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Post by richclough on Apr 29, 2024 15:03:05 GMT
Hi all,
Something we don’t talk about much on the forum is lyrics.
I’ve recently got my hands on a copy of ‘The book of American Negro Poetry’ (which was first issued in the 1930s, hence the now questionable title) and I’m enjoying working my way through it.
This is by Paul Laurence Dunbar (1872 –1906) and I don’t know if it’s ever been set to music, but there’s already a song there I think…
Seen my lady home las’ night, Jump back, honey, jump back. Hel’ huh han’ an’ sque’z it tight, Jump back, honey, jump back. Hyeahd huh sigh a little sigh, Seen a light gleam f’om huh eye, An’ a smile go flittin’ by— Jump back, honey, jump back.
Hyeahd de win’ blow thoo de pine, Jump back, honey, jump back, Mockin’-bird was singin’ fine, Jump back, honey, jump back. An’ my hea’t was beatin’ so, When I reached my lady’s do’, Dat I couldn’t ba’ to go— Jump back, honey, jump back.
Put my ahm aroun’ huh wais’, Jump back, honey, jump back. Raised huh lips an’ took a tase, Jump back, honey, jump back. Love me, honey, love me true? Love me well ez I love you? An’ she answe’d, “’Cose I do”— Jump back, honey, jump back.
Here’s one of my favourite lines ever. It’s from John Martyn’s ‘Go down easy’…
‘You curl around me Like a fern in the spring’
Please share anything you’d like to…
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Post by Michael Messer on Apr 29, 2024 18:18:32 GMT
Rich, this is a great idea for a thread!
Forum members, please feel free to post any song lyrics, including your own if you want to share them.
This is a wonderful message to get us started, just a few lines from one of the greatest songwriters.
One good thing about music, when it hits you feel no pain One good thing about music, when it hits you feel no pain So hit me with music, hit me with music now, yeah Hit me with music, hit me with music now Bob Marley - Trenchtown Rock
Trenchtown Rock was written by Bob Marley in 1971. The original single version was produced by the legendary Lee Scratch Perry and released on his Tuff Gong Records label. The greatest recording of this song is on Bob Marley & The Wailers "Live" album, recorded in July 1975 at the Lyceum in London. The lyrics are about Marley’s hometown, Trenchtown, Kingston, Jamaica, and the rich music and culture that it produced throughout the 1960s and beyond. This upbeat rocksteady song touches on how music makes Bob feel, and calls for peace amid the tumultuous environment of Kingston in the early 1970s. It has been referenced by many writers and musicians.
An interesting thing about songwriting is that it is not poetry as such. Songs are often written to a melody and rhythm and to sit on top of music, therefore a song often doesn't make great reading, it has to be listened to in context. This is common across all genres of music. I have discussed this with many writers and most are of the same opinion that their lyrics have to be heard, rather than read. Sometimes it is good to read the lyrics to fully understand what is being said, but then those words need to be heard, not read.
Shine On Michael
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Post by mitchfit on Apr 30, 2024 0:46:50 GMT
^^^^ very true, it doesn't have to be poetry. but some of it is. one of the great songwriters of our times below, IMO.
read an interview way, way back in the day where he said he would [most often] play the song accompaniment on his guit and then start humming the notes for the lyrics. then would start adding oohs and aahs and various consonant sounds to narrow down the word line into word "sounds" that went with/conveyed his idea of what the feel of the tune should be.
[IE: think "cut him till he cried out" in "The Boxer"]
then it would all get boiled down into the finished lyrical words afterward. i'm guessing most people use the reverse order-starting with the words first then building around them like richclough suggested in his post.
i don't think there are any SET guidelines, the end product will show if order matters or not.
IT SURE WORKED FOR HIM!!!
mitchfit
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Post by archtopeddy on Apr 30, 2024 1:09:09 GMT
Thanks for starting this thread, I love lyrics. And I think Bob Marley is one the best lyricsts in the later half of the 20th century. With simple words, he hit deep. Deeper than just the words, he brought his whole culture to bear. Personally, while I prefer the Jamacian rocksteady period (66-68), there is no denying Marley's unquestionable contribution. He molded a personal message that started in Trenchtown, and by the time he died, transformed it into a global-level world message. The great Jamaican-born, British-based poet Linton Kwesi Johnson wrote insightfully about this transition.
