How to Use Synesthesia in Songwriting

Synesthesia is a fascinating phenomenon that occurs when one sense is stimulated by another. For example, some people may see colors when they hear music, or taste words when they read them. Synesthesia is also a powerful poetic device that can enhance your songwriting skills. In this blog post, I will explain what synesthesia is, how it can help you write better songs, and give you some examples of famous songs that use synesthesia.

What is Synesthesia?

Synesthesia is a figure of speech that describes or associates one sense in terms of another, often using a simile. It is a way of creating a more vivid and expressive experience for the reader or listener, by appealing to multiple senses at once. For example, "a loud color" or "a sweet sound" are examples of synesthesia. Synesthesia can also be used to create contrast, irony, or paradox, by using unexpected or contradictory combinations of senses.

Synesthesia is not only a literary device, but also a neurological condition that affects some people. According to the American Psychological Association, about 4% of the population has synesthesia. These people have involuntary and consistent sensory associations that are triggered by certain stimuli. For example, they may always see the letter A as red, or hear the sound of a piano as purple. Synesthesia can involve any combination of senses, such as vision, hearing, taste, smell, touch, temperature, pain, time, numbers, letters, words, emotions, and more.

How Can Synesthesia Help You Write Better Songs?

Synesthesia can help you write better songs by adding more depth, emotion, and imagery to your lyrics. By using synesthesia, you can convey your feelings and thoughts in a more creative and original way, and also connect with your listeners who may have different sensory associations. Synesthesia can also create a more memorable and catchy impression, as your listeners may be intrigued by the unusual combinations of senses.

Here are some tips on how to use synesthesia in your songwriting:

- Think about the mood and message of your song. What do you want to express and how do you want your listeners to feel? Choose senses that match or contrast with your tone and theme.

- Use similes to compare one sense with another. For example, "Your voice is like honey" or "Your eyes are like fire". You can also use metaphors to directly identify one sense with another. For example, "You are my sunshine" or "You have hungry eyes".

- Be specific and descriptive. Avoid using vague or cliché expressions that are overused or meaningless. Instead, use concrete and sensory details that paint a picture in your listeners' minds. For example, instead of saying "I love you", you could say "Your kiss is like a rainbow" or "Your touch is like a melody".

- Experiment with different combinations of senses. Try to surprise and delight your listeners with unexpected or contradictory sensory associations. For example, you could say "Your smile is like a thunderstorm" or "Your silence is like a scream".

- Be consistent and coherent. Make sure your synesthetic expressions fit with the rest of your lyrics and music. Avoid using too many or too random sensory associations that may confuse or distract your listeners. Use synesthesia sparingly and strategically to enhance your song.

Examples of Songs That Use Synesthesia

Many famous songs use synesthesia to create powerful and poetic lyrics. Here are some examples:

- Hungry Eyes by Eric Carmen:

This song uses the metaphor of "hungry eyes" to describe the intense attraction and desire between two lovers. The eyes are normally associated with sight, but here they are given the sense of taste, implying a craving and appetite for the other person.

- Purple Haze by Jimi Hendrix:

This song uses the color purple to describe the psychedelic and distorted state of mind of the singer, who is under the influence of drugs or love. The color purple is also linked to the sound of the guitar, creating a synesthetic effect.

- Strawberry Fields Forever by The Beatles:

This song uses the taste and smell of strawberries to evoke a nostalgic and idyllic memory of childhood. The strawberries are also contrasted with the sound of "nothing is real", creating a sense of surrealism and fantasy.

- Smells Like Teen Spirit by Nirvana:

This song uses the smell of teen spirit (a reference to a deodorant brand) to capture the rebellious and anarchic spirit of youth culture. The smell is also associated with the sound of grunge music, creating a synesthetic effect.

- I'm A Believer by The Monkees:

This song uses the sense of touch to describe the feeling of falling in love. The singer says he feels "love was out to get me" and "then I saw her face / now I'm a believer". The touch is also linked to the sound of pop music, creating a synesthetic effect.

Synesthesia is a wonderful way to enrich your songwriting and make your lyrics more expressive and engaging. By using synesthesia, you can create a multisensory experience for yor listeners and connect with them on a deeper level. Try to use synesthesia in your next song and see how it can improve your creativity and communication.

Below listen to "Hungry Eyes" and focus on how it uses synesthesia to convey its message:

https://youtu.be/2ssCL292DQA?si=9xP4katbnU4QNPGk

Curated by Jonah Shallies a co-founder of Sound Purpose :

Jonah Shallies is an audio producer, writer/lyricist, and music mentor. He holds an Masters in Creative Writing and a degree in Music Technology. Jonah has produced for many musicians in the Northwest, taught music and audio technology, and co-written lyrics with several musicians. He resides with his family in Boise, Idaho. You can connect with Jonah at the link below:

jonahshallies@soundpurposemusic.com