Interpreting songs

I have recently wondered a lot about whether a prog song has to have it's message, "meaning" . How do you think, do prog artists always want to tell us some story or maybe sometimes they just compose some fine riffs, melodies, put them together and make a good song? I'm talking not about the lyrics only, but also about instrumental pieces.
For example, Tubular Bells. Why these strange roars (I wouldn't call it singing) appear in the second part? What is the point in such original vocals, maybe the only reason was to make something original and that's all? But as far as I am concerned, it reminded me of a werewolf (you can laugh at me if you want).
Another example - Hamburger Concerto. Do you see any particular story on this album? And what about Tales From Toporaphic Oceans?
There are so many other examples, but generally, do you find a "message" or "meaning" of a song important, or fine melody is enough for you? When I listen to some album, I usually feel that there is a story told but often I recognize only few excerpts from it, even if it's instrumental music.
I know that everyone can interpret music in his own way, but if instrumental album is divided into short songs and each has it's own title, the musicians probably wanted to guide us to some story that they tell on the album. A good example of such album is The Snow Goose. Do you imagine some particular tales while listening to instrumental music?
As for lyrics, don't you think that sometimes they are really mysterious? And for an addle-head in interpreting poetry like me it's difficult to guess what the musicians want to express. BTW, are there any topics concerning interpreting lyrics? Sorry, but I can't see the point of a song "I talk to the wind" (for example), of course the rest on this album is obvious but this one is somehow difficult for me... Maybe it would be a good idea to create a topic where we could show our own interpretations of certain songs? If ou're interested in it, of course.

PS. Sorry for my English   

Edited by Harold Demure - March 28 2007 at 18:36

ehh sometimes you cant take it too seriously...that seems to be the problem with a lot of prog

unless a song has an actual story, I'm against interpretation (unless of, course, it's your own).








Edited by Atavachron - March 29 2007 at 05:21

'I Talk To the Wind' was a Giles, Giles & Fripp tune that was used by the band they morphed into, King Crimson, on ItCotCK. But it is essentially a very hippy-dippy, Beatles-esque, Britpop little number and was when KC re-recorded it. What does it mean? It means he talks to the wind.. it's that simple. If you want to hear the real 'I Talk to the Wind', get GG&F's 'Brondesbury Tapes' .. it's a real hoot and a pretty significant link in the early prog chain.

Sometimes songs don't have a meaning. And at times it can be really hard to tell whether the lyrics attempt to be intelligent metaphors or are supposed to be just nonsense. That's why I tend to avoid analysing every song with strange lyrics, I don't like the thought of working really hard to extract a meaning from a song which in reality hasn't got one.

I don't think songs have to have meanings. Sometimes the lyrics are just written to sound good or for imagery or something. And I don't really tend to try to interpret lyrics most of the time.

I never try to find a meaning for instrumental songs because I'm inclined to think musicians don't start these things with a meaning in mind and often don't intend for there to be a real story. The emotion is the only thing that's important.

Edited by Ghandi 2 - March 29 2007 at 22:04

Atavachron wrote: If you want to hear the real 'I Talk to the Wind', get GG&F's 'Brondesbury Tapes' .. it's a real hoot and a pretty significant link in the early prog chain.

Autobahn, is about ride a car, or something right? 

Something makes me a bit dissappointed that some of you think that Yes songs don't have any meaning... but I feel I am forced to concede! by the way, Hi everyone, I'm Graeme! Big Genesis fan mostly (of the "archduke" variety, that's what they call me over on the G forum), but call me a young (21) prog fan who is just starting to explore the genre and is lookin for encouragement/tips on what he may enjoy. Albums I am really into at the mo