Harley Thorpe Ms. Davison-Hardie ENG3U1-06 05 March 2023 Lyricism and Song Structure Demonstrating Theme in Can’t Feel My Face by The Weeknd Radio songs are typically appreciated for their catchy melodies and chorus, having their theme overlooked. The Weeknd's smash hit Can't Feel My Face is an example where lyrics and song structure display a theme darker than listeners expect. In Can’t Feel My Face by The Weeknd, lyricism and song structure are used effectively to develop the theme of how becoming stuck in addiction leads to misery and potential death. Firstly, the song lyrics expand on its theme through the personification of drug addiction, which conveys the destruction it leads. The Weeknd speaks on the destructive effects of addiction through personification when he …show more content…
The love interest he refers to is a personification of drugs and is said to be the death of him. Although he understands the path that he will go down, he cannot control himself. It is proven when he talks about being numb. He would take drugs to numb him for the cost of his life. Next, he says the worst is yet to come, acknowledging the danger of this habit. However, when he says that he will at least be beautiful and young, he is saying if he dies from an overdose, at least he is to be remembered at his prime age of fame. These lyrics show the harsh mindset and life choices someone can have from addiction, and how it is so easy for them to throw their life away, relating to the theme of drugs leading to misery and death. Secondly, components of the song structure represent different stages in the cycle of addiction, which develops the theme by showing how addiction traps people. The song splits into three main parts: the verse (0:09), pre-chorus (0:26), and chorus (0:44). These three components loops throughout the song, just like a loop of addiction. During the verses, instrumentation includes a minimal guitar melody and drums, representing the