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Atavachron View Drop Down
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Points: 65603 		Direct Link To This Post Topic: Against Interpretation
    Posted: November 04 2006 at 01:24
Unless a lyric has a specific meaning, I prefer not to over-analyze it. But some listeners will interpret a song even if it is abstract or multi-layered. Is this interpretation necessary or does it detract from the artistry of a writer's vision?    
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Points: 912 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: November 04 2006 at 11:01

I believe that a listener accustomed to fine poetry will not feel the need to overanalyse. Generally speaking, some things are better left unexplained and it's often wiser not to try to assign a clear significance to a lyric, but rather to maintain an intimate, not outspoken, relationship with "the meaning" that you read. Words are addressed solely to the listener as a unique experience, they aren't destined to be decodified in the public square for all to see.
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Points: 6336 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: November 04 2006 at 12:27
Originally posted by Uroboros Uroboros wrote:

I believe that a listener accustomed to fine poetry will not feel the need to overanalyse. Generally speaking, some things are better left unexplained and it's often wiser not to try to assign a clear significance to a lyric, but rather to maintain an intimate, not outspoken, relationship with "the meaning" that you read. Words are addressed solely to the listener as a unique experience, they aren't destined to be decodified in the public square for all to see.


True, but at the same time its good to analyse some lyrics that dont seem to have a specific subject, so you can relate certain lines to something in your life or a theme of your own. And I think thats the motivation for many lyricists to write such kind of lyrics
"You want me to play what, Robert?"
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Points: 912 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: November 04 2006 at 23:33
Originally posted by el böthy el böthy wrote:

Originally posted by Uroboros Uroboros wrote:

I believe that a listener accustomed to fine poetry will not feel the need to overanalyse. Generally speaking, some things are better left unexplained and it's often wiser not to try to assign a clear significance to a lyric, but rather to maintain an intimate, not outspoken, relationship with "the meaning" that you read. Words are addressed solely to the listener as a unique experience, they aren't destined to be decodified in the public square for all to see.


True, but at the same time its good to analyse some lyrics that dont seem to have a specific subject, so you can relate certain lines to something in your life or a theme of your own. And I think thats the motivation for many lyricists to write such kind of lyrics
 
I agree. That's exactly why I was saying that the same lyric isn't supposed to work for everybody in the same way, but for each person in a singular way. The meaning you read may be very different from what another reads and that's precisely the beauty of it all.
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Points: 7559 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: November 05 2006 at 17:35
Listening to too much Hammill, Gabriel or Dick will turn you into a lyrics analyst!

And one really curious thing I've noticed about Muse's lyrics is how much better and more significant they and the music around them become if you research them.
The important thing is not to stop questioning.
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Points: 6336 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: November 07 2006 at 17:40
Originally posted by Certif1ed Certif1ed wrote:

Listening to too much Hammill, Gabriel or Dick will turn you into a lyrics analyst!

And one really curious thing I've noticed about Muse's lyrics is how much better and more significant they and the music around them become if you research them.

Bellamys lyrics are superb at being simplistic yet deep at the same time!
"You want me to play what, Robert?"
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Points: 540 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: November 07 2006 at 17:48
I find it really, really, really hard to understand any poetic lyrics, its worse if it's prog, but i never really cared about words, just there musicality.

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