Blog Post 5: Ethos, Pathos, and Logos

As I mentioned in the end of my last post, I believe "I'm Yours" presents its main arguments by invoking strong emotions within the audience. In other words, Mraz uses the pathos of his song to convey his message. This is done through lyrics, visuals, and even instrument choices.

Through lyrics, Mraz makes the audience experience many different emotions. For example, in a part of the chorus Mraz sings: "Open up your mind and see like me./ Open up your plans and damn your free." Mraz wants the audience to simply let go of all their plans and stresses of life, and to feel free to do anything they want. A little later he sings: "I guess what I'm a saying is there ain't no better reason/ To rid yourself of vanity and just go with the season./ It's what we aim to do./ Our name is our virtue." Here, Mraz tells the audience to quit worrying so much about what others think. People need to simply be true to themselves. To summarize these points Mraz sings: "It's our Godforsaken right to be loved loved loved." From this, the audience experiences a sense of indivuality. Mraz makes the audience realize that they should be loved for who they are no matter what.

Mraz uses scat singing at one point in this song. Scat singing, generally used as a form improvisation, supports Mraz's idea of being open and free to do anything. This parallels the feelings that Mraz wants the audience to experience. Besides vocals, other audio components are used to evoke feelings in the audience. The most audible instrument used throughout the entire song is the ukulele. Most people, myself included, think of Hawaii when they hear a ukulele. And to many, Hawaii is a sort of dream vacation. In this case, the ukulele represents all sorts of happy thoughts in general to the audience.