Bread And Water Song Analysis

There are many unknown artists that have created their own style of music genius. These artists are the hidden treasures of the music world. One of these artists, Sheila Nicholls, is unique and writes her own music. Her extraordinary sound is a mix of British rock and folk music. The lyrics of her songs are filled with a deeper meaning to life. Although she has a specific style, it relates to many people. In “Bread and Water”, by Sheila Nicholls, she expresses her lost love through the use of poetic devices, mystifying lines, and connecting with the audience.

The song, “Bread and Water“, is flooded with poetic devices. Some of the more prominent devices she uses are: objectification, hyperbole, and allusion. One line uses objectification, “You flow across me in waves of I hope to see you soon.” The line “I hope to see you soon” cannot physically flow across someone. Hyperbole is used throughout this song more than once, “I’ve kicked myself for months now.” Kicking yourself for months is an extreme exaggeration. She means emotionally she has regretted leaving or losing her lover. Allusion is a reference to an outside idea, place, person, or text. Allusion in “Bread and Water” follows along the lines of “ And everywhere I go I hear you in the words that I use, in my theories algebra and sums.” Nicholls is alluding to mathematics. Poetic devices in “Bread and Water” are plentiful.

There are a few themes indicated in the song “Bread and Water”. A noticeable theme would be lost love. Throughout the song, Nicholls sings about how she lost her love and regrets it. For example, in the line “It’s bread and water without you.” she is referring to the bread and water prisoners would be forced to eat in jail hundreds of years ago. So not only is this line an allusion and hyperbole, it is also the major theme in this song. Another theme is depression. Nicholls is sad that she is no longer in the relationship she previously was in. The last theme is “forgetting your mistakes”. To move on in life, one has to let go of the past. Nicholls is stuck in the past and needs to get out of it. “Your anchor drags behind me.” This line means that the memories of her past are haunting and weighing her down. The three themes; lost love, depression, and forgetting your mistakes are prominently used throughout this song.

Sheila Nicholls is not an extremely popular artist in the United States nor Great Britain. Her unique tone sounds depressing and forlorn but once the lyrics are read, then oneself might change their mind about the song. She connects with the audience by relating her songs to everyone. Break-up songs are very popular on the radio these days, so why aren’t Nicholls’ songs on the radio? It may be because of her witty verses and knack to break the rules. Or maybe it is that she writes her songs for herself or the audience. So much meaning is present in her lyrics that profits are second on her mind. Her songs may relate to the audience but her distinctive personality and style make her different than most artists.

In “Bread and Water” by Sheila Nicholls, the themes, poetic devices, and artist background make this song worth listening to. The hyperbole and objectification make this song mystifying and deep. The themes relate to almost everyone. Sheila Nicholls is inspirational not only because of her different style and sound but also because she writes, sings, and shares music for the pleasure of her and he audience. Money is not as important as the meaning of her music. If more artists on the top of the music world did the same, maybe the world would be a better place. Nicholls is a music genius and wholesome artist.