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A Way With WordsMusic hath charms...
Maybe it's not even your favorite song -- you might even hate
it -- but there is something absolutely
witchy about that lyric,
the way it gets under your skin.
It could put your teeth on edge
This page presents some of the lyrics that affect me in those ways. Along the way, I hope that you will come to appreciate, as I have, how much rhetoric figures in making catchy lyrics. Please pardon the pun. And the alliteration... The songs
Linda Ronstadt/Emmylou Harris This strange, haunting song is about a Paris whore and her young, doomed clients, the cannon-fodder of the Great War. It's about the horrors of that war and, ultimately, all wars. And how even a whore can be a patriot, in her own small way.The strange young man who comes to me A soldier on a three-day spree Who needs one night's cheap ecstasy And a woman's arms to hide him He greets me with a courtly bow And hides his pain by acting proud He drinks too much and he laughs too loud How can I deny him? Let us dance beneath the moon I'll sing to you "Claire de Lune" The morning always comes too soon But tonight the war is over
The Four Tops Dunhill 1973 The rest of the song is superfluous.Every drop of rain is glad it found her.
Don McLean American Artists 1972 More synechdoche. The whole song has a strong impact on me, having myself been a paperboy and having lived through the same epochal events McLean writes of, but these lines affect me the most.But February made me shiver; With every paper I'd deliver. Bad news on the doorstep; I couldn't take one more step.
Janis Ian Columbia 1975 Every time this song starts on the radio, I always stop what I'm doing to listen carefully. This song is just so full of powerful -- wrenching, even -- images that I should really put it all here. This is poetry at its best.To those of us who know the pain Of valentines that never came, And those whose names were never called When choosing sides for basketball. It was long ago and far away The world was younger than today And dreams were all they gave for free To ugly duckling girls like me. We all play the game and when we dare To cheat ourselves at solitaire Inventing lovers on the phone Repenting other lives unknown That call and say, come dance with me and murmur vague obscenities At ugly girls like me At seventeen.
Jim Croce ABC 1973 Phew! Forget Kong.He got a .32 gun in his pocket for fun He got a razor in his shoe * * * Badder than a old King Kong And meaner than a junkyard dog Forget the razor and the pop-gun. It's the dog, man!
I can see him.
Leaping at the gate,
digging under the fence,
tearing at it with his huge teeth,
drool flying.
Oh, yeah! He crazy mean! An' Leroy, he meaner than that!
Thus Croce coins a phrase that
instantly becomes
a permanent part of the lexicon.
Neil Diamond Uni 1969 Never one to be overly subtle with an image, Diamond socks us with some of his best in this song. Nor does he stint here at the denouement, although the image that I have in my mind perhaps differs in the details from what Diamond probably had in his mind. I see a man cross the stage to the podium. A severe man, lean and true. Rockwell Kent's Ahab with a shock of purest white hair, a little overlong and carelessly combed, dressed in a frock coat of deepest black -- with dozens of ears stuck all over him.Room gets suddenly still And when you'd almost bet You could hear yourself sweat, he walks in Eyes black as coal And when he lifts his face Every ear in the place is on him
Roger Miller Smash 1964 Miller has a special place in my heart. I love his easy, rollicking rhymes and irreverent style. Picking one of his songs as a favorite wasn't easy -- so I picked two!Grape wine in a mason jar Homemade and brought to school By a friend of mine after class Me and him and this other fool Decide that we'll drink up what's left Chug-a-lug...
ABBA Epic 1983 This ABBA song touches me deeply -- and I'm not sure exactly why. It's about a girl recalling how her life was so very ordinary and predictable, even to the very day before she meets her true love, an event which has changed everything for her.And turning out the light I must have yawned and cuddled up for yet another night And rattling on the roof I must have heard the sound of rain The day before you came. In the song she reflects on the tedious details of her humdrum routine on the day before he came, and her clueless innocence of how her life was about to change. Oh yes, I'm sure my life was well within it's usual frame The day before you came.
