Is 'too cool for school' a proverb? - Analysing texts for belonging. (1 Viewer)

[RedDeadMaddie]

So the analysis text is the lyrics to 'Raise your glass' by P!nk. In the song she says 'too school for cool' in which she has rearranged something (a proverb? cliche? ..idiom?) to fit the themes of the song which is celebrating being different. I just can't work out what that 'something' is.. Can anybody help me identify the technique ?!

 

[LoveHateSchool]

Wow, what an icky song to have to analyse. As much as I love Pink, not great belonging analysis material.

I wouldn't really consider it a pun or idiom...cliche is reaching a little, but perhaps...if anything, I'd say an incorporation of slang/colloquial language is used to encompass those who feel disenchanted from formal institutions such as a school. She then encompasses these people by the use of the second pronoun "we" which shows that non conformists can still experience a feeling of inclusion. She accumulates this idea later in the song when she refers to them as "underdogs".

Anyway, another pro tip for songs, is you can't just analyse the lyrics, you are meant to look at the actual musical quality of the song too i.e crescendos, tempo etc.

 

[Delta Education]

Hi RedDeadMaddie,

I'm pretty sure the way to refer to that would be colloquial expression. It's not a definite technique, but rather a common saying that's been passed down.

I also completely agree with what LoveHateSchool says in terms of not being great belonging material. If you're finding it difficult to identify techniques, it might be worth considering choosing a different supplementary text.

Good luck!