somme Posted September 22, 2006 Posted September 22, 2006 As a musician, with any band or song I like I always try to interpret the lyrics. I like to think about what the original meaning probably was, and then what it means to me. Songs that I truely adore, are songs that actually mean something to me. Don't get me wrong listening to the Scissor Sisters, or Kylie, or any other more "commercialised" song/band are great to listen to when out at the pub, but it's not something I would take home and relate to my own life. And as a musicna it always shocks, surprises and scares me when I hear that people just "take songs for what they are." They just sing along and don't think about the words. It's something I could never do. What are you?
Aimless Posted September 22, 2006 Posted September 22, 2006 What are you? I'm still up, that's what I am. I really shouldn't be. Anyway, the first time I hear a song I like my primary focus tends to be the music itself, with the vocals — or rather the lyrics — taking something of a backseat. Once I've gotten the 'feel' for a track and know we get along, I listen more carefully to the words and other details. If a song has vocals I like for them to mean something, even if they don't particularly relate to me; sincerity or purpose is all that's required. I don't think many songs relate to me as I'm pretty boring, but I still appreciate the ideas behind them.
Ramar Posted September 22, 2006 Posted September 22, 2006 I'm a lyrics man myself, I do like the lyrics to have some meaning. If I can relate to them fair enough, but I don't always have to. They just have to have meaning, and if they're expressing emotions I have to feel they believe what they are saying.
somme Posted September 22, 2006 Author Posted September 22, 2006 Here's a little game, random set of lyrics, whats everyones interpretation? I fell in love with an American I fell in love with a sordid dream I fell in love with an American How do you like me? How do you like me now? I'll give you a feeling so divine I'll give you a rush that'll make you blind I'll give you a time to take away I'll give you a feeling that'll make you mine I fell in love with an American I fell in love with a ugly name I fell in love with an American How do you like me? How do you like me now? I'll give you a feeling so divine I'll give you a rush that'll make you blind I'll give you a time to take away I'll give you a feeling that'll make you mine
gj15987 Posted September 22, 2006 Posted September 22, 2006 My own land has closed its gates on meAll alone in world, it's scaring me I am here to prove you wrong I'm accused of something I live for In my dreamland, there's one who understands A friendly soul, trusting life in your hands Yes, I gave it all I can Now it's invaded by a stranger Keep in mind what you have heard today You might find that you are not so brave Are you man enough, carry the load all alone When others have your own My old land is but a pile of sand Cold and bare but something still is there Yes, I gave it all I can Now it's invaded by a stranger Keep in mind what you have heard today You might find that you are not so brave Are you man enough, carry the load all alone When others have your own I'm a true patriot, you are my land, you were my soul, you're all I've had Now I am here, and I want it all back In my dreams, I climb the hills I see and let a gentle breeze lead me to plains I once have seen and clear blue sky, I swim in lakes I find I build a house right there that you can't take away,never take away I am here to claim my land you can't keep me away,forever Keep in mind what you have heard today You might find that you are not so brave Are you man enough, carry the load all alone When others have your own Interpret them then. I prefer lyrics where they're not straight to the point. Tbh the lyrics above to me just seem to be able falling in love with an american lol, or maybe some sort of porn start seeing as it mentions a sordid dream.
Ninty 182 Posted September 22, 2006 Posted September 22, 2006 The above lyrics seem just to be about war and that persons country being taken over, though if you look deeper it could be about a lost lover, now with a stranger. It depends on the artist as to whether I listen to the lyrics, I mean there's not a lot of point trying to interpret the lyrics to 'Vauxhall Brothers', but some can be brilliant. Here's some grade A lyrics: Darkness at the break of noon Shadows even the silver spoon The handmade blade, the child's balloon Eclipses both the sun and moon To understand you know too soon There is no sense in trying. Pointed threats, they bluff with scorn Suicide remarks are torn From the fool's gold mouthpiece The hollow horn plays wasted words Proves to warn That he not busy being born Is busy dying. Temptation's page flies out the door You follow, find yourself at war Watch waterfalls of pity roar You feel to moan but unlike before You discover That you'd just be One more person crying. So don't fear if you hear A foreign sound to your ear It's alright, Ma, I'm only sighing. This is only a small part of the lyrics (it's a big song), the whole thing can be found here http://bobdylan.com/moderntimes/songs/itsalright.html
somme Posted September 22, 2006 Author Posted September 22, 2006 Interpret them then. I prefer lyrics where they're not straight to the point. Tbh the lyrics above to me just seem to be able falling in love with an american lol, or maybe some sort of porn start seeing as it mentions a sordid dream. They were actually about trapping someone by getting them addicted to drugs. "How do you like me now" is street slang for cocaine. And the chorus, just fits.
