In our most recent lesson, we examined a number of well-known songs, trying to explore our thoughts and feelings around each composition. The songs that sparked the most in-depth conversations were “Paint the Town Red” by Doja Cat and “Song 2” by Blur. Personally, I didn’t entirely enjoy listening to Doja Cat’s song. I couldn’t help but think about the intentional projection of a “Satanic image” that she included. Since I am a Christian, I was a little insulted by this approach. It also seemed like she was trying to project an inauthentic air of edginess by taking on a demonic persona.

I was unable to discover much subtlety to discuss on Paint the Town Red’s structure. Because of the composition’s simplicity and its catchy hook and sample, the work was easy to interpret. It almost has a “made for tiktok” vibe to it, which makes sense given that Doja has relied heavily on social media to launch her career and produce a number of successes.

I wasn’t sure what to expect from our analysis of Song 2, as I was told it was a satirical take on grunge music. The closest thing I’ve come to grunge is Nirvana and the associated fashion and clothing, so I didn’t have much to say about it.

However, I will say this about it: Blur’s song structure is far more complicated than the music I usually listen to. The song I chose to analyse in contrast is Ms. Lauryn Hill’s Ex-Factor.

The song has a slower tempo, a strong emphasis on the vocals and lyrics, and a standard R&B structure. The song’s structure, which follows a distinct verse-chorus rhythm, lets the feelings progressively surface throughout.

The complexity of a previous relationship, including betrayal, heartache, and the emotional fallout, are explored in the song’s lyrics. Lauryn Hill’s striking vocals display a variety of emotions, including grief, perseverance, and vulnerability. The chorus, which repeats, “It could all be so simple, but you’d rather make it hard,” highlights how frustrated and yearning one is for a relationship that is less convoluted and simpler.

In terms of ideas and structure, Blur’s “Song 2” adopts a different strategy. This brief yet intense rock song is well-known for its catchy guitar riff and upbeat chorus. This song, which is frequently interpreted as a parody of grunge music, stands in stark contrast to Lauryn Hill’s reflective and soulful performance on “Ex-Factor.” The structure of Blur’s song is much more repetitive in my opinion. However, this places more emphasis on producing an aggressive, anthemic sound than on delving into subtle emotional nuances, and I can understand why this was incorporated, even if it’s not particularly to my liking.

“Ex-Factor” explores the emotional agony of a previous relationship with its soulful R&B structure and poignant lyrics; in comparison, Blur’s “Song 2” is an entirely different genre with its anthemic rock style and upbeat presentation, which reflect different approaches to music. These differences draw attention to the variety of musical expression and may help to connect Lauryn Hill’s poignant lyrics to her own experiences.