Loudon Wainwright III Columbia 1973 This charming little ditty is a favorite of a local radio DJ, so I get to hear it rather often.You got yer Dead skunk in the middle of the road Dead skunk in the middle of the road You got yer dead skunk in the middle of the road Stinkin' to high Heaven! Every time I hear it, I imagine how it came to be: In the small hours after the show, Wainwright and crew are bantering big talk around the bar. Wainwright boasts that he can write a song about anything, anything at all. Someone replies, "Oh, yeah?" ...
(Well, it could have happened like that!)
The Beatles Capitol 1966 This is true synechdoche, in a slightly different form: "matter for what is made from it". In these few words a complex ritual is evoked in the listener's mind: The Putting On Of Makeup.Wearing the face that she keeps in a jar by the door
Tracy Chapman Elektra 1988 This song, like Chapman herself, came out of nowhere in 1988. I first heard it while driving in my own fast car, a 1986 Dodge Conquest. "Cool!", said I, "A song about me and my car!"You got a fast car And we go cruising to entertain ourselves You still ain't got a job And I work in a market as a checkout girl I know things will get better You'll find work and I'll get promoted We'll move out of the shelter Buy a big house and live in the suburbs It wasn't until our lesbian paper-hanger clued me in that I took the time to really listen to the words. That's when I realized: This song isn't about a car at all. The car is a mere plot device, providing continuity in this pathetic story of failed trickle-down economics. The singer is one of the disadvantaged, to use the PC terminology. Abandoned by her mother, with an alcoholic father to care for, her shiftless husband cruises the bars with his pals, leaving her with the kids. But she knows things will get better.
Nowadays, whenever I hear this song, it brings me back to 1988.
I'm cruising in my Conquest —
and wondering if she ever got her big house in the suburbs.
Allen Sherman Warner Bros. 1963 This enduring little ditty is a testament to Sherman's genius as poet-commentator on the travails of youth. Is there any Baby-Boomer who doesn't instantly think of Camp Grenada's alligator-filled lake on hearing Ponchielli's "Dance of the Hours"?Wait a minute, it's stopped hailing; Guys are swimming, guys are sailing; Playing baseball; gee that's bettah; Muddah, Faddah kindly disregard this letter.
The Eagles Asylum 1963 I'm sorry. I can't help it. I just love songs with clever lyrics, especially involving plays on words. This is a fine example, playing on the two meanings of "check out", one being what you do when you leave a hotel, in California or elsewhere, the other meaning "to die", or to:You can check out any time you like, But you can never leave. croak, go west, kick the bucket, (pop, drop, step, knock, pipe, kick, or shove) off, go to the wall, pass or peg out, go for a burton (Brit?), take the last count, (check, cash, pass or hand) in one's (hand, checks or chips), turn up one's toes, slip one's cable, have one's time, (have or buy) (it or the farm), meet one's Maker, drop dead, bite the dust, come to an untimely end or go home feet first.
Simon and Garfunkel Columbia 1966 Here is a soul, so psyche-rent that total retreat is the only solution. As the burnt hand shuns the stove, so love and friendship are denied.I have my books And my poetry to protect me; I am shielded in my armor, Hiding in my room, safe within my womb. I touch no one and no one touches me. I am a rock, I am an island. And a rock feels no pain; And an island never cries. I have no need of friendship; friendship causes pain. If I never loved I never would have cried.It's a survival thing.
