Rock Lyrics and Poetics

Hey guys, just wondering: what's your thoughts on rock lyrics relating to poetry?

I've decided to do it as a university assignment and would LOOVE some hippie imput

I'm not going to say the actual question of my assignment, I just would like it if you could throw some random ideas around.

Thank you!

EDIT:
The assignment is over now, so I don't urgently request your thoughts

But if you want to keep discussing, go for it

Thanks for all the help!! ♥

 

Rock lyrics relating to poetry?

This came into my mind in the first place:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uAsV5-Hv-7U
(Don McLean - American Pie)

One of the best lyrics ever written (if not the best).

I also know some other lyrics that are very poetical, but they're in German, so you would have no use for them, right?

 

after zoomie shit all over my last musical opinion i would urge you to contact him[or wait till he crawls out] and seek his expert opinion on this topic..he can tell you who stole which poetic lyrics from who..you might have to wait while he finds a book to quote though

 

Thank you Genius I thought of American Pie today... Was VERY excited at that. Is it a rock song?

And ROLLINGALONG, thank you for your advice But all I'm asking for is oppinions. Not cold hard facts, I need to research that myself.

All I'm looking for in this forum is something to get all those mind juices of mine flowing

Also, the question specifys 'positive features' of rock lyrics, and how those support the fact that song writers understand poetics.

I know I said I wouldn't give out the question, but there's a little something more for you to think about... And hopefully discuss

Much love xox

 

bob dylan was a poet first also jim morrison....is it a positive feature that many of their lyrics became anthems of several generations..see hurricane carter by dylan also how many roads-dylan...jim morrison has unlimited examples of strong poetic influences and poem based songs...good luck

 

Yes, it's a folk rock song.

There are various interpretations of American Pie. But the beginning of the lyrics is obviously about the day on which the three American rock 'n' roll musicians Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and The Big Bopper died in an airplane crash (on 3 February 1959). This day went down in history as The Day the Music Died. Furthermore McLean describes the climax of the hippie movement in the late 60s ("A generation lost in space, with no time left to start again"). The lyrics also refer to music icons of the 60s: Bob Dylan, The Byrds, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones and Janis Joplin.

Excerpt from the lyrics:

My Interpretation:
jester = Bob Dylan (you'll understand why he, when you read the lyrics further)
king = Elvis Presley ("king of rock and roll")
queen = Joan Baez ("queen of folk")
a coat he borrowed from James Dean = James Dean wore a windbreaker jacket in the film "Rebel Without a Cause", Bob Dylan wore such a jacket on the cover of the album "The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan"
a voice that came from you and me = folk used to be the music of the masses, so it was music that comes from you and me, Bob Dylan has his roots in the folk music
while the king was looking down = Elvis' fall
the jester stole his thorny crown = Dylan's rise
thorny crown = the fame with all of its troubles

Now you have to find out the rest. Good luck.

 

I have always believed that music (songs) was simply the personification of poetry into notes to be played and sung. Since I didn't dig poetry at school very much (my high school teacher is to blame ), I turned to music.....sort of makes sense don't it

 

Good music amplifies poetry. This especially shows when you see people talking about certain rock lyrics which aren't specifically poetry but are regard as such because it's recorded in a way which makes you feel the lyrics even more. Hope this view can add something to your assigment! :biggrin:

 

Poetics in rock are true.
Yeah okay, not all.
I'm not gonna say ACDC were deep and inspiring or anything.
But I mean even pink floyd, they knew how to reach deep down and pull of the best and worst of people. In "Wots...Uh the deal" - Pink Floyd, it even gets me. "Let me in from the cold, turn my lead into gold, cause theres a chill wind blowing in my soul and I think I'm growing old." It's beautiful, and something we can all feel.
When a person is upset, they listen to the lyrics and relate to it. When they are excited, they listen to the lyrics and let the lyrics lift em up even higher. I know it has a lot to do with the way the lyrics are sung and presented, but the lyrics are what we sing along to, ya know?
They have to be damn good, and since the music is still so strong and well known 20, 30, 40 years later, it must have done a great job reaching out, music wise as well (obviously), but definitely lyrics wise.

