Jesse McCartney and Justin Bieber are both very talented musicians. Although McCartney’s peak of popularity was during the previous decade, he has been very successful and captured the hearts of millions. Bieber has been more recently popular within the last few years, but has equally had major success. McCartney and Bieber appeal to similar audiences with common themes, despite their differences in expression.
McCartney’s song “How Do You Sleep?” depicts the aftermath of a breakup. The speaker is addressing his former girlfriend and telling her about how awful it has been without her in his life. Though he has attempted to go on with his life, he has “yet to find a girl like you”, referring to his previous girlfriend. He speaks of his regret in losing their relationship and tells her, “Now wishin’ I had more time with you”, expressing the extent of his sorrow. Similarly, Bieber’s song “Stuck In The Moment” refers to a stalemate in a relationship. The speaker is in a forbidden relationship, and cannot bear to hurt his love. As he addresses her, he explains, “You and I, both know it can’t work/ It’s all fun and games ‘til someone gets hurt/ And I don’t, I won’t let that be you”. Because of this, he wishes the two “had another time” and “another place” in which they could be together. Both McCartney and Bieber portray broken relationships with an inevitably sorrowful ending.
Both artists are utilizing second person point of view, where they are speaking to their loved one, yet the way in which they convey their feelings differs. McCartney is conveying his still evident feelings for his loved one even when their relationship has ended. He is speaking to her, asking “How do you stay awake knowing all I do is think of you?”, because his life has been miserable without her and he needs her back in his life. Bieber is revealing his feelings to his loved one through the song, utilizing allusions like “Now Romeo and Juliet/ Bet they never felt the way we felt/ Bonnie and Clyde never had to hide like we do”. While expressing his feelings, he also reveals his views on the potential relationship. He explains to her, “But everything we have is stuck in the moment/ And there’s nothing my heart can do”. Although he has a great amount of feelings for her, he can’t put her through any pain. While McCartney and Bieber express their feelings differently in their respective songs, each maintains a consistent point of view and common theme of difficult relationships.
By utilizing second person point of view and common themes of love and loss, Jesse McCartney and Justin Bieber convey their feelings to loved ones. McCartney portrays the misery he feels because of his dying relationship. He reaches out to his loved one and attempts to appeal to her by recalling all of the joyful memories they had together. Bieber expresses the extent of his love, although he can’t be with his loved one. He defends his decisions based on his fear of losing her or having her suffer from their relationship. Both Jesse McCartney and Justin Bieber have overwhelming feelings which they convey within their songs directed toward loved ones.
