Music and Lyrics

Simply put-It is 7:30pm on a Thursday night. Homework for tomorrow? - Check. Homework for Tuesday? partially Check. And yes, I did already start making flash cards for a test far off somewhere in the distance. Basically, I am looking for something to do that is a little more productive than watching a show or looking at Facebook = CUE BLOG TIME! 

So I have this thing about music. I love to pick out what I call "the best part" of a song and highlight what makes it great. For instance, it might be a subtle change of tempo, syncopation, or just really great poetic phrases. If you've ever been in a car with me listening to music, you might understand this all too well. But here's my question I wrestled with the other day: 

WHAT IS THE BEST PART OF A SONG - THE MUSIC OR THE LYRICS? 

The Romantic Comedy, "Music And Lyrics," puts it like this:

" A melody is like seeing someone for the first time. The physical attraction. But then, as you get to know the person, that's the lyrics. Their story. Who they are underneath. It's the combination of the two that makes it magical. "

As much as I cannot turn down a beautiful melody, I have to admit that I am a sucker for good lyrics - but what is it that makes lyrics good? For me it is all about the imagery, if it's relate-able,  clever, telling a story, and poetic to a degree. But, that definition truly isn't good enough. It's much more complicated than that...and yet much simpler as well. 

In my Humanities class last year, we studied Joni Mitchell one day (I love my major!). I heard "A Case of You" and really liked it. Flash Forward to this year where my sister Tammy said, "Jenny, I think you would really like Joni Mitchell." And you know what? She was right...so so right. 

I have had "All I want" by Joni Mitchell stuck in my head all day and I couldn't be happier. Those are some great lyrics! But, don't take my word for it. Why don't you listen to it yourself, look up the lyrics if you'd like, and come up with your own conclusion. That's the fun part about life isn't it?