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Learn about the meaning and examples of onomatopoeia, or the words that represent a sound, in popular songs from different genres and artists. From David Guetta to Katy Perry, from Nicki Minaj to The Hives, discover 10 songs with onomatopoeia in them and their lyrics.
- “Bang” One of the most used onomatopoeic words in lyrics is “bang”. This word is supposed to imitate the sound of someone banging with their fists on something, but it’s also a subtle way of explaining doing sex, like in the case of “Bang Bang” by Jessie J.
- “Roar” Using animal sounds in song lyrics is probably not a good idea unless you write children’s songs. Just think about how ridiculous it would sound to use “moo”, “cuckoo”, or “baa” in a song.
- “Clap” The sound “clap” is referring to the sound of striking our palms together. I already mentioned “clap” in a previous example. In the song “Boom Clap”, they refer to a situation when the person is in love and her heart feels like playing music.
- “Knock” The word “knock” is also a percussive sound, however, it usually refers to someone knocking on a door because he wants to go in. The meaning of “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door” is very clear, I don’t think it needs explanation.
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- “Bohemian Rhapsody” by Queen. “Bohemian Rhapsody” is arguably Queen’s most popular song and one of the most famous rock songs of all time. It tells the story of a young man who has killed someone, gone on the run but knows that he will eventually be caught and punished.
- “Girl on Fire” by Alicia Keys. Alicia Key’s song “Girl on Fire” is a powerful anthem of self-discovery and empowerment. Keys uses the extended metaphor of fire throughout the song to send a powerful message to women.
- “Hallelujah” by Leonard Cohen. Leonard Cohen’s beautiful song “Hallelujah” failed to get much recognition until Jeff Buckley covered it. It has gone on to become one of the most covered songs in music history.
- “Halo” by Beyonce. This list of songs cannot be completed without adding a song from Queen B. In her song “Halo”, Beyonce uses figurative speech to describe her love as angelic.
Onomatopoeia gives songwriters the freedom to experiment with language and sound, creating unique and inventive lyrics. By playing with words like this, songwriters can craft imaginative and innovative songs that stand out in the music industry.
- “NYC” by Interpol. Sound Mimicked: Subway squwalls. Mimicked by: Reverb-soaked guitars. This song is both conceptual and experiential; the feeling recreated is literally the sum of all the parts: the slow-chugging guitar riff mirroring the rhythmic lull of a train arriving at its destination, the under-lubricated high note squeals of a second guitar sounding like a mal-attended break system, all thematically tied together by a downtrodden Paul Banks singing, “The subway, it is a porno.
- “Undercover of Darkness” by The Strokes. Sound Mimicked: Saxophone. Mimicked by: Nick Valensi’s guitar tone. The Strokes are all about the power of faithful interpretation; their songwriting formula has traditionally been this: frontman Julian Casablancas (whose vocals are a “faithful interpretation” of Lou Reed’s) writes the song melodies entirely on the keyboard, which is then interpreted by the band’s two guitarists, Albert Hammond Jr.
- “Njosnavelin” by Sigur Ros. Sound Mimicked: Cello. Mimicked by: Jonsi’s bowed guitar. Also mimicked by instruments are the sounds of other instruments; here in particular, a cello, a stringed instrument that belongs more in an orchestra and less in a nightclub.
- “Love Cats” by the Cure. Sound Mimicked: Cats meowing. Mimicked by: Robert Smith’s guitar scratches. The “cats” appear at the very beginning and end of the song, a conceptually-befitting artistic choice on Robert Smith’s part.
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Mar 22, 2023 · In this blog, we’ll explore how to use onomatopoeia in songs and give some tips on how to make it work for your next hit. First, let’s look at some popular examples of songs that use onomatopoeia effectively. Jessie J’s “Bang Bang” is a great example of how onomatopoeia can be used to create a catchy hook.
