading but also made it infinitely richer.

Your song analysis sounds transformative. The idea that every musical choice is an argument is so good. The quiet vocals create intimacy—that's a rhetorical move. The build creates catharsis—that's persuasion. The lyrics make claims about the world—that's argument.

One thing I'd add: the genre itself is a rhetorical choice. Indie folk signals authenticity, vulnerability, emotional depth. That's not neutral. The artist chose that genre because it comes with expectations and associations. You're not just hearing the song—you're hearing the whole tradition it's participating in.

Now I'm going to be up all night thinking about this. Thanks for that.

But seriously, this is what education should do. Not just teach you skills, but change how you experience the world. Your post is proof that it worked.