With songs, do you pay more attention to music or to lyrics? Or both?
I’m a “both” kind of person. I can handle inane lyrics in songs with a good dance beat, but I think highly of smart lyricists. And I’m surprised at how many people just do not pay attention to what a song says. I guess that’s part of the whole what-you-say-is-less-important-than-how-you-say-it thing. I’ve never understood that.
For example, would it surprise you to know that the song “More Human that Human” by White Zombie references the film Blade Runner about 11ty billion times?
A more recent example is Foster the People’s “Pumped up Kicks” is about a troubled kid contemplating homicide? (Side note 1: the album it’s on, Torches, is great.)
The song “Sleeping Satellite” by Tasmin Archer is about … you guessed it, the moon.
The best song I’ve ever heard about the JFK assassination (okay, the ONLY song I’ve ever heard about it) is “Jackie Will Save Me” by Shiny Toy Guns. (Side note 2: the album it’s on, We Are Pilots, is great.)
My favorite extremely-dark-you’re-nothing-to-me song is “Slow Drag” by Fastball. I tell myself it was cathartic for the writer, and he didn’t really kill someone. (Side note 3: blah blah blah great album.)
On a happier note, the sexiest song I can think of is “Shake It Down” by Sam Phillips. (Side note 4: … great album.) It’s very minimalist. Streamlined. And all about the suggestive tone to the lyrics. Love it!
So what song lyrics do you find meaningful?
I've always been one for social commentary intertwined with the music. I will always have a place in my heart for the Dead Kennedys, specifically Jello Biafra's bitter perception of 80's politics and social programs.
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