Poetic Techniques In "For once in my life"

Question

I need to identify some examples of poetic language, literary, and figurative language techniques in the song "For Once in My Life' by Stevie Wonder. I can't find any right now besides repetition. These are the lyrics:

 

For once in my life I have someone who needs me
Someone I've needed so long
For once unafraid I can go where life leads me
Somehow I know I'll be strong

For once I can touch, what my heart used to dream of
Long before I knew
Oh someone warm like you
Would make my dream come true, yeah yeah (For once in my life)

For once in my life I won't let sorrow hurt me
Not like it's hurt me before (Not like it's hurt before)

For once I have someone I know won't desert me
I'm not alone anymore (I'm not alone anymore)

For once I can say
This is mine you can't take it
As long as I know I have love I can make it
For once in my life I have someone who needs me (Someone who needs me)

Hey hey hey, yeah (Someone who needs me)
Oh baby, Lord baby

For once in my life I won't let sorrow hurt me
Not like it's hurt me before (Not like it's hurt before)

For once I have something I know won't desert me
I'm not alone anymore (I'm not alone anymore)

For once I can say
This is mine you can't take it
As long as I know I have love I can make it
For once in my life I have someone who needs me (Someone who needs me)
For once in my life (Someone who needs me)
Somebody that needs me (Someone who needs me) Oh baby, for once in my life

Answer 1

Let me ask you a couple of questions and maybe that will lead you to some figurative language he uses here:

 

1. Is this REALLY the only time anyone has ever needed this person? Really? Literally? What technique is he using to get this point across? 

 

2. Can a heart really dream? What technique is he using to get his point across here?

 

3. Does he use "like" or "as" anywhere? That usually indicates a simile or metaphor.

 

4. What about rhyme scheme? Does the language rhyme? Is it a regular rhyme scheme? ABAB? What could you say about that?

 

5. What kind of image of "love" is he creating in this song? Love seems to offer a lot of strength and power for him. Does that remind you of anything?

 

I would love to discuss this more with you if you need to talk more.

 

Good luck --

 

Kelly