Lyrics: Fact or Fiction ?

Lisnaholic · 06-02-2013, 04:05 PM

^ Yes, a story in a song has a lot of appeal, and your one, clocking in at over eight minutes is quite an acheivement. It sounds like Alfred Noyes, along with many writers of the Victorian-Edwardian era had a taste for death and melodrama. Especially in the early part of that period, ballads were often written about famous true murder cases. Here´s one example with some nice old photos to go with:-

But speaking in general, I agree with what the other posters are saying - it´s all about the singer´s delivery, and what they can convince us of. For instance, Witney Houston´s "I will always love you" sounds much more heartfelt to me than the Dolly Parton original, although it was presumably DP who actually felt sad enough to write the song in the first place.

So I suppose that singing has more to do with acting than fact or fiction - which of course your avatar guy, David Bowie, realized from the start of his glittering career.

Who are the other stars and failures of singer-as-actor, I wonder ?

Stephen · 06-02-2013, 06:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lisnaholic

So I suppose that singing has more to do with acting than fact or fiction

It really does. Especially when you consider the gulf between many singers' stage persona and their off stage personalities.

I guess traditionally music was a way of passing down knowledge. I wonder if traveling minstrels ever had the sort of cult status afforded artists today?

Lisnaholic · 06-04-2013, 10:33 AM

^ Good call, Necromancer ! Reminded me of two other songs of the same era, although they are only celebrating music festivals rather than "hard news": Woodstock and Monterey.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stephen

I wonder if traveling minstrels ever had the sort of cult status afforded artists today?

Yeah, I wonder too; they may not´ve been signing t-shirts after their concerts, but I bet they found a groupie of two in the taverns ...

And this guy built up such a reputation for himself that he´s still remembered 800 years down the line:-

Quote:

Blondel de Nesle was a French trouvère.

The name 'Blondel de Nesle' is attached to twenty-four or twenty-five courtly songs. He was identified as Jean II of Nesle (near Amiens), who was nicknamed 'Blondel' for his long blond hair. He married at the time of his father's death in 1202, and that same year, went on the Fourth Crusade... which may explain the subsequent legend linking him with Richard I of England.

If the works are correctly identified and dated, he was a significant influence on his European contemporaries, who made much use of his melodies. (The melody of "L'amours dont sui espris" is used in Carmina Burana, for the song "Procurans Odium"). His works are fairly conventional, and several have been recorded in modern times.

(Thank you, wikipedia.)

Necromancer · 06-02-2013, 08:23 PM

A lot of lyrics during the late 60s and into the early 70s were often a form of social commentary. Like Marvin Gaye's Whats Going On and Inner City Blues for example. These particular songs (and numerous others by various artist) resonated either political, social, or economic themes.

This (protest) song dealt with the shooting and killing of four college students at Kent State University in 1970.

Written and composed by Neil Young.

06-02-2013, 04:05 PM	#1 (permalink)
Lisnaholic ...here to hear... Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: He lives on Love Street Posts: 4,444	^ Yes, a story in a song has a lot of appeal, and your one, clocking in at over eight minutes is quite an acheivement. It sounds like Alfred Noyes, along with many writers of the Victorian-Edwardian era had a taste for death and melodrama. Especially in the early part of that period, ballads were often written about famous true murder cases. Here´s one example with some nice old photos to go with:- But speaking in general, I agree with what the other posters are saying - it´s all about the singer´s delivery, and what they can convince us of. For instance, Witney Houston´s "I will always love you" sounds much more heartfelt to me than the Dolly Parton original, although it was presumably DP who actually felt sad enough to write the song in the first place. So I suppose that singing has more to do with acting than fact or fiction - which of course your avatar guy, David Bowie, realized from the start of his glittering career. Who are the other stars and failures of singer-as-actor, I wonder ? __________________ "Am I enjoying this moment? I know of it and perhaps that is enough." - Sybille Bedford, 1953

06-02-2013, 08:23 PM	#4 (permalink)
Necromancer Divination Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 2,655	A lot of lyrics during the late 60s and into the early 70s were often a form of social commentary. Like Marvin Gaye's Whats Going On and Inner City Blues for example. These particular songs (and numerous others by various artist) resonated either political, social, or economic themes. This (protest) song dealt with the shooting and killing of four college students at Kent State University in 1970. Written and composed by Neil Young.