When demonstrating metaphors in lyrics, I used to cover “Candle in the Water” from the 1977 film Pete’s Dragon. While the metaphors in this song work very well, I found that the song did not speak to students. So, I have moved on to covering the They Might Be Giants classic “Birdhouse in Your Soul.”
John Flansburgh and John Linnell from They Might Be Giants are known for their clever lyrics, and “Birdhouse in Your Soul” is no exception. The premise of the song is quirky, clever, and sweet. The singer personifies a nightlight in the form of a blue canary, who is singing to the person (probably a child) who the nightlight protects (“who watches over you”). The message this object conveys, through metaphor, is to keep a spot for it in your heart.
The beginning starts very playfully, with the nightlight continuously backpedalling on its relationship to the audience . . .
I’m your only friend,
I’m not your only friend,
but I’m a little glowing friend,
but really I’m not actually your friend,
But I am
While this is playful, it also establishes the affection that the nightlight has for his protectee, and starts to set up the desire of the nightlight to have this affection reciprocated. This hope is expressed in chorus with the line, “say I’m the only bee in your bonnet,” which is charmingly rhymed with the previous line, “not to put to fine a point on it.”
Part of Flansburgh and Linnell’s gift for lyrics comes from their use of obscure sayings, vocabulary and references. One such example of an antiquated saying is the previously mentioned “bee in your bonnet.” In terms of vocabulary, the first verse includes the line, “filibuster vigilantly.” Perhaps the most obscure reference of the song is the “Longines Symphonette,” which is a brand of luxury, high quality wristwatches. This reference adds a bit of humor, as a cheap night light compares itself to a thousand dollar wristwatch. The second verse humorously invokes the legend of Jason and the Argonauts as well.
Another feature of the lyrics to “Birdhouse” is the use of multiple syllable rhymes. In the chorus we hear “bonnet” rhymed with “on it,” while the first verse rhymes “listen to me” with “vigilantly” and “l-i-t-e,” as well as “infinte” and “Symphonette.” This last rhyme is softened by appending the line with the non-rhyming phrase “it doesn’t rest.” In the second verse we have three multi-syllable rhymes in a row: “opposite me,” “ancestry,” and “shipwreck free.” These rhymes echo those from the first verse (“listen to me,” “vigilantly,” “l-i-t-e”). While these multiple syllable rhymes make the verse very rhyming, Flansburgh and Linnell clear our palette by having the final lyric of each verse not rhyme, which leaves the verse open, leading into the chorus.
Finally, the lyrics also feature some remote rhymes. One such instance happens in the second verse. While “a lot” and “Argonauts” are additive rhymes, “job” is an assonance rhyme with both of these. This passage is even more effective as the nightlight humbly compares itself to lighthouses, which despite the deprecating humor does make the connection between nightlights and lighthouses in terms of protection and guidance. Clearly the protagonist views its function as important and meaningful, later comparing itself to a guardian angel.
However, we’ve lost sight of why we came here, the metaphor. The title line, “birdhouse in your soul,” works as a metaphor. The protagonist, the nightlight shaped like a canary, begs the listener, cast as the occupant of the room, presumably a child’s bedroom, to build a “make a little birdhouse in your soul.” What does this line mean? Clearly it is not literal. A soul is not a physical place. Even if we take the word “soul” to mean heart, it is doubtful that the nightlight wants the listener to carve open their chest and put a birdhouse adjoining their aorta. Rather, “make a little birdhouse in your soul” likely translates to make a place for me in your thoughts, or even think of me tenderly.
Given the content of the lyrics, the protagonist is asking to be thought of tenderly in return for the protection the nightlight has been offering faithfully, one presumes over the length of the listener’s childhood. On a larger scale, one can view the song as advocating thoughtfulness for non-sentient articles that aid you in your life. While such thoughtfulness does not, in reality, comfort such objects, it does encourage us to be thoughtful creatures of gratitude, which is clearly a noble goal.
So, how does this relate to the construction of the lyrics? The obscure sayings, vocabulary, and references cast the nightlight as a quirky individual. This is furthered by the multiple syllable and distant rhymes. One imagines the nightlight as a somewhat bookishly shy, awkward individual who cautiously asks for kind, warms wishes. The process puts the nightlight in a vulnerable state, which is highly sympathetic. This reinforces the meaning of the metaphor through this casting, established lyrically. All in all, it also makes for a unique, effective song.