Members tjs Posted August 31, 2002 Members Share Posted August 31, 2002 Here's my 2 cents: It is easy to write crappy dark lyrics. It is easy to write crappy upbeat lyrics. It is much harder to write GOOD dark or upbeat lyrics, and harder still to be able to write them both well. The truly masterful can use them both within a single song. Ben Folds was mentioned a couple of times as an excellent example of someone who can write both depressing and happy lyrics well, often within the same song. The interesting thing is that, in an interview, he said that it was actually harder for him to write the darker songs (on Whatever and Ever Amen), because on the previous album (self-titled) he would always lighten up the mood with moments of humor, irony, or sarcasm. He said it was harder for him to express his darker emotions openly without trying to cover them up with glib remarks. Another good songwriter to look at is Dave Matthews. He had been going through a very rough time, including the deaths of a few family members. The album he was writing at the time (nicknamed the Lillywhite Sessions) was actually so dark, and so painful, that he and the rest of the band could not bear to continue making it. The result, unfortunately, was that he wrote an album full of trite, contrived, upbeat pop songs (Everyday), possibly in an effort to cheer himself up. The main reason that the unfinished Lillywhite Sessions are so powerful is that the darkness and pain expressed in the songs is real. You can actually feel his pain when you listen to those songs. The point I'm making here is that, while it is easy to write contrived dark lyrics, it is much harder to express real pain in music. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Uncle Romulus Posted September 4, 2002 Members Share Posted September 4, 2002 "Have you ever even seen a car beforeThese are not the ancient boulevards of LuxorWild rollin steel, but somethin's missinYou drive like an Egyptian The Eye of Horus need not search the skyTo divine reasons why I can't get byThis is {censored}ed-up. Off me you're pissinYou drive like an Egyptian Hands sideways on the steering wheelIt's not a matter of how I feelIt's do or die once ya hit the ignitionYou drive like an Egyptian" Where does this fit in? Or is it just silly? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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