Prog often Plagued by Poor Lyrics?

 

I would say there are many songs that have had relevance and caused epiphanies in my life. And of course that covers a wide spectrum of music, not merely prog. I don't see how anyone cannot be moved by Lennon's "Imagine" or "Working Class Hero", or Dylan's "It's alright Ma (I'm only Bleeding) and "Masters of War". Peter Gabriel's "Biko" or "Here Comes the Flood" are also cause for reflection.

 

Perhaps what some folks are getting at here is because so much of progressive rock deals with fantasy, science fiction or impressionistic vocal renderings, that there is not a great deal of "meaningful" lyrics; but then, from a stylistic standpoint, I would have to say that rock in general is downright trogloyditic and mostly deals with trying to get into women's pants. Which is a fairly natural expectation when you're in a band.

What is prog? Doesn't that depend on your definition of the word? According to this site, Rush were heavy prog and MB were psychedelic crossover pop prog, and Styx were (prog related? I don't remember where the site has them). I could say Yes were hard rock, I could say Genesis were symphonic rock. I could say JT were just hard folk. 

At any rate, I thought Elf was being sarcastic.

There are poor lyrics in every genre of music, including prog  However, unlike other genres, the lyrics in prog are usually good and are often excellent.

Sounded to me like sarcasm that was trying to make a serious point beneath it - i.e., "your definition of prog is so strict that prog may as well not exist." Which is of course bullsh*t, because those three bands don't exhibit any of the qualities associated with prog, such as demanding or unconventional song structures. And no, Genesis and Yes could not similarly be reduced away, because they actually do have those qualities. 

Anyway, back to lyrics - it seems to me like you're just trying to arbitrarily what is or isn't emotional or "human" and box it in. Music is always going to be human, because as far as we know we're the only ones who can even appreciate it in the sense we think about it. So no, Close to the Edge isn't somehow less human, and many people do find it emotional. I'm tired of this mentality that "it's only human and emotional if it talks about a breakup, or some obvious feeling of sorrow or anger." The whole point of progressive music is to find new modes of expression. Why not have subject matter that's more removed from daily experience? Pop and alt rock seem to have solidified the notion that the pinnacle of human emotion is how a sixteen year old feels after getting dumped, and that anything that deviates from that deviates from being "emotional," which really means "music how I like it and f**k anyone trying to be different wink wink." Tired of the reactionary crap, tired of the chauvinism. Write lyrics about whatever you want. "Real music for real people, no prog allowed!" is crap. Real people listen to prog and actually enjoy its lyrics, imagine that. 

If you prefer lyrics that deal with your definition of human and emotional, there's music for you everywhere. At least let us have our little corner where we can do something else for once, because some people consider what you find emotional to be banal, and would not enjoy all music being confined to it.

You don't even understand why I'm here. You make some irrational assessments of me. You think I think all prog lyrics are bad, and all indie/alt rock lyrics are good. Hell, I hate most indie and alt rock lyrics with a passion. I like half of prog, the half that doesn't focus on the most complicated structures imaginable for the sole sake of being complex. I love the half of prog that isn't based on worshiping Yes or Dream Theater or what have you.

Also, does your definition of prog solely include 'demanding and unconventional song structures'? If so, Rush fits right in with their four song albums and sidelong mutlipart epics and such. Isn't 2112 demanding and unconventional (even if I hate it)? Hell, it's gone full circle and I'm defending Rush. Clearly you are the antichrist.

 

Hmmm...doesn't have the same emphasis.

 

I think lyricism is variable, and even the best lyricists don't always exceed expectations on every song, nor is any composer/lyricist trying to be expressly "deep" on every song on a given album. Good lord, what a dreary album that would be!

 

But there are specific songs that mean something to me, just as other songs may have made some kind of difference in your life. Since you referred to Pink Floyd in your cockfest, I would say that both "Time" and "Wish You Were Here" have lyrics that stir regret in the listener, a sadness and contemplative feeling that is manipulated by a master wordsmith.