Figurative Language in Popular Music

Fight Song by Rachel Platten

Like a small boat

On the ocean

Sending big waves

Into motion

• Simile

• Hyperbole

• Personification

• Metaphor

Boom Clap by Charlie XCX

Boom clap

The sound of my heart

the beat goes

on and on and on and on and

Boom clap

• Simile

• Metaphor

• Onomatopoeia

• Personification

Moves like Jagger by Maroon 5

All the moves like Jagger

I've got the moves like Jagger

I've got the moves like Jagger

• Allusion

• Metaphor

• Simile

• Personification

Stereo Hearts by Gym Class Heroes

My heart's a stereo

It beats for you, so listen close,

Hear my thoughts in every note

• Personification

• Simile

• Metaphor

• Onomatopoeia

What about us by P!nk

We are searchlights

We can see in the dark

• Personification

• Simile

• Metaphor

• Alliteration

Sound of Silence by Disturbed

Hello Darkness, my old friend

I've come to talk with you again

• Metaphor

• Personification

• Onomatopeia

• Simile

Million Reasons by Lady Gaga

You're giving me a million

reasons to let you go

You're giving me a million

reasons to quit the show

• Simile

• Hyperbole

• Personification

• Metaphor

Can't Stop That feeling by Justin Timberlake

I got that sunshine in my pocket

Got that good soul in my feet

• Metaphor

• Personification

• Hyperbole

• Alliteration

Thriller by Michael Jackson

You try to scream

But terror takes the sound before you make it

• Simile

• Metaphor

• Personification

• Hyperbole

Love you like a love song by Selena Gomez

I want you to know, baby

I love you like a love song

• Simile

• Personification

• Hyperbole

• Metaphor