Some of my favorite hard rock songs have terrible lyrics, it’s true. Especially the songs in last weeks post.
When I listen to these songs, it is not for the words, but for the sound. The lyrics just blend into the background as the timbre, annunciation and rhythmic inflection of the voice simply become part of the overall picture. It almost becomes instrumental music.
One can listen to different music for different reasons. For example, lets look at some music from a completely different genre than hard rock: the music of James Brown. As a regular listener of the JB box set "Star Time," and several other albums, I consider his work to be some of the best popular music of the 20th Century. Millions of other listeners, fans and critics alike, seem to agree.
Yet it would be easy to point a finger at James Brown's music and critique it for lack of melodies. Unlike other soul singers of the day such as Stevie Wonder and Marvin Gaye, his music doesn't lend itself to good covers and instrumental arrangements. There is little content for melodic vocal study or for an improviser to quote, embellish and explore as a thematic interpretation.
Does that make it bad? Of course not. James' music has something else, something so strong it makes up for it: rhythm. The rhythm is so great in fact, that too much melodic movement would get in the way. It is, at its core, music for the purpose of bobbing heads, tapping feet, full on dancing or otherwise feeding off the groove of the rhythm.
Just as the strength of James Brown's music does not lie in its melodic content, the strength of these great hard rock songs does not lie in their lyrical content. Both styles have their own unique qualities that are separate from other genres of pop music. James makes you want to dance while AC/DC, Scorpions and Kiss make you want to play air guitar. James inspires headbobbing, these bands inspire headbanging.
If you were to ask most listeners and fans what they like best about hard rock, a short list of these qualities might include the following: memorable guitar riffs, sing-along choruses, driving movement of the bass and drums, high energy and a sense of power. Lyrical content wouldn't even make the list. Like the great music of James Brown, hard rock is subject to certain limitations, and that doesn't make it bad. It can even be argued that the limitations even become part of their strength. Hard rock is not music to be listened to for depth of words, but for power of sound.
As a young boy, it was this power which drew me in and got me into music in the first place. Despite my later appreciation of depth, lyrical and otherwise, this powerful sound of hard rock will always hold a special place in my heart. Like many others out there, I started as a youthful hard rock fan and then in the blink of an eye, unwittingly found myself transformed into an adult with good taste and high artistic standards.
Today, I can't help but look at these lyrics without pangs of embarrassment and snickers. But my outer sophisticated adult co-exists with a kid inside. This kid still hears these songs at nightclubs and parties, sometimes unable to resist the urge to pump a fist in the air, play air guitar, sing at the top of his lungs and, to quote one of the biggest offenders of bad lyrics: shout it out loud.
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8 comments:
Great post! I have wondered how to decribe my love for metal too. The first thing a metal-hater will say is, "You cant even tell what he is saying!". You make a good point... its not about the lyrics. Its like the voice is truly just another instrument and its about the power of the music. I love blues and classic rock, enjoy electronic music even some of it along the lines of new-age-ish (which is somewhat embarassing). I always return to Metal.
Alex, you shouldn't be so hard on The Scorpions. English is not their native tongue, is it...
And y'know, it's a matter of taste surely, but sometimes "controversial" lyrics can be well done.
You could not have said it better. I prefer meaningful songs myself, but I do enjoy singing out loud to my favorite rock anthems. After your last post, I could not stop thinking about all the "meaningless" songs I used to sing and know by heart I'm almost ashamed to say it. But, I'm also glad I know them because they were, are and probably will always be great songs for all of the reasons you mentioned. Ok, now, I have to listen to Winger. See what you made me do ? Thank you ;)
I enjoy some hard rock with bad lyrics. One band that fits the bill is called Testament! COTLOD!
I call this post of " let´s put the X in question"
I feel similar with thrash metal. My first group (with 15 y old) played hard rock by Aerosmith, Whitesnake, Kiss and Guns´n´Roses, but I needed more to express my agressively. I needed use chains, leather, skulls. Was as a lion inside me. So I discovered Death Angel, Coroner, Violence, Exodus, Slayer, Testament,Sodom, and your fast thrash. The time passed (today I have 35) and I learned some english and translate some lirics, they aren´t so different of hardrock bands, if you make analysis of general idea.
The important on rock is this power that it´s have, of shake your soul inside yourself. And when you need put to out you this energy, only metal/hard rock make this. I love Brazillian Jazz but confess that is impossivel make "horns up" with Tom Jobim, Rafael Rabello or Yamandu Costa !!!!!
I also learned that the different styles of music exists for you feel different feelings. You can be metal in some occasions and can be no-metal in others without any problem but ........................................ Cherry Pie still is terrible! lol
Nice blog Alex!
I enjoy reading your thoughtful commentary - from an experienced and always growing artist.
I would like to add something to the James Brown bit. I've seen some video that certainly underscores your point; however, in one particular song, as I was grooving to the rhythm I was feeling a melody and then the guitar player ripped right into it! I've also experienced this with George Clinton and P-Funk live at a small club. The rhythm was enough, and the lyrics were colorful at least, but then: one beautiful guitar solo after another! Just gorgeous melodies flowed as if borne from the funky jazzy rhythms! And I'm not talking about the popular songs - these were from another realm that I had never heard before. The deadheads would understand when Garcia was "on" that night, Santana would call it channeling, and Zappa would say it's rare when that happens; but I tell ya, there was melody born from those funky rhythms!
Fist pump high for these further thoughts that drive to the point such experienced and well tuned commentary especially on your comparisons to genres and lyrics place within them. Lyrics are a layer in the songs context. And an agreeable head bob that power of song matters more than depth of words, atleast in certain songs. I think it is what stirs one to move be it your head, toes, or heart, whether acheived by weak lyrics within a power driven tune with charged rhythm, or, strong leading lyrics within a rousing melody that matter. Either way, its the songs magic that works its spell on us. Driving today I listened to some Italian opera, not understanding the lyrics, the strong emotional composition had its way of moving me by its unique qualities of the piece as a whole, just as many of the songs mentioned in previous post.
I couldn't agree more, except for James Brown. As I previously said, some lyrics are there just to keep the lead singer busy instead of going la la la la la.
Enjoy your tour in Europe. Are you coming to Portugal?
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