I remember getting into a debate with someone once about Yes's song Owner of Lonely Heart. Which do you prefer, being the owner of a lonely heart over one of a broken heart. Or better to have loved than not love all? Good or bad, I think the experience wins out.
What other songs meaning have you pondered about? If so, this is your thread.
Posted by Devolution (Member # 1731) on :
Devolution here,
How is pouring sugar on anyone sexy?
We are DEVO
Posted by ISIS (Member # 1780) on :
I don't think I have ever got in to a debate over any of the lyrics of a song ever, but I do think 80s songs...and other decades prior- they wrote songs that had meaning to them.
Look at today's stuff....I was watching E! last night, and they were talking to some Rapper named - I think- Flo- they played pieces of a song by him, I thought what the heck is that.
That dude is probably a millionaire for that garbage.
I can't ever see singing along to music like that...it isn't even singing.
I love songs by Phil Collins and Bruce Hornsby that make you aware of something important.
Posted by 80'sRocked (Member # 6979) on :
quote:Originally posted by ISIS: I love songs by Phil Collins and Bruce Hornsby
"What about me" by Moving Pictures is a great song that always meant a lot to me because I felt same way around that time as the kids mentioned in the song.
Well there's a little boy waiting at the counter of the corner shop He's been waiting down there, waiting half the day, They never ever see him from the top He gets pushed around, knocked to the ground, He gets to his feet and he says...
CHORUS: What about me? It isn't fair I've had enough, now I want my share Can't you see, I wanna live But you just take more than you give
Well, there's a pretty girl serving at the counter of the corner shop She's been waiting back there, waiting for a dream, Her dreams walk in and out, they never stop Well, she's not too proud, to cry out loud She runs to the street and she screams...
CHORUS
More than you give...
Take a step back and see the little people They might be young, but they're the ones that make the big people big So listen as they whisper: "What about me?"
And now I'm standing on the corner, all the world's gone home Nobody's changed, nobody's been saved And I'm feeling cold and alone I guess I'm lucky, I smile a lot But sometimes I wish for more than I've got...
Posted by ISIS (Member # 1780) on :
I just drove 3 hours in a blizzard, and listened to the radio, and I kept thinking about this thread ( and others)...and I drive and change the station alot, because some awful song would come on....
an 80s song would come on like
Heaven by Bryan Adams, and I'd think- isn't that a nice song...
then I'd switch it and there would be Britney Spears singing about how crazy she is..
then I heard Bruce Springsteen singing Born in the U.S.A- and I thought...wow another cool song...
then here comes Kelly Clarkson singing about someone cheating on her..
then I got the Cranberries singing Linger...I thought ...oh that's a nice song...
then it went to Beyonce singing some garbage...
switched it again....
I got Huey Lewis singing "Do You Believe in Love"....that was all nice...
then we go to Carrie Underwood singing about someone cheating on her....
What a mess.
[ 30. January 2009, 18:47: Message edited by: ISIS ]
Posted by MotleyRulz (Member # 3598) on :
Bruce who?
Posted by Riptide (Member # 457) on :
I agree, I refuse to listen to current radio anymore. It's guaranteed disapointment. Just give me a great song once in a while. Where's the I melt with you of the 2000's? One of the few groups I currently like is Green Day, but they have had nothing out since 2004.
80's songs were so good with this big, bold get to the point statements like:
Somebody's Watching me Everybody have fun tonight And the Cradle will rock Let's go Crazy
Not exactly rocket science but right to the point.
Posted by Stitch Groover (Member # 2895) on :
I love current music, and I really like Kelly Clarkson, Britney and Beyonce haha! Plus Madonna, Kylie Minogue, Lady Gaga, Pink, Sheryl Crow, Jill Sobule...
There's always been songs about being cheated on and there are plenty from the 80's -
Cold Hearted Snake - Paula Abdul Don't dream it's over - Crowded House Don't you want me - Human League Tainted Love - Soft Cell Every breath you take - The Police Here comes the rain again - Eurythmics Boys don't cry - The Cure With or without you - U2 Love Bites - Def Leppard It's no secret - Kylie Minogue
"Linger" by the Cranberies (my 2nd favorite song of theirs) is a cheating song too.
Some of the "Disney" pop that's out there (Jonas Brothers, Miley Cyrus, Vanessa Hudgens) reminds me a lot of the 80's, coz it's fun and harmless.
Posted by ISIS (Member # 1780) on :
I know there were cheating songs in the 80s....I never ever mean to say that the 80s didn't have this kind of stuff....what I am saying is ...where are all the good song writers??