While I could find nearly endless examples of Marley lyrics (and by the way, I also feel Jimi Hendrix was another amazing lyrcist), I want to share a song with you by neither, and maybe perhaps a surprising choice: 1970s Canadian band Skylark. I beiieve this shows, at times, lyrics can stand alone -- even without the music.
Shall I Fail — D. Edwards, C. Borsman
If I sing to deaf ears If I smile to the blind If I give my warmth to the unfeeling
Shall I fail — shall I fail?
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Post by Michael Messer on Apr 30, 2024 8:16:30 GMT
This is a lovely thread.
And to quote Paul Simon, who I agree is a master songwriter.... "The Mississippi Delta is shining like a National Guitar...." ...Damn I wish I had written that line!
Bob Marley was almost a prophet, in fact he was because he spoke the truth to his listeners.
Redemption Song
Old Pirates, yes, they rob I. Sold I to the merchant ships, Minutes after they took I from the bottomless pit. But my hand was made strong, by the hand of the Almighty. We forward in this generation, triumphantly.
Won't you help to sing these songs of freedom? Cause all I ever had, ... redemption songs, redemption songs.
Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery, none but ourselves can free our minds. Have no fear for atomic energy, cause none of them can stop the time. How long shall they kill our prophets, while we stand aside and look? Ooh, some say it's just a part of it. We've got to fulfill the book.
Won't you help to sing these songs of freedom? Cause all I ever had, ... redemption songs, redemption songs.
Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery, none but ourselves can free our minds. Have no fear for atomic energy, cause none of them can stop the time. How long shall they kill our prophets, while we stand aside and look? Ooh, some say it's just a part of it. We've got to fulfill the book.
Won't you help to sing these songs of freedom? Cause all I ever had, ... redemption songs, redemption songs. Bob Marley (1980)
Shine On Michael
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Post by bonzo on Apr 30, 2024 9:23:43 GMT
Saying the lyrics generally work best when sung may I recommend Lorraine Elison singing 'Stay with me baby' as and interpretation of some lyrics brought to life by the singer. Been listening to it for over 50 years, it still makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand up! We're lucky to be in a time when we can access and discover lyrics pretty much from Elizabethan times. Crazy isn't it!
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Post by tomgiemza on Apr 30, 2024 10:33:24 GMT
When it comes down to lyrics, Randy Newman is my favourite songwriter. He can write a song about anything and keep it light even when he's touching the most important matters.
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Post by Michael Messer on Apr 30, 2024 10:54:24 GMT
I don't have a favourite songwriter as there are many writers from all genres whose work I love and admire, and whose work has inspired my own writing.
This is a great piece of writing and a stunning performance
Respect Yourself - Staple Singers - written by Luther Ingram & Max Rice
If you disrespect anybody that you run in to How in the world do you think anybody's s'posed to respect you If you don't give a heck 'bout the man with the bible in his hand, y'all Just get out the way, and let the gentleman do his thing You the kind of gentleman that want everything your way, yeah Take the sheet off your face, boy, it's a brand new day
Respect yourself, respect yourself, respect yourself, respect yourself If you don't respect yourself Ain't nobody gonna give a good cahoot, na na na na Respect yourself, respect yourself, respect yourself, respect yourself
If you're walking 'round think'n that the world owes you something 'cause you're here You goin' out the world backwards like you did when you first come here yeah Keep talkin' bout the president, won't stop air pollution Put your hand on your mouth when you cough, that'll help the solution Oh, you cuss around women and you don't even know their names, no Then you're dumb enough to think that'll make you a big ol' man
Respect yourself, respect yourself, respect yourself, respect yourself If you don't respect yourself Ain't nobody gonna give a good cahoot, na na na na Respect yourself, respect yourself, respect yourself, respect yourself
Respect yourself, respect yourself, respect yourself, respect yourself Respect yourself, yeah yeah respect yourself, respect yourself yeah, respect yourself You oughta you oughta respect yourself yeah, respect yourself
Shine On Michael
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Post by Michael Messer on Apr 30, 2024 16:10:11 GMT
I seem to have taken over this thread... just too many songs in my head.
