20 Brilliant Song Analysis Essay Ideas For College Students

Writing a song analysis essay is a bit different than most other essay types, and it is not as well known. Many students believe that they simply need to write about their favorite song. However, it goes much deeper than that. There are three distinct stages contained within this kind of essay: song analysis, outlining, and draft.

Analysis: When analyzing a particular song, students needs to focus on the whole picture, by working with the use of highly specific technical information. You will need to listen to the piece many times, and play it on your choice of instrument if possible. Once you are entirely comfortable with the piece it is time to do some research. With the combination of your insight and the research, highlighting features that are unusual or unique can be done.

Outlining: Structure of the writer's insights and ideas can be created using an outline. The outline should also take into account various elements, including texture, instrumentation, tonality, harmony, and melody, and the effect they have on the quality of the musical piece.

Draft: Fill in the outline with research and personal observations. Once the first draft has been finished, a little trick is to read it out loud. This gives you the opportunity to ensure that the ideas of the essay are expressed correctly and clearly.

Stuck trying to choose which song to base your essay on? Since there are millions from which to make your decision, here is a list of 20 brilliant ideas:

  • "I Am A Child" - Neil Young
  • "Fortunate Son" - Creedence Clearwater Revival
  • "Learning To Fly" - Pink Floyd
  • "Lose Yourself" - Eminem
  • "Let It Go" - Disney's Frozen soundtrack
  • "Courtesy Of The Red, White, And Blue (The Angry American) - Toby Keith
  • "Have You Forgotten?" - Darryl Worley
  • "D-I-V-O-R-C-E" - Tammy Wynette
  • "I'm Not Ready To Make Nice" - The Dixie Chicks
  • "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" - Sir Elton John
  • "Father Of Mine" - Everclear
  • "The Messenger" - The Tea Party
  • "Who Am I" - Casting Crowns
  • "The Logical Song" - Supertramp
  • "Where Is The Love?" - Black Eyed Peas
  • "American Pie" - Don Mclean
  • "Tennessee Flat Top Box" - Roseanne Cash
  • "Folsom Prison Blues" - Johnny Cash
  • "Someone Like You" - Adele
  • "And When She Danced" - David Foster ( Love theme to "Stealing Home")


#