EEVILMURRAY Posted September 22, 2006 Posted September 22, 2006 I prefer not to interpret lyrics and just let the music wash over me. Interpreting lyrics prompts you to spout unlimited amounts of bullshit.
The Peeps Posted September 22, 2006 Posted September 22, 2006 On the first few listens I wont pay much attention to the lyrics, but after I've heard it a few times I'll start getting the lyrics and seeing what the song is really about. Mostly that's because I listen to music while I'm working or playing games so I dont pay attention to it, just hear the tune. But after a few listens I know the tune and can listen to the lyrics easier.
Dan_Dare Posted September 22, 2006 Posted September 22, 2006 not sure about interpret, but I'm all for trying to understand where the artist is coming from. Incidently, who're your favourite lyracists? I'm gonna go for Jeff Buckley and Thom Yorke myself...
weeyellowbloke Posted September 22, 2006 Posted September 22, 2006 Hmmm, a bit of both, sometimes I like to work out what the lyrics are about, sometimes I just see what kind of mood the actual music conveys. I quite like Pixies lyrics due to there willfully obscure nature, but then I also like Shane MacGowen and Nick Cave's lyrics for there witty simplicity and the way they tell a complete story within the confines of the song. From a hip-hop viewpoint, The Roots have got some pretty good lyrics as well.
somme Posted September 22, 2006 Author Posted September 22, 2006 Favourite lyricists? Brian Molko and Polly Jean Harvey.
Ashley Posted September 22, 2006 Posted September 22, 2006 Scissor Sisters songs often have meanings. Anyway. Sometimes I do, depends on how much im into it. But then, I'd imagine most of the time I'm wrong.
Roostophe Posted September 22, 2006 Posted September 22, 2006 I don't interpret the lyrics until I know every line in the song. Incidently, who're your favourite lyracists? I'm gonna go for Jeff Buckley and Thom Yorke myself... And so will I. As well as Brandon Boyd from Incubus.
gaggle64 Posted September 22, 2006 Posted September 22, 2006 I actually think there's a little bit of danger in focusing purely on the lyrics of a song without looking at the musical composition of the piece, as often you'd only miss a good deal of what the song is trying to convey in terms of imagery and emotion along with the message. Also, I think it's important that songwriters and poets don't fall into the trap of deliberately trying to be too aloof in the name of artistic expression. Often I find that all that happens is that you can confuse your own expression. My pefered lyricists are pobably R.E.M and Elton John. Basic stuff I know, but often done with a great deal of intelligence. I'm really enjoying the Dylan song above though. I've always got the impression that Bob was a poet first and a songwriter second. Sounds like something he wrote as a moody teenager. Maybe about his moody teenage years. Angst galore!
EEVILMURRAY Posted September 22, 2006 Posted September 22, 2006 My pefered lyricists are pobably R.E.M and Elton John. Basic stuff I know, but often done with a great deal of intelligence. Don't forget Billy Joel. Sexy Beast.