Like another song I heard today was "Your Song" by Elton John...
I listened to the lyrics again:
It's a little bit funny this feeling inside I'm not one of those who can easily hide I don't have much money but boy if I did I'd buy a big house where we both could live If I was a sculptor, but then again, no Or a man who makes potions in a travelling show I know it's not much but it's the best I can do My gift is my song and this one's for you And you can tell everybody this is your song It may be quite simple but now that it's done I hope you don't mind I hope you don't mind that I put down in words How wonderful life is while you're in the world I sat on the roof and kicked off the moss Well a few of the verses well they've got me quite cross But the sun's been quite kind while I wrote this song It's for people like you that keep it turned on So excuse me forgetting but these things I do You see I've forgotten if they're green or they're blue Anyway the thing is what I really mean Yours are the sweetest eyes I've ever seen
________________________
I thought about it....and thought where are people like Stevie Nicks, Lindsey Buckingham, Kenny Loggins, Bono, Sting, Huey Lewis, and so many others...who could write these incredible songs that everyone could relate to them.
I know people relate to cheating....but it also is how the song is written too.
I miss songs about LOVE.
Posted by Riptide (Member # 457) on :
I heard the new U2 song Boots on recently, didn't impress me, in fact there's some parts of it that sound like the Escape Club's Wild West, very bizarre. Then it makes sense when I think back to Beautiful Day having elements of Ah-a's take on me.
Posted by 80'sRocked (Member # 6979) on :
The thing I don't like about alot of today's "artists" is that they don't write their own music or lyrics. Spears and Clarkson fall into this category. Actually, most all of the American Idol singers do. Most of them can sing pretty good, but you have to be able to write your own material.
Posted by saturnchick (Member # 7524) on :
After reading the posts about current radio music I have to agree that I rarely listen to music on the radio anymore. Thanks to my iPod, I have my very own portable jukebox, so I can filter out all of the current chart hits, but still get my music fill.
Although I don't like current radio programming as a whole, there are always a few current singles that I enjoy here and there, and I add them to my iPod. Additionally, I think that there are some worthwhile bands out there. Some are popular, but most are relatively obscure and don't get a lot of radio play. It's not that there isn't any good music, or any good singer/songwriters out there, it's just that you have to look a little harder for them.
For instance, I like a few popular bands/artists like Coldplay, The Killers, No Doubt, U2, Pink, and Green Day.
Some radio singles I enjoyed recently: "Love Remains the Same" by Gavin Rossdale, "The Fear" by Lily Allen, "Rock N Roll Train" by AC/DC, "Shattered" by O.A.R., "Let it Rock" by Kevin Rudolf, "Mercy" by Duffy, "American Boy" by Estelle, "Black Winged Bird" by Nina Persson and "Misery Business" by Paramore.
There are tons of lesser-known bands/artists that are making good music. The Kaiser Chiefs, Arcade Fire, The Ting Tings, Keane, Doves, Vampire Weekend, Lenka, Shiny Toy Guns, Lucky Soul, New Pornographers, and Clear Static are all bands that have had really good albums come out recently.
Posted by ISIS (Member # 1780) on :
What kind of names are: Vampire Weekend, Shiny Toy Guns, and New Pornographers....
Doesn't anybody honestly see the subliminal messages been sent out through that kind of stuff.
I have been listening to Hand to Mouth- and thinking wow this song sounds like something that should be being played right now...I saw George Michael's biography the other night- and I thought look what the heck happened to him.
I was listening to the 70s channel this morning and was thinking about songs by The Eagles and other bands who wrote really nice music...like:
Peaceful Easy Feeling and One of These Nights.
Then I started thinking about the band "Bread", and how every song they did was so NICE.
What happened to NICE. That's all I am saying... I am trying to say that I am sick of hearing people screaming and yelling and swearing in songs. Nobody actually sings any more, and all the young female artists just trash themselves all over the place....it's just sad.
I miss Carly Simon and James Taylor.
I miss Shaun Cassidy and Andy Gibb and The Bee Gees.
I miss Sonny and Cher and Donny and Marie.
I miss bands like The Commodores.
I don't know how music has transitioned to what it is now.
Posted by saturnchick (Member # 7524) on :
With all due respect to your opinion ISIS, and I do respect it - I like a couple of artists that you mentioned, like George Michael and the Bee Gees - but I don't think that it's fair to judge a band's music by their name. It's very presumptive. I'm certainly sure that some of the bands that I've named are not your style, or perhaps none of them are your style, but a band should be judged by their musical skills, and not by their names or the clothes that they wear.
