I was listening to U2 the other night after I got off work, and I had two strong feelings.
1. I need to listen to more music.
2. I want to write lyrics.
Music has always been a big part of my life and an especially big part of my writing life. But, lately I’ve been ignoring it for podcasts and videos. Music moves me and pushes me in new directions, and I miss it.
I have never enjoyed poetry and it’s not for lack of exposure. I have a degree I earned by reading more poetry than you can imagine and not nearly enough fiction. Poetry, for me, has always seemed too abstract, and maybe that sounds weird coming from someone who studies philosophy, but in philosophy I describe abstract ideas with the simplest and clearest language I can. With poetry, it feels like the language itself gets in the way.
This is not a fair assessment of poetry, I know, and I have always felt like there’s something I’m missing, especially because I love musical lyrics. What are lyrics but poetry set to music? Well, I claim this fake distinction that lyrics are more grounded. I still sometimes ask of lyrics, “What the hell does that mean?” But, they feel less pretentious somehow and not so frustratingly difficult to understand.
Whether I call it poetry or lyrics, I want to write in that non-prose style. Experience tells me it’s probably not going to be good, because despite my lack of interest in reading poetry, I did for a time write some angsty poems myself. Those poems are under password protection and will never see the light of day.
I’m going to listen to some good music and try to write. Maybe one day I’ll be brave enough to share that writing with you and maybe on that day you can pretend not to be embarrassed for me.
{ 10 comments… read them below or add one }
Poetry was once my favorite form of writing. It was the only way I wrote … I haven’t written a poem in several years. Though I miss it, I’m somewhat happy to say goodbye to that type of writing in my life. I feel as if the best poems come from great conflict/heartbreak, and it’s okay that I don’t have that in my life at the moment.
Lyrics, to me, are slightly different, but not much. They can be as vague or as clear as you want them to be. If I want to write a poem or something similar, I like to listen to music without words. I don’t like for other lyrics/words to influence my own; I make up my own words based on how I feel while listening to the music.
Good luck in writing!
I was half expecting Tom to already have commented on how great U2′s lyrics are :) Much love, Tom-man!
Anyway, yeah, I can totally feel you here. I’m ever listening to songs and loving the lyrics. That whole “Music is my Boyfriend” term that is so over used is so true. It always knows the right thing to say, even when I don’t.
I’ve written some lyrics in my Journal. When I write them, I think they suck real bad (like BuckCherry suck) – but then when I look back a few years later I think “Wow, Katie had some talent”.
You should write a song called “I love Katie.” It’d sell. Probably. Not.
Well, far be it from me to deny Katie that pleasure, but U2 does have some great, great lyrics so it’s not surprising that you were inspired! ;-)
I’ve definitely found myself getting away from poetry, and I’m pretty sure I’ve blogged about this before; I’m definitely a prose man and poetry, and thus lyrics, have always alluded me. I have a theory, though, that really good rock music is the new poetry in terms of the far reaching effect it can have. Most poets are relatively unknown and are only writing for other poets and academics. But I would say that someone like Bob Dylan is the current Great American Poet, and has been for many years.
I’d say give poetry a try though, or go back to it I should say. It’s a great way to express emotions/feelings/ideas because you don’t have to worry about a narrative per se. Just try not to think too much about it or you’ll trip yourself up. Also, I can help point you towards good music as well- or at least some more U2. I do know a little bit about them, haha.
I’m not an avid reader of poetry. There are occasions in which I’ll read something, but not often by any means. I feel the same way that you do when it comes to poetry though I’m under-exposed you might say. I’ve written a few pieces myself in the past, but all of them are unstructured, free-style if you will. One day I might be brave enough to post mine as well.
I’d love to write lyrics but I am not sure that I’d be any good at that. Does that mean I’m in love with the thought of writing lyrics? Of course I’d also love to be a singer. Then there’s the whole issue of stage fright…
Poetry is on the same level as certain types of modern art, for me. Some of it can be way too flowery and pretentious, and just trying way too hard to be something it’s not. However, there are a few good poets out there like William Cullen Bryant and Lord Byron :)
Funny you should write about this, because lately I’ve been thinking a lot about how music should be a BIGGER part of my life.
I used to write more lyrics and poems and life has kind of gotten in the way. too busy writing other things, like newspaper articles and blogs! I want to get back into writing lyrics/poems though. It gave me a way to express myself that I can’t even do in my blogs, really. and I agree, some poetry can be awfully pretentious and confusing, and then it loses its meaning or effect simply because I can’t understand it. but most songs can, using simple words, evoke powerful emotion.
This is a great idea. I’m totally biased in favor of writing lyrics. Non-prose writing is great. And don’t just listen to good music, listen to bad music, too, so you know what to avoid.
As someone who writes poetry – more infrequently than I’d like – I find lyrics nearly impossible. Without that tune in my head, I can’t imagine trying to write them from nothing, and yet I’m not terribly musically inclined (as in I’m inept when it comes to playing an instrument), so I find myself stuck in any attempts.
I wish you luck and would love if you shared some of yours! Then maybe some hints as to how you do it, ha, for those who find it a challenge.
Music lyrics and poetry are different. I write poetry, but I don’t do the double meanings but get straight to the point. Some lyrics I just don’t get it at all; silly words that mean nothing.
I hope you do share your poetry with us some day. Your writing is very good. Your poetry should be wonderful.