Pela Lyrics to Anytown Graffiti Rock with Excellent Imagery
Pela is an up-and-coming band from Brooklyn, New York who are coming out with their latest album / CD
Anytown Graffiti on April 24, 2007. Known as a working class American rock 'n' roll band reminiscent of Springsteen, Pela, though has a sound and lyrics that are uniquely their own.
The Pela lyrics are filled with rich imagery and metaphors that move along the stories in a meaningful way. For instance, here are some of my favorite lyrics from different songs within
Anytown Graffiti:
i had a sideways stare like a signal flare
we’re walking through some fields of glass
up to our waist into our past
you seem to resemble
a window that stayed open too long
the sun beats down upon our town
the red faced angry folk stomp all around
From these lyrics one can see the excellent use of metaphor, imagery and emotional connection to the subject matter that Pela's lyric writers are in tune with and cleverly craft within their songs. Until the album's release date, Pela is posting a song a week for public listening through their website and they have posted their lyrics to
Anytown Graffiti as well.
American Idol Songwriting Contest Nixed
In the past there has been an unofficial
American Idol songwriting contest going on as the two Idol finalists would sing the winning entries at the end of the competition. Kelly Clarkson sang the hit, "A Moment Like This" for instance as the result of this unofficial songwriting contest.
Then word leaked out and entries came flooding in. Over this past summer,
American Idol producer Simon Fuller announced that there now would be an official
American Idol Songwriting Competition that would run concurrently with the regular
American Idol television show. The producers have just announced, however, that due to the overwhelming current demands of the TV show including the "
American Idol Gives Back" charity fundraiser, the songwriting contest has been nixed for now (and that's not Stevie Nicks-ed).
Hopefully, the shunning of new and experienced songwriters will not be a permanent theme for the popular TV series as Idol has helped bring several unknown songs to the forefront such as last season's "Do I Make You Proud" performed by winner Taylor Hicks.
Tennessee Tables Resolution Touting Timberlake for Tantalizing Lyrics
Tennessee's State Senate did an about face in honoring Justin Timberlake as the measure has been tabled for the time being. State Senator Ophelia Ford, D-Memphis introduced the
resolution honoring Timberlake for his contribution to the music industry and the state of Tennessee.
State Senator Raymond Finney, R-Maryville then nixed the resolution, objecting to some of the objectionable, sexy lyrics in Timberlake's songs. There was no word on whether the past wardrobe malfunction incident in the Super Bowl a couple of years past also played a role in the Republican senator's distaste for the musician.
Rumor has it that Timberlake will be banned from entering Tennessee and Georgia will rescind its public apology to Ray Charles and ask the surviving family to never again enter the state. Other southern states with popular musicians are expected to follow suit.
I give the Tennessee Republican Senator a two thumbs down and
Needs More Cowbell award (equivalent of a raspberry).
Gnarls Barkley Gone Daddy Gone Wild
Usually, I'm a purist when it comes to music lyrics. I like to think that lyrics are akin to poetry in that the best lyrics can stand on their own without the music to explain the mood or emotional tone. But, I'm also a realist and know that many times music and lyrics are created in a yin-yang complimentary fashion, each needing the other for full benefit.
With the advent of music video, there has been an added visual element, which will further explain to some extent the meaning behind the music and lyrics. I haven't always been a fan of this as well. First, since I'm a lyrics purist and second, because I'm also a song purist after that believing that music and lyrics should stand on their own without a further explanation needed.
Now, that I've created this long-winded explanation, I'll come around to a recent exception to my high-brow puritanical approach to music and lyrics. Jogging on the treadmill at the local gym I was treated to something exceptional. The Gnarls Barkley music video of "Gone Daddy Gone" was playing and I was blown away.
This Gnarls Barkley video was one of the most inventive creations that I've seen in years. This is the first time that I've ever witnessed the blending of music, lyrics and video in such a complimentary, explanatory and symbiotic fashion. Let's be clear that the music, lyrics nor video by themselves stand upon their own. Each needs the other two to truly function as a whole artistic piece.
