By Brent Harvey
How does something you hear become something you see?
I’m referring to lyrics. The ones that paint indelible images in your mind. To me this is the most effective, enduring aspect of a great song.
There are many methods and motivations to write lyrics, and all songwriters have their own personal preference, style or routine. For some, it’s the ol’ “chicken or the egg†thing. Which comes first? Music or words? A bitchin’ chord progression, hook or riff is conjured. “This cord structure is freakin awesome! Now, gotta put rhymey words to it!â€
Lyrics can express broad or intimate concepts. Love, indifference, despair, inspiration, whimsy, hope, elation, nostalgia, relief, surprise, desire, defiance and a myriad of other emotional or pragmatic concepts. In my opinion, some writers make the mistake of doing their damnedest to make sure the listener knows exactly what the words mean. John Lennon came to know listeners would try to interpret his songs. I AM THE WALRUS from The Beatles’ Magical Mystery Tour album (1967) “Wow, that’s deep man!†Nope. He just put together a bunch of nonsense words. I always found this amusing. The Eggman is still an enigma!! Great song though. Sometimes there isn’t any deep meaning. It’s just a song.
Then there are songs that capture an experience with hardly any effort. Effortless because it’s an actual moment lived by the writer. This technique usually guides the style of music composition. The feel, vibe, pace, euphony.
There are infinite examples. Since my music appreciating started at an early age, I’ll use a couple classics as examples, just the first verse or two.
THAT’S THE WAY I’VE ALWAYS HEARD IT SHOULD BE by Carly Simon
[verse 1]
My father sits at night with no lights on
His cigarette glows in the dark
The living room is still
I walk by, no remark
[verse 2]
I tiptoe past the master bedroom where
My mother reads her magazines
I hear her call sweet dreams
But I forgot how to dream
There’s nothing super special about what those lyrics describe. It’s because they are so simple to understand and so intimate, we can relate. That scene becomes a vivid image. Brilliant.
While we’re in the 70’s, an example of an entire song being a story with incredibly specific lyrics is a song by Harry Chapin. I remember listening to this song on the radio and having it play in my head like a short film. A mix of longing, loss, nostalgia…frame by frame. Trust me, it’s a trip (pun intended)
TAXI by Harry Chapin
[verse 1]
It was raining hard in ‘Frisco
I needed one more fare to make my night
A lady up ahead waved to flag me down
She got in at the light
[verse 2]
Oh, where you going to, my lady blue
It’s a shame you ruined your gown in the rain
She just looked out the window, she said
“Sixteen Parkside Lane”
Those are just the first two verses. It continues as a intricate parable. An allegory, a story within a story. It has a “surface story†and another story hidden underneath. It’s fascinating, entertaining and easily pictured in your imagination.
A more recent example, a song I’m fond of, is by an immensely talented independent artist. You can tell this was an actual experience. First time I listened to it I literally laughed. Every time I hear it, I see it and smile.
LAUGH by Lisa Donnelly
[Verse 1]
I’m stuck at a dinner party
Next to a woman I don’t know
Her perfume’s bold as her dress
She’s really old and yet
She won’t stop going on and on about where I’m going
[verse 2]
She says tell me your time and date of birth
And I’ll read your story in the stars
Your tangled mess will make more sense
When you find out who you are
So baby if you know what’s good for you
You gotta listen to me
[Chorus]
Sex and money make the world go round
Breathe in when you’re feeling down
Speak softly but stand tall
And laugh at it all
Open your heart and close your legs
They only want what makes ’em beg
Get hurt and then do it again
And laugh at it all
I had the pleasure of knowing and booking Lisa in Los Angeles. One of the great losses of the indie music scene, Lisa passed away at age 37 in 2017. Her music and spirit will live on. One of her greatest gifts (to me) was this song. I will hear it, see it and smile, every time.
One of the more famous songs that illustrates my point is from the Fab Four, written by Paul McCartney. Again, actual places, things, actions. To me, this is one of the best pop songs of all time. Is it because I imagined all the fanciful things and places Paul was describing in the song? Yep! My eight year old brain saw all of it in living color.
PENNY LANE by The Beatles
[verse 1]
In Penny Lane, there is a barber showing photographs
Of every head he’s had the pleasure to know
And all the people that come and go
Stop and say, “Hello”
[verse 2]
On the corner is a banker with a motorcar
And little children laugh at him behind his back
And the banker never wears a mac
In the pouring rain, very strange
These are just few examples of song lyrics that induce imagery. I’ve always encouraged songwriters to pick a specific experience that’s meaningful to them personally, and write what they know to be true in that moment. It doesn’t have to be some ground-breaking “ah ha†realization, a grand vision or monumental cognizance. Think simple, modest. What’s ordinary to you could very well be something splendid to others.
Hell, I suppose you could write a song about trying to write a song, and specify the exact time you did that! Hang on…I think that one’s been done
Waiting for the break of day
Searching for something to say
Dancing lights against the sky
Giving up I close my eyes
Sitting cross-legged on the floor
25 or 6 to 4