On lyrics and listening...
I love talking about and analyzing lyrics to a degree, letting them sink in, seeing myself in them. I enjoy the discussion that can come about from good ones. I enjoy the cadence of well placed words and phrases. The right alliteration or a mellifluous word in a hook can push a song from good to catchy. Emotional words with the right rhythm and melody can allow for simple chords as support, giving the singer the reigns.
So I am constantly surprised, perhaps even disappointed, when a fellow musician or a friend tells me that they don't usually pay attention to lyrics. Especially if much of the music they listen to has words. I often then challenge them to go back and try to understand the lyrics to their favorite songs. Caution though... This might make some songs less appealing. Then I might suggest the following artists/bands, each with a different lyrical style but each with their merits: Andrew Bird, Snow Patrol, Imogen Heap, Collective Soul, Mike Cavanaugh, and Foo Fighters. Now there is a bit of range here lyrically, although these are pretty much folk, Indie, and Alt Rock. I like different songs from each for varying reasons and will not lay that all out here.
Now I am sure some people enjoy lewd or base lyrics without a lot of substance (they make music like that for a reason), but I prefer to be able to relate to words in some way or another. That is my preference and my style. I have relationships and friends with problems. I have my doubts and fears. I have regrets and dreams. Most people do and will throughout their lives. Songs are stories or pieces of stories. Are you going to write about something that might speak to someone on a personal level? Touch them deeply and form a relationship with the listener? I guess it comes down to goals. I am not here to make you dance through freshman year of college. My goal is to be timeless and move people on a personal level. Big goal. Presumptuous perhaps. But it does not stop me from trying.
So the point? I guess I am challenging everyone to find beauty and comfort in words. Writers, singers, and listeners. Doesn't mean you can't go dancing later to a killer beat, but complete your listening experience with something you may have been missing. That last leg of a song. What is it saying to you?
Stay tuned Loves.
SariGirl - the Lyrical Physicist
I love talking about and analyzing lyrics to a degree, letting them sink in, seeing myself in them. I enjoy the discussion that can come about from good ones. I enjoy the cadence of well placed words and phrases. The right alliteration or a mellifluous word in a hook can push a song from good to catchy. Emotional words with the right rhythm and melody can allow for simple chords as support, giving the singer the reigns.
So I am constantly surprised, perhaps even disappointed, when a fellow musician or a friend tells me that they don't usually pay attention to lyrics. Especially if much of the music they listen to has words. I often then challenge them to go back and try to understand the lyrics to their favorite songs. Caution though... This might make some songs less appealing. Then I might suggest the following artists/bands, each with a different lyrical style but each with their merits: Andrew Bird, Snow Patrol, Imogen Heap, Collective Soul, Mike Cavanaugh, and Foo Fighters. Now there is a bit of range here lyrically, although these are pretty much folk, Indie, and Alt Rock. I like different songs from each for varying reasons and will not lay that all out here.
Now I am sure some people enjoy lewd or base lyrics without a lot of substance (they make music like that for a reason), but I prefer to be able to relate to words in some way or another. That is my preference and my style. I have relationships and friends with problems. I have my doubts and fears. I have regrets and dreams. Most people do and will throughout their lives. Songs are stories or pieces of stories. Are you going to write about something that might speak to someone on a personal level? Touch them deeply and form a relationship with the listener? I guess it comes down to goals. I am not here to make you dance through freshman year of college. My goal is to be timeless and move people on a personal level. Big goal. Presumptuous perhaps. But it does not stop me from trying.
So the point? I guess I am challenging everyone to find beauty and comfort in words. Writers, singers, and listeners. Doesn't mean you can't go dancing later to a killer beat, but complete your listening experience with something you may have been missing. That last leg of a song. What is it saying to you?
Stay tuned Loves.
SariGirl - the Lyrical Physicist
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