What struck me is having listened to the music and lyrics, I did not understand the meaning of the relationship between the singer and his love interest before seeing the video. The Gnarls Barkley video made clear that there was a particular parasitic relationship going on and this brought the music and lyrics clearly into focus for me.
In times past, I have balked at the idea of music and lyrics needing a video to explain what should be plain enough had the band or artist done his or her job. But, Gnarls Barkley with their version of "Gone Daddy Gone" did not only one-up the Violent Femmes, who performed the original version, but blew them out of the water and took the song to a whole new level of meaning and complexity.
As you can tell by now, this is a rave review and I give Gnarls Barkley's "Gone Daddy Gone"
two drums way up.
American Idol Forget Lyrics and Gets the Boot
Well, I dislike the fact that I keep coming back to
American Idol, but since this is the world's biggest showcase for music and lyrics, I guess it's unavoidable. If Diana Ross is known for singing songs with unforgettable lyrics, you wouldn't know it by Tuesday evenings' performances.
Three contestants on
American Idol forgot the lyrics that night to some of Diana's best loved songs. Brandon Rogers started off the evening before a larger audience in a much bigger theatre. Apparently, nerves got the best of him as in the middle of the song he paused, having forgotten the lyrics to "You Can't Hurry Love". Because of his gaff, Rogers was hurried off from public view as the first
American Idol of the final 12 to get the boot.
Rogers wasn't the only
American Idol however to flub the lyrics as both Stephanie Edwards and Haley Scarnato did so as well. But, the women committed their lyrical sins in a little less obvious manner than Rogers did and were safe for one more week. Remembering one's lyrics is essential for surviving the cuts at
American Idol as Sanjaya Malakar proved by staying around another week, when he has been expected to leave for several weeks now.
2007 Music Freedom Day Denounces Censorship
Since I've just gotten through posting the last 2 blog entries about
banned lyrics and
censorship, I thought it only appropriate to post one more entry to complete the trifecta. Freemuse pronounced March 3 as 2007 Music Freedom Day, a day to recognize censorship of musical artists the world over.
This day provoked much discussion on radio as well as in the blogosphere and other online publishers. An interesting article on music censorship that caught my eye is one that is posted at the
World Music Central site by T. J. Nelson who writes a pretty compelling piece about banned lyrics and music censorship the world over. Nelson offers a thoughtful and thought-provoking examination of the limits of corporate, governmental and social censorship in music.
New York Bans the "N" Word - Censorship Strikes Again
New York City's city councilors have voted unanimously to ban the "N" word. The move is aimed at attacking racism in rap lyrics and music videos. The ban is only a symbolic one, however, as there is no penalty for those who do choose to use the word. This does bring to mind, how a ban can be a ban without a penalty attached?
Some say the move is meant to enlighten the African-American youth that a term that they use casually as a term of endearment is actually self-denigrating. The mouth of Michael Richards and the beginning of Black History Month seem to have sparked the movement across the country. Comedian Chris Rock and actor Jamie Foxx say they have no intentions on heeding the ban, however.
It remains to be seen whether any black rap artists will, in fact, take the ban seriously or not.
Banned lyrics have been a part of the music industry for decades and usually tends to generate more interest for the lyrics than it is a deterrent. Banning the "N" word may be a grand, symbolic gesture for some, but for most others it will be a lame attempt to solve a problem that needs a better fix than a blustery ban with no consequences.
Israel's Teapacks Band May Be Banned in Eurovision Competition
The Israeli band,
Teapacks may have their music lyrics banned in the upcoming 2007 Eurovision Song Contest. Apparently, one of the Finnish organizers, Kjell Ekholm objected to some of the lyrics saying that they referred to the Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and that political lyrics were not allowed in the competition.
According to Teapacks, however, the lyrics are more generic in nature and do not refer to any crazy ruler in particular. The song is sung in three different languages, French, English and Hebrew and it not to be taken literally as it was meant to be tongue-in-cheek.
The 52nd
Eurovision Song Contest will be held in Helsinki, Finland at the Hartwall Arena from May 10 - 12, 2007. Finnish band, Lordi won last year's competition and this year 42 countries will be represented in the contest.
