Raise Hell – Kids in Glass Houses
Analysis of Chosen Song:
Kids in Glass Houses are a British alternative rock band. They originate from Cardiff and also sing Indie Rock, Pop Punk and Pop Rock. Their name has been inspired by the lyrics “Not throwing stones at you anymore” which is from the song “Tip Your Bartender” by Glassjaw. The band has five band members; Aled Phillips, Iain Mahanty, Philip Jenkins, Joel Fisher and Andew Sheehy. They are signed to three different record labels who are Transmission Recordings, Warner Music and Roadrunner.
The story of the song ‘Raise Hell’ that we have taken, is all about perfect examples of life. For example, it is built into all of us that to succeed in life, you must follow perfect examples of people who do very well and go through life working extremely hard to get qualifications and good jobs. However the perfect example stereotype is not always the best one to follow, and sometimes you just need to be normal and act yourself. In this song though, they are trying to get the point across that people hide being themselves.
“Well I see the way you read your newspaper, and the way it’s rested on your lap.” This is the stereotype of a businessman who is on a train going into the busy city whilst reading a newspaper.
The theme of the song is to break away from social conventions and to be yourself. You should not always follow the usual stereotype of being ‘perfect’ and instead do what keeps you happy.
Analysis of Lyrics
"Raise Hell"
(14) So don't worry they tell me hell's an ok place to be
(4) this time of year
(15) so don't worry they tell me hell's the hippest place to be
(10) and I'm dying gradually to get there
(10) while you're trying desperately to stay here
(7) as you glance around the room
(11) to check that no one sees how normal you are
(15) perfect examples of everything good young people should be
(8) perfect good young people should be
(11) well I see the way you read your newspaper
(9) and the way it's rested on your lap
(12) and the pages that you hold your finger between
(7) as you glance around the room
(11) to check that no one sees how normal you are
(15) perfect examples of everything good young people should be
(5) perfect examples
(7) as you glance around the room
(11) to check that no one sees how normal you are
(15) perfect examples of everything good young people should be
(5) perfect examples
There is a noticeable lack of pattern in the syllable count for each line, making the song sound chaotic and disorderly. This links to the theme within the storyline of the song, to break away from the expectations of society to lead a self-fulfilling life. The lack of ordered syllable pattern enhances this by disturbing any ordered rhythm of the song, breaking away from the conventions of other recognised pop songs. The same effect is achieved by the lack of rhyme in the lyrics. Without rhyme, the song seems more frenzied and unruly. This enhances the politic message of the song that your life should be uncontrolled by social expectations and pressures.
The structure of Raise Hell follows very much the same structured pattern as the rest of the lyrical analysis. The chorus is virtually non-existent, and is only recognised because if the slowing of pace matched with the repetition of the lines “perfect examples of everything good young people should be, perfect examples”. I believe that these lines serve as the chorus because they are the lines that state the message of the song plainly.
We noticed when analysing the lyrics, that there is a distinct lack of similes and metaphors, but we believe that this is due to the fact that the band does not want their message to be hidden or sugar-coated. They want it to be clear and obvious to enhance its importance to them. However there is imagery within the lyrics in the sense of emotive language. This is apparent in lines such as:
“I see the way you read your newspaper
and the way it's rested on your lap
and the pages that you hold your finger between”.
Lines like this are written to be as literal as possible to paint an image inside of the listeners head with the intention to provide a moment of epiphany. This is because, by the bands standard, it is the ‘orderly businessman’ who needs to realise that he is being controlled by the judgement of the people around him, and he needs to learn not to care if he wants to be happy. This is the kind of reaction blunt imagery achieves.
The heaviest cultural reference that was apparent in our chosen song was the idea of conformity in a modern day society. This is supported by the album name ‘Smart Casual’. There are also several cultural references about hell. This link to religious culture is devised in a sarcastic manner so as to break away from Christian origins and the mortal fear that people once had of ending up in hell.