 

And good luck on the assignment =)

 

Learning to Fly by Pink Floyd is pretty poetical to me, and Over the Hills and Far Away by Zeppelin... Closer to the Heart by Rush is a great one too

"there's no sensation to compare with this, suspended animation, a state of bliss." - Learning to Fly

 

Thank you guys so so so much

Its helped ALOT.

Love you all! xoxo

Anything more to add...? Be much appreciated

 

Just like to remind all here that if you don't "get" poetry, try music...it will help you appreciate poetry too

 

Can't keep my eyes from the circling skies, tongue tied and twisted just an earth bound misfit, I

man that song has beautiful lyrics.
I've overplayed it a lot, but I still can't believe how hard it is to get sick of it.
Then again, I love my pink floyd.

the song echoes has cool lyrics too.
"strangers passing in the street by chance two seperate glances meet, and I am you and what I see is me. And do I take you by the hand, and lead you through the land, and help you understand the best I can."

 

There are few songs out there as poetical as these two:

Sara
I laid on a dune I looked at the sky
When the children were babies and played on the beach
You came up behind me, I saw you go by
You were always so close and still within reach.

Sara, Sara
Whatever made you want to change your mind
Sara, Sara
So easy to look at, so hard to define.

I can still see them playing with their pails in the sand
They run to the water their buckets to fill
I can still see the shells falling out of their hands
As they follow each other back up the hill.

Sara, Sara
Sweet virgin angel, sweet love of my life
Sara, Sara
Radiant jewel, mystical wife.

Sleeping in the woods by a fire in the night
Drinking white rum in a Portugal bar
Them playing leapfrog and hearing about Snow White
You in the marketplace in Savanna-la-Mar.

Sara, Sara
It's all so clear, I could never forget
Sara, Sara
Loving you is the one thing I'll never regret.

I can still hear the sounds of those Methodist bells
I'd taken the cure and had just gotten through
Staying up for day in the Chelsea Hotel
Writing "Sad-Eyed Lady of the Lowlands" for you.

Sara, Sara
Wherever we travel we're never apart
Sara, Sara
Beautiful lady, so dear to my heart.
How did I meet you ? I don't know
A messenger sent me in a tropical storm
You were there in the winter, moonlight on the snow
And on Lily Pond Lane when the weather was warm.

Sara, Sara
Scorpio Sphinx in a calico dress
Sara, Sara
You must forgive me my unworthiness.

Now the beach is deserted except for some kelp
And a piece of an old ship that lies on the shore
You always responded when I needed your help
You gimme a map and a key to your door.

Sara, Sara
Glamorous nymph with an arrow and bow
Sara, Sara
Don't ever leave me, don't ever go.


Today (majestically sung by Grace of JA:
Today while the blossoms still cling to the vine
I'll taste your strawberries, I'll drink your sweet wine

A million tomorrows shall all pass away
Ere I forget all the joy that is mine today

I'll be a dandy and I'll be a rover
You'll know who I am by the song that I sing
I'll feast at your table, I'll sleep in your clover

Who cares what the morrow shall bring?

Today while the blossoms still cling to the vine
I'll taste your strawberries, I'll drink your sweet wine

I can't be contented with yesterday's glory
I can't live on promises winter to spring (winter to spring)

Today is my moment and now is my story

I'll laugh and I'll cry and I'll sing

Today while the blossoms still cling to the vine
I'll taste your strawberries, I'll drink your sweet wine
A million tomorrows shall all pass away
Ere I forget all the joy that is mi-uh-ine today

 

Rock N' Roll is poerty that is backed by music. The Doors, The Beatles, Pink Floyd, Bob Dylan, and Jimi Hendrix are just a few examples. Good luck man.

 

I cant say that I agree with this. There are many great bands and many great songs that are great because of the poetic lyrics, and not so much the music. But then again, on the flip side of that coin, there are many great bands and great songs that are great because of the music, but the lyrics could have been written by an 8 year old. And then there is the combination of the two. But then again, it's all relative to each individual listener.

 

Thanks guys Due in on Thurs.

 

Sock it to 'EM!!Go for it.....let us know

 

Thanks man

It's got a 1500 word limit

I'll let ya'll know my mark when I get it. Won't get it for awhile.

Thank you all soooo much!! You don't know how much your input means to me!

xoxoxo