21 Best Songs With Personification
Contents
12. “The Wind Cries Mary” by The Jimi Hendrix Experience
Song Year: 1967
The Jimi Hendrix Experience was a band consisting of Jimi Hendrix, Noel Redding, and Mitch Mitchell. The three were all from England and were formerly members of another band, The Animals.
“The Wind Cries Mary” is one of the band’s most well-known songs. It is about the narrator’s love for a woman named Mary. In the song, he maintains that the wind cries her name, which it obviously cannot do. This is an example of personification.
13. “The Sun” by Ghostface Killah (feat. Raekwon, Slick Rick, and RZA)
Song Year: 2001
Ghostface Killah, otherwise known as Dennis David Coles, is an American rapper and one of the many members of the hit hip-hop group the Wu-Tang Klan.
“The Sun,” featuring Wu-Tang Klan, is among his most popular tracks. He talks about the sun’s functions. He maintains that the sun continues to shine no matter on Earth. He uses personification to describe the sun.
14. “Under the Bridge” by The Red Hot Chilli Peppers
Song Year: 1991
This song is about loneliness in a big city—a message many can relate to. In this song, the protagonist describes driving alone through Los Angeles, reminiscing about his past. He uses personification to represent the city as though it were a woman, maintaining that she looks after him because she is his companion.
The Red Hot Chili Peppers are an American rock band consisting of vocalist Anthony Kiedis, drummer Chad Smith, bassist Flea, and guitarist John Frusciante.
15. “Drink Away the Pain (Situations)” by Mobb Deep (feat. Q-Tip)
Song Year: 1995
This entire song personifies Tanqueray, Mobb Deep’s favorite drink. In the song, he addresses the liquor bottle as though it were a woman, arguing that she isn’t healthy for him—much like a toxic relationship.
It’s an experience we can all relate to finding oneself locked in an unhealthy relationship with a person, substance, or behavior.
Mobb Deep was a famous hip-hop duo from New York City. Formed in 1991, the group consists of rappers Prodigy and Havoc.
16. “Sad Songs (Say So Much)” by Elton John
Song Year: 1984
Elton John is a singer and songwriter well-known for his genre-bending style and revolutionary lyrics. He earned particular acclaim throughout the 1970s for introducing new elements to popular music.
His song, “Sad Songs (Say So Much),” is about sadness and listening to sad music to feel one’s pain deeply. This song is full of examples of personification, comparing sad songs to people. It’s a beautiful addition to this playlist and makes for an excellent study of literary devices.
17. “Happy” by Pharrell Williams
Song Year: 2014
This song is, for lack of a better word, happy. It’s a song about finding the light after a storm and regaining confidence and self-love.
In this song, artist Pharrell Williams uses personification to describe the sunshine greeting him as he leaves his house.
Pharrell Williams is an American singer, rapper, and producer. “Happy” reached the top of the Billboard Hot 100 and replaced Katy Perry, another artist on this list.
18. “New York, New York” by Frank Sinatra
Song Year: 1977
Frank Sinatra is among the most well-known 20th-century singers, songwriters, and actors. His song, “New York, New York,” is famous for covering a popular theme: New York City. The song describes New York like a person, preventing him from leaving. It was the theme song for a movie of the same name directed by Martin Scorsese.
Sinatra uses several examples of personification throughout this song, namely when he describes his shoes as wanting to stay in New York.
19. “Rooster” by Alice in Chains
Song Year: 1991
This song is about the Vietnam War—hardly a cheery topic, but Alice in Chains isn’t known for their bright, upbeat music.
The song details lead singer Jerry Cantrell’s father’s experiences fighting in Vietnam. Cantrell describes the bullets as screaming, which is an example of personification.
Alice in Chains was a grunge band from the late 1990s that earned particular acclaim for transcending the limitations of the genre.
20. “25 to Life” by Eminem
Song Year: 2010
Eminem is a famous rapper known for his tremendous success. The artist has won five top spots on the Billboard charts, and over 30 songs have been placed on the coveted list.
His song, “25 to Life,” is about a man serving a life sentence—but it’s a metaphor for Eminem’s relationship with the hip-hop genre.
In this song, he compares hip-hop to a woman, claiming that she disrespected him and he deserves better.
21. “Highway Don’t Care” by Tim McGraw
Song Year: 2013
This song has personification in its title since a highway obviously cannot care about anything.
Furthermore, “Highway Don’t Care” includes several examples of personification in which Tim McGraw compares the highway to a human being.
The song itself is about the welcomed solitude of a long, dark highway. Artist Tim McGraw is a country singer, songwriter, and record producer known for topping the Billboard charts consistently. Ten of his albums have peaked at number one on the Top Country Albums charts.
Top Songs With Personification, Final Thoughts
The songs on this list consist of the best songs about personification. From Eminem to Tim McGraw, these artists have crafted music perfect for literary analysis—or just to listen to.
