1. Personification: a figure of speech (trope) in which human attributes are given to an animal, an object, or an abstraction.
Cheeseburger In Paradise by Jimmy Buffet
"I'm just a cheeseburger in paradise." http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oq69l32DCKs&feature=related
This song is giving a cheeseburger (object) humanlike attributes by saying it is in paradise. Buffet is making a joke by saying something that is not possible. He likes to incorporate comedy into his music, and it is what makes his music different then others.
2. Allegory: a narrative or description having a second meaning beneath the surface, or literal, one. This ulterior meaning is the author's major interest. Note also fable, parable.
I am the Highway by Audioslave
"I am not your rolling wheels
I am the highway
I am not your carpet ride
I am the sky
I am not your blowing wind
I am the lightning
I am not your autumn moon
I am the night, the night.."
http://youtube.com/watch?v=Zk6SrPbQahc
This song portrays another meaning because he is expressing his love for someone, but saying he is not perfect, as if he was in a fight with someone he loved and she expected more of him. The writer of this song wants to reach out to someone he might care about and send her a message.
3. Alliteration: A succession of similar sounds, usually consonants:
* tried and true;
* rime or reason.
Note well the difference between initial and internal alliteration.
Digging a Ditch by Dave Matthews Band
"Digging a ditch where madness gives a bit
Digging a ditch where silence lives
Digging a ditch for when I’m old
Digging this ditch my story’s told"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=niVp2UQh4FA
The consonant sounds of "{di}" are being repeated many times throughout the song when the artist sings "Digging a ditch." Using alliteration in this song enhances the song since it makes it sound more fluent, and Dave Matthews likes to have very rhythmic and graceful music.
4. Assonance: Repetition of vowel sounds:
* mad as a hatter;
* free and easy.
Walk this way by Aerosmith
"Walk this way, talk this way
Walk this way, walk this way
Walk this way, walk this way
Walk this way, talk this way"
http://youtube.com/watch?v=srPKqAt1UQI
The repeated words "walk this way" and "talk this way" have repeated vowel sounds with a repeating "a" in this part of the song. For Aerosmith, this makes the song more enjoyable for his listeners, and people will remember the song and want to listen to him more.
5. Onomatopoeia: A word that captures or approximates the sound of what it describes, such as buzz.
Click, Click, Boom by Saliva
"Click, click, boom"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K47W0UTq_9o
The words "click" and "boom" are both words that capture the sound of what it describes. This song uses "click, click, boom" to make the song sound more fun, and the song is also met to be a pump-up song. The writer of it knew that people would listen to it to help make them get pumped-up.