Throughout his career in the music industry, Brad Paisley has been known for his southern twang and country style. With inspiration from previous experiences, Paisley is able to connect with his songs and audiences while writing and singing. Paisley is often viewed as the most talented singers of his generation because of his individuality and thoughtful lyrics. Similar to his incredible singing and song writing abilities, Paisley plays the guitar with much proficiency and talent, and his acoustic expertise is displayed in a number of his works. Brad Paisley’s song “Then” includes numerous poetic devices while illustrating and narrating the story of how they met and fell in love.
The narration of this love story is ever present in the song. Paisley begins by describing when he met his love, and ends the song by illustrating what the future will bring. Brad recalls meeting his future wife and how he had to continually remind himself “…not to stare the night that [he] first met [her]” (Paisley, 1). Towards the completion of the song, Paisley predicts what the future will hold; including marriage, children, and growing old together. “I could just see you, with a baby on the way/And I could just see you, when your hair is turning gray” (Paisley, 26-27). Brad Paisley uses previous situations in his life to add meaning to the lyrics, and the narration is cohesive in the song.
Throughout the narration, Paisley questions how he could possibly love his wife more than he does currently and characterizes her as being without flaws or imperfections. “What I can’t see is how I’m ever gonna love you more/But I’ve said that before” (Paisley, 28-29). Characterization is essential throughout the song and drastically augments the narration. Due to his infatuation with his wife, Paisley describes her as being his “whole life” (Paisley, 7) and his “whole world” (Paisley, 8). Paisley creates a direct comparison between his wife and his world, implying that they are one. Similarly, he states that there love for one another is as strong as when “a river meets the sea” (Paisley, 10), using a simile to develop his thought. All through the song, Brad Paisley describes the love of his life and the high regard that he has for her.
Brad Paisley utilizes such poetic devices as hyperbole and alliteration to enhance the lyrics and to add to the cohesive narration. When describing their first date, Paisley exaggerates the situation by adding that it took “forty-five minutes to kiss goodnight” (Paisley, 4). By doing so, Paisley convinces the audience that he was already aware that this woman was the love of his life and that he never wanted to be separated from her. On several occasions throughout the song, alliteration is used to enhance the flow of the lyrics. “Now you’re my whole world” (Paisley, 8). Also, alliteration is helpful in the dramatization of words and with the affect that the lyrics have on the audience.
Brad Paisley creates a variety of illustrations in the minds of the listeners by using imagery throughout the song “Then”. “There were people around, but I didn’t care/Got down on one knee right there” (Paisley, 16-17). Because the song narrates his life while he is in love, imagery is essential to the lyrics. Similarly, when describing his first date with his wife, Paisley uses imagery when saying that they stood “in the front porch light” (Paisley, 3) while they were saying goodnight. Throughout the song, imagery is used to appeal to the senses of the audience and to create images in their minds.
All in all, Brad Paisley’s “Then” tastefully utilizes poetic devices, which add to the song as a whole. Being a narration, imagery has to be throughout to enhance to story line. In this case, Paisley improves the song with the images and poetic devices that are employed. “Then” can be read as a narrative poem, recounting how Brad fell in love with his wife and what their future may entail. Focusing on the greater extent of music, Brad Paisley’s “Then” separates itself from the numerous narrative love stories in the industry, and can be appreciated as a one-of-a-kind work.
The narration of this love story is ever present in the song. Paisley begins by describing when he met his love, and ends the song by illustrating what the future will bring. Brad recalls meeting his future wife and how he had to continually remind himself “…not to stare the night that [he] first met [her]” (Paisley, 1). Towards the completion of the song, Paisley predicts what the future will hold; including marriage, children, and growing old together. “I could just see you, with a baby on the way/And I could just see you, when your hair is turning gray” (Paisley, 26-27). Brad Paisley uses previous situations in his life to add meaning to the lyrics, and the narration is cohesive in the song.
Throughout the narration, Paisley questions how he could possibly love his wife more than he does currently and characterizes her as being without flaws or imperfections. “What I can’t see is how I’m ever gonna love you more/But I’ve said that before” (Paisley, 28-29). Characterization is essential throughout the song and drastically augments the narration. Due to his infatuation with his wife, Paisley describes her as being his “whole life” (Paisley, 7) and his “whole world” (Paisley, 8). Paisley creates a direct comparison between his wife and his world, implying that they are one. Similarly, he states that there love for one another is as strong as when “a river meets the sea” (Paisley, 10), using a simile to develop his thought. All through the song, Brad Paisley describes the love of his life and the high regard that he has for her.
Brad Paisley utilizes such poetic devices as hyperbole and alliteration to enhance the lyrics and to add to the cohesive narration. When describing their first date, Paisley exaggerates the situation by adding that it took “forty-five minutes to kiss goodnight” (Paisley, 4). By doing so, Paisley convinces the audience that he was already aware that this woman was the love of his life and that he never wanted to be separated from her. On several occasions throughout the song, alliteration is used to enhance the flow of the lyrics. “Now you’re my whole world” (Paisley, 8). Also, alliteration is helpful in the dramatization of words and with the affect that the lyrics have on the audience.
Brad Paisley creates a variety of illustrations in the minds of the listeners by using imagery throughout the song “Then”. “There were people around, but I didn’t care/Got down on one knee right there” (Paisley, 16-17). Because the song narrates his life while he is in love, imagery is essential to the lyrics. Similarly, when describing his first date with his wife, Paisley uses imagery when saying that they stood “in the front porch light” (Paisley, 3) while they were saying goodnight. Throughout the song, imagery is used to appeal to the senses of the audience and to create images in their minds.
All in all, Brad Paisley’s “Then” tastefully utilizes poetic devices, which add to the song as a whole. Being a narration, imagery has to be throughout to enhance to story line. In this case, Paisley improves the song with the images and poetic devices that are employed. “Then” can be read as a narrative poem, recounting how Brad fell in love with his wife and what their future may entail. Focusing on the greater extent of music, Brad Paisley’s “Then” separates itself from the numerous narrative love stories in the industry, and can be appreciated as a one-of-a-kind work.
This is a great analysis, Kristen! Great job!
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