Originally posted by MelanerpesYawn.
The great majority of poetry, philosophy, and political commentary (or anything else that human beings do) is poor. Why should lyrics be any different?
It's easy to look back at the great poets and thinkers from the past and forget that for every great one, there were legions of terrible ones. Greatness has been and always will be rare.
I said "poor poetry" not just "poor". Same for the other two.
Originally posted by PalynkaSo are you saying that artists should avoid making political statements?
Is it? Many people fall into social groups in their teenage years due to music that end up shaping their political views. And voila, their political views often mirror the ones of their loved musicians. I don't think this is a coincidence.
Of course I'm generalizing and speculating a lot, but I think there is a strong power in anything that is repeated to ...[text shortened]... comment on the rest, as I see we hit a barrier. Better to leave in respectful disagreement.
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Originally posted by PalynkaI do find that the best songs are those that simply challenge the prevailing assumptions or beliefs -- getting the listener to ask questions -- without the artist preaching about what he or she believes is the "right" thing to do is.
No, I'm saying that people should think about what they believe and why they've come to believe it.
Originally posted by MelanerpesThen you are a victim of aesthetics.
I do find that the best songs are those that simply challenge the prevailing assumptions or beliefs -- getting the listener to ask questions -- without the artist preaching about what he or she believes is the "right" thing to do is.
Originally posted by darvlaySo you're seriously saying that if *insert a favoured artist here* was singing 'blah blah goo goo, I love to rape small children, but lovely people climb that steeple, reaching for some oatmeal' or the like, over a song you know well that it wouldn't matter as long as they were singing it in the right way? And what's the 'right' way?
The voice is important. Lyrics are not.
It doesn't matter what you're saying/singing, what matters (to me) is how you're singing/saying it.
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Originally posted by StarrmanYes. That is essentially what I'm saying and the 'right' way is whatever way is pleasing to my ear. Of course, lyrics are important in that my ear is pleased greatly by the way the words 'flow', the harmonies within a melody, etc. but really the words themselves (or the messages) are secondary.
So you're seriously saying that if *insert a favoured artist here* was singing 'blah blah goo goo, I love to rape small children, but lovely people climb that steeple, reaching for some oatmeal' or the like, over a song you know well that it wouldn't matter as long as they were singing it in the right way? And what's the 'right' way?
An example:
Animal Collective - focus is entirely on the use of a voice as an instrument, layered harmonies, heavy on effects, oddly-timed stanzas that build more tension. The band records absolutely beautiful vocals that really appeal to my ear. BUT their lyrics are typically childish and inane. Does it matter?
Joy Division - I absolutely love the Ian Curits baritone and can listen to it endlessly but I couldn't tell you what any Joy Division song is 'about'. I've never cared to listen intently to the lyrics.
Anyways, this is just me speaking of course. We're all different.
Originally posted by darvlayAre there no songs in which the lyrics are important to you? I agree that the musicality of it all is often more powerful, but I refuse to accept that as a general rule.
Yes. That is essentially what I'm saying and the 'right' way is whatever way is pleasing to my ear. Of course, lyrics are important in that my ear is pleased greatly by the way the words 'flow', but really the words themselves (or the messages) are secondary.
An example:
Animal Collective - focus is entirely on the use of a voice as an instrument, ...[text shortened]... y to the lyrics.
Anyways, this is just me speaking of course. We're all different.
Originally posted by StarrmanIf they are important to me, they are for how they are delivered, not the message itself.
Are there no songs in which the lyrics are important to you? I agree that the musicality of it all is often more powerful, but I refuse to accept that as a general rule.
At the moment, I can't think of one single song that really "spoke" to me through its lyrics... I guess that is a bit bizarre.
Originally posted by darvlayYou're not alone. At least to me, that's not bizarre at all.
If they are important to me, they are for how they are delivered, not the message itself.
At the moment, I can't think of one single song that really "spoke" to me through its lyrics... I guess that is a bit bizarre.