Case in point - Adam Duritz from the Counting Crows. What if the lyrics are clear to HIM? Should he be required to "dumb down" his material? I like the challenge of figuring out cryptic lyrics...and I appreciate the man who was able to put it all together in such a cryptic fashion! :)
I think I know what you're getting at, though. When something is more complex it's a different process than listening to something that you immediately understand. Almost like there's more to it.
But that's the whole point, really. I'm making a distinction between a lyric (which is intended to be understood as it is sung) and poetry set to music (that requires more study, perhaps). From one perspective, listening, not reading, is the natural process for experiencing a song. In that case, the last thing you would want to do is confuse your listener. In contrast, consider that when you analyzed Adam Duritz's words with your groups, you did it on paper. Like poetry. And that works. He would seem like the ideal choice to get some people interested in elements of poetry in a fun, pop setting. And I definitely think it's very musical and I enjoy it, too. It's different from a lyric, per se. It's a different process with a different payoff and a lot of people are enjoying that these days. It makes sense in a way. You can Google the words to almost any song, and you can play a track over and over if you like it. I like this kind of stuff once in a while myself.
I don't think clarity means "dumbing it down" at all. Clear writing beautifully coexists with complexity and subtlety in the hands of a good writer. In fact, the most powerful and profound writing speaks to us clearly, be it an essay, a speech, a poem or a song. Think of a lot of the songs that you love, that other people love, classics from any era, the ones that stick with you. You'll find that most of them are clearly understood on a first hearing.
I guess right now I'm focused on tight, well written songs with a clear message. Again, just different.
I have a fantastic song I'd like you to look at - it's called "Elephants" by Rachael Yamagata, and it's sung beautifully. Whether you'll find the lyrics "cryptic" or "tight and well-written" remains to be seen. :)
ELEPHANTS If the elephants have past lives Yet are destined to always remember It's no wonder how they scream Like you and I, they must have some temper
And I am dreaming of them on the plains Dirtying up their beds Watching for some sign of rain To cool their hot heads
And how dare that you send me that card When I'm doing all that I can do You are forcing me to remember And all I want is to just forget you
If the tiger shall protect her young And, tell me, how did you slip by All my instincts have failed me for once I must have somehow slept the whole night
And I am dreaming of them with their kill Tearing it all apart Blood dripping from their lips Teeth sinking into heart
And how dare that you say you will call When you know I need some peace of mind If you had to take sides with the animals Won't you do it with one who is kind
If the hawks in the tree need the dead If you're living, you don't stand a chance For a time, though you share the same bed There are only two ends to this dance
You can flee with your wound just in time Or lie there as he feeds Watching yourself ripped to shreds Laughing as you bleed
So, for those of you falling in love Keep it kind, keep it good, keep it right Throw yourself in the midst of danger But keep one eye open at night
Where to begin? Hmmm....Before I tell you what I think about the song, I think it would be good to clarify a few things. First, what do you mean by "tight and well-written." And do you think it's that? Then, let's talk about what you mean by cryptic (besides mysterious - it apparently has some positive meaning for you besides what's in the dictionary). Also, what exactly does this song mean to you? If it's tight and well written, every line should clearly and compactly contribute to the message, right?
Don't you hate it when somebody answers a question with a question? I guess where I'm coming from is that what I think may not be as important as what you get from it and why! I'll still be happy to go through the song with you, though!
Okay - I already know what I get from it. If you actually listen to the song, it's hauntingly beautiful, and I like the metaphors/analogies she uses, not to mention the imagery that sticks in your head long after the song ends. It did take me a few listens to really understand pieces of the song, but I wouldn't say that it's crypic - I do, however, think it's well-written. :) And you?
This blog, originally started to facilitate a conversation between Jared and I about writing lyrics, is open to anyone who is interested. I have learned a lot from Sheila Davis's book The Craft of Lyric Writing. It is widely regarded by the industry as the book on the subject and I highly recommend it to aspiring songwriters of all styles and genres.
As Sheila Davis would put it, writing lyrics is like talking to the world. What say you?
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Case in point - Adam Duritz from the Counting Crows. What if the lyrics are clear to HIM? Should he be required to "dumb down" his material? I like the challenge of figuring out cryptic lyrics...and I appreciate the man who was able to put it all together in such a cryptic fashion! :)
ReplyDeleteI don't equate "hard to understand" with smart.
ReplyDeleteI think I know what you're getting at, though. When something is more complex it's a different process than listening to something that you immediately understand. Almost like there's more to it.
But that's the whole point, really. I'm making a distinction between a lyric (which is intended to be understood as it is sung) and poetry set to music (that requires more study, perhaps). From one perspective, listening, not reading, is the natural process for experiencing a song. In that case, the last thing you would want to do is confuse your listener. In contrast, consider that when you analyzed Adam Duritz's words with your groups, you did it on paper. Like poetry. And that works. He would seem like the ideal choice to get some people interested in elements of poetry in a fun, pop setting. And I definitely think it's very musical and I enjoy it, too. It's different from a lyric, per se. It's a different process with a different payoff and a lot of people are enjoying that these days. It makes sense in a way. You can Google the words to almost any song, and you can play a track over and over if you like it. I like this kind of stuff once in a while myself.
I don't think clarity means "dumbing it down" at all. Clear writing beautifully coexists with complexity and subtlety in the hands of a good writer. In fact, the most powerful and profound writing speaks to us clearly, be it an essay, a speech, a poem or a song. Think of a lot of the songs that you love, that other people love, classics from any era, the ones that stick with you. You'll find that most of them are clearly understood on a first hearing.
I guess right now I'm focused on tight, well written songs with a clear message. Again, just different.
I have a fantastic song I'd like you to look at - it's called "Elephants" by Rachael Yamagata, and it's sung beautifully. Whether you'll find the lyrics "cryptic" or "tight and well-written" remains to be seen. :)
ReplyDeleteELEPHANTS
If the elephants have past lives
Yet are destined to always remember
It's no wonder how they scream
Like you and I, they must have some temper
And I am dreaming of them on the plains
Dirtying up their beds
Watching for some sign of rain
To cool their hot heads
And how dare that you send me that card
When I'm doing all that I can do
You are forcing me to remember
And all I want is to just forget you
If the tiger shall protect her young
And, tell me, how did you slip by
All my instincts have failed me for once
I must have somehow slept the whole night
And I am dreaming of them with their kill
Tearing it all apart
Blood dripping from their lips
Teeth sinking into heart
And how dare that you say you will call
When you know I need some peace of mind
If you had to take sides with the animals
Won't you do it with one who is kind
If the hawks in the tree need the dead
If you're living, you don't stand a chance
For a time, though you share the same bed
There are only two ends to this dance
You can flee with your wound just in time
Or lie there as he feeds
Watching yourself ripped to shreds
Laughing as you bleed
So, for those of you falling in love
Keep it kind, keep it good, keep it right
Throw yourself in the midst of danger
But keep one eye open at night
What do you think?
HEY! What do you think about this song?!?!
ReplyDeleteWhere to begin? Hmmm....Before I tell you what I think about the song, I think it would be good to clarify a few things. First, what do you mean by "tight and well-written." And do you think it's that? Then, let's talk about what you mean by cryptic (besides mysterious - it apparently has some positive meaning for you besides what's in the dictionary). Also, what exactly does this song mean to you? If it's tight and well written, every line should clearly and compactly contribute to the message, right?
ReplyDeleteDon't you hate it when somebody answers a question with a question? I guess where I'm coming from is that what I think may not be as important as what you get from it and why! I'll still be happy to go through the song with you, though!
Okay - I already know what I get from it. If you actually listen to the song, it's hauntingly beautiful, and I like the metaphors/analogies she uses, not to mention the imagery that sticks in your head long after the song ends. It did take me a few listens to really understand pieces of the song, but I wouldn't say that it's crypic - I do, however, think it's well-written. :) And you?
ReplyDeleteOkay, so we debriefed on this lyric. We mentioned doing a possible rewrite to see hoe it would come out. You up?
ReplyDelete