Final answer:
A rhetorical question in a song sets the tone, engages listeners, and introduces the theme of reflection on shared experiences. The persona may use this device to celebrate or remember moments with a friend, thereby highlighting the significance of their relationship.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a song begins with a rhetorical question, it is often used as a literary device to engage the listener, provoke thought, and set the tone of the song. The purpose of the rhetorical question may vary but it often serves to introduce a theme or mood the songwriter wants to convey. The persona in the song might want to celebrate, commemorate, or simply reflect on past experiences with a friend, using the rhetorical question to invite the listener to explore these sentiments.
Throughout the song, the tone can shift, and this is evident as the persona changes from a narrative voice to an inquisitive or introspective mode. Each stanza may represent a variation in this tone, indicating progression in the song's storytelling or emotional journey.
The persona may consider their friend great due to shared memories and experiences which they want to remember together. This reflection can reveal a deeper purpose behind their relationship, such as mutual support, understanding, or growth that emerges from their experiences.