Feel like starting somethin' ;-)

[geo]

Hi Passengers....I was reading through another thread where an un-named member was unhappy with his/her critique... one of the comments by one of our esteemed members was the lyric wasn't strong enough.... OK here's my thing.... We've all listened to the "ala's" in our perspective genres and not been particularly impressed by the lyrically content.... and we understand that as songwriters our songs have to be better than great to be considered.... so.....The purpose of this thread is to search out and debate which songs out there in any genre (current songs, not classics) fit into that better than great class....Just want to know what I (we) should be aspiring to....Peace, Geo

[claire]

In current and semi-current country, for story songs and creative lyric songs I'd nominate "Stupid Boy", "Waiting On A Woman", "I Believe" (the Brooks and Dunn song of about a year or so ago), "Moments", "Almost Home", "Harder Cards"(a Craig Wiseman classic on Collin Raye's next-to-last CD) and there are probably a bunch more I'm not remembering at the moment. "You're Gonna Miss This". Songs that paint the picture, songs that are a three-minute movie, that sort of thing.Claire

[byllsong]

I've alway liked 'Everything I Own' by Bread. It tell an emotional story that people can relate to. It has an intro, verse, pre-chorus, chorus and a bridge. I feel that if David Gates were to submit that song today, he would get a forward.But you never know...not current enough.Billy

[davewalton]

Not knowing anything about lyrics I thought I'd go ahead and post something anyway. Taking the chorus to a popular song sometime back, here's the lyrics I'd probably do...And when you get the choice to give it up or tryI hope you tryI hope you tryDoesn't that paint a lovely picture? The imagery here is much better...And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance I hope you dance I hope you dance

[sgs4u]

Oct 11, 2008, 3:21pm, davewalton wrote:And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance I hope you dance I hope you dance Dave, "I Hope You Dance," is one of my all time inspirational cowboy tunes. And somehow perfect for today. I frikkin LOVE that song. How'd you know I needed to hear it again? Sometimes I even pretend it's my own personal anthem, not to quit trying to climb the "mountain."





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[claire]

Yep - and Lee Ann Womack didn't want to cut it. She had to be talked into recording it...

[matthoggard]

My perception is that in country music. The story is all important. Pop music, the lyrics arent too critical as long as it either has a great dance beat or catchy hook.Same thing with rock music today. Most of the lyrics are really ambiguous but the hooks and chorus's are very big and catchy. Now in all 3 of these genres, the music and melodies are important. A great chord progression coupled with catchy melody can make even sub standard lyrics stick in your head.For country music im nominating "In Color" By Jamey Johnson, and "more like her" by Mirand Lambert.Both are exceptionally well written songs.

[mojobone]

"Hey there Delilah" by Plain White Ts might be one of those modern classics. Funny how the best lyrics tend to come with the simplest melodies.