GMG please suggest non-Classical music with emphasis on language

[Daedalus]

Hello all,

Away from my classical listening, I'm looking for some non-classical music where the emphasis is on the lyrics, perhaps with a poetic and/or literary influence.

I wondered if anyone might be able to make some recommendations of such music where the language holds as much (perhaps more) weight as the music itself.

I'm not specifying genre as I am happy to try something different and outside my current range of experience. I'm also not specifying subject matter, so long as the language is intelligent and interesting, it can be anything from witty, surreal, comedic, tragic and so on.

Any suggestions will be received with interest.

D.

[bhodges]

Three of my favorites, and very much so for the language, are Talking Heads, Robyn Hitchcock & The Egyptians, and They Might Be Giants.  All could be under the umbrella of "thinking man's rock groups," IMHO.  (And coincidentally, all have very catchy music.)

--Bruce

[karlhenning]

King Crimson, "Elephant Talk"

http://www.youtube.com/v/76eoyyem2K8

[Daedalus]

Three of my favorites, and very much so for the language, are Talking Heads, Robyn Hitchcock & The Egyptians, and They Might Be Giants.  All could be under the umbrella of "thinking man's rock groups," IMHO.  (And coincidentally, all have very catchy music.)

--Bruce

Thanks for your suggestions bhodges - any particular albums that you recommend from these three?

Karl - thanks for the video. Will load it up and watch it now.

D.

[Franco]

Steve Earle, a wonderful songwriter himself, has just released a CD of songs written by Townes Van Zandt, widely considered the best songwriter to come out of Texas, if not the best, period.  His songs are very well crafted and especially the lyrics are something above what you normally experience with folk, country or rock.

Highly recommended.

[Josquin des Prez]

I always thought Roger Waters to be one of the most profound lyricists when i was a teenager. I haven't seriously listened to Pink Floyd for years, so i don't know if he is as good as i thought at the time.

[bhodges]

Thanks for your suggestions bhodges - any particular albums that you recommend from these three?

Sure:

Talking Heads: Talking Heads '77, Fear of Music, More Songs About Buildings and Food, or Remain in Light
Robyn Hitchcock & The Egyptians: Queen Elvis, Eye, or Perspex Island
They Might Be Giants: Flood, Apollo 18, or Mink Car

Most of these probably have lyrics online (in addition to audio samples) if you want to "try before you buy."

--Bruce

[George]

Hello all,

Away from my classical listening, I'm looking for some non-classical music where the emphasis is on the lyrics, perhaps with a poetic and/or literary influence.

I wondered if anyone might be able to make some recommendations of such music where the language holds as much (perhaps more) weight as the music itself.

Bob Dylan (featured in my avatar) has a slew of great albums that fit in this category, including "Bringing it all Back Home" and "Highway 61" - two of my fave albums by the artist.

Morrissey had some great/intelligent lyrics, whether with The Smiths - "The Queen is Dead" and "Meat is Murder" - or alone - "Viva Hate" and "Vauxhall and I."

R.E.M. also fall in this category for me, with "Document" and "Lifes Rich Pageant" at the pinnacle of their output IMO.

[Valentino]

Ah, Lifes Rich Pageant. That's what I call an album! But the best song on it is a cover...

[orbital]

Leonard Cohen - His lyrics are pure poetry.

[George]

Leonard Cohen - His lyrics are pure poetry.

I was just listening to his Greatest Hits over the weekend and I must agree.

[George]

Ah, Lifes Rich Pageant. That's what I call an album! But the best song on it is a cover...

These Days isn't a cover... 

[Cato]

Hello all,

Away from my classical listening, I'm looking for some non-classical music where the emphasis is on the lyrics, perhaps with a poetic and/or literary influence.

I wondered if anyone might be able to make some recommendations of such music where the language holds as much (perhaps more) weight as the music itself.

I'm not specifying genre as I am happy to try something different and outside my current range of experience. I'm also not specifying subject matter, so long as the language is intelligent and interesting, it can be anything from witty, surreal, comedic, tragic and so on.

Any suggestions will be received with interest.

D.

Dude!   

There is only one answer for you: one of the greatest musicians in America!

[Valentino]

These Days isn't a cover... 

I am Superman. But you know that.
But I must admit that I in general find Stipes' lyrics a bit on the other side of the smoke screen.

[George]

I am Superman. But you know that.

Funny, I thought you'd say that The Hagen QT was Superman. 

[Keemun]

These come to mind:

James McMurtry, a great storyteller:

http://www.youtube.com/v/dXVgl2Y4-Qg


Neko Case, poetic lyrics:

http://www.youtube.com/v/zi6keFpm-BY

[Valentino]

Funny, I thought you'd say that The Hagen QT was Superman. 

Nah, that's Superwoman with sidekicks.

[George]

Nah, that's Superwoman with sidekicks.

[Jay F]

And a marvellous piece of work: Desperadoes Under the Eaves

I was sitting in the Hollywood Hawaiian Hotel
I was staring in my empty coffee cup
I was thinking that the gypsy wasn't lyin'
All the salty margaritas in Los Angeles
I'm gonna drink 'em up

And if California slides into the ocean
Like the mystics and statistics say it will
I predict this motel will be standing until I pay my bill

Don't the sun look angry through the trees
Don't the trees look like crucified thieves
Don't you feel like Desperados under the eaves
Heaven help the one who leaves

Still waking up in the mornings with shaking hands
And I'm trying to find a girl who understands me
But except in dreams you're never really free
Don't the sun look angry at me

I was sitting in the Hollywood Hawaiian Hotel
I was listening to the air conditioner hum
It went mmmmmm..
........................... Look
away..........................................
(Look away down Gower Avenue, Look away....)

What a great song. Buy the LP if you have a turntable.

[Gabriel]

Hello all,

Away from my classical listening, I'm looking for some non-classical music where the emphasis is on the lyrics, perhaps with a poetic and/or literary influence.

I wondered if anyone might be able to make some recommendations of such music where the language holds as much (perhaps more) weight as the music itself.

I'm not specifying genre as I am happy to try something different and outside my current range of experience. I'm also not specifying subject matter, so long as the language is intelligent and interesting, it can be anything from witty, surreal, comedic, tragic and so on.

Any suggestions will be received with interest.

D.

Tango comes to mind. There were great partnerships between great musicians and great poets. Of course, the lyrics are written in Spanish (and quite often, in Lunfardo, that is a dialectal language from the Río de la Plata).