21 Best Songs With Personification

Many songs contain personification.

Personification is a commonly used literary device most prevalent in the text—and music. It consists of giving a non-human thing human-like qualities.

If you’re a teacher, student, or professional, you can use music to learn more about this popular literary device.

The following guide contains the best songs with personification. Listen to each one individually, or make a playlist!

1. “Here Comes the Sun” by The Beatles

Song Year: 1969

This may be one of the most famous songs of all time. By the genre-bending group The Beatles, “Here Comes the Sun” is a glorious song about overcoming hard times and finding joy again.

The lyrics assure that things will be alright—and it feels that way when listening to this song. Best of all, there’s tons of personification in this song. The sun, for example, is personified, as is the smile allegedly returning to the singer’s face.

The Beatles were a band from the 1960s consisting of John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Stars. They are primarily considered the most influential band of all time.

2. “Thriller” by Michael Jackson

Song Year: 1982

“Thriller” is another viral song that uses personification several times throughout its lyrics. This song was initially written to resemble a horror movie—and the music video is quite scary.

The song’s lyrics contain a warning to beware of all the creatures in the night—many of which get personified using colorful language.

Thriller rose to the top of the Billboard charts in February 1983 and remained there for several weeks.

Michael Jackson was a singer, actor, and philanthropist. He is considered among the most influential figures of the 20th century for his gender-bending style and musical talent.

3. “Master of Puppets” by Metallica

Song Year: 1987

“Master of Puppets” is a hit song by the thrash band Metallica. This song is about the vocalist and rhythm guitar player James Hetfield’s struggle with addiction. The entire piece consists of a personification of drugs and alcohol as a dark force overtaking his body and directing his actions.

Metallica is a thrash and heavy metal band comprising James Hetfield, Kirk Hammett, Lars Ulrich, Robert Trujillo, Cliff Burton, and Dave Mustaine. The band has always been popular, but they’ve recently enjoyed more attention due to featuring on the hit show Stranger Things.

4. “Thank You” by Led Zeppelin

Song Year: 1969

Led Zeppelin was a famous English rock band formed in 1968. The band consisted of members Robert Plant (lead vocals), Jimmy Page, John Jones, and John Bonham.

Led Zeppelin is known for their consistent hit singles, and “Thank You” isn’t among them. However, this is one of their best songs and features personification.

The song is a love ballad addressed to the object of the narrator’s affection. The song is about loving someone no matter what happens. When the sun is described as refusing to shine, this is personification.

5. “The Sound of Silence” by Simon and Garfunkel

Song Year: 1964

This song is about confronting one’s demons in the silence that reigns in solitude. It’s among the most beautiful songs in music history and leverages personification several times.

For example, the singer addresses the song to darkness as though it were a person.

Simon & Garfunkel was an American folk rock duo comprised of Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel. Sound of Silence is their most famous song. It climbed to number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1966 and continues to appear in many films and TV shows.

6. “Fireworks” by Katy Perry

Song Year: 2010

“Fireworks” peaked at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 in 2010 and continues to enjoy popularity today. It’s no wonder it’s so popular.

This song is a self-love anthem that features several similes, metaphors, and examples of personification. For instance, Perry compares herself to a plastic bag floating in the wind and personifies fireworks to represent resilience.

Katy Perry, known as Katheryn Elizabeth Hudson, is a singer and songwriter. She has heavily influenced contemporary pop music.

7. “Hummingbird Heartbeat” by Katy Perry

Song Year: 2010

If you’ve ever fallen in love, you know that it can sometimes feel like a hummingbird is beating its wings in your chest.

That’s what this song is about; Katy Perry’s “Hummingbird Heartbeat” is yet another song about the physical symptoms of love. She compares her lover’s racing heartbeat to the wings of a hummingbird, connoting personification.

Perry is known for her campy style and for using numerous literary devices in her music. If you’re looking for an excellent artist to teach or understand personification, you’ve found her.

8. “Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)” by Green Day

Song Year: 1997

Green Day is another band well-known for its use of literary devices. This song, “Good Riddance (Time of Your Life),” features several examples of personification. Namely, the artist describes time as grabbing him by the wrist, a figure of speech.

The song is about biding one’s time and finding the meaningful things in life. It’s one of Green Day’s uncharacteristically slow and solemn songs—but it’s also one of their most beautiful.

9. “I Used to Love H.E.R” by Common

Song Year: 1994

This is a song about the genre of hip-hop. Common compares his music to a woman he once loved, saying people mistreated her. He is trying to argue that the genre has changed so much that it is no longer recognizable, and he is advocating for a return to hip-hop roots.

Common is an American rap artist who has received three Grammy awards for his work. “I Used to Love H.E.R”. topped the Billboard Hot Rap Singles upon its release in 1994.

10. “La Isla Bonita” by Madonna

Song Year: 1986

Madonna is a Grammy award-winning pop singer and songwriter known for her risqué style and compelling lyrics.

Her song, “La Isla Bonita,” draws inspiration from Latino artists of the time. It is about a beautiful tropical island and falling in love with a man named Pedro. It is the sort of song that will make you long for your next vacation.

Madonna uses personification when she describes the wind as being carried by the sea—obviously, the sea cannot have anything.

11. “Careless Whisper” by George Michael

Song Year: 1984

This is one of the most popular songs ever—but did you know it uses personification?

George Michael uses personification in this song to describe time and his feet. The music itself is about making a mistake and being dishonest with someone. The singer expresses his regret and desire to never dance with anyone else again.

George Michael was an English singer and songwriter. He is among the most successful musicians, with an estimated 125 million record sales worldwide.