The Bee Gees Atco 1969 Maurice Gibb died yesterday. I suddenly realized that I had not gotten 'round to including any of the Bee Gees' wonderfully quirky lyrics that I so enjoy.I looked at the skies running my hands over my eyes And I fell out of bed hurting my head from things that I said 'Till I finally died which started the whole world living Oh If I'd only seen that the joke was on me Oh no that the joke was on me I won't claim to understand all of their songs. Who does? Their songs are often true poetry, requiring us to imagine the flesh and bone from the marrow served us. Poetry like this is not easy. It makes us work to understand it. I think that's why many folks are not overly fond of poetry. They're unwilling to invest the study required for understanding. More's the pity, because several layers of meaning may be hidden within. I confess that I suspect the Bee Gees sometimes tucked in a line or two just because they sounded right, without regard for meaning. How else to explain some of the really inscrutable stuff? "Red chair, fade away" is readily explained, but what of this: Just my dog and I at the edge of the universe. Well, I didn't wanna bring her and I know it'll make her worse.
They sure made some beautiful, memorable music!
Beautiful music, indeed! TriviaMaurice Gibb's first wife was the Scottish singer/actress, Lulu (To Sir With Love, 1967).
Dionne Warwick Scepter 1970 That's probably the best rhyme in popular music! Every time I hear it, I have to chuckle.What do you get when you kiss a guy? You get enough germs to catch pneumonia After you do, he'll never phone ya I'll never fall in love again I'll never fall in love again
Andy Williams Miller has a way with inner rhymes and meter -- not to mention imagery: three colors in two lines! Williams has one of the best voices in the business, and his handling of these lyrics is perfection.In the summertime, when all the trees and leaves are green And the redbird sings, I'll be blue 'Cause you don't want my love ...
Lesley Gore Mercury 1963 Hey! If you had his ring, he couldn't give it to her, now could he? Obviously, there was no commitment there, so GET OVER IT!Judy and Johnny just walked thru' the door, like a queen with her king. Oh, what a birthday surprise, Judy's wearing his ring.
Kenny Rogers & The First Edition Reprise 1968 There are two figures of speech at work here. First, and most visible, is antanaclasis (repetition of a word in two different senses), a form of pun. More subtle is the symbolic allusion in reverse in the words "dropped in" to the "dropping out" of the Psychedelic Era through the use of drugs. The allusion is of a return during an acid-fueled out-of-body experience to the scene of the crime, as it were, to check on things.I just dropped in to see what condition my condition was in
Lorri Lieberman RCA 1973 This entire song is about the effect that I'm describing. The singer hears about a new songster who "has a style", but is stunned by the profound connection of his words with her life, feeling as if "he found my letters and read each one out loud."Strumming my pain with his fingers, Singing my life with his words, Killing me softly with his song, Killing me softly with his song, Telling my whole life with his words, Killing me softly with his song. The legend is that Lorri Lieberman was inspired to record this song
after seeing a performance by Don McLean.
Supertramp A&M 1979
Aside from the plaintive lament, and stripped of meaning, the lyrics
of The Logical Song have a special sound, a cadence, a
music all their own: Adjectives on Parade!
Jimmy Buffet ABC 1977 God! I'm glad I've never been that drunk! Have I?Nothing to show but this brand new tattoo. But it's a real beauty A Mexican cutie How it got here, I haven't a clue.
Janis Joplin Columbia 1971 Could there be a better example of lamentation?But I'd trade all of my tomorrows, for one single yesterday I like this line for its use of a subtle figure of speech to good effect. The figure is catachresis, which is incorrect or paradoxical word usage. At any given point in time, there can only be one day called "tomorrow" and one called "yesterday", yet a multiplicity of them is inferred. One can almost find another figure, synechdoche (use of a part for the whole), in the use of "tomorrow" to stand for the whole future -- except for the plural form. This is a fine example of the way song lyrics, and poetry in general, often make use of rhetorical devices to heighten the effect of the language -- to pack more meat in it. Freedom's just another word for nothin' left to loseI'm not sure what that means, but I do like the way it sounds! I've just had it explained to me by someone who I think has been there. Loosely paraphrased: Posit, if you will, someone who has lost parents, spouse, child, home -- everything. There remains only the ultimate freedom -- to slip the earthly bonds of this mortal coil -- because all of importance is already lost. This wretched individual, wrenched by the despair of those losses, drenched by the loss of hope, might even believe that the ultimate freedom would be a preferable alternative to her current miserable condition.