If you are looking for singer songwriters like Carly Simon and James Taylor, why not try picking up the Duffy album, or Alison Krauss's collaboration with Rober Plant? Perhaps you might like Lenka, or Sufjan Stevens. John Mayer and The Fray aren't really my cup of tea, but perhaps you'd appreciate the softer sound and lyrics that they produce. Steve Reynolds, Holly Conlon, Cat Power, Colby Caillet, and Yael Naim are also on the softer side, and they avoid cursing and suggestive language if that sort of stuff offends you.
Now, I'm not really offended by the "subliminal suggestion" of names like Vampire Weekend, Shiny Toy Guns, and New Pornographers...truthfully I hadn't even thought about it, and I know that the band Vampire Weekend got their name from a movie that the lead singer produced. Shiny Toy Guns dervied their name from a fable-like song that they wrote before the release of their first album.
But seriously, the notion of subliminal messaging, or tongue-in-cheek lyrics are nothing new in the musical world. Suggestive lyrics and band names have existed as long as popular music has existed. For example, you mention George Michael, who I happen to like. Given your criteria, wouldn't "I Want Your Sex" and "Father Figure" be considered suggestive?
Take a look at the songs from the 80's: "She Bop" by Cyndi Lauper, "Turning Japanese" by the Vapors, "Dancing With Myself" by Billy Idol, and "The Stroke" by Billy Squire are all about masturbation. "Mickey" by Toni Basil is about oral sex. Think about how suggestive the title "Armageddon It" by Def Leppard, is. Iron Maiden is named after medieval sexual torture device! The names Cheap Trick and the Doobie Brothers could be interpreted as suggestive...
Now, as far as songs being "nice" are concerned, I kind of getting what you mean, but I'm not really concerned with nice, as much as I am concerned with a song that is aesthetically pleasing to me. I've already names some of the things that I enjoy, so I'm not going to bother to do that again, but even songs that sound "nice" aren't necessarily what they appear to be. What do you think the song "Sugar Sugar" by The Archies is about? It's not about candy, I can tell you that. James Taylor's own "Fire and Rain" is about heroin addiction. Andy Gibb's "Shadow Dancing" is about sex.
Anyway, the couple of points that I'm trying to make are that: a) good singer-song writer music does exist, and there is plenty without suggestive lyrics and subliminal undertones.
b)if you are looking for music like the Osmonds, and Shaun Cassidy, I guess today's equivalent (unfortunately) is the likes of the Jonas Brothers, Jesse McCartney, and Miley Cyrus. You may not like the Jonas Brothers, but what they are producing, is the 2009 equivalent of the Osmonds and the Cassidys. It's middle-of-the-road, unoffensive, bubblegum pop produced for the mostly adolescent masses and it sounds happy and friendly. The Jonas Brothers write their own music, and Miley writes some of her stuff, too.
c)try not to judge a band's music by its name. Maybe you'll be surprised and find a new artist that you like.
Posted by ISIS (Member # 1780) on :
Saturnchick-I don't mean to be picking on you or your music, and your right I do not even have a clue what those people/bands music is like, or what they are singing about...
It is the wording of stuff...everything seems to have a word in it that connects to blood and violence or sex....and I do know that all of that stuff exists in everything....
I did like the song "Say What You Need to Say"- by John Mayer. But, I couldn't listen to it over and over.
I have been racking my brain trying to honestly think of a current song out now...by anybody that I have heard, other than the over use of the song "Mercy" by Duffy. I do like that song...but they have played it in EVERYTHING.
She actually sounds like something from the 60's.
I wish they would make MORE songs like that.
I know it is wrong for me to judge something without hearing it, so sorry about that...it's just I am sick of screaming .....and if they want to make that kind of music- then whatever...but can't ANYONE anywhere make main stream TOP 40 style music, that I don't have to look all the place for? The American TOP 40 count down of the 80s....was new music every week. What I am trying to explain again, is that there isn't even an American Top 40 anymore...they can't even get a Top 10....let alone 40.
I can't think of 10 songs in 10 years that I would go buy. In the 80s I can think of 10 songs by Rock Springfield or Journey that I would have bought. I know Rick Springfield sang about sex, and so did Journey but it was in a more subtle and romantic way than Bootylicious.
Posted by ISIS (Member # 1780) on :
Saturnchick-Please post a link to a few of your favorite songs from today...and I'll listen to them.
Posted by saturnchick (Member # 7524) on :
No worries, ISIS. I didn't think you were attacking me personally or anything. I'm pretty passionate about music, and I love music from all generations and genres, so I guess I felt the need to weigh in on the subject.
