tone analysis

Dan Fillingim

            Though both “Have a Cigar” and “Rock N’ Roll Band” express musicians success, “Have a Cigar” incorporates cynical tone in order to show a negative side to the situation and “Being made into a monster”, while “Rock N’ Roll Band” pushes towards the positive side of “Sign(ing) a record deal” with a more vibrant tone.

            Through the whole song “Have a Cigar” the songwriter maintains a cynical tone. It is constantly sarcastic and saying good things but it does not mean them. It says things like, “You’re gonna go far” and “The band is fantastic” which are positive things but the statements from the songwriter are very cynical and negative. They are put that way from the songwriter because they may not believe they are a good band and the statements are meant in a sarcastic way. The song is put like the person making the record deal is toying with the band in a way.

            The song “Rock N’ Roll Band” is more of a positive tone and is vibrant. The song tells a story of what that band came from and how they got to the top. It is very inspirational because it shows some people who were nothing that went from “sleepin’ in (their) cars” to fame and fortune as the man with the record deal said “You’re goin’ to be a sensation”. That does not usually happen in this world and never mind “Just another band out of Boston” which is what they are. They pushed the limit and showed what is possible through hard work.

            There is a clear and obvious tone for each of these songs. The cynical tone for “Have a Cigar