Myth and Legend

Myth #1
Robert Johnson was a blues singer in the 1930’s. The legend says that Johnson went to the Crossroads in Mississippi to sell his soul to the devil. His wife had died from child birth, so it was said he was mad at God already, and in grieving. He also craved more fame and fortune, he wanted to have amazing musical talents. So, the legend says one day at midnight he went down to the Crossroads and called upon Satan. He sold his soul, for better guitar ability. It is said after that he played so well, it was almost unreal. Then at 27 Johnson suffered from convulsions and died unexpectedly. Many people say it was the Devil coming back to take his due. To this day it is unknown why Johnson died, he even has two different grave sites.
Myth #2
The myth of Ozzy Osborne biting off a dove and a bats head, is actually somewhat true. During Ozzy’s concerts his fans would bring all different types of animals to throw on to the stage. At one particular concert a fan threw a live bat onto the stage. Ozzy picked it up, thinking it was rubber, and bit its head off. After, he had to be rushed to the hospital and received two weeks worth of rabies shots. As for the dove, he was suppose to release three doves from a cage at a CBS record meeting. Two of the were releases, but Ozzy took the third one and bit its head off.
Myth #3
In 1969 a rumor began that Paul McCartney, of the Beatles, had died. It circulated that after a big fight with the other Beatles at the Abbey Road recording studio in London, McCartney sped off in his car and got into an accident which led to his demise. The Beatles were at their peak of fame so they hired an impersonator to be McCartney. This conspiracy came from the Beatles “Abbey Road” cover. On the cover they were working across the Abbey Road crosswalk in what seemed to be a funeral procession. John Lennon was dressed in white and represented a church, Ringo in black represented the undertaker, and Geroge in work clothes represented the grave digger. In the middle of Ringo and George was Paul, out of step with the other, his eyes closed and he was barefoot. Also, the license plate on the car behind them read “LMW 28IF”, McCartney would have been 28 if he did not “die”. Then on the cover of Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Heart Club Band, it seemed to be mourners at a funeral. Also, yellow hyacinths formed the shape of a left-handed base guitar, McCartney’s instrument. There were multiple songs such as “she’s Leaving Home” and “A Day in the Life” which referenced car accidents. None of this was true. Paul McCartney himself had to reassure everyone that he was, in fact, still living. He also explained the so-called “clues”, which did not actually have to do with him dying.
Myth #4
At the Newport Folk Festival in 1964, Bob Dylan strayed away from his usual folk genre, and played “electrified rock-and-roll”. The audience, in shock, booed and shouted at him the entire time. They felt betrayed that Dylan would change his sound. Some say that Dylan wasn’t to blame, it was the sound system, other’s say the band was unrehearsed and deserved the reaction they received. Dylan walked of the stage seemingly stunned, and did not understand why he couldn’t play rock-and-roll, but other bands there, like Muddy Waters, could.
Myth #5
A major legend that still circulates today, is that Elvis Presley is still alive. Many fans say he simply faked his death in 1977 and still roams around today. Then again, there are contradicting conspiracies that he was never alive in the first place. Despite this there are still fans today making websites and blogs of “Elvis sightings” and other possible myths. This myth can’t particularly be accepted or denied, but everyone eventually has to die.
Myth #6
Marilyn Monroe was an actress and a “sex symbol” during the 1950’s. She was notorious for being a dumb blonde because she played many roles in which the girl seemed incredibly stupid. She became a huge actress, but was often criticized for the way she came off. Sigmund Freud was an incredibly famous psychologist, often called the father of psychology. He founded the branch of psychoanalysis and created many different theories. He was known to be somewhat perverted. Many of his theories dealt with human desires. Diana Dors was an actress very similar to Marilyn Monroe. She was also blonde, and known as a “sex symbol”. Many people did not take her seriously, although she tried to change their view. She died of cancer in 1984.
Stan Laurel was a comedian who starred in many famous roles. He traveled the world during WWII and entertained the troops. He also won an Academy Award for creative pioneering on film. Mae West was a fashion model, and also a stage actress. A lot of controversy centered around her as she tried to take on humorous roles, but was belittled by critics. Max Miller was another very famous comedian that dressed in eccentric costumes. He specialized in sexual innuendo, although he did have some other jokes. He had a tendency to dominate the stage, which was not always effective. He is known as the greatest stand-up comedian of his generation.
Works Cited
Corbett, By Ben. "Bob Dylan Goes Electric - Bob Dylan Goes Electric at 1965 Newport Folk Festival." American Folk Music - All About American Folk Music and Americana. Web. 31 Oct. 2010. <http://folkmusic.about.com/od/bobdylan/a/Bob-Dylan-Goes-Electric.htm>.
Oxford. "Oxford DNB: Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band." Oxford Dictionary of National Biography. Web. 31 Oct. 2010. <http://www.oxforddnb.com/public/sgtpepper/>.
"Ozzy Osbourne The Rest of the Story." Dial-the-Truth Ministries a Christian Resource and Tract Ministry. Web. 31 Oct. 2010. <http://www.av1611.org/rock/ozzy.html>.
Polidoro, By Massimo. "A Myth That Rocks: The Premature Death of Paul McCartney | LiveScience." LiveScience | Science, Technology, Health & Environmental News. Web. 31 Oct. 2010. <http://www.livescience.com/strangenews/051220_mcartney.html>.
ROBERT JOHNSON AND THE CROSSROADS CURSE. Web. 31 Oct. 2010. <http://crossroads.stormloader.com/>.

