Some of you know that I'm a teacher of writing and literature at a technical college. Well, in my Introduction to Lit courses right now, we're into the poetry section, and tomorrow I'm introducing my students to the work of Billy Collins, a former poet laureate of the United States.
We're starting with an article by Collins that was publish in Poetry journal, called "My Grandfather's Tackle Box: The Limits of Memory-Driven Poetry," in which the poet admits that he had little experience with his grandparents and that, in fact, as far as he knows his grandfather never had a tackle-box --- and that it doesn't matter, when it comes to writing a poem about it.My first question to you, dear moggers, is "How important is it for musicians/writers/songwriters/poets to have actually experienced what they write about?"
My second question, which is more of an invitation, is "Will you list for me one or two songs that (as far as you know) address a real-life experience and one or two that clearly are not based in reality but in something else?" And which do you like better? And why?
Right now I'm listening to a group I've never heard before, thanks to a Multiply friend. It's a song called "Dressed in Smoke," and I'm studying the lyrics like poetry, trying to figure it out:
Dressed up in smoke And yellow wolf skin You spin and spin Skeletal girl with eyes like the dream I woke up in All tails and fins She held a red apple up To my lips Ghost of brother at my hip Her taste, like blood On my fingertips Ghost of brother at my hip Are you merely the spirit of these Bones that shelter me You spin and spin She opened her legs To show me Show me mercy Ghost of brother at my hip She held a red apple Up to my lips Ghost of brother at my hip Her taste, like blood On my fingertips Ghost of brother at my hip
Interpretations?
Here's a link to the Deadboy website:
http://www.deadboyandtheelephantmen.com/
My Trusted MOGs
I think whether or not a song has a basis in reality has little or no bearing on the effect of the song (or poem), depending on the skill of the artist. I've heard countless songs that are based in fact but have no emotional effect on me.
One song that is based on first-hand experience and historical details is "When the tigers broke free" by Pink Floyd. This song evokes an extremely profound response in almost anyone I've played it for.
On the flip side you have almost any song by "Coheed and Cambria". All of their songs are part of a science-fiction story. However, most of their songs carry emotional substance, such as "Wake Up" or "The Light and The Glass".
Long story short, it doesnt matter to me whether it's fact or fiction if the writer can make me believe. =)
My Trusted MOGs
I appreciate fantasy and paradox and imagery in song lyrics. The best examples I can think of right now is the "tunnel, from my window to yours".
Good Charlotte syndrome: when a band constantly makes music about them/their problems, particularly when it's about what a pain being famous is
I'm put off by bands that do epic fantasy storytelling. I avoid the CD equivalents of cheap, fat paperback books with a bad graphic of a monster and a warrior on the cover.
My Trusted MOGs
I totally agree. Well, wait a minute. I do like Joanna Newsom, who often rambles on and on about a theme and doesn't really have a melody, but satisfies me somehow with her voice and words.
My Trusted MOGs
Excellent points, Hiro. And I forgot to say that the above comment was in response to Charm and Strange. I wish I could have both of you come and speak in my class.