Song Analysis

I chose to analyze the song, "Sail" by AWOLNATION because it is one of my favorite songs. I found many different literary devices that are being used in this song. One of the poetry techniques that stood out to me immediately is their (the band) use of imagery:  'an angel cries' 'sick pride' 'cry for help' 'kill myself' 'different breed' 'sail with me into the dark.' These dire images give the song a dark tone but I think the constant repetition of 'sail' breaks up the darkness with an idea of hope. Sail could mean breaking away from bad things, or leaving his 'angel,' or even leaving permanently by 'killing [himself.'] This is how I show my love could refer to the different ways he expresses himself because of his A.D.D.. This is how an angel cries could mean that someone he loves has to learn how to handle his A.D.D. too. I blame it on my own sick pride might mean that he feels guilty for like having a learning disability (his A.D.D.). Repetition is another main technique being used here. 'I blame it on my A.D.D. baby' is repeated at the end of every stanza. After two sad and somewhat depressing lines, the writer tells us to 'blame it on [his] A.D.D..' This line makes it seem like the writer is okay with how he is and like he is excusing the two lines prior to the one about his A.D.D.. Repetition and diction. The repetition of the word 'maybe' makes the writer seem like he sets himself apart from others; possibly due to his A.D.D.? There is no real rhyme scheme in poem.

Sail


This is how I show my love
I made it in my mind because
I blame it on my A.D.D. baby

This is how an angel cries
I blame it on my own sick pride
Blame it on my A.D.D. baby

Sail
Sail
Sail
Sail
Sail

Maybe I should cry for help
Maybe I should kill myself
Blame it on my A.D.D. baby

Maybe I'm a different breed
Maybe I'm not listening
So blame it on my A.D.D. baby

Sail
Sail
Sail
Sail
Sail

La la la la la la oh

La la la la la la oh

Sail
Sail
Sail
Sail
Sail

Sail with me into the dark
Sail
Sail with me into the dark
Sail
Sail with me into the dark
Sail
Sail with me, sail with me
Sail

http://www.lyricsfreak.com/a/awolnation/sail_20976449.html