Figurative language in Katy Perry's "Firework"

An analysis of Katy Perry's song "Firework" for its figurative language.

1. “Firework” by Katy Perry
English 12 Oral Presentation
December 9th, 2010

2. Outline
1. Introduction to Katy Perry
2. References to fireworks in music/literature
3. Inspirations
4. Audience – who will “hear” this song?
5. Major themes presented
6. Figurative language
7. The Music
8. The Music Video
9. Critical Acclaim & Opinion
10. Sources
11. The Song

3. Who's Katy Perry?
Born October 25th, 1984
Santa Barbara, California
Former Christian folk singer
turned pop star
Influenced by Alanis
Morrissette's “Jagged Little
Pill” (1995)
Her debut album “One of the
Boys” featured hits “I Kissed a
Girl” and “Ur So Gay”
(and you don't even like boys...)

4. Why Fireworks?
Reference to title: Singular firework
Positive connotation (typically)
Other songs titled “Fireworks”
-Tragically Hip, Roxette, Drake, Animal Collective...
Reference to Jack Kerouac's On The Road:
"[...] the only people for me are the mad ones, the ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad
to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a
commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like
spiders across the stars and in the middle you see the blue centerlight pop and everybody goes
'Awww!'

5. Audience
Who will “hear” this song?
Youth (based on most of her other songs...)
Troubled spirits?
Those looking for inspiration
American audience? Reference to Fourth of
July...
NOT for death metal fans...pop genre

6. Themes Presented
Could be considered as personal philosophy
Human spiritual growth and awakening
Revelation of self to others
Individual worth and self-
esteem

7. Figurative language?
Do you ever feel like a plastic bag
Drifting through the wind
Wanting to start again
Do you ever feel so paper thin
Like a house of cards
One blow from caving in
Do you ever feel already buried deep
Six feet under scream
But no one seems to hear a thing
Personal appeal at start of
song – use of various
similes
“Six feet under scream”
mixes imagery of burial
and frustration
“No one seems to hear a
thing” indicates lack of
connection with others

8. Metaphor for the spirit...
You just gotta ignite the light
And let it shine
Just own the night
Like the Fourth of July
Baby you're a firework
Come on let your colors burst
Boom, boom, boom
Even brighter than the moon, moon,
moon
Light imagery is huge here
– symbolizes the human
potential...
“Let your colors burst”
portrays inner talents as
colors...metaphorical
“Even brighter than the
moon” uses hyperbole
to inspire us...

9. Sound Devices
Make 'em go “Oh, oh, oh!”
As you shoot across the sky-y-y
Boom, Boom, Boom
Even brighter than the moon, moon,
moon
It's always been inside of you, you,
you
Cause baby you're a firework
Come on show 'em what you're worth
Use of repetition for sound
effect and mood
Use of “boom” to imitate
opening of spirit –
onomatopoeia
Rhyme scheme is
irregular, but present
where convenient...

10. Other figurative language
You don't have to feel like a waste of
space,
You're original, cannot be replaced.
If you only knew what the future holds,
After a hurricane comes a rainbow.
Maybe you're the reason why all the
doors are closed,
So you can open one that leads you to
the perfect road
Like a lightning bolt, your heart will
blow
“Waste of space” - bullying
language
“Hurricane...rainbow” -
weather metaphor for
potential
The “perfect road” -
metaphor similar to
Robert Frost
“Like a lightning bolt” - use
of simile to describe
process

11. ♪The Music...♫
Heavy bass beat
typical of dance
music
Addition of cello adds
sophistication
Vocal role of Perry
overpowers

12. The Music Video
Uses explosive image of
fireworks exploding from
chest area
Case study of four youths
in differing situations
Video was partially
“censored” in Britain
Filmed in Budapest,
Hungary

13. Do People Like It?
Reached no. 1 in two countries:
-New Zealand (November 14th/10)
-USA (Currently Billboard no.2!)
-Highly ranked in Europe (but not no.1)
MTV News quoted Perry as saying this song
is “Probably my favourite song off the record.”
Personal favourite of mine at the moment;
great teacher song, catchy tune.
Mixed reviews from “the experts”...

14. My sources
“Katy Perry Biography.” Author unknown. Source:http:
//www.aceshowbiz.com/celebrity/katy_perry/biography.html.
Online December 7/2010.
“Jack Kerouac quote.” Author unknown. Source:
http://www.goodreads.com/quotes/show/3831.
“Katy Perry's 'Firework' video censored.” Author unknown.
http://www.digitalspy.com/music/news/a286297/katy-perrys-
firework-video-censored.html.
“Katy Perry on new single 'Firework'”. Author unknown.
Online December 8/2010. http://www.novafm.com.au
Cole, Matthew. “Katy Perry; Teenage Dream”. August
22,2010. Online. http://www.slantmagazine.com