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Points: 287 		Direct Link To This Post Topic: Prog Lyrics
    Posted: August 18 2005 at 09:50
Originally posted by chopper chopper wrote:

I too cringe over Circus Of Heaven, but one could argue that it makes more sense thatn CTTE. I mean I know what unicorns and angels are, but I never did figure out what a "seasoned witch" was. Is it one that's had salt and pepper sprinkled on her?

Many of Anderson's lyrics were meant to just flow with the music.  Some of his lyrics do make me cringe a bit like "I See You," but the lyrics to songs like "Heart of the Sunrise" and "Gates of Delirium" are exquisite. As for the lyrics to CTTE, I really enjoy them, even though they don't make much sense, for I think it adds to the overall effect of the song, especially at the end.  Also, I believe a seasoned witch would be an experienced witch.

And I am not frightened of dying, any time will do, I
don't mind. Why should I be frightened of dying?
There's no reason for it, you've gotta go sometime.
I never said I was frightened of dying.
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Points: 20030 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: August 18 2005 at 08:14

Originally posted by xhouse xhouse wrote:

The line between great and grotesque is thin. Great lyrics make a great
prog epic, just as bad lyrics can ruin an otherwise fine piece of music.
Unfortunately, prog lyrics can quickly become laughable. Jon Anderson is
master of both the great and the grotesque. Close to the Edge vs Circus
of Heaven, for example.

I think this is one reason why, as I have grown older, I have gravitated
towards Italian Prog. When I was but a lad, I needed to understand what
was being sung. I had a hard time accepting foreign language lyrics. As I
grew older and realized just how stupid most prog lyrics are, I began to
appreciate those scenarios where I could enjoy the pure beauty of the
creation without having to cringe over the banality of the lyrics. It puts a
higher premium on the quality of the voice, but prog should be held to a
higher standard, no?

I too cringe over Circus Of Heaven, but one could argue that it makes more sense thatn CTTE. I mean I know what unicorns and angels are, but I never did figure out what a "seasoned witch" was. Is it one that's had salt and pepper sprinkled on her?
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Points: 596 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: August 17 2005 at 13:15
Quote The translated lyrics often sound silly, specially when faithful to the original. But if you listen to the original, even if you understand it, it doesn't sound silly at all.
 
Good point man!
I have that experience with brazillian songs.
Sometimes, when I translate english lyrics to portuguese, I have a bit of frustation.
Recently, I had it reading Uriah Heep lyrics.
But there are great lyrics too.
I think lyrics, as title of songs, are very important to you understand the real intentions of composer.
You have to know what composer means with his music to understand his artwork at all.
That's my point of view.


Edited by Prog-Brazil
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Points: 120 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: August 17 2005 at 12:43
Originally posted by xhouse xhouse wrote:

The line between great and grotesque is thin. Great lyrics make a great
prog epic, just as bad lyrics can ruin an otherwise fine piece of music.
Unfortunately, prog lyrics can quickly become laughable. Jon Anderson is
master of both the great and the grotesque. Close to the Edge vs Circus
of Heaven, for example.

I think this is one reason why, as I have grown older, I have gravitated
towards Italian Prog. When I was but a lad, I needed to understand what
was being sung. I had a hard time accepting foreign language lyrics. As I
grew older and realized just how stupid most prog lyrics are, I began to
appreciate those scenarios where I could enjoy the pure beauty of the
creation without having to cringe over the banality of the lyrics. It puts a
higher premium on the quality of the voice, but prog should be held to a
higher standard, no?



It is not uncommon to find a <insert your country> musician recording songs from a foreign band or artist. The translated lyrics often sound silly, specially when faithful to the original. But if you listen to the original, even if you understand it, it doesn't sound silly at all.

I think this exposes our familiarity (or lack thereof) with languages others than our own. We certainly carry a better knowledge of our home language and, consequently, a more refined criticism.
Klaatu Barada Nikto!
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Points: 4828 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: August 17 2005 at 12:01
^ For same reason it's hard for me to listen finnish rock/popmusic, as it's impossible to escape to silliness of most of the lyrics. It's much easier to concentrate to music only, when the singing is done in foreing landguage.
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Points: 83 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: August 17 2005 at 11:19
The line between great and grotesque is thin. Great lyrics make a great
prog epic, just as bad lyrics can ruin an otherwise fine piece of music.
Unfortunately, prog lyrics can quickly become laughable. Jon Anderson is
master of both the great and the grotesque. Close to the Edge vs Circus
of Heaven, for example.

I think this is one reason why, as I have grown older, I have gravitated
towards Italian Prog. When I was but a lad, I needed to understand what
was being sung. I had a hard time accepting foreign language lyrics. As I
grew older and realized just how stupid most prog lyrics are, I began to
appreciate those scenarios where I could enjoy the pure beauty of the
creation without having to cringe over the banality of the lyrics. It puts a
higher premium on the quality of the voice, but prog should be held to a
higher standard, no?

Between Thought and Expression Lies True Perception
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Points: 4828 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: August 17 2005 at 11:06
Peter Hammil truly concentrated on writing lyrics! Peter Sinfield and Neil Peart have also written fine texts.
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Points: 60 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: August 17 2005 at 10:52
These ideas with their long multi sections and different pieces are a newer version of the old strolling minstrals. They would use thier music to tell tales. Today and biggest in the 70s, Prog band are continuing this. They give us a chance to imagine  new things or just give us a nice story to to escape for the hell of reality for a while. And give us something to talk about.

And Fractal is so right, Tolken was huge, just go through the indexes here and see all the band names that came from Tolken.
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Points: 120 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: August 17 2005 at 10:42
I certainly do. It is well worth listening to and understanding them. Lyrics are one of the "pluses" in progressive rock that differentiate it from other less deep and elaborated styles.

Regards from the capital.


Edited by fractal
Klaatu Barada Nikto!
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Points: 596 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: August 17 2005 at 10:30
Right fractal !
Do you like that lyrics?
Do you thinks it is worth to listen?

Regards from south Brazil.
Let the sunshine in
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Points: 120 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: August 17 2005 at 09:54
It is quite an important element of the 70'ies progressive rock. Fantasy and sci-fi are practically the fuel of some major progressive rock bands. Without them, great concept albums wouldn't be created.

For instance, the whole Tolkien influence that was popular at that time.
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Points: 596 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: August 17 2005 at 09:05

I don't know if there is any topic about it, anyway...
What do you think about rock progressive lyrics and themes ?
(I'm talking about tales, legends and general themes used by musicians specially in senventies..)
Let the sunshine in
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