“When the rain
Is blowing in your face
And the whole world
Is on your case
I could offer you
A warm embrace
To make you feel my love”
Love songs can reach the hearts of any listener, whether or not that individual is currently in love, lost their love, or have yet to experience first love. This song reaches a larger audience than some other love songs because it not only increases feelings of love but also instills feelings of longing in those who wish to have a person similar to the singer in their life. Romance is constructed within “To Make You Fell my Love” as something not needing flash or material goods. It is constructed as simple and steadfast, true and pure. These emotions communicate better than more situation-specific ones. This concept of love has carried on through the centuries, and it is extremely prevalent in this piece. This version of the song is a cover, it was originally recorded by a male singer, but I feel Adele’s version really highlights the theme and emotions of the song.
Is blowing in your face
And the whole world
Is on your case
I could offer you
A warm embrace
To make you feel my love”
Love songs can reach the hearts of any listener, whether or not that individual is currently in love, lost their love, or have yet to experience first love. This song reaches a larger audience than some other love songs because it not only increases feelings of love but also instills feelings of longing in those who wish to have a person similar to the singer in their life. Romance is constructed within “To Make You Fell my Love” as something not needing flash or material goods. It is constructed as simple and steadfast, true and pure. These emotions communicate better than more situation-specific ones. This concept of love has carried on through the centuries, and it is extremely prevalent in this piece. This version of the song is a cover, it was originally recorded by a male singer, but I feel Adele’s version really highlights the theme and emotions of the song.
“I know you
Haven't made
Your mind up yet
But I would never
Do you wrong
I've known it
From the moment
That we met
No doubt in my mind
Where you belong”
Haven't made
Your mind up yet
But I would never
Do you wrong
I've known it
From the moment
That we met
No doubt in my mind
Where you belong”
The musical arrangement of “Make You Feel My Love” reaches out and grabs hearts of listeners almost as much as the lyrics. Simple piano accompaniment with direct singing (without those annoying Christina Aguilera scales) puts a focus on the emotions Adele shows. Such simplicity really touches me and makes me look back on relationships I had and one I hope to have in the future. I know what techniques she is using to create a specific mood, yet that doesn’t really seem to matter. Adele sounds so honest in this song, whether she is or not. The lyrics are styled similar to the simple, romantic poetry Wordsworth prized. The imagery is simple yet effective in its emphasis on situations the narrator is willing to go through for the person they love.
The song makes no cultural or historical references. There is no storytelling, no metaphors, and no symbolism. The cultural exploration of this song is its supposed lack of modern cultural influence. “Make You Feel My Love” is as timeless as love itself (see, it’s making me all sappy and clichéd). The intertextuality of songwriting usually pulls in familiar references or ideas to bring us closer to the song, but this one focuses purely on the singer’s devotion to their loved one. I tried to find some political beliefs or viewpoints within the song but found none. The ideology is purely of the importance of loved ones in life. It is in human nature to want to love and be loved, and Adele’s message in “Make You Feel My Love” is a simple one. She explores unyielding devotion within deep love to communicate romantic ideals.
I could make you happy
Make your dreams come true
Nothing that I wouldn't do
Go to the ends
Of the Earth for you
To make you feel my love, To make you feel my love
This is so true, Alanna. I also chose to focus on a sappy love song in my post this week. There's just something about hearing someone sing about their love. It plays to our innermost hopes, dreams, and sometimes fears. It is an interesting commentary on the human condition, our obsession with finding "someone." Also, I don't know if you've seen it, but there's a skit on SNL of people crying to Adele's "Someone Like You." This reminded me of it a little bit. http://vimeo.com/32169960
ReplyDeleteI think this skit was a commentary about how Adele's music plays to the structure of feeling.
I think the reason this is such a good example of romance in action, is the fact that the only element compelling the song is pure emotion. Like you said, there's no metaphors, no symbolizations. It's simple words, yet it's still so powerful. The concept of love has been used for centuries, and most likely will continue to be used for a very long time. It's something that anyone who's breathing can relate to. Literally. But I think the most prominent part of it all is how unknown the whole concept is. It's one of the most incomprehensible ideas that can completely take over your mind for what feels like ages. It can wreak havoc on every aspect of your life, while simultaneously making you feel like the most vital person on this planet. The only link love has is to your raw emotions, which is why I think it's easily viewed as romantic.
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