Ninty 182 Posted September 22, 2006 Posted September 22, 2006 For me it's gotta be Dylan, though I'm discovering the best kinds of lyrics in old folk or blues music. Quite often simple easy to understand stuff but that really say stuff. Here's some more great lyrics, this time from Buffy Sainte-Marie: He's five feet two and he's six feet fourHe fights with missiles and with spears He's all of 31 and he's only 17 He's been a soldier for a thousand years He's a Catholic, a Hindu, an atheist, a Jain, a Buddhist and a Baptist and a Jew and he knows he shouldn't kill and he knows he always will kill you for me my friend and me for you And he's fighting for Canada, he's fighting for France, he's fighting for the USA, and he's fighting for the Russians and he's fighting for Japan, and he thinks we'll put an end to war this way And he's fighting for Democracy and fighting for the Reds He says it's for the peace of all He's the one who must decide who's to live and who's to die and he never sees the writing on the walls But without him how would Hitler have condemned him at Dachau Without him Caesar would have stood alone He's the one who gives his body as a weapon to a war and without him all this killing can't go on He's the universal soldier and he really is to blame His orders come from far away no more They come from him, and you, and me and brothers can't you see this is not the way we put an end to war Written in the early sixties and still relevant today, but I guess most war songs are.
Hellfire Posted September 22, 2006 Posted September 22, 2006 Sometimes, but actually the first times I listen to some music I don't even pay attention to the lyrics, just the overall feel of the music.
Kurtle Squad Posted September 22, 2006 Posted September 22, 2006 I generally dislike lyrics unless they speak truth or are funny; otherwise they just seem fake and stupid and sucky and/or moany.
Sarka Posted September 22, 2006 Posted September 22, 2006 Don't get me wrong listening to the Scissor Sisters, or Kylie, or any other more "commercialised" song/band are great to listen to when out at the pub, but it's not something I would take home and relate to my own life. What what what?! Scissor Sisters have amazing lyrics! Their whole new album is pretty much about the acceptance of death and it's impending doom - it meant a lot to me. Return to Oz has most wonderful lyrics and even Filthy/Gorgeous - though maybe not the most thoughtful - has some excellent stuff in there. Anyway, I do not really analyise lyrics - I just know them and sing along. Yay.
Charlie Posted September 22, 2006 Posted September 22, 2006 We were talking about this in Sociology today. Talking about social class we came across the lyric "Don't be fooled by the rocks that I got I'm still, I'm still Jenny from the block" Meaning, dont be fooled with my diamonds, I'm still from a ghetto. We all understood what that meant, but we dont think that J-Lo would've. I always try to understand what the lyrics mean, that's what I like about the music. Obviously I like music that's just fast paced and good to dance and/or sing along too but at home, like you, somme, at home I like to listen to meaningful music.
MoogleViper Posted September 22, 2006 Posted September 22, 2006 We the people fight for our existence We don't claim to be perfect But we're free We dream our dreams alone With no resistance Fading like the stars we wish to be You know I didn't mean What I just said But my God woke up On the wrong side of his bed And it just don't matter now Cos little by little We gave you everything You ever dreamed of Little by little The wheels of your life Have slowly fallen off Little by little You have to give it all in all your life And all the time I just ask myself why You're really here True perfection has to be imperfect I know that that sounds foolish but it's true The day has come And now you'll have to accept The life inside your head we give to you You know I didn't mean What I just said But my God woke up On the wrong side of his bed And it just don't matter now Cos little by little We gave you everything You ever dreamed of Little by little The wheels of your life Have slowly fallen off Little by little You have to give it all in all your life And all the time I just ask myself why You're really here Hey Little by little We gave you everything You ever dreamed of Little by little The wheels of your life Have slowly fallen off Little by little You had to give it all in all your life And all the time I just ask myself why You're really here Why am I really here? Why am I really here? A lot of people feel that way about their life.
mcj metroid Posted September 22, 2006 Posted September 22, 2006 this is really a case of whther u prefer music over words or the other way round.I always listen for music and never care for words.I mean bohemian rhapsody...music or lyrics? But there are some songs that lyrics are more important.Most rap songs for instance.they have shite music sure. it will come to me but i cant think of a good song with lyrics more important than music right now.
somme Posted September 23, 2006 Author Posted September 23, 2006 I don't think it' a case of lyrics over music. Both are very important.
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