Samuel Villanueva English 106 Rhetorical Analysis of Lupe Fiascos Never Forget You Lupe Fiascos song Never

Forget You is a song that appeals to many people using a variety of methods including emotional appeals, repetition, a changing of simple rhyme scheme, and even the word choice he uses for his music. He also uses a few types of metaphors to enhance the story he tells through the song. Using a guest artist, John Legend, also expands the targeted audience for the song. Along all of this, he manages to make it relatable to each of us who has suffered a loss even though he talks about himself and someone that he once knew. First let us talk about his emotional appeals that come from the word choice he uses. The song as we can tell from reading the lyrics is about a loss of someone important. We dont know whether or not the loss was just loss of communication, an end of a relationship, or a death of a loved one, until we really look at the word choice. Even when we end a relationship or lose communication with someone we know that we may still keep them in our mind or in our hearts (depending on how close we were to the specific person). Until he says We put you in the ground, but I see you in the stars, we learn the person is dead and has been buried, but when he says the I see you in the stars, part, it shows that even though the person is gone, they are not forgotten, they are remembered and celebrated in their prime and in good memories and bad times. The bad times still not too specific on what they are still portrayed in a positive sense. They show that the bad times somehow made

their bond stronger and when they were able to overcome the challenge, it came out as a benefit for them. Following that we can look at this song from the logical perspective or why this song could have been written. This song was most likely written for the remembrance and dedication of someone close to Lupe. Through this song he can share his story of loss with his fans, but also give his fans a good song that they to, can reflect upon their own loss. The fans can reflect but also take lessons from the song that they should celebrate the memories of the deceased rather than have the feeling of mourning. To cherish the moments you spend with someone important would be the main reason for this song. Another way we know Lupe is talking about good and bad times that made their bond stronger is in the chorus, John Legends part, where John says take me to that old familiar place, take me to memories we wont erase, take me to all that we had, good and the bad, Ill never forget you . This part being a power statement of no matter what happened will grow bonds and give them stories to share and keep between them, something that Im sure we can all relate to. Another example is in another part he states, The upside of bad, flip it upside down came from the bottom but we up high now, meaning that there were many times of struggle , but it seems that both one gave up and they kept each other strong throughout the hard time. In our own lives we have done this many times making bonds and relationships with people.

Next lets talk about the use of John Legend. Having him on the song isnt only giving the song a different slower tone feel with his voice, but its also combing both fan bases to give the song a broader, and new audience. Many artist use this type of method not only to make their song sound better but also to increase and expand their audience to make their song a bigger hit amongst the people. With John Legend, Lupe could have gained some fans and sales while at the same time, John Legend could have gained the same if not more. Next well look at his rhyme scheme. Lupe wrote this song in a mostly simple A B rhyme scheme. This rhyme scheme allows to have an easy flow in the song as well as it permits easy rhymes such as this part in the song, Believe, and from this view we achieved, we looked back at the rules we receive, and how we broke those, dismantled and rewrote those, and the ghost still alive in the photos. Rhymes like these are catchy which will appeal to the audience and while making the song relaxed and easy to follow what the artist are singing. These rhyme schemes also allow to not have much complexity and allow and easier time with word choice instead of finding words to fit a more complex structure of a complex rhyme scheme. Next we can look at this from a religious perspective. Lupe hinted that the person that he has lost is dead and buried and in an afterlife but never states a religion. He does this in the line We put you in the ground, but I see you in the stars. Saying this primes us to know someone is dead and has had a burial service for him / her, but also knowing they are resting in peace in a peaceful paradise. He does not state whether it is a heaven or different religious afterlife like the Islamic

Jannah or paradise. Doing this, he doesnt exclude any religion. This could also bring a wider audience and be friendlier to each of their beliefs. Lupe uses a few metaphors in his song which are not too complex but still give the brain a little work to do when decoding the song to fully understand the meanings. One of them being in the line This is just like a first-class ticket, back to the first written rap, meaning this song will be about the memories from where he and the deceased first started to make memories and have the close memory they have now. Another example of a simple metaphor is again the seeing the person in the stars line. Pertaining to the belief that seeing someone in the stars is referring to an afterlife. The thought of an afterlife has been greatly reinforced in our society. From all the parts of rhyme scheme, word choice, how well we can relate to it, and even the supporting featured artist John Legend all mixes well to give a song of sentimental emotion by creating a song that touches deeply with a predominantly sad topic while turning it into a joyful one. The reasoning to connect his fans with a personal story and making them reflect on their own lives. The emotion of being sad, but the remembrance of the special someone still bringing a smile to your face just because of the memories you have shared. All this connects ties to bring the song Never Forget You.