Cutting Artists Some Slack
How many of you care deeply about the messages within the songs and films you enjoy?
Do you often pass up songs because of the lyrics or the ridiculous antics of the songwriters? Or do you, like I do, regularly listen to the works of talented morons? Do you, like I do, struggle to ignore the inanity of those lyrics in your attempt to enjoy the musical qualities?
Once upon a time, I ignored lyrics with the greatest of ease. This comes as a shock to some people, but there are indeed music fans who can entirely tune out the content of lyrics ... even while singing along! I have long theorized that people raised largely on non-lyrical music, such as symphonies and big band jazz, are prone to ignore lyrics, while people raised on country music and pop songs are more attentive to such things.
My own awakening to the meaning within lyrics occurred as I began to write them. Now, I have trouble ignoring them ... and that has ruined many a song for me. Believe it or not, stubborn Catholic boy that I am, the bands I enjoyed as a teenager included the likes of Danzig, Judas Priest, and Testament — all of which glorified evil (Glenn Danzig, I'd argue, truly understands it). I have since given up Danzig entirely. I can't listen to "Father Lucifer" by Tori Amos without cringing, despite her Ozzy-like incapacity for lyrical focus.
Still, the vast majority of bands I enjoy make little sense in their lyrics and often belittle everything I stand for. That is because I still appreciate the musical elements more than the lyrical elements. And, frankly, there would be little left to enjoy if I cut out all the works by fools. I try to appreciate beauty where I find it, however flawed it may be.
How easily do you appreciate artistic works with liberal or just-plain-dumb messages? There have been other discussions on Ricochet about avoiding this or that actor, this or that film, etc. I'm more interested in your desire, or lack thereof, to appreciate deeply flawed works.
Hat tip, Mike LaRoche.
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Comments:
Feb '12
Re: Cutting Artists Some Slack
Ted Nugent and Stranglehold come to mind.
Feb '12
Re: Cutting Artists Some Slack
With Tool, the lyrics can be repulsive and yet accurately convey complex issues with strange quality.
Tool vexes me.
May '10
Re: Cutting Artists Some Slack
All I have to say to that, Paul, is...
Learn to swim! ;)
May '10
Re: Cutting Artists Some Slack
Yeah, that Cole Porter was definitely subversive. To this day I am strangely tolerant of closeted gay Ivy League rich guys from Indiana. And don't get me started on that Irving Berlin guy...
Nov '10
Re: Cutting Artists Some Slack
What a great question.
I've always paid a great deal of attention to lyrics, and do so even more now that my children are listening, too.
May '10
Re: Cutting Artists Some Slack
Green Day's "Holiday" is one of the cooler sounding songs of recent times, imo, but the anti-American lyrics just spoil it. Really too bad because it's a clever tune.
Raunch has come to be a turn off, too -- much more so than when I was younger. Might have something to do with having a teen daughter.
The Allman Brothers are a pretty good combo of great music and harmless lyrics (or sometimes no lyrics at all).
May '10
Re: Cutting Artists Some Slack
Btw, Aaron, here's my brother-in-law jamming with someone you might know.
Feb '12
Re: Cutting Artists Some Slack
For some oldies but goodies, here is some Duke Ellington , the dog!
True, I've been seen with someone new,
But does that mean that I've been untrue?
When we're apart,
The words in my heart
Reveal how I feel about you.
Some kiss may cloud my memories,
And other arms may hold a thrill,
But please, do nothing till you hear it from me--
And you never will.
(Edward "Duke" Ellington, Bob Russell)
Shorter version- its wasn't me!
Apr '12
Re: Cutting Artists Some Slack
I pay attention to lyrics when the message is too strong to ignore. *grin* Horrible habit, not being able to turn off my mind... a lot of the songs I enjoyed as a kid were ruined once I figured out that most of the boiled down to "sleep with me, and don't expect anything more, or you're a bad person."
Feb '11
Re: Cutting Artists Some Slack
I did always like a good tune and at least in English language I didn't pay much attention at first but I became less interested over time. I realized that most so called lyrics really suck and the music itself isn't very good anymore. Having also grown up with various Spanish genres the ones that have and still have my attention are the ones where the industry songwriters have maintained a level of lyrical quality to their tunes. Generally speaking modern Spanish has maintained a variety of emotive words that are used to describe various feelings. Modern American English seems to have lost that great quality found in classic literature. The Spanish language songwriters appeal to the masses but thank god it is still expected that the songs be catchy in lyrical fashion. Many of the risque songs still use allegorical and/or tongue in cheek language. The more erotic songs use expressions of deep love and passion, the use of vulgar language is not considered kosher. This type of tradition also applies to other languages so I wonder if it all has to do with culture.