Song Analysis 2 Lyrics

Sparks Fly by Taylor Swift

The way you move is like a full on rainstorm
And I'm a house of cards
You're the kind of reckless
That should send me runnin'
But I kinda know that I won't get far
And you stood there in front of me
Just close enough to touch
Close enough to hope you couldn't see
What I was thinking of

Drop everything now
Meet me in the pouring rain
Kiss me on the sidewalk
Take away the pain
'cause I see sparks fly whenever you smile
Get me with those green eyes, baby, as the lights go down
Give me something that'll haunt me when you're not around
'cause I see sparks fly whenever you smile

My mind forgets to remind me
You're a bad idea
You touch me once and it's really something,
You find I'm even better than you imagined I would be.
I'm on my guard for the rest of the world
But with you I know it's no good
And I could wait patiently but I really wish you would...

Drop everything now
Meet me in the pouring rain
Kiss me on the sidewalk
Take away the pain
'cause I see sparks fly whenever you smile
Get me with those green eyes, baby, as the lights go down
Give me something that'll haunt me when you're not around
'cause I see sparks fly whenever you smile

I run my fingers through your hair and watch the lights go wild.
Just keep on keeping your eyes on me, it's just wrong enough to make it feel right.
Lead me up the staircase
Won't you whisper soft and slow?
I'm captivated by you, baby, like a firework show.

Drop everything now,
Meet me in the pouring rain,
Kiss me on the sidewalk,
Take away the pain
'cause I see sparks fly whenever you smile.
Get me with those green eyes, baby, as the lights go down
Give me something that'll haunt me when you're not around
'cause I see sparks fly whenever you smile

The sparks fly...
Oh, baby, smile...
The sparks fly...

Song Analysis Mockingbird by Rob Thomas

Song Analysis

Rob Thomas pours emotion into his songs, basing a variety of them from experience. Originally the leas singer of Matchbox 20, Thomas took on an additional solo career, releasing “Something has to be in April of 2005 and then “Cradlesong” in June of 2009. Both albums went platinum and contained hit singles such as “Her Diamonds” and “Ever the Same”. It is undeniable that Thomas as a natural ability to sing and appeal to the Rock/ Pop audience. Thomas’ song “Mockingbird” demonstrates various poetic devices by adding depth to the universal theme.

A common device used in Rob Thomas’ song “Mockingbird” is allegory. In the first line of the chorus Thomas says “Maybe you and me got lost somewhere, we can’t move on, we can’t stay here”. Obviously, this statement is pointing at a void in their relationship, somewhere it went wrong, and the purpose was lost. The couple is not actually lost in a literal sense. Another prime example of this allegory is in the line “Take my hand and I will lead you through the broken Promised Land”. The Promised Land is also an allusion to the land given by God, according to the Hebrew Bible. This is slyly incorporated into the song meaning he will be there for his significant other while she struggles with her past. The main literary device in this song is the symbol of the mockingbird itself. A mockingbird is a songbird that mimics the songs of other birds around it. Symbolizing, in this song, that as hard as the couple tries, their relationship can not mimic one of happiness.

These poetic devices are key in exemplifying the universal theme; sometimes relationships simply do not work out. “Maybe you and me tried everything, but still that mockingbird won’t sing” is a perfect symbol to describe the underlying theme. One can not mimic a happy relationship when it is not there. This funnels into the middle of the song “Take my hand and I will lead you through the broken Promise Land”, where Thomas is again attempting to mend this shattered relationship abundant with broke promises. Ultimately, the song ends on the line of objectification, “Maybe we ain’t meant for this love”, tying the universal theme together, closing the song.


Thomas’ strong use of poetic devices along with a meaningful universal theme really puts the song “Mockingbird” over the top. The symbolism, allegory and objectification help bring the song to life. Thomas is a strong artist with immense capability. “Mockingbird” is a meaningful, compelling, song that has a connection in every life.

Lyrics:Here we stand
Somewhere in between this moment and the end
Will we bend?
Or will we open up and take this whole thing in?
Everybody else is smiling
Man, their smiles dont fade
And you dont even wonder why
You just dont think that way

Maybe you and me got lost somewhere
We can't move on and we can't stay here
Maybe we've just had enough
Well, maybe we aint meant for this love
You and me tried everything
But still that mockingbird won't sing
Man this life seems hard enough
Well, maybe we aint meant for this love

Take my hand
And I will lead you through the broken promise land
Yes I can, oh yes I can
I can be there when you need it
I'll give it all 'till you can't feel it anymore
I don't wanna love you now
If you'll just leave someday
I don't wanna turn around
If you'll just walk away

Maybe you and me got lost somewhere
We can't move on and we can't stay here
Maybe we've just had enough
Well, maybe we aint meant for this love
You and me tried everything
But still that mockingbird won't sing
Man this life seems hard enough
Well, maybe we aint meant for this love

Maybe you and me got lost somewhere
We can't move on and we can't stay here
Maybe we've just had enough
Well, maybe we aint meant for this love
You and me tried everything
But still that mockingbird won't sing
Man this life seems hard enough
Well, maybe we aint meant for this love

Maybe we aint meant for this love
Maybe we aint meant for this love