Here's a great one written in 1995 by Steve Earle, who at the time having just been released from jail, was writing in a style reminiscent of Townes Van Zandt. It is a beautiful piece of work.
GOODBYE
I remember holding on to you All them long and lonely nights I put you through Somewhere in there I'm sure I made you cry But I can't remember if we said goodbye
But I recall all of them nights down in Mexico One place I may never go in my life again Was I just off somewhere just too high But I can't remember if we said goodbye
I only miss you here every now and then Like the soft breeze blowing up from the Caribbean Most Novembers I break down and cry But I can't remember if we said goodbye
But I recall all of them nights down in Mexico One place I may never go in my life again Was I just off somewhere just too high But I can't remember if we said goodbye
Goodbye, goodbye....
Shine On Michael
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Post by richclough on Apr 30, 2024 16:40:08 GMT
And here are the full lyrics of ‘Go down easy’ by JM. It’s such a beautiful song, the lyrics aren’t particularly poetic or deep, but the music and performance (especially Danny Thompson’s aching double bass) set it off to perfection.
You curl around me Like a fern in the spring Lie down here Let me sing the things you bring.
And We can go down easy Oh my lover, we can go down easy Oh my darling, we can go down easy.
And come up and see me With your big brown eyes Come around to my place You know I’ll sympathise.
And we can go down easy Oh my lover, we can go down easy Oh my darling, we can go down easy.
I won’t be fancy But I will be free You know I love you And you can really talk to me.
And we can go down easy Oh my darling, we can go down easy Oh my lover, we can go down easy.
You curl around me Like a fern in the spring Lie down here Let me sing the things you bring.
And we can go down easy Oh my lover, we can go down easy Oh my darling, we can go down easy.
You curl around me Like a fern in the spring Lie down here Let me sing the things you bring.
And We can go down easy Oh my lover, we can go down easy Oh my darling, we can go down easy.
And come up and see me With your big brown eyes Come around to my place You know I’ll sympathise.
And we can go down easy Oh my lover, we can go down easy Oh my darling, we can go down easy.
I won’t be fancy But I will be free You know I love you And you can really talk to me.
And we can go down easy Oh my darling, we can go down easy Oh my lover, we can go down easy.
You curl around me Like a fern in the spring Lie down here Let me sing the things you bring.
And we can go down easy Oh my lover, we can go down easy Oh my darling, we can go down easy.
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Post by archtopeddy on Apr 30, 2024 19:43:48 GMT
Great songs everyone. I hadn't heard the Steve Earl or John Martyn songs. I have a couple of new wrinkles in my brain today. Thanks!
A slight aside to the topic, but... I was talking with a musician friend the other day about lyrics and realized he and many other non-singing players just don't pay much attention to lyrics. They are focused on the feel of the song, the timing, what they are playing or something else, but not the lyrics. I guess it's because if they can't sing, they focus on what they can do. Nonetheless I find this limiting in musical awareness. People who don't listen to the lyrics are often missing an important point of the song, and the lyrics are often what best define the whole mood and direction of the song.
Have you ever heard a jazz band blow out Lover Come Back To Me at 220 bpm? The melody might be able to carry it, but the lyrics -- definitely not. It's like playing Am I Blue at the same quick tempo. It just ain't right.
So back to this topic and examples.
One of my favorite lyricist is Johnny Mercer -- and his words to Lionel Hampton's Midnight Sun is a great example of his work. Who thinks to rhyme "ruby chalice" with "alabaster palace", but then -- wait folks, he ain't over yet -- he goes for a third rhyme... "Aurora Borealis" Really?! Who thinks like that!!
