'Concrete Angel' by Martina McBride Analysis

Well-known country soprano singer, Martina McBride, is famous for her inspirational compositions based on women and children. McBride grew up in Medicine Lodge, Kansas, a small rural town which inhabited 200 people. Growing up around country music, Martina McBride instantly fell in love with the ‘twangy’ southern drawl. Her father had started a small band, and at the age of eight she joined them; singing only at first, and then being promoted to more challenging jobs, such as playing the keyboard. McBride loved nothing more than singing in her father’s band. After her first semester away at college, on a full scholarship, she soon realized that she would rather make a career of singing instead, and left her college experience. Martina met John McBride, a crew member of a country star, got married and her career in the music business gradually picked up. Martina McBride’s, Concrete Angel, contains literary device such as alliteration, irony, allusions, and similes.

This emotionally moving song begins with a young girl packing her own lunch for school, wearing the same clothes she did the days before. Sadly, however, one can come to the conclusion that this young girl is neglected by her parents and even abused: “she hides the bruises with linen and lace”. Ironically, ‘linen and lace’, also alliteration, is usually viewed as a symbol of innocence, and perfection, when in reality the girl is hiding behind this ‘perfect image’ an abused body, and the pain that follows. The young girl seems so strong and normal as if nothing bad is happening to her at all. For example, “she stands hard as a stone” is a simile which illustrates how she tries to stay strong and not let abuse from her own ‘loving’ parents get to her, even though it is killing her inside, physically and figuratively. An allusion, or an indirect reference to something, occurs when McBride sings, “When morning comes it will be too late”. Thus, portraying that by the time morning occurs, one can infer that the young girl would have been beaten as much as her little body could take, and that she has passed away: “her name is written on a polished rock”. “Bearing the Burdon of a secret storm”, and “a statue stands in a shaded place” are both examples of alliteration.

In conclusion, Martina McBride writes beautifully and touches the hearts and souls of all her listeners. Her emotionally evocative songs and use of literary devices demonstrate what makes her such a phenomenal artist.