Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Music as Poetry: A Comparison

I'm not sure about the other classes but for our class this was one of those earlier debated topics in the semester. Does music count as poetry? That is very simplified and everything but the basic points brought out in the debate were such that lyrics in music generally do not have enough to make for a good poem by themselves. It is agreeable that most music wouldn't cut it. I agree after reading much more poetry this semester, I can see how the two differ. But I still think some artists are more artistic than others and some music out there just has those great lyrics. So I have chosen a song to post that I think shows both great lyrics and great (but simple) music. Also, instead of choosing a song from our culture I have chosen a Canadian band that is not as well known here, this way we don't have the cliché example of say "stairway to heaven" (but another good example none-the-less).
The other half of this post is for people to comment with lyrics of songs they think show poetic form. Try to show poetic language and techniques such as enjambent in the lyrics by breaking them in to stanzas and lines. I will post my example below, you do not need to have a video (it is optional) but post the lyrics for the song at the very least and lets see how they look without the music.

"Left & Leaving" by The Weakerthans

My city's still breathing (but barely it's true)
through buildings gone missing like teeth.
The sidewalks are watching me think about you,
sparkled with broken glass.
I'm back with scars to show.
Back with the streets I know.
Will never take me anywhere but here.

The stain in the carpet, this drink in my hand,
the strangers whose faces I know.
We meet here for our dress-rehearsal to say, "I wanted it this way"
wait for the year to drown.
Spring forward, fall back down.
I'm trying not to wonder where you are.

All this time
lingers undefined.
Someone choose
who's left and who's leaving.

Memory will rust and erode into lists
of all that you gave me:
a blanket, some matches, this pain in my chest,
the best parts of Lonely,
duct-tape and soldered wires,
new words for old desires,
and every birthday card I threw away.

I wait in 4/4 time
count yellow highway lines
that you're relying on to lead you home

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1 comment:

  1. mellamospatMay 5, 2011 at 7:32 AM

    I feel sometimes that it depends on the type of poetry you read or write. Lots of poets use tough language because it sounds better, but some use simple direct language which i like. Music is a little harder to consider as poetry though, because it tends to be simple word use with predictable ryhmes, and no one really likes that in a poem.

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