Music and Its Melodious Appeal
Music is a cultural activity and an art form whose medium is sound organized in time. According to Burkhalter et al. (143), music is often arranged with familiar elements such as pitch, dynamics, sonic qualities of texture and timbre and also rhythm. These elements make music more melodious and enjoyable. Music soothes the spirit and calms the mind. Additionally, music has a hidden meaning that is meant to warn a person, give advice to people, or describe an inner feeling such as anger or love.
The Greatness of "Chasing Cars" - A Brit Pop Masterpiece
"Chasing Cars" which is a Brit Pop genre is one of the greatest songs written by Nathan Connolly, Gary Lightbody, Jonathan Quinn, Tom Simpson, and Paul Wilson. The song was released on 6th of June 2016 by Snow Patrol, and vocalist Gary Lightbody leads the actual singing. The song authors incredibly try to portray a love feeling which seems to be indescribable through their emotional lyrics, the vocals and how the musical instruments are played.
Setting the Stage for Love and Affection
The authors set the stage by describing the position of the persona and the lover. As Genius (n.p.) cites, the author sets the arena by saying, "We'll do it all, everything, in our own." These opening statements open the mind of the listener, to understand the position of the persona and his/her lover described in the song. The two lovers are in an isolated love arena where the persona acknowledges the fact that they will be able to do everything on their own, as far as love and affection are concerned. The persona asks his/her lover to stay on his/her side. The author uses an analogy of lying together to express the persona's request to the lover to stand with him/her at all times in life. The author uses the same analogy of lying together at the end of the song to stress the person's emotions and perception towards togetherness, love, and affection with the lover.
Emotional Phrases and Memories of True Love
Throughout the song, the authors use strong and emotional phrases which strengthen their credibility and appeal to ethos, as well as build insight into the need for true love. These phrases include, "chasing cars, we'll do it all, everything, on our own, we don't need anything or anyone." These phrases are antagonistic words, but they perfectly embody the mindset of young love perfectly. The persona thinks he/she needs nothing but the lover, no matter what anyone else says. These phrases considerably rekindle the most wonderful memories that the listener ever had when he/she laid with someone they adored. Again the authors use the analogy of "forgetting the rest of the world' to mean forgetting sorrows and pains that the lovers may have.
Appealing to Logos with Melody and Vocals
Adding to their ethos appeals, the authors use strong calls to logos, with a sweet melody, sweet instrumental sounds and soft vocals on the actual singing of the song. The melody coupled with baritone vocals allow any listener to sing along comfortably. Much-like a Frank Sinatra, the singer's voice sounds incredibly strong and relaxed. This relaxed voice arouses the listener's desire of lying down and lazily gaze at the stars as he/she continues to sing along the singer. This relaxed tone expresses the incredible love that the author tries to explore in this genre. Instruments used such as vocals, guitar, drums, and piano, are played in a more strategic and relaxed manner, to entice the singer to keep listening to the song, and sink deeper into the meaning and the melody of the song. Therefore, these considerable appeals to logos bring the main message, of an indescribable love by the authors.
Appealing to Pathos - A Sense of Desperation
Finally, along with the logos Appeals, the authors also make Appeals to pathos in the middle sections of the song. The authors say "if I lay here if I just lay here, would you lie with me and just forget the world?" (Genius n.p.). The image created in these appeals to pathos shows uncertainty and a sense of desperation by the persona in the song. Regardless of the persona constantly making pleas with the lover to lie on his/her side, he/she is not sure whether the lover is going to accept. Therefore, these appeals to pathos are enhanced more when the persona says "Chasing Cars" (Genius n.p.). The phrase "Chasing Cars" is a metaphorical phrase that the author uses to show uncertainty and lack of faith by the persona to win the affection of his/her lover. Therefore, the persona is chasing a lover that he/she will probably never attain and if he/she does; probably never know what to do. This uncertainty that is created in the listener's mind arouses an emotional feeling and confusion, and this is the reason why the love is indescribable.
Works Cited
Burkhalter, Janée N., et al. "Music and its multitude of meanings: Exploring what makes brand placements in music videos authentic." Journal of Brand Management 24.2 (2017): 140-160.
Genius. Chasing cars song lyrics. 6 June 2006, genius.com/Snow-patrol-chasing-cars-lyrics
