midnightmover said:

I agree that Morrissey is more 'clever' than anything else.


But, he does from time to time say some really profound things.

I'm especially fond of "Meat is Murder" where a very young Morrissey at that time, says:

..
Heifer whines could be human cries
Closer comes the screaming knife
This beautiful creature must die
This beautiful creature must die
A death for no reason
And death for no reason is murder

And the flesh you so fancifully fry
Is not succulent, tasty or kind
Its death for no reason
And death for no reason is murder

And the calf that you carve with a smile
Is murder
And the turkey you festively slice
Is murder
Do you know how animals die ?

Kitchen aromas arent very homely
Its not comforting, cheery or kind
Its sizzling blood and the unholy stench
Of murder

Its not natural, normal or kind
The flesh you so fancifully fry
The meat in your mouth
As you savour the flavour
Of murder

No, no, no, its murder
No, no, no, its murder
Oh ... and who hears when animals cry ?


I love this cause he doesn't get overly wordy in his protest, nor political, nor even graffic really.
He simply skews our everyday pleasure into something filthy in his eyes. I'm not sure why I love these lyrics so much, but he strikes a chord very much like John Lennon did from time to time---very straight forward language, very precise expression of a viewpoint, wise beyond his years, all paradoxically wrapped up in sort of a childlike and naive veneer.

Imago said:

I do like that line "You savour the flavour of murder". Morrissey's a clever bastard. Not sure I'd call this one wise, since men have been eating meat for millions of years. It's a little thing called nature. Animals do it too. But yes, I'd agree he makes his statement in an entertaining way. He's a great lyricist.
[Edited 5/3/08 15:12pm]

midnightmover said:

Wouldn't you say that arriving at a place where you're not afraid to speak the truth, in the face of intimidation, is a product of wisdom?


Wouldn't you agree that context is everything?

midnightmover said:

Well, I'll concede NOBODY on this list has yet to pen a lyric that touched me as deeply as "A mind full of good intentions and a mouth full of Raisonettes."

Ace said:

Alanis better back the fuck off.

I've been trying for the last 4 years to get on, next to, or up against your tits.

Imago said:

Ace said:

The truth? Madonna herself later admitted that her critics made valid points about the Sex project. It was shallow attention seeking and nothing more. But her wounds at the time were too raw for her to be able to see that. "Human Nature" documents her knee jerk reaction. So you get red herrings like "Would it sound better if I was a man?", and petulant lines like "You're the one with the problem. Deal with it" which is basically the equivalent of a teenager sticking their tongue out. Overall, it's one of her better lyrics, but a long way from being wise, and I repeat, not enough to merit her inclusion in this thread.

midnightmover said:

A very valid question, no?


Well, I'm glad you set me straight about that.

Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson(in the 80's), Prince, Jimi Hendrix, Jim Morrison

So many come to mind but to name a few standouts

Harry Chapin- probably the best storyteller ever, a person who could keep you interested in a 10minute song

John Mellencamp- has only gotten better with time
Michael Stipe- he can be dead on with lyrics or he can make you go "what the fuck did he mean" and still you paint your own picture

Magne Furuholmen- member of a-Ha has become a force in the bands writing since 2000, and is one of the best songwriters/poets/artists out there today, in the group and solo

Late Great John Lee Hooker


Late Great Johnnie Taylor



James Taylor

Rev. Al Green

midnightmover said:

"In this context I define it as having mature insights into life, and some suggestions as to the best way to live it."

Morrissey "Hold On To Your Friends"

A bond of trust
Has been abused
Something of value
May be lost
Give up your job
Squander your cash - be rash
Just hold on to your friends
There are more than enough
To fight and oppose
Why waste good time
Fighting the people you like
Who would fall defending your name
Don't feel so ashamed
To have friends
But now you only call me
When you're feeling depressed
When you feel happy I'm
So far from your mind
My patience is stretched
My loyalty vexed
You're losing all of your friends
Hold on to your friends
Hold on to your friends
Resist - or move on
Be mad, be rash
Smoke and explode
Sell all of your clothes
Just bear in mind:
There just might come a time
When you need some friends.