Mar '11
Re: Cutting Artists Some Slack
It's surprising how little attention is paid to lyrics of pop songs. One of my favorite examples was when a radio station that was, at least at its origins, protestant and currently pitches to an older, more conservative, audience included John Lennon's Imagine in its Christmas play list because it talked about heaven and peace.
Sometimes the rot is not immediately apparent. I challenge any boomer who loved The Times They Are A'Changin' to listen to it today and not think of Pol Pot. My own favorite Dylan song, these days, is Leopard Skin Pill Box Hat.
Dec '12
Re: Cutting Artists Some Slack
These days, especially with TV and Movies, you just have to shrug off the Liberal messages or you can't watch anything. Unfortunately, art does shape culture.
Apr '12
Re: Cutting Artists Some Slack
I grew up with Classical, Country and Western, and Folk Music. Actually, the folk show in Chicago had a lot of parodies, music hall tunes, and Cod alone knew what else they would throw in. With both the Folk and C&W, I was used to good story songs. Later, I was exposed to Rock. I tended to like early Rock where you had a lot of story songs. Most of the contemporary rock of my generation didn't do a lot for me. Most of the time, one couldn't make out all the lyrics (if any). There were still a few true songwriters around, like Billy Joel and Cat Stevens.
When there are lyrics, I like to hear them, and prefer to have a good story that is apolitical or close to it.
Jan '11
Re: Cutting Artists Some Slack
My inclination is to ignore lyrics and messages. Aristotle is much more insightful than any 17 year would-be poet. But you know what? Aristotle couldn't write a melody line or a guitar riff for the life of him.
You make the best of what you get.
Of course, the question is really whether any lyrics would be so annoying that it would deter me from the overall song. I can't think of any off the top of my head, but that doesn't mean it can't happen. If a "great" rap song came along that declared the joy of killing hos and ... yeah, I'd avoid it.
Oct '10
Re: Cutting Artists Some Slack
When it comes to popular music, it's the performance and not the content that is important. The Clash couldn't sing, play instruments, compose music or write lyrics terribly well. But they are still the greatest band of all time. (From this statement you can probably date me very accurately...)
Dec '12
Re: Cutting Artists Some Slack
Fact: "Glenn Danzig....truly understands it"
Aug '11
Re: Cutting Artists Some Slack
sawatdeeka: What a great question.
I've always paid a great deal of attention to lyrics, and do so even more now that my children are listening, too.
Same here. I may have been even more scrupulous about it in my youth than I am today. Though as my friend states above, having young offspring about has increased my sensitivity.
We don't typically have a radio on in the house (and the kids always make me turn the radio off in the car) but the other day they were messing with the radio, looking for music to listen to. Because I am pretty clueless (but certainly suspicious) about what's currently in rotation on the pop stations, I decided to haul out a bunch of "approved" CDs from my own collection, and let them just go crazy with them.
Apr '12
Re: Cutting Artists Some Slack
Sometimes lyrics ruin a song, sometimes not. As an example, I can't stop liking the Indigo Girls' "Closer To Fine", even though it's basically your run-of-the-mill dismissal of philosophy, organized religion and authority in favor of "just living your life". Obviously, I do not dismiss philosophy or organized religion, but I still like the song, partly for personal-history reasons and partly because of the mood. Feels like late afternoon sunshine.
Apr '12
Re: Cutting Artists Some Slack
On the other hand, I've never been able to listen to U2 without contempt ever since they joined the Obama-promotion tour (not that I was a huge fan before, but they were part of my college environment). Springsteen, to a lesser extent, is also tainted.
May '12
Re: Cutting Artists Some Slack
Off topic, but my mind wanders: Just saw this via Drudge.
What's wrong with your tee-shirt, is clearly not the message printed on it, but simply that you're wearing a printed tee-shirt on a public aeroplane. Must I remind you that although you may be on route to your vacation destination, you have not arrived yet, and therefor your attire is wholly inappropriate.
This is proper attire for a gentleman traveler And unless you are a Homicide dick, the hat comes off at the terminal door.