Rhetorical Analysis Essay: Adam’s Song

Adam’s song had quite the effect on the world of punk-rock, due to it the gravity of the situation being discussed and not only the pathos but also, the ethos attached to the idea of it. Teenage depression is a issue that was not made aware of during the time of the song’s release,2000, due to the influence of the previous baby boomer generation who did not consider depression to be a social issue. This song portrays a different side to suicidal tendencies, perhaps something less complex than diminishing passion or nihilism. It’s about the implications of the lack of having a significant other and the loneliness which tends to ensue.

This song was inspired from a suicide letter written by a teenager named Adam Krieger, who blamed his death on reasons some which were similar to that of Cobain’s, such as lack of appreciation or passion and a growing nihilism due to a disbelief in his religious establishment; yet some issues were more ‘adolescent’ problems of being rejected by women or feeling socially unaccepted. This emotional backstory of a dissatisfied teenage boy is something that a lot of punk-rock loving kids can relate to, due to their dissatisfaction for the role of social stature in one’s life. Thus, this incredible pathos element makes the sound exceedingly appealing and the fact that Blink 182, one of the most commercially successful pop-punk band of all time, is the spokesperson for this social issue, it adds an element of ethos too. The song is from the narrative of a suicide victim who is seemingly speaking from ‘the other world’, reminiscing days when he felt, written not only from the words of the suicide victim but Mark Hoppus’ own depression due to lack of anything to look forward to after the band tours. The song also makes allusions to a Nirvana song ‘Come as you are’, thus alluding further to the theme of suicide.

This song became quite infamous due to being replayed indefinitely while a high school boy hung himself, after which it was firmly established by the band that this song was ‘anti-suicide’ as it ends in present tense, depicting the fact that he had decided to live and waits for tomorrow rather than living in the past. The common place being challenged here is, yet again, that sometimes fame and fortune cannot overcome the loneliness that might be felt in one’s heart; sometimes having someone special in your life, to share your sorrows with, can be more important than having a high-paying job.  This song is a relatable story for anyone who feels lonely and sometimes comes back to their room, feeling solace due to a loneliness that is more of a choice. Tomorrow is another day and holds better things and this song reminds us of that,

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