Christmas in October

Christmas in JULY? NO!  Christmas in October!  Are you ready for Christmas?  Are Halloween and Thanksgiving festivities just completely boring you to death this fall season?  If you've answered yes to either of these questions, it's time to get into the Christmas holiday spirit!  

While I log into my Facebook about 2 or 3 times per day, one of my favorite pop singers, Justin Bieber, frequently pops up on my news feed.  During the first few weeks of October, Justin posted exciting statuses  about his new and upcoming single on his yet to be released Christmas Album, "Mistletoe."  Each day, he posted a countdown until the single was released on October 17th, and I had bought the song immediately that morning when I had woken up.

I was extremely excited when I discovered that Justin Bieber was releasing a Christmas single months in advance of December.  Without Facebook although, I truly believe I would have not known about his single being released.  I am a HUGE Justin Bieber fan.  Yes, I have "Bieber Fever," but needless to say, I am not one of those girls that follows his every move.

After I had bought the song, I began listening to it over, and over, just like every other Justin Bieber song that I buy! But this song truly got me into the holiday spirit.  The sleigh bells in the background, and the repetition of the word "mistletoe" really got me thinking about Christmas, and I became very excited!

After having spent almost two months in Mrs. Lewis' AWESOME:) poetry class, I have become more aware of poetic devices that are present in a song's lyrics when I am listening to a song.  I immediately pulled up the lyrics to "Mistletoe" and found several poetic devices within the lyrics.  

One immediate example I found was that the first stanza had two sets of couplets.  "It's the most beautiful time of the year.  Lights fill the streets spreading so much cheer.  I should be playing in the winter snow, But I'mma be under the mistletoe."  Year and cheer rhyme with each other, one life right after the other, which makes those two lines a couplet!  Snow and mistletoe rhyme consecutively as well, which also make those two lines a couplet.  

Justin also uses the poetic device, assonance, in his lyrics.  An example of assonance in the "Mistletoe" lyrics, is displayed in the two lines, "Word on the street Santa's coming tonight, Reindeer's flying in the sky so high"  The word tonight and high both have the "igh" vowel sound, which exemplifies assonance in the lyrics. 

     

For all of you Beliebers out there, and I know that's many of you, check out Justin's "Mistletoe" music video below.  You're going to melt, just like I did the first time.  Also, check out Justin's newly released Christmas single, "The Christmas Song" (Chestnuts) featuring, the one and only, Usher, on iTunes!  When listening to these songs, really think about the couplets, rhyming, and assonance in the lyrics.  It's not always easy, but Justin's songs never disappoint! 

"Assonance | Define Assonance at Dictionary.com." Dictionary.com | Find the Meanings and Definitions of Words at Dictionary.com. Web. 24 Oct. 2011. <http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/assonance>.

"JUSTIN BIEBER - MISTLETOE LYRICS." MUSIC AND LYRICS. Web. 24 Oct. 2011. <http://www.directlyrics.com/justin-bieber-mistletoe-lyrics.html>.

"Reminder: Justin Bieber Album “Under the Mistletoe” Release Date November 1, 2011 — JUSTIN BIEBER ZONE :Latest News, Pics, Music Videos, Chat and More."Justin Bieber FanSite //Latest News, Pictures, Song Lyrics, Music Videos, Tickets 2011-2012. Web. 24 Oct. 2011. <http://www.justinbieberzone.com/2011/10/reminder-justin-bieber-album-under-the-mistletoe-release-date-november-1/>.

"Justin Bieber Shoots Christmas-Themed 'Mistletoe' Video - Music, Celebrity, Artist News | MTV." New Music Videos, Reality TV Shows, Celebrity News, Top Stories | MTV. Web. 24 Oct. 2011. <http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1671721/justin-bieber-mistletoe-music-video.jhtml>.