This Guitar

Def Leppard's song "This Guitar" is a heartfelt ode to the transformative power of music, personified through the artist's relationship with their guitar. The lyrics take us on a journey through different stages of life, starting from the age of seventeen when the artist hadn't yet discovered what makes life truly meaningful. The guitar becomes a pivotal figure, a source of solace and inspiration, especially when the artist felt unheard and alone. This instrument is not just a tool for making music; it becomes a confidant, a friend, and a savior.

The chorus emphasizes the deep emotional connection the artist has with the guitar, describing it as a shoulder to cry on and the best of friends. The guitar brings fire to the artist's fingers, symbolizing the passion and creativity it ignites. The lyrics also highlight the guitar's role in bringing joy and comfort, making it a multifaceted companion—referred to as a brother, sister, lover, and wife. This personification underscores the profound impact the guitar has had on the artist's life, even going as far as to say it saved their life.

The song also touches on themes of loneliness and despair, particularly in the lines about being in a broken-down border town that feels like the end of time. In these moments of darkness, the guitar emerges as a beacon of hope and honesty, helping the artist see the beauty in the world and in themselves. The guitar's ability to lay to rest the artist's emptiness and make ghosts disappear speaks to its almost magical ability to heal and uplift. Through this intimate relationship, the artist finds a way to express their inner beauty and share it with the world.