Song lyrics that make you go hmm...
Posted: Thursday, June 25, 2009 7:00 AM by Gael Fashingbauer Cooper
Filed Under:
Music
Maybe I just think too much about lyrics when I'm listening to music. I'm sure some would scold me and say that it's not all about the words, but for me, the words do matter. That's why I'm so fascinated with our misheard lyrics discussions. Now I've got another bone to pick with songwriters: How come so many song lyrics just don't make sense, even when they aren't misheard?
It's true for both oldies and new songs. A friend pointed out that the classic love song "You Are So Beautiful" really isn't much of a compliment, as the singer clarifies his statement by adding "you are so beautiful...TO ME." In other words, the rest of the world may think you're a dog, but in my head, you're Elizabeth Taylor at 17. We could make a whole category just for songs that are backhanded compliments. (Billy Joel doesn't "want clever conversation," he never wants to "work that hard"? Gee, thanks, Bill.)
The late Dan Fogelberg is the king of lyrics that don't make sense. His song "Leader of the Band" is indeed a touching tribute to a father. But some of the lyrics can only be defined as reaching. "His blood runs through my instrument?" Uh, I don't want to think about that too much. And "I am the living legacy to the leader of the band"? Really nice sentiment, but how can you be a "living legacy to" anyone?
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News flash: Britney Spears isn't really seeking Amy.
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All right, let's tackle Britney Spears' "If U Seek Amy." Of course it doesn't make any sense to say "all of the boys and all of the girls are begging to if you seek Amy." That's the song's stupid little X-rated joke, the boys and girls are begging to do something else entirely, and not to Amy, either.
Even Paul McCartney is guilty of sometimes sacrificing his lyrics to fit the tune. In "Live and Let Die," he sings about life "in this ever-changing world in which we live in." That's three "ins" in 10 words, Paul. "In which we live" would have said it all, but the meter required another word, so Paul acquiesced. Grammatically nitpicky, maybe, and I'll forgive him because he's Paul, but that extra word bugs me every time. (Update: Readers are writing in saying that the first "in" is really "if." OK, I'll buy that. Many folks also hear "world in which we're living." I've re-listened to the song and I can hear it both ways. Someone wanna ask Sir Paul?)
Don't get me wrong, I don't expect all lyrics to make sense. Sometimes the rhythm of the song carries the day and we all go with it. In the misheard lyrics discussions, we've chewed over Steve Miller's "pompatus of love" and the Eagles' "warm smell of colitas" in "Hotel California," and even though those are made-up words, they work for me. I have less patience for "If You Seek Amy" because I have less patience for Britney Spears in general, I'm sure.
If you've got a lyric that's always bugged you, spill. Share it in the comments and we'll discuss.
