Graded Assignment: Write Your own Blues Stanza

Objectives:

Analyze a famous blues stanza, noting the use of metaphors (or similes), the relationship of the subject of the metaphor to the topic, and the organization of the lyrics into the AAB form. Then demonstrate your understanding of those elements by composing your own blues stanza based on the same format mentioned above.

The Assignment:

Use the format analyzed below to think about and then compose your own blues stanza in the AAB format. My goal here is to get you thinking a little like a blues musician, at least when it comes to writing lyrics. Also remember that many of the themes in blues lyrics deal with pain, frustration, love, heartbreak, as well as hope. Using a line like, “Life is a roller coaster, it goes up and down,” is way overused. Get original and witty.

First, take a look at the last stanza in Billie Holiday's, "Fine and Mellow," which you have already listened to.

A.  LOVE (topic) IS JUST LIKE A FAUCET,  IT TURNS OFF AND ON.
                     Clause 1                                       Clause 2
                                 
A.  LOVE IS LIKE A FAUCET, IT TURNS OFF AND ON.


B.  SOMETIMES WHEN YOU THINK IT`S ON,  BABY, IT HAS TURNED OFF AND GONE
                      Clause 1                                                               Clause 2

The stanza above is in the AAB form, which is typical for most blues lyrics. That is, Line A repeats followed by Line B, which should be a witty, perhaps humorous rejoinder to Line A. Note that not all blues lyrics follow this exact same format, but for now, your assignment is to follow this format.

Let's break it down some more. Line A has two clauses, each separated by a comma. The first clause does two things: it announces the topic (LOVE) and compares it using 'as' (simile) to a faucet. If she sang, “Love is a faucet,” the relationship becomes a metaphor. The function of the second clause is to explain to the listener what the connection is between the faucet and love. In other words, both love and faucet turn off and on. This triggers the listener's imagination.

Requirement 1:  Make sure in the first clause of Line A to choose a topic. Then use a simile or metaphor to compare your topic to something else, the subject.

Requirement 2: Make sure that the last word in Line B rhymes with the last word in Line A.

In other words, "Gone" in Line B (in red above) rhymes with "On," the last word in Line A.

Requirement 3: Make sure that Line B has two clauses. The first clause should refer back to your simile. The second clause should be a witty or humorous rejoinder (something like the way in which a good punch line makes a joke funny).

Requirement 4: Make sure all 3 lines are about the same length. Remember, if they were to go into a song the music for each of the lines would be the same number of bars or measures. Hence, the lyrics would have to be about the same length.

GRADING:

1. You will be graded on how well you follow the instructions above and conform your stanza to the format analyzed above, especially in meeting requirements 1-4.

2. I am also looking for wit and originality. Don't write, "Life is like a roller coaster, . . . It has been done a hundred times.