Never Let it Go

In July of 2012 the artist, Passenger achieved international success by releasing "Let Her Go" from his album All the Little Lights. The song was a collaboration between a few Australian artists and it pushed Passengers name into modern music conversation. The moving rhythm of the song encourages the appreciation of the song, but it is not the only thing that makes the song impressive. The reason this Australian made song was able to reach the charts in many countries has a lot to do with the lyrics.

According to Perrine, poetry should communicate information more intensely, show the experience of others, and help us better understand our own experiences. In this song, Passenger is describing the painful feelings of a man who no longer has a relationship with a woman who meant a lot to him. This man reflects on his feelings to enlighten himself and others that you never know what you have until it's gone. The man in the song is exposing the anger he feels towards himself for not appreciating the good in his life until it was gone. Not only does he relate this to his lost lover, but he also uses other examples to showcase the same regret/ignorance.

       Well you only need the light when it's burning low
       Only miss the sun when it starts to snow
       Only know you love her when you let her go

Using other examples can remind the reader of a time they experienced similar pain, and gain a greater awareness of the man's pain. As the song continues the writer uses hyperboles, imagery, and metaphors to convey his message. A hyperbole is used when the man says "Everything you touch surely dies". Using a hyperbole here aids the writer in communicating his message more intensely. Drawing on the pain, the drama truly forces the reader to face the author's message. There are several instances of imagery within the lyrics - although the most convincing is the description of someone sitting in their room and " staring at the ceiling in the dark". When the reader pictures this scene they start to feel a glimpse of the man's pain which leads them to avoid taking what they have for granted. Also, using metaphors gives the author another outlet to describe his immense pain. For example, explaining that one "only hate(s) the road when you're missing home" is another way of comparing the loneliness without that lost loved one with the comfort you feel when you're with them. So, this metaphor is another reminder to the readers to understand how fortunate they are to love and have who they have and also to never take them for granted.