Writing conversational lyrics

[jchitty]

Sept 22, 2008, 8:05pm, mojobone wrote:Was it Euripides? I hope you looked it up, it could have been Herodotus, for all I knew for certain; I'm largely self-educated, and rather sloppily, except where it comes to stuff I care deeply about, like music and lovemaking. I couldn't find it, but I'll take your word for it that it was Euripides.

[geo]

Sept 10, 2008, 12:21am, mojobone wrote:Not tryin' to troll, here, but whut's up with that "condemned by the gods" shite? The attention of the muses is considered a gift, in many cultures. Your horse is a gift. Why so down in the mouth?Those whom the gods would destroy, they first drive mad, no? Yet , you seem imperfectly sane, to me.That's one of my fav quotes.... "Artist make terrible slaves" is my other.I look at it like a junkie looks at dope.... can't put it down.... if I try it all goes haywire......It is a gift.... but also a curse..... one that comes with joy, insecurity, self loathing and happiness.... Hi Chits Peace, Geo

[jchitty]

Sept 26, 2008, 5:22pm, geo wrote:Sept 10, 2008, 12:21am, mojobone wrote:Not tryin' to troll, here, but whut's up with that "condemned by the gods" shite? The attention of the muses is considered a gift, in many cultures. Your horse is a gift. Why so down in the mouth?Those whom the gods would destroy, they first drive mad, no? Yet , you seem imperfectly sane, to me.That's one of my fav quotes.... "Artist make terrible slaves" is my other.I look at it like a junkie looks at dope.... can't put it down.... if I try it all goes haywire......It is a gift.... but also a curse..... one that comes with joy, insecurity, self loathing and happiness.... Hi Chits Peace, GeoGood to see you around more again, Geo.

[mojobone]

Sept 24, 2008, 6:01am, cameron wrote:...and in both music and love making you only have three or four minutes to leave a lasting impression. CamZING! Good one.Yeah, OT, I have a couple of pet peeves when it comes to country lyrics, which, to my mind, should always be conversational in tone. There are exceptions, great country lyrics that either don't fit the conversational mold (Jimmy Webb comes to mind) or are downright preachy, like "Stand By Your Man", but there are certain 'writerly' words that are almost never used in English unless you're trying like H-E double hockey sticks to rhyme, like "plight". Personally, I haven't "plighted" any "troth" since about the fourteenth century. Although I'll admit I heard Wolf Blitzer use it on CNN the other day, regarding some hurricane victims. And the last word I wanna hear any cat with an acoustic guitar whine and drone on about for five minutes is "destiny". I dare anybody to write a song with the word 'destiny' in it that isn't utter crap.

[squids]

Also, anyone using the word "shelf" in it.....well, let's jes say: Nope. I wonder how many songs have basically said "I put my life/heart/love on a shelf"?? It's gotta stop!

[squids]

Sept 26, 2008, 5:22pm, geo wrote:That's one of my fav quotes.... "Artist make terrible slaves" is my other.I used to have that under my avatar. Back when I had an avatar. Happy ta see ya as always, Geo!

[hummingbird]

Oct 13, 2008, 7:09pm, squids wrote:I wonder how many songs have basically said "I put my life/heart/love on a shelf"?? It's gotta stop!I put my life on the back burnerbecause of youI let my heart stop dreamingbecause of youmy little world stopped its turningI felt this heated love that kept me burningoh, I'm just a pile of ash because of you