SONG REVIEW
Sunflower is performed by Shannon Purser and written by Lindsey Beer, while the simple melody was composed by Brett McLaughlin. This song was featured in the film Sierra Burgess Is A Loser.
The song highlights issues that teenagers tackle in society today, this includes comparing ourselves to others. As a teenager I am guilty of comparing myself with my peers who are of a higher status on social media, sometimes I even compare myself to average people on the streets. The lyrics in this song have intrigued me and let me realise about appreciating myself more. Although the song has a certain simplicity to its melody, it has enough gusto to spark something within me.
This song was incorporated into the movie Sierra Burgess is a Loser. The main characters, Jamie and Sierra, had a conversation about flowers which blossomed into the song, Sunflower. Anyway, this song allows the audience to understand the thoughts of teenagers today. Expectations are slowly becoming more harsh as the years go by. Let’s use Marilyn Monroe as an example, she was not extremely thin yet curvy. Marilyn was considered stunning, however, she did not have silicon to “improve” her looks. Expectations are becoming more stressful and for teenagers it can be very hard to cope with. The consistent bullying in the film presents how teenagers are not only pressured by the media but also in real life. As the chorus says:
But I'm a sunflower, a little funny
If I were a rose, maybe you'd want me
If I could, I'd change overnight
I'd turn into something you'd like
This clearly presents to the listeners that Sierra is comparing herself to Veronica, allowing the audience to understand that teens are easily affected by the appearance of others and themselves. There is something really poetic in the line If I were a rose, maybe you’d want me as the character believes that the boy would like her if she was someone else or looked different. There are times in people’s lives when they think about what it would be like if they had a different look. This doesn’t necessarily mean that you want to change, but sometimes you just wonder. This line really struck me because I am definitely guilty of wishing that I was a tad different, the line is just simply relatable.
For some reason the simplicity of the music allows the lyrics to stand out even more. It doesn’t have to be dramatic, upbeat or loud to send a message. The lyrics do all the work without relying heavily on the instruments, this is what makes me love the song. And after reflecting on the lyrics, it just makes me love the song even more.
-K Randall, Year 9