Analysis of Chosen Song:
Kids in Glass Houses are a British alternative rock band. They originate from Cardiff and also sing Indie Rock, Pop Punk and Pop Rock. Their name has been inspired by the lyrics “Not throwing stones at you anymore” which is from the song “Tip Your Bartender” by Glassjaw. The band has five band members; Aled Phillips, Iain Mahanty, Philip Jenkins, Joel Fisher and Andew Sheehy. They are signed to three different record labels who are Transmission Recordings, Warner Music and Roadrunner.
The story of the song ‘Raise Hell’ that we have taken, is all about perfect examples of life. For example, it is built into all of us that to succeed in life, you must follow perfect examples of people who do very well and go through life working extremely hard to get qualifications and good jobs. However the perfect example stereotype is not always the best one to follow, and sometimes you just need to be normal and act yourself. In this song though, they are trying to get the point across that people hide being themselves.
“Well I see the way you read your newspaper, and the way it’s rested on your lap.” This is the stereotype of a businessman who is on a train going into the busy city whilst reading a newspaper.
The theme of the song is to break away from social conventions and to be yourself. You should not always follow the usual stereotype of being ‘perfect’ and instead do what keeps you happy.
Analysis of Lyrics
"Raise Hell"
(14) So don't worry they tell me hell's an ok place to be
(4) this time of year
(15) so don't worry they tell me hell's the hippest place to be
(10) and I'm dying gradually to get there
(10) while you're trying desperately to stay here
(7) as you glance around the room
(11) to check that no one sees how normal you are
(15) perfect examples of everything good young people should be
(8) perfect good young people should be
(11) well I see the way you read your newspaper
(9) and the way it's rested on your lap
(12) and the pages that you hold your finger between
(7) as you glance around the room
(11) to check that no one sees how normal you are
(15) perfect examples of everything good young people should be
(5) perfect examples
(7) as you glance around the room
(11) to check that no one sees how normal you are
(15) perfect examples of everything good young people should be
(5) perfect examples
There is a noticeable lack of pattern in the syllable count for each line, making the song sound chaotic and disorderly. This links to the theme within the storyline of the song, to break away from the expectations of society to lead a self-fulfilling life. The lack of ordered syllable pattern enhances this by disturbing any ordered rhythm of the song, breaking away from the conventions of other recognised pop songs. The same effect is achieved by the lack of rhyme in the lyrics. Without rhyme, the song seems more frenzied and unruly. This enhances the politic message of the song that your life should be uncontrolled by social expectations and pressures.
The structure of Raise Hell follows very much the same structured pattern as the rest of the lyrical analysis. The chorus is virtually non-existent, and is only recognised because if the slowing of pace matched with the repetition of the lines “perfect examples of everything good young people should be, perfect examples”. I believe that these lines serve as the chorus because they are the lines that state the message of the song plainly.
We noticed when analysing the lyrics, that there is a distinct lack of similes and metaphors, but we believe that this is due to the fact that the band does not want their message to be hidden or sugar-coated. They want it to be clear and obvious to enhance its importance to them. However there is imagery within the lyrics in the sense of emotive language. This is apparent in lines such as:
“I see the way you read your newspaper
and the way it's rested on your lap
and the pages that you hold your finger between”.
Lines like this are written to be as literal as possible to paint an image inside of the listeners head with the intention to provide a moment of epiphany. This is because, by the bands standard, it is the ‘orderly businessman’ who needs to realise that he is being controlled by the judgement of the people around him, and he needs to learn not to care if he wants to be happy. This is the kind of reaction blunt imagery achieves.
The heaviest cultural reference that was apparent in our chosen song was the idea of conformity in a modern day society. This is supported by the album name ‘Smart Casual’. There are also several cultural references about hell. This link to religious culture is devised in a sarcastic manner so as to break away from Christian origins and the mortal fear that people once had of ending up in hell.