Close Reading: This Woman's Work

Sometimes, it's not until a piece of art is examined in fine detail that new meanings arise. When cultural context, the artist's intentions, or even your own prior knowledge are set aside a new way of "seeing" the art can emerge. This is the purpose of a close reading, sometimes called an explication.

For this essay, you will conduct a close reading of a song by an iconic female songwriter. The goal is to delve deeply into this song in hopes of uncovering new ways to understand it. You will have wide latitude in how you choose to engage it. However, your focus should be concise. minute details. For example, instead of examining the Mona Lisa as a whole, in a close read, you'd consider only the hands.

As always, ground your analysis in a strong thesis, supported by evidence from the song. Choose only one of the following songs for your analysis:

1. Dolly Parton, "Jolene" (Music and lyrics by Dolly Parton)
   
2. Andra Day, "Rise Up" (Music and lyrics by Andra Day and Jennifer Decilveo)
3. Kate Bush, “This Woman's Work' (Music and lyrics by Kate Bush)
4. Gloria Estefan, "Here We Are" (Music and lyrics by Gloria Estefan)
   
5. Sade, "The Sweetest Taboo" (Music and lyrics by Sade)
   
6. Joni Mitchell, "Both Sides Now" (Music and lyrics by Joni Mitchell)
   
7. Hole, "Doll Parts" (Music and lyrics by Courtney Love)
   
8. Suzanne Vega, "Luka" (Music and lyrics by Suzanne Vega)
9. Taylor Swift, "All Too Well" (Music and lyrics by Taylor Swift and Liz Rose)
   
10. Tracy Chapman, "Fast Car" (Music and lyrics by Tracy Chapman)
    
11. Fiona Apple, "Criminal" (Music and lyrics by Fiona Apple)
    
12. Jefferson Airplane, "White Rabbit" (Music and lyrics by Grace Slick)
    
13. Carole King, "You've Got a Friend" (Music and lyrics by Carole King)
    
14. Loretta Lynn, “Don't Come Home A-Drinkin' (With Lovin' on Your Mind)” (Music and lyrics by Loretta Lynn and Peggy Sue Wright)
    
15. M.I.A., "Bad Girls" (Music and lyrics by M.I.A., Nate "Danja" Hills, and Marcella Araica) 
16. Lizzo, "Good as Hell" (Music and lyrics by Lizzo and Ricky Reed)
17. Mariah Carey, "Vision of Love" (Music by Mariah Carey and Ben Margulies)
18. Joan Baez, "Love Song to a Stranger" (Music and lyrics by Joan Baez) 
19. Aimee Mann, "Save Me" (Music and lyrics by Aimee Mann)
20. Queen Latifah (Ft. Monie Love), "Ladies First" (Music and lyrics by Queen Latifah)
    

Notes:

• Please these versions of the songs
• You may have to refer to multiple online sources to cobble together accurate lyrics 
• Unless you are well versed in the mechanics of music (e.g. tempo, cadence, forte), it may be easiest to analyze your song's lyrics
  
• When quoting lyrics, use this form: "You may say I'm a dreamer / But I'm not the only one / I hope someday you'll join us / And the world will be as one" 
  

Mechanics:

• Approximately 750 words
  
• MLA Style

Due: Thu 11.19 (NOTE NEW DATE)