(I’m going to be doing a series of 5 posts about rock and roll and poetry. Here’s the first…)
Rock and roll is poetry. Some of it’s crap poetry, but some of it will blow your socks off. Sometimes you can get a whole new appreciation for a song or artist by reading the lyrics on their own. Take for example the following snippets of Pearl Jam lyrics, which are amazing. If you like them, you can read the entire set of lyrics for each song at the links provided.
I wish I was a neutron bomb, for once I could go off
I wish I was a sacrifice but somehow still lived on
I wish I was a sentimental ornament you hung on
The christmas tree…
Sheets of empty canvas, untouched sheets of clay
Were laid spread out before me as her body once did
All five horizons revolved around her soul
As the earth to the sun
Tidal waves don’t beg forgiveness
Crashed and on their way
Father he enjoyed collisions; others walked away
Which rock group’s or artist’s lyrics do you enjoy? Whose lyrics do you think sound the most poetic?
____________________
This is the first in a 5-part series of posts regarding poetry and rock and roll. See related posts:
(2) Van Halen (A Poem)
(3) Rock Out to Yeats
(4) New Rock and Roll Poetry Book: Third Rail
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A Bunch of Wordz 
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I know I pay more attention when I hear interesting lyrics even when I don’t care so much for the tune.
An easy pick for good lyrics (& tune): John Wesley Harding
http://www.johnwesleyharding.com/
You win the argument
At the end of every night
I never know the perfect time
To hit the bedside light
Then we lie awake
Watch headlights climb the blinds
…
I thought that I was right but now I know
I’m wrong about everything
I think that I can sing
And when you hear the song,
you’ll wanna sing along
…
I think you’ll like our song, but I’m wrong
Hey
I have gone through only a few bands in my life and here is one I have to mention.
THE WHO
of course.
Some lyrics are much more literal than others, but still, this only shows the diversity of pete townshend.
A snippet from the song “The song is over”. Roger Daltrey sings this perfectly.
“I’ll sing my song to the wide open spaces
I’ll sing my heart out to the infinite sea
I’ll sing my vision to the sky and mountains
I’ll sing my song to the free…”
Also – you should listen to “love ain’t for keeping”. You know what, just do yourself a favour and buy all their records. hehe.
later
eddie
Thanks for adding those lyrics, Eddie! Very cool.