Music lovers fall into two categories, I think. One either really loves lyrics or one is more into the technicality of the melody and the instruments. My husband is definitely of the latter group and I am of the former.
It’s not that I don’t appreciate the music; I absolutely do. But lyrics…now that’s where the meat of a good song is. That’s where the connection happens. As I was listening to my iPod the other day, I was taking in some Linkin Park songs from “A Thousand Suns”, their newest album. Here’s the thing with Linkin Park, by the way. Love ’em or hate ’em. The lyrics can be a tad on the angry side but there’s this real pain that’s just under the surface and, apparently, I relate on some level. Anyway, power walking was status quo and then my new favorite line surfaced.
I’m swimming in the smoke of bridges I have burned.. So don’t apologize I’m losing what I don’t deserve
I love that. Swimming in the smoke of bridges I have burned. That’s some deep self-realization. Full of regret yet taking their lumps. Maybe I like it because it’s so refreshing.
I started thinking over some of my favorite lines from some of my favorite songs and I realized just how many I really do have. “”Ironic” by Alanis Morisette has some thought provoking words….
An old man turned ninety-eight
He won the lottery and died the next day
It’s a black fly in your Chardonnay
It’s a death row pardon two minutes too late
“Stairway to Heaven” has a few lines I really like but this is the best one…
Yes, there are two paths you can go by
But in the long run
There’s still time to change
The road you’re on
I mean, these aren’t just rhymes. They’re life truths. Want to see me cry on the spot? Let me hear “Remember When” by Alan Jackson.
Remember when old ones died and new were born
And life was changed, disassembled, rearranged
We came together, fell apart
And broke each other’s hearts
Remember when
Is there a line that just grabs you? I don’t need to cry in order for a line to resonate. It doesn’t have to be the equivalent of a Steinbeck novel and here’s a great example.
All right stop collaborate and listen
Ice is back with my brand new invention
Something grabs a hold of me tightly
Flow like a harpoon daily and nightly
Will it ever stop yo I don’t know
Turn off the lights and I’ll glow
Even though I love that song, it was not one of my finer moments lyrically.
Not by a long shot. 