George Thorogood This is from Thorogood's long, spoken introduction -- and I just like the pithy pathos from a down and out guy, rejected by his last friend in the world, with nowhere left to turn for solace but to the bottle.So I go down the streets, people. Down to my good friend's house. I say "Look man. I'm outdoors, you know. Can I stay with you maybe a couple days?" He say "Let me go ask my wife." He come out the house, I could see in his face, I know it was "No"! He say "I don't know, man. She kinda funny, you know" I say, "I know! Ever'body funny. Now you funny, too!"
Coven Warner Bros. 1970 For an anti-violence flick, Billy Jack sure had plenty of it, and this was its theme song. OK, it was not great cinema, but I loved it anyway. And I had to have that hat! I wore it camping for years -- until our little bitch schnauzer ate it! I hated her for that.On the bloody morning after One tin soldier rides away.
Meatloaf Epic 1977 Was Steinman listening through my radio or something? Is there any Boomer who doesn't connect with this miniature opera?GIRL: Ain't no doubt about it We were doubly blessed 'Cause we were barely seventeen And we were barely dressed Again, the clever use of language: "barely" in two different senses is a sort of linguistic hook that reels me in every time. This song is loaded with double entendres. Take the Scooter's baseball play-by-play: In the dirt, indeed! TriviaThe album, Bat Out Of Hell, was produced by Todd Rungren — who had a few other parts: Guitar, Percussion, Arranger, Keyboards, Vocals, Vocals (bckgr), Engineer, Mixing.
Female vocals on Paradise were by Ellen Foley —
who co-starred in the American TV (NBC) series Night Court
during the 1984-85 season as public defender Billie Young.
Climax Carousel 1972 Precious and few are the moments we two can share.
I cannot listen to this song anymore. I have to change the station whenever it comes on the radio. This is an example of a
mondegreen -- a misunderstood song lyric with humerous effect.
Nancy Sinatra Reprise 1966 Puh-leeese! And the whole song is like this! Although this is some kind of figure of speech, it is just too painfully sophomoric. Hazelwood should be have had his hands broken for inflicting this monstrosity on humankind! At least they found a perfect match in the performer.You keep lyin' when you oughta be truthin' And it was a #1 gold record! Go figure!
Jim Croce ABC 1973 Perhaps the prettiest song in modern popular music, Time In a Bottle is itself an exquisite scarab in amber. And the main metaphor, of corking up time itself to allow replaying the good parts, is very appealing.If I could save time in a bottle The first thing that I'd like to do Is to save every day 'til eternity passes away Just to spend them with you
Bonnie Tyler Columbia 1983 What a powerful image of an explosive relationship on a short fuse. You can almost hear the crashing crockery! I am convinced that metaphor is a key player in most successful poetry -- and there's plenty of metaphor and other figures throughout this wonderful song. The bridge, in particular, really grabs me:We're living in a powder keg and giving off sparks
I love the paired contrasting images drawn with similar words, a visual
rhyme:
falling in love vs falling apart
Bonnie Tyler's slightly husky voice lends just the right note of anxious
desperation in a perfect rendition.
Olivia Newton-John and John Travolta MCA 1978 Ooo, Sandy! Feel my way? This lyric epitomizes the character change Sandy experienced, from a demure, proper girl to a passionate woman. Curiously, Ms Newton-John seems to have experienced a similar transformation in her personal life at that time! Just look at her recordings: before Grease they were typified by such tracks as I honestly Love You (1974), or Please Mr. Please (1975). After the Grease experience she gives us tunes like Totally Hot (1978) and Physical (1981).
Things that make you go hmmm!
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Checkpoint date: 22 Oct 2000 |
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or be a pure delight but, either way,
it's effect is INTENSE!
A toucan is a tropical bird with an immense beak.
