Analyzing “Hook” by Blues Traveler

I. Directions: Listen to the song and read along. As you listen, do the following- Underline any words that you don’t understand. Put a question mark next to any phrase or stanza that confuses you. Highlight any words or phrases that stick out to you; anything you find interesting or “speaks to you.”

“Hook” -Blues Traveler, 1994

1 It doesn't matter what I say So long as I sing with inflection That makes you feel I'll convey Some inner truth or vast reflection But I've said nothing so far And I can keep it up for as long as it takes And it don't matter who you are If I'm doing my job then it's your resolve that breaks

2 Because the Hook brings you back I ain't tellin' you no lie The Hook brings you back On that you can rely

3 There is something amiss I am being insincere In fact I don't mean any of this Still my confession draws you near To confuse the issue I refer To familiar heroes from long ago No matter how much Peter loved her What made the Pan refuse to grow

4 Was that the Hook brings you back I ain't tellin' you no lie The Hook brings you back On that you can rely

5 Suck it in suck it in suck it in If you're Rin Tin Tin or Anne Boleyn Make a desperate move or else you'll win And then begin To see What you're doing to me this MTV is not for free It's so PC it's killing me So desperately I sing to thee Of love Sure but also of rage and hate and pain and fear of self And I can't keep these feelings on the shelf I've tried well no in fact I lied Could be financial suicide but I've got too much pride inside To hide or slide I'll do as I'll decide and let it ride until I've died And only then shall I abide this tide Of catchy little tunes Of hip three minute diddys I wanna bust all your balloons I wanna burn all your cities to the ground I've found I will not mess around Unless I play then hey I will go on all day. Hear what I say I have a prayer to pray That's really all this was And when I'm feeling stuck and need a buck I don't rely on luck because

6 The Hook brings you back I ain't tellin' you no lie The Hook... On that you can rely

II. With your partner, go through each word that the two of you underlined and look up the definitions. Write the definition of your underlined word on the LEFT side of the stanza that where the word appears.

III. With your partner, read through each stanza again. Try to summarize and/or reword phrases or an entire stanza on the RIGHT side of the lyrics.

IV. With your partner, discuss what you think the overall message of the song is. Write down your answer (below) on your own paper.

______V. With your partner, discuss how this song connects to what we have learned about Ethos, Pathos, Logos, and types of propaganda. Write down your answer (below) on your own paper. Answer in complete sentences. Cite examples from the song that you and your partner believe demonstrate Ethos, Pathos, Logos, and/or a specific type of propaganda.

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