A lyrical demise?

I am lyric driven.

My tastes in music are broad, and while they aren't all created equal for me, there is something that is sure to draw me over instrumental barriers and that is a good lyric.

A good lyric can mean any number of things for me. Witty, profound, honest, poetic, any number of things can stand out to me. It isn't uncommon for me to catch a song and listen back to it a few times to really savor the turn of phrase. It's like a good piece of steak to me (apologies to my vegetarian friends).

There is immense power in words. A Proverb warns that "Death and life are in the power of the tongue...", and later it's reiterated that "even so, the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles!"

There is power in words.

It feels we have lost sight of that truth in our culture today. Between social media and 24 hour news(?) cycles, even the concept of truth has been redefined.

Today my attention was turned to a different aspect of this linguistic simplification. I learned of a study that found vocal arrangements in music today are simpler than they used to be. As a matter of fact, they have been getting simpler since 1950.

The study of over 1000 songs found that as technology has increased to create more instrumental "music", the actual construction of lyrics and melodies are getting, well, simpler.

This simplification, this increased reliance on technology and sounds has been steadily rising as our communication skills diminish. We have more ways to communicate than any time in history, and we spend vast amounts of that time sharing pictures of plates of food and emojis, speaking in simplified "code", and relying on auto-correct.

The study was focused on the musical structure of the lyric, but I found the examples used reinforced it wasn't just the NOTES being a simpler line to sing, the LYRIC was often lacking heart.

I immediately began thinking about lyrics that have resonated with me through the years and grieving that we may be losing some of that. Poetry and prose are changing, and while it is natural for language and culture to evolve, I can't help fear that "I love you" in some melodic way could be in danger.

Do yourself a favor and pull up some Nat King Cole and see if it doesn't stir something beyond nostalgia in your soul. Is there any music today that inspires those feelings in you?

I'm not saying music today is bad. I have some personal favorites. But the study is the study, and it just feels like a good time to remind myself that in music, on social media, in life - there is power in words.

Power to unite or divide. Power to inspire or discourage. Power to speak life or death to hearts and dreams.

Despite this silly blog, I like the idea that it is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and confirm it.

I'm going to listen to Mona Lisa from Nat now.

peace.