Someone's Last Song

Jessica Alleyne
Mr. Parry
English 4

04/08

Someone’s Last Song
By: Elton John

Everyone goes through trials and tribulations; some don’t have the strength to make it through with their life. In this song, Someone’s Last Song by Elton John, the speaker tells the story of a man who went through a difficult time, fell short in strength, and took his life. I will be analyzing the occasion, diction, and symbolism in this song.



The occasion in this song could be the moment before the man this song is about takes his life. We can assume this because in line 7, he says that can’t stand to “To go on living… life this way”. This statement makes the reader realize what this man is about to do. Also in line 5, he says that he thinks that “it's the only way”. Many people that go through things like this think that taking their own life is the only way to get rid of the pain they have to live with on a day to day basis.



The diction in this song is one sorrow. The words used in this song let the reader(s) know that something bad has or is about to happen. For example, the man says “he know it's wrong”. When this kind of decision is made, the individual knows it’s wrong, but they feel they have no choice. They feel that they have to kill themselves, feeling that all they are doing is hurting those around them. They feel worthless so, according to them, who would care if they chose to end their life? Also, the speaker says that the man in this song “died when the house was empty”. When people make decisions like this, they tend to carry the actions out in solitude. They often don’t want to hurt their loved ones, but know that they will if they do what they want to do. Therefore, they carry out their decisions alone.



The symbolism in this song is subtle, yet when analyzed, its very interesting. For example in line 3, the speaker says that this man “put a pen to paper for one final song”. This line symbolizes the letter he wrote to leave behind once he was found dead. Individuals that commit suicide often leave behind letters to their loved ones explaining what they did and the reasons for their actions. Also, in lines 13 and 14, the speaker said that “I'd let nobody…/Stand inside my shoes”. His shoes symbolize his life, and everything that has to do with him. He could be saying that he would give his life to anybody else so that he could be rid of the hurt he suffers.





No matter who you are, what you do, or how you live, everyone has hard times. The key to those hard times is to live to learn from your mistakes. Breaking down and giving up isn’t the only answer, although many think that it is. If one commits suicide, they think their putting themselves out of their misery, and this may be so. However, one must think how much they would hurt the people they love. Think about the son who will grow up without his father, the husband who will grow old alone, the parents who will have to bury their child. Committing suicide is a very selfish action, not to mention running away from your problems. No one should feel they have to give up and write their Final Song.

Rocket Man By: Elton John

Jessica Alleyne
Mr. Parry
English 4
04/08

Rocket Man
By: Elton John

Relationships can be very strong, but can be easily broken by infidelity. The song “Rocket Man” by Elton John speaks about this situation. In this analysis, I’m going to discuss occasion, diction, and imagery.


The occasion of this song seems to be at a home of a couple of which the speaker’s significant other has found out that the speaker has been unfaithful, and is sending the speaker to live elsewhere. We can assume this because in line 1, the speaker says “She packed my bags last night pre-flight”. Unfaithfulness is and has been the fall of many relationships. This is because when you are disloyal to the person that you promised to be with until death do us part, there is serious harm done. In relationships, honesty is in deed the best policy.


The diction in this song is filled with sorrow. The words used in this song let the reader get a sense of the remorse that the speaker is feeling for his actions once he has time to stop and actually think on what he has done. For example, the speaker says “I miss the earth so much I miss my wife”, in line 4. While the speaker is on the plane, he is thinking about his doings, and realizes that he misses his wife and misses being at home. Also, in line 5, the speaker states “It's lonely out in space”. In this statement, one can infer that he is lonely, and he is on his way to a strange place.


The imagery in this song is meant to convey remorse. The use of certain phrases lets you see the feelings of the speakers. In line 11, the speaker says he’s a “Rocket man burning out his fuse up here alone”. The speaker uses this statement to show his listeners that, because of his actions, he has to travel and find a new home, and he has to find a new home soon. Also, in line 18, he says “And I think it's gonna be a long long time...” By saying this, one can infer that he feels it will be a long time before he can go back to his companion and patch things up. The speaker’s actions undoubtedly hurt his significant other very deeply, so it will probably take a while before his wife can bring herself to talk things out with him.


When infidelity occurs, the unfaithful one is often the one sent away. The title Rocket Man is used to tell the audience that, because of his actions, he has to depart from his family and everyone he loves. Many would say that he deserves what he is getting because, while men have needs, they also have self control. If they have a problem, they should discuss it with their spouse and avoid hiding things from them. When things get hidden, one has to always look over their shoulder to make sure that what they have hidden does not come to light. For many men, if their true colors are shown, they too will become a Rocket Man.

The Circle of Life By: Elton John

Jessica Alleyne
Mr. Parry
English 4
04/08

The Circle of Life
By: Elton John

Life is an incredible journey filled with twists and turns, but everything seems to always come together in a circle. The song “Circle of Life” by Elton John talks about this concept. In this analysis, I’m going to discuss occasion, diction, and imagery.


The occasion of this song is actually for the soundtrack of the soundtrack of a movie named “The Lion King”. This movie is about a family of lions who, through all of the trials and hardships, landed on their feet. The song and movie talks about how everything starts off small and goes through difficult times, but at the end of it all everything happens the way it should. Songs and movies such as this one reminds people that even though times get hard, everything eventually connects and comes together.


The diction in this song is one of description. The words used in this song are meant to give you a picture of your life in a tangible sense. For example, the speaker relates life to a “…wheel of fortune” in line 10. Most people know what a wheel of fortune looks like, and what it is. Comparing life to a wheel of fortune, the speaker is saying that life has its good points and also its bad points. Also, in line 14, they say that life is a “…path unwinding”. The speaker is basically saying that life is like a path, and you never know what you will find at each turn. When living life, one basically is gambling, hoping that each situation turns out for the better, or at least not the worst.


The imagery in this song is good. It really helps you actually see life in a way that you wouldn’t normally look at it. For example, in line 7, the speaker compares life’s journey to a “…stampede”. We wouldn’t normally look at life as a stampede, but this metaphor makes sense. Life is like a race to get from point A to point B, and, in essence, everyone is just rushing to die. A stampede is pretty much the same thing, only it usually is used to describe the movement of animals. Another example of this sort of imagery is found in line 9, when he says “…the circle of life”. In saying this, he is basically saying that life is like a circle in this metaphor. You are born and get older and have a family, and everything connects.


The journey of life is an incredible adventure, with many ups and downs. One never knows what will happen from one moment to the next. One can make plans, but in reality, the outcome of tomorrow can never be accurately determined. The title The Circle of Life helps the audience realize that life is very much like a circle. You are born and, once you get older, you have children of your own. The human race is continually multiplying and flowing together. Everything is connected and comes together, just like a circle.