Classic Lines / June 22 2007
I was thinking last night, as I was working on some new songs, about my passion for popular songwriting in general, and about my appreciation of good lyrics specifically.
Whilst one can often find infamous and markedly badly-written lines and couplets from modern compositions being quoted in magazines, television and radio programmes and across a thousand beer-soaked, bar-room tables (e.g. I don’t want to see a ghost/It’s the sight that I fear most/I’d rather have a piece of toast - Des’ree, Life), you do not regularly come across references made to the other variety: the high-quality ones.
Apart from a handful of annual industry award ceremonies such as the Ivors, not enough respect is officially afforded - in my opinion - to the talent and craftsmanship that goes into producing a well-written and skilfully composed verse, chorus or single line.
Perhaps I should develop my own awards - ‘The Napoleons’.
I like the sound of that.
I shall periodically be posting others, but for now, here are just a few I find particularly remarkable:
I said, ‘I love you so much, I could die’
She said, ‘Drop dead’ and left with another guy
Elvis Costello, Red Shoes
Say hey good lookin’
Whatcha got cookin’?
How’s about cookin’ something up with me?
Hey sweet baby
Don’t you think maybe
We could find us a brand new recipe?
Hank Williams, Hey Good Lookin’
It’s customary songs like this
Use a word like ‘spoon’
Jimmy Webb, Everybody’s Gone to the Moon
Singles remind me of kisses
Albums remind me of plans
Squeeze, If I Didn’t Love You
Bamba, bamba,
Bamba, bamba
Bamba, bamba, bamba
Traditional, La Bamba
I have not included any of my own compositions. I am just too gosh-darned modest.
I would also be very interested to hear anyone else’s favourites. Please e-mail me or leave a comment here.
Filed under Hank Williams / Music / Pop Music / Song Writing / Songs / Songwriters / Squeeze / Writing
Comments
3 comments on “Classic Lines”
Graham Boffey / June 22nd, 2007 at 6:30 pm
What about the late, great Syd Barrett’s psychedelic homage to two-wheeled exercise:
I’ve got a bike
You can ride it if you like
It’s got a basket, a bell that ring and things to make it look good,
I’d give it to you if I could, but I borrowed it
Ahh, the sixties, heady days.
What about Wire’s I am The Fly, which goes:
I am the fly,
I am the fly,
Fly in the, fly in the ointment
I am the fly,
I am the fly,
Fly in the, fly in the ointment.
I am the fly
I am the fly
I am the fly
I am the fly
Fly in the, fly in the ointment (and repeat)
Once again, the masters of minimalism show their true genius.
Napoleon Fantastic / June 22nd, 2007 at 8:40 pm
Excellent examples young fellow-me-lad!
You know how much I admire those Wire boys.
Keep ‘em coming.
Nelson Galaxy / July 2nd, 2007 at 12:37 pm
My favourite Wire lyric must be:
“I saw you in a mag, kissing a man,
I saw you in a mag, kissing a man,
I saw you in a mag, kissing a man,
12XU.”
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