08-18-2015, 09:59 PM
I may be misunderstanding the topic up for debate ...
I view lyrics vs. poetry in light of who is its master. Poetry's high priest is finding the perfect balance between meaning and form. Poetry is all about what the poem says, and how it says it. The words are potent, the structure contrived to hit your brain at just the right angle. Lyrics kowtow to sound. The meaning and complexity of form are secondary to the way it hits the ear at just the right angle, with (or even without) music. What would be an uninspired refrain in poetry becomes a genius, unforgettable hook for lyrics. Not all lyrics are poetry, and not all poetry could be lyrics. A lyrical poem contains enough meaning and structure to stand on it's own without music, but still has a pleasing musical quality that would make the reader sort of hum his own background music.
Anyway, that's how it's all worked out in my brain. Probably not at all what you were talking about. My ability to misunderstand a question can be quite astounding at times. *sigh* But I do so love these conversations. I learn so much from everyone else's insights.
-Quix
I view lyrics vs. poetry in light of who is its master. Poetry's high priest is finding the perfect balance between meaning and form. Poetry is all about what the poem says, and how it says it. The words are potent, the structure contrived to hit your brain at just the right angle. Lyrics kowtow to sound. The meaning and complexity of form are secondary to the way it hits the ear at just the right angle, with (or even without) music. What would be an uninspired refrain in poetry becomes a genius, unforgettable hook for lyrics. Not all lyrics are poetry, and not all poetry could be lyrics. A lyrical poem contains enough meaning and structure to stand on it's own without music, but still has a pleasing musical quality that would make the reader sort of hum his own background music.
Anyway, that's how it's all worked out in my brain. Probably not at all what you were talking about. My ability to misunderstand a question can be quite astounding at times. *sigh* But I do so love these conversations. I learn so much from everyone else's insights.
-Quix
The Soufflé isn’t the soufflé; the soufflé is the recipe. --Clara