I'd be happy to share some songs with you. I'm not certain if you'll care for them, but maybe you'll uncover a song or two that suits your fancy.
Scissor Sisters - "Don't Feel Like Dancing". I like this band, but not all the songs. They have an Elton John-meets-Bee Gees-feel: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cxwIWt9_Uqc
Gavin Rossdale - "Love Remains the Same". I LOVE the chorus of the song, and the crescendo during the last minute of the song. The line, "drink, to all that we have lost..." gives me chills. Who can't relate to that sentiment in some capicity? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8R8Qvm24dbU
Gwen Stefani - "Early Winter". No Doubt is my favorite band, and I'm not particularly crazy about Gwen's solo stuff, but this song is one of my favorites. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ouYlyDsWUXA
The Killers - "Read My Mind". A moderate radio hit from the Las Vegas band. They are better known for "Mr. Brightside" and "Somebody Told Me". http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Oec8RuwVVs
The thing with the groups mentioned like Shiny Toy Guns, Vampire Weekend, New Pornographers is that those bands sound nothing like at all in reference to their naames. Vampire Weekend is actually clean sounding Peter Gabriel influenced college rock. Shiny Toy guns is synth 80's influenced, and New Pornographers is melodic power pop. No screaming or controversy to do with any of those bands. There's good music out there, you just have to look a bit harder. I like a wide array of music, always have and always will. There was a lot of controversial, cutting edge 80's music as well, there was a lot of other genres that I liked besides the pop spectrum.
Posted by J2ME (Member # 5728) on :
Riptide-I asked my husband if he ever heard of any of those bands, and he said go look Vampire Weekend up on You Tube....I tried one song, couldn't get through 30 seconds of it. It was called A-Punk, it was awful...so then I clicked on "Oxford Comma"- the fourth word in the "song" was the f-word. That isn't my idea of music, that's not even what I call singing. That's not what I call "clean" sounding either.
I have heard the song -Somewhere Only We Know-it's not too bad.
Saturnchick-Thanks for posting all those songs...I am going to listen to them all. I am curious about how old you are?
I Don't Feel Like Dancin-That sounds like something from the 70s...if I don't look at the video then I think it's Ok.
I really appreciate you guys adding your music on here, because I know that most songs that come on the radio...I only hear about 30 seconds of the song, and if it doesn't grab me, then I switch the channel....so I rarely ever make it through a new song.
I think the last newer song that I like even a little bit was Linkin Park's "In the End".
I have to get ready to go see Gran Torino, so I will be back later to check these out some more.
Posted by xchazx (Member # 7158) on :
isis, if you are familiar with downloading songs, i would gladly send you a mix tape file of some more modern songs that you may like. i'll stay away from anything too loud or raunchy. there is a lot of good emo stuff out there from the 90's before emo became a bad word.
i like to use mediafire. if you are familar with downloading, just let me have your email address and i'll send you a file to upload and listen to. i'll include music from the 80's, 90's and 00's.
Posted by saturnchick (Member # 7524) on :
J2ME - I really enjoy Keane's musics. "Somewhere Only We Know" and "Is it Any Wonder?" are my two favorite songs.
ISIS - I'm 31 years old. I can see why you wouldn't have liked Vampire Weekend - it doesn't fit in with the sound of the music that you described liking. It took a while for them to grow on me; more than most bands do.
Posted by J2ME (Member # 5728) on :
I'm going to see Keane in 2 weeks at the O2 Arena. I've only really started to appreciate them over the last 6 months or so, but there is no denying they write incredibly catchy tunes.
Isis, I think you should listen to a few more of their songs. They have a new album out that has a definite 80s feel to it.
Posted by Stitch Groover (Member # 2895) on :
Check out "You" by Wes Carr, it has a cool retro bluesy vibe to it
I like the video for "YOU"- Wes Carr-He looks like he dressed from the 80s, with his shoes and his hat and blazer. But, I wasn't crazy about the song. It was better than alot of other stuff. But, it isn't something I'd run and buy and play over and over.
I liked the song "Warwick Avenue"- but not as much as Mercy. Duffy has a good voice- her voice doesn't seem like it's really coming out of her mouth... I picture it coming from Natalie Cole or Gladys Knight.
Posted by jdocster (Member # 5752) on :
quote:Originally posted by Devolution: Devolution here,
How is pouring sugar on anyone sexy?
We are DEVO
Sometimes "sugar" is a metaphor...
Posted by Mr. Jack Burton (Member # 4673) on :