Antonella Barba Controversy Overshadows Lyrics on American Idol
Antonella Barba pictures have surfaced on the Internet that show provocative poses of the American Idol contestant. The Antonella Barba photos, however, have overshadowed her songs, performances and lyrics on the most watched television show in America. Some reports have said that the Antonella Barba photos are really nude pics, but this is barely the case as the ones most often displayed show no full frontal nudity whatsoever.
Now, back to the least interesting conversation (according to some) about Antonella Barba is her fight to survive on American Idol with the song choices she's been making. Some of the songs Ms. Barba has been singing on the show include "Because I Love You" written by Diane Warren and recorded by both Celine Dion and Clay Aiken, "I Don’t Want To Miss A Thing" written also by Diane Warren and recorded by both Aerosmith and Mark Chestnut and "Put Your Records On", which was last night's performance, written by John Beck, Steve Chrisanthou, and Corinne Bailey Rae and recorded also by Corinne Bailey Rae.
Simon Cowell congratulated Antonella Barba for putting up with the media frenzy following the posting of the pictures, and also not wanting to patronize her, said that as a vocalist, she basically sucks. Be that as it may, controversy is a double-edged sword that may either break one or propel one to new heights. Hopefully, Ms. Antonella Barba will be able to take the high road, even if she doesn’t succeed on American Idol and have a performing career for many years to come.
Funny Song Lyrics Are Forgotten Genre
Funny song lyrics are not often talked about and represent a largely forgotten genre of music and lyric writing. Funny song lyrics may represent music parodies such as those from "Weird Al" Yankovic or Bob Ricci or just plan old humorous songs like the works of Ray Stevens including "Guitarzan".
Adam Sandler must also be mentioned as a creator of funny song lyrics with classics like "The Chanukah Song", "The Adventures of the Cow" and my personal favorite "Ode to My Car", which perfectly describes my first car at 16-years-old and the ensuing and forthcoming disgust generated by the car.
And, who can forget the funny song lyrics about Christmas such as "Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer", "I Saw Mommy Kissin’ Santa Claus" or "The Grinch Song"? Even though those who write funny song lyrics generally don't have huge, Grammy-filled careers, there are some writers who can make a decent living in this genre.
Those who perform their own material such as Sandler or Victor Borge have the added benefit of lending their star power to the funny song lyrics and selling these subjects to their loyal fan bases. With the advent of the Internet, many who write their own funny song lyrics can also perform them and post them online for a huge audience to download. YouTube and MySpace are also other avenues where humorous musicians can get much exposure.
No matter what though, funny song lyrics are here to stay and those who write them generally do it for the yucks, not the bucks and we all benefit from this kind of dedication.
Content Is Changing In Rap Music Lyrics
The
Clayton Daily News out of Jonesboro, Georgia has a good discussion on whether or not rap lyrics are starting to show remorse. Writer Joel Hall talks about how some rappers like Jay-Z and Andre 3000 are writing hip hop lyrics about the merits of travel, appearances outside the bling and even good credit.
I'm not sure if this is a sign of remorse or not or just hip hop adjusting to the changing tastes of its audience and the demand for more content in the lyrics. This same trend can be observed in the
Ludacris hit song "Runaway Love" in which the rapper takes an empathetic view of abused girls in the neighborhood. No bravado or mention of bling in these rap lyrics, just excellent content.
It's refreshing to see rap music expanding its themes beyond booty, bling and bravado. And to this I say, "Bravo!"
Songwriting Contests Worth Noting
There are a couple of songwriting contests worth noting for those just itching to show off their craft. The first is by the
Rock'n Music Academy in Middletown, New Jersey and will run through April 21. So, if you're in NJ and want to win $100 and bragging rights, then stop on in for an application.
Traveling west from Middletown to the Midwest is a more lucrative contest, where the winner is gifted with $1500. The
2007 Great Lakes Songwriting Contest is open to those who live in the Great Lakes states (all eight) and the Province of Ontario. This contest closes in April 14. So, get those songwriting entries in and then mail off your taxes! Gotta have priorities, ya know.
