Analyzing Christina Perri's 'Jar Of Hearts'

“Jar of Hearts”

Every song ever written was written for one reason or another. Christina Perri’s “Jar of Hearts” is specifically written to a specific ex-boyfriend. Perri goes back and forth on things this guy did or did not do. Emotions played a huge part in the writing of this song. Throughout the entire song, emotions and strong word choices give a powerful meaning. Although Perri never specifically states what happened in the relationship, she gives her audience enough pieces to put together that the past relationship ended well.

Christina Perri, from the very beginning, shows emotion in her voice. The listener can sense this personal emotion in not only her voice, but after the first two lines, she makes it clear that the song is about

She starts the next line after the chorus by saying, “I hear you’re asking all around.” At this point the listener knows that Perri understands that this guy wants her back. She now rubs it in that she will not be reigniting the flame that was once there. Her voice raises as she finishes the stanza with, “But I have grown too strong, to ever fall back in your arms.” Not only has she vowed to never date him again, but she says this event has made her stronger. She knows she does not need this man in her life. Although this is not the chorus, I feel as if this is the climax of the song. Everything needed to show the audience the situation, has been addressed and she is singing the loudest at this point. This is another spot in the song where the listener can tell Perri has emotionally been deeply invested in this

The choruses are loaded with ups and downs of emotion and varies in the use of tone. In the second chorus, the listener can hear a shakiness in her voice. This helps her audience know that she is not just singing about someone else's situation and that this is something Christina Perri experience for herself. The last three lines say, “Who do you think you are?” This was the perfect ending to a song that not only exposed the guy to other women, but helped Perri herself end the conversation by putting the well deserved fault back into the hands of the one she once had feelings