Just a Dream by Carrie Underwood Analysis

Carrie Underwood, country singer and song writer, is a talented, multi-platinum selling record artist. Underwood was not originally born into fame however. Her stardom began after she won the fourth season of American Idol. Carrie Underwood grew up in the small, rural town of Checotah, Oklahoma, where she was raised by her parents. Growing up, Underwood sang at many talent shows and churches, where she graced her audiences with her delicate, yet powerful voice. Carrie Underwood’s tragic narrative, Just a Dream, is emotionally evocative and incorporates many literary devices.

The song alludes to a young girl’s wedding when it states that she had “six pence in her shoe, something borrowed, something blue”, which is traditional for a woman to have on her wedding day for good luck. Alliteration is clearly demonstrated when Underwood sings about the congregation and the flag. For instance, “all stood up and sang the saddest song that she ever heard”, and “handed her a folded up flag”. A simile, comparison of two things using the word like or as, is demonstrated right before the chorus is sung: “then guns rang one last shot and it felt like a bullet in her heart”. Underwood compares the pain she feels inside as a bullet to her heart, illustrating the immense amount of heartbreak she is suffering from. Overall, Just a Dream, is ironic because the song is about a young girl getting ready to marry the man she loves and spend the rest of her life with him. Although, he unfortunately dies unexpectedly while serving for his country: “all dressed in white, going to the church that night… she heard the trumpets from the military band and the flowers fell out of her hands”. Ironically, and also quite unfortunately, the man she planned on spending the rest of her life with died, and she is left on her wedding day, the happiest day of her life, not only alone but also a widower.

Just a Dream creates a touching, arousing, emotional mood which leaves the listener with a sympathetic feelings towards the young girl in the song. Carrie Underwood sang with an expansive range and was emotionally evocative, leaving the audience with pure amazement wanting more.