I’m big on making up my own meaning to songs. Especially the cryptic ones. In fact, I think I tend to be drawn to songs whose lyrics are pretty nonsensical on the surface. This is because I’ll usually make up the subject matter or story in my head. Who cares what the songwriter meant? If it comes through my speakers, I own it. I can do whatever I like. And there’s nothing the songwriter can do about it.
Color me drunk on power.
There are times, however, when the lyrics might have been better off cryptic. Instead the writer settled for insipid. I cannot salvage that. A good melody may try to do so, but when all is said and done it seems that what’s on the radio these days is stealing parts of my life in compact, two minute segments. Bad pop music will one day whittle me down to a mass of intellectual putty.
I know this is the case because my ability to perform simple mathmatical calculations has been replaced by the lyrics to Ice Ice Baby. If there’s a problem, yo, I’d solve it, but my multiplication tables have been usurped by the lyrical styling of Robert Van Winkle.
They say that those who are good at music also excel at math. I must have missed that boat, because my brain, while tenaciously holding onto every minute detail of every song I know, makes me physically uncomfortable when confronted with math. If you would like me to play Mozart or Joplin on the piano, or figure out a bluegrass run on the guitar, then I’m your guy….but please don’t ask me to do math. The results you get will be questionable at best and may include letters and drawings of cute girls.
Now, I’d like to leave you with one of my favorite lyrical lines, which you can’t get the full effect of without the melody that goes with it…but that’s your problem…I for one can hear it perfectly in my head.
“Some artists paint, some of ‘em sing, some dance but you…your canvas is life.” - Rockapella, Lisa I Love You
Hmmm, what color is “drunk on power”? I don’t see that in my little crayon box…
I know what you mean about music. It just stays in your head for eternity…good or bad music. While the information you wish to retain drains out, music steadfastly clings to your brain. That’s why useful info. should be taught to us in song.
Remember that when you are a teacher.
Roger
July 28th, 2004
it’s kind of like blue…but yellower.
brian
July 28th, 2004