"Alyssa Lies" Song Anaylsis

An allusion is an indirect reference to something or someone. Authors, poets, artists, musicians, and even common people use this literary technique. The young song writer, Jason Michael Carroll, beautifully demonstrates the use of allusion in his song, Alyssa Lies.


The song begins with a father as the narrator, describing how his daughter met a new friend at school on the playground. As it proceeds, the narrator makes it evident that the little girl is extremely upset. For instance, “But she came home with tear-filled eyes, and she said to me ‘Daddy, Alyssa lies’” (5-6). At first the father does not think much of the situation. His daughter continues telling him, “Alyssa lies to the classroom, Alyssa lies everyday at school, Alyssa lies to the teachers , as she tries to cover every bruise” (12-15). The father continues with revealing how he heard his daughter praying for him and her mother, and her friend Alyssa, “I know she needs you bad” (20). He couldn't sleep at night because all he could think about was his daughter’s friend, Alyssa, and he knew he had to do something to help. However when they got to school the next day, he could tell something had already happened. His daughter continued to ask why everyone was so upset, as the father tried to break the news to his young girl he said, “Alyssa wouldn't be at school today, cause she doesn't lie in the classroom , she doesn't lie anymore at school , Alyssa lies with Jesus , because there's nothin' anyone would do” (32-36).


This powerful, heartbreaking, emotional song alludes to how the young, hopeless child, Alyssa, was abused and beaten to death, and how no one even noticed the signs, in order to help until it was too late. Jason Michael Carroll carefully constructed this song in a way as to not directly state that Alyssa was beat to death, however he hints and uses other descriptions which leads one to believe so. Carroll continuously uses the phrase, “Alyssa lies”, which has two meanings throughout the song. Originally, it was only referring to how Alyssa lied to teachers, and to the classroom, and to other people, but towards the end of the song the definition of the word changes when it states, “Alyssa lies with Jesus”, portraying that Alyssa had died. Other phrases such as the one pertaining to Alyssa’s bruises and how no one would help enforced the idea that Alyssa was murdered due to an abusive situation.

Abuse is often overlooked. There are 3 out of 4 abuses never reported; 1 out of 10 abused children commit suicide; 3 out of 10 become alcoholics and or drug addicts; and 1 out of 2 abuses their own children. Abuse is real and it is happen all the time. Jason Michael Carroll is a brilliant musician who was able to use the poetic technique of allusion in his lyrics of, Alyssa Lies, to make people aware of the touchy subject of abuse in which many turn their heads to.


'Alyssa Lies'/Abuse Awareness Video: (click here)