So I was in my Analytical and Persuasive Class and we had to dissect a popular lyric for meanings using symbols and such. I was given Rihanna's Umbrella. I found the lyrics to be filled with homosexual symbols and ulterior motives.
Umbrella by Rihanna:
When the sun shines, we'll shine together
Told you I'll be here forever
Said I'll always be a friend
Took an oath I'ma stick it out till the end
Now that it's raining more than ever
Know that we'll still have each other
You can stand under my umbrella
You can stand under my umbrella
My Interpretation:
Sun as a symbol means light, heat, masculinity, and fertility.
The first line is when we as men shine we will do it together.
Second and third lines are self-explanatory.
Stick metaphorically stands for a penis. More hints toward homosexual love.
Raining is a symbol fertility and in some cases sperm
Sixth line states its meaning
Umbrella could be a symbol for darkness, withdrawal, and refusing fertility.
So could be signifying that the relationship she be kept in the dark hidden and withdrawn from society and since males cannot have children with each other. They are refusing fertility.
Neyo wrote this song...hmmmmm. Not saying he is gay or that this is a gay anthem. Just reading between the lines. I thought this was funny and fun to do.
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I'm just gonna enjoy the song.
This was just a fun exercise that I had to complete for one of my classes. i like the song even though it is a bit over played.
Conformity is the jailer of freedom and the enemy of growth!~JFK
I've never looked at that song as having that kind of meaning, but I guess you're right if you really read between the lines.
This is actually very interesting. This is something I love to do: taking popular, mainstream content and dissecting hidden and subtle meanings from it. I've had a class or two where we've done this as well.
Anyway, I found some holes in your argument. The sun is a symbol, I believe, of life, power, light, a new beginning, rebirth...things of that nature. It could symbolize fertility or masculinity, but together? I'm not so sure...usually fertility goes hand-in-hand with femininity. Women's go through "stages" of fertility, i.e. in certain stages of their reproductive process, they are more capable of sustaining life. Also, they are more fertile in certain stages of their life, i.e. between puberty and menopause. Men, on the other hand, constantly produce sperm until they are dead. To tie this into the Sun as a symbol of sexual reproduction, it goes through stages as well: day and night. So, I believe, using this evidence, that the Sun would tie in closer to femininity.
Seeing "stick" as a sexual reference to a penis and "raining" as a reference to sperm is being a little too phallic and Freudian (who I agree with, for the most part, FYI), I think, but since it's your opinion, I have no way of proving you right or wrong. However, raining is usually a symbol of sadness, or in other cases, cleansing or redemption (i.e. the rain washed away my sins).
Again, this is all opinion, so with the exception of your analysis of the Sun, I can only argue my opposing view (amicably, of course, no hostility meant). In the end, we're both right and wrong, hehe.
In my opinion, the song's meaning leans closer to pledging loyalty, to anyone, friend or lover. I say this because there aren't any explicit references to romance, with the exception of use of "Baby", which is usually considered a term of endearment. But, again, my best friend calls me "Pookie" and she's a girl, and I'm gay, so nothing happening there, lol. Considering referencing to the Sun, umbrellas, and rain together points to a meteorological reference, paralleling the phrase "I'll be there, rain or shine". Simply, it can be interpreted as a person pledging loyalty and support to a loved one.
Sorry, hehe, I went a little overboard. Again, this is an amicable debate, it's just something I love doing, interpreting symbols by reading between the lines and using contextual clues to scope out hidden meanings. Like I said, your interpretation is completely valid as well, I'm just providing mine :-)
Good job...
i dont believe it but it was fun and challenging to do. i might do it with different songs. thanks for the input though.
Conformity is the jailer of freedom and the enemy of growth!~JFK
Hehe, no problem. Stuff like this is actually very fun, for English geeks like me at least. If you had fun doing it, you should definitely do it for other songs and stuff...it'll help you out when a teacher asks you to do it for a grade!
I think you looked into the song way too much.
Granted, I know it was the assignment to interpret the song but maybe you turned too far left.
I took it as sun shine= happiness, new day.
So the first line, when your happy im happy. were happy together.
2nd & 3rd self explanatory.
4th line= I took an oath.
Meaning the person isn't going to do you wrong. They said they will be there for you, and there going to be.
5th( & into 6th) line= raining more then ever.
Meaning, things are getting hard. And even thought their hard, don't give up cause that first person isn't. No matter how hard everything is, they wont quit, so you shouldn't either.
You'll always have them when you need them.
And finally, umbrella, meaning protection. Not darkness. When things get hard, they're going to protect you, and shelter you from the harsh world.
wow.
I am listening to the song i think of it that way but in class i went overboard just to have fun and to get a good grade. I let my imagingation free. WHOOOOOOO!
Conformity is the jailer of freedom and the enemy of growth!~JFK
I like your interpretation very much. And I agree with what you see. Thank you for sharing. I learn new things everyday. You're awesome! I wish you would do the entire song though. It would've been much more interesting.
however, i do believe that this the song is more literal than you have said. That as any couple, homo or hetero is an acceptible example for the song. Actually, reading back I agree with the replies from tangerine_sky and tauruschild.
---Mike Schilling---