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PrintableSupernova said: IceNine said: "I try to write for highest common