Your lips were like a red and ruby chalice, Warmer than the Summer night. The clouds were like an alabaster palace, Rising to a snowy height. Each star its own Aurora Borealis, Suddenly you held me tight, I could see the midnight sun.
Here's the great British singer Cleo Laine, with Gerry Mulligan on killer baritone sax.
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Post by tomgiemza on Apr 30, 2024 19:45:27 GMT
When I heard Steve Earle's Galway Girl for the fist time I didn't supposed he wrote it, I thought it was an Irish song, I was surprised by the fact that it was written by American ![;)](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/smiley/wink.png) His son, Justin Townes Earle was a very good songwriter too, sadly, he's no longer with us. Since Townes Van Zandt and Steve Earle were mentioned, I would like to add Guy Clark to the list. My favourites songs of him are Picasso's Mandolin and The Cape.
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Post by Michael Messer on Apr 30, 2024 19:54:23 GMT
...and in that same group of writers, John Prine. I love this one, but Bonnie Raitt is a committed Angel From Montgomery fan.
Is there ever enough space between us To keep us both honest and true? Why is it so hard just to sit in the yard And stare at the sky so blue? I've got a new way of walking and a new way of talking Honey when I'm around you, But it gives me the blues when I've got some good news And you're not there to bring it to.
Life is a blessing, it's a delicatessen Of all the little favours you do. All wrapped up together no matter the weather, Baby you always come through. It's a measure of treasure that gives me the pleasure Of loving you the way I do And you know I would gladly say I need your love badly And bring these little things to you.
Cause you got gold Gold inside of you You got gold Gold inside of you Well I got some Gold inside me too
Well I'm thinking I'm knowing that I gotta be going You know I hate to say so long. It gives me an ocean of mixed up emotion I'll have to work it out in a song. Well I'm leaving a lot for the little I got But you know a lot a little will do And if you give me your love I'll let it shine up above And light my way back home to you.
Cause you got gold Gold inside of you You got gold Gold inside of you Well I got some Gold inside me too
You got wheels Turning inside of you You got wheels Turning inside of you Well I got wheels Turning inside me too
Shine On Michael
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Post by Michael Messer on Apr 30, 2024 19:57:49 GMT
Lucinda Wiliams is another in that group of writers, Lu and Steve are great friends and both were close to John Prine.
Lake Charles
He had a reason to get back to Lake Charles He used to talk about it He'd just go on and on He always said Louisiana Was where he felt at home
He was born in Nacogdoches That's in East Texas Not far from the border But he liked to tell everybody He was from Lake Charles
Did an angel whisper in your ear And hold you close and take away your fear In those long last moments
We used to drive Through Lafayette and Baton Rouge In a yellow Camino Listening to Howling Wolf He liked to stop in Lake Charles 'Cause that's the place that he loved
Did you run about as far as you could go Down the Louisiana highway Across Lake Pontchartrain Now your soul is in Lake Charles No matter what they say
Did an angel whisper in your ear And hold you close and take away your fear In those long last moments
He had a reason to get back to Lake Charles He used to talk about it He'd just go on and on He always said Louisiana Was where he felt at home
Did an angel whisper in your ear And hold you close and take away your fear In those long last moments
Did an angel whisper in your ear And hold you close and take away your fear In those long last moments In those long last moments
Shine On Michael
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Post by richclough on Apr 30, 2024 22:13:12 GMT
A slight aside to the topic, but... I was talking with a musician friend the other day about lyrics and realized he and many other non-singing players just don't pay much attention to lyrics. They are focused on the feel of the song, the timing, what they are playing or something else, but not the lyrics. I guess it's because if they can't sing, they focus on what they can do. Nonetheless I find this limiting in musical awareness. People who don't listen to the lyrics are often missing an important point of the song, and the lyrics are often what best define the whole mood and direction of the song. I once wrote a song, and a friend of mine who didn’t listen to lyrics (violinist BBC Philharmonic, heavy metal bass guitar), commented on a single line. That was the only line to remain in the next version…
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