"Ammunition"

I know these roads
Each ridge and narrow bridge
Each chevron
Enticing me on
Each warning sign
I take in my stride

I don't need more ammunition
I've got more than I can spend
I don't dwell on things I'm missing
I'm just pleased
With the things I've found

I know these roads
An old hand understands
Above all, I know what's
Expected of me now
Veering cliffwards

I don't need more ammunition
I've got more than I can spend
I don't dwell on things I'm missing
I'm just pleased
With the things I've found
With the things I've found
With the things I've found
I've found

I've been crying
It comes back on these salient days
And it stays
And it says:
"We've never really been away"

I don't need more ammunition
I've got more than I can spend
I don't think of who I'm missing
I've got no space and no time
In my life, anymore
No space or time
In my life, anymore
For revenge.


"That's How People Grow Up"

I was wasting my time
Trying to fall in love
Disappointment came to me and
Booted me and bruised and hurt me

That's how people grow up
That's how people grow up

I was wasting my time
Looking for love
Someone must look at me
and see their sunlit dream

I was wasting my time
Praying for love
For a love that never comes from
Someone who does not exist and2

That's how people grow up
That's how people grow up

Let me live before I die
Not me, not I!

I was wasting my life
Always thinking about myself
Someone on the deathbed said
"There are other sorrows too"

I was driving my car
I crashed and broke my spine
So yes, there are things worse in life than
Never being someone's sweetie

That's how people grow up
That's how people grow up

As for me I'm ok
For now anyway.


"Do Your Best And Don't Worry"

Compare the best of their days
With the worst of your days
You won't win
With your standards so high
And your spirits so low
At least remember ...
This is you on a bad day, you on a pale day

Just do your best and don't ...
Don't worry, oh
The way you hang yourself is oh, so unfair

See the best of how they look
Against the worst of how you are
And again, you won't win
With your standards so high
And your spirits so low
At least remember ...
This is you on a drab day, you in a drab dress

Just do your best and don't ...
Don't worry, oh
The way you hang yourself is oh, so unfair.


"If I want someone to tell me what it feels like to be unhappy, I'll go to Morrissey. If I want someone who can actually step outside his own neuroses, and see the bigger picture then I'll go elsewhere"
I find this a very blinkered view of Morrissey as a lyricist and of 'growing up' or 'viewing the world'. We all work from our own 'neuroses' or experiences first before we venture out and experience life or before we can dish out advice- I find that Morrissey perfectly explains that step from how the self sees the world to actually getting out there and living a life- he says this is what he's experienced and these things can happen- life isn't all rosey and age doesn't mean suddenly everything falls into place, but good can come from your worst experiences and make you stronger- now, for me, that's wise.

stevenpottle said:

Hmmmm, to me "That's How People Grow Up" is confirmation of what I was saying. To me he's admitting that his previous attitude, which he documented in song for 20 years, was a little narrow. Sure, he had to get through that self pity in order to arrive at maturity, but it sure took him a long time to do it.

HOWEVER, I am glad that he documented all that angst in his songs because it's a valuable thing. Art should record every state of mind, so I don't want it to seem like I'm criticising, because I'm not. He looked at his situation with wit, and made it entertaining. There are many self indulgent writers who have absolutely no clue how to do that. Although I have to say the solution to his problems was under his nose the whole time. All he needed to do was go out there, get the dick he secretly craved and all would have been well. He's happy now because he's finally getting it up the ass, which is what he really wanted all the time. Long may this happy state of affairs continue.
[Edited 5/4/08 8:09am]

theAudience said:

I wouldn't necessarily say "wise" to describe him, but he's definitely very clever...



Jarvis Cocker

He really can paint a picture in my mind with what he's saying. I feel like I'm right there in his world.

midnightmover said:

Ha,ha,ha- works for me.

stevenpottle said:

The Late Great Curtis Mayfield

Stevie. His messages are simple yet powerful. No need to decipher what he is trying to say like other musicians named here.

Percy Mayfield AKA Poet Of The Blues


Ashford & Simpson


Curtis


Stevie


And last but def not the least...

MsLegs said:

Oh hell yea! Thats a wrap right there

Stevie Wonder

George Clinton Aka Dr. Funkenstein Yes Orgers, there's wisdom in Funky lyrics, I kid you not.
[Edited 5/4/08 23:36pm]

DiamondGlove said:

Never trust a big butt and smile
That girl is poison-
BBD

Christopher said:

Yo, Slick, blow..

Ace said:

if it weren't for david bowie lyrics, i wouldn't have made it past age 17.

MsLegs said:

End the thread right there!