My Heart Like a Bad Pun...

I have been told (by a reliable source) that most people don't listen to the lyrics of a song.  That may be true... I already knew I was a weirdo... 

For me, lyrics are just as important as the music.  Now, I can forgive bad lyrics if the song is catchy enough (and vice versa), but if a song carries the full package, Wow!  Of course we all have different tastes and levels of understanding (with regard to song structure, etc.), but what really makes a song great?  What effect does the key have?  And the chosen melody?  What makes some lyrics sound trite and others profound? 

I will acknowledge right now that there are a million answers to these questions based on a person's background, musical/poetic knowledge, favorite genre of music, etc.  But as an "English person" I can at least wax poetic about the lyrical aspect of music. 

It simply goes back to what your (good) English teacher/prof. told you over and over: Show.  Don't Tell.  The best lyricists evoke images, tell a story through the pictures they create, make you think, and blend words and rhymes so smoothly they melt like butter in your brain.  uuUuuugh...  Warren Haynes does this for me.  Many (if not most) of his songs are not obvious, but with a little work, it's not hard to figure out what he's singing about.  And I find it So much more rewarding when I figure out a song, rather than having it spoon fed to me. 

Another example... I know people have mixed feelings about John Mayer - and I'll agree!  He gives Lousy public interviews.  But the guy writes great lyrics!  And they've matured as he has.  One of my favorite lines - from any song - is from his "Another Kind of Green."  "You're not the perfect hand but/ I don't hit on 19..."  So, she's not perfect, but she's close enough.  Would you hit on 19?  Pretty close to 21...

Good music also goes beyond the obvious.  The obvious chord choices, keys, and rhythmic structures get old after a while.  Just listen to pop music.  Noooo... I'm not saying there's anything wrong with pop music, but if you listen to it for a while, it all starts to sound the same.  It's been true since the 50's.  I love a lot of it, but none of it is my Favorite. 

Unfortunately, this is more difficult for me to explain, and I don't have time in this blog, but I'll address it in the future.  For now, just go listen to some old Gov't Mule.