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ERIC Number: ED293162
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 1988-Mar
Pages: 32
Abstractor: N/A
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Paradigm, Persona and Epideictic: The Lovesongs of Eurythmics.
Oglesbee, Frank W.
A study examined the lyrics of the lovesongs of the musical partnership Eurythmics (David Stewart and Annie Lennox), a popular music group. The method used was based on the James Chesbro study, which classified lyrics using a critical paradigm that combined Northrop Frye's hierarchy of communications systems (Ironic, Mimetic, Leader-centered, Romantic and Mythic) with Kenneth Burke's four-step dramatistic process (Pollution, Guilt, Purification, Redemption). Frye's hierarchy, based on the relative intelligence and abilities of the central character compared to the audience, was synthesized with Burke's process, based on behavior. The purpose was to classify Eurythmics' lyrics to see how closely they fit the pattern for the early 1980s established by the Chesbro study, and to see how their work had changed over time, if it had. In-depth analysis was done on their first five albums ("In the Garden,""Sweet Dreams,""Touch,""Be Yourself Tonight," and "Revenge") by scrutinizing the lyrics of their songs, the duo's comments, and reviewers' opinions. Results showed a shift in the Eurythmics' work towards a more romantic outlook in both Romantic and Leader-centered songs, which indicated a correlation to the findings of the Chesbro study. Also, album by album, the incidence of lovesongs rose 40%. (Fifty-one notes are appended.) (MS)
Publication Type: Speeches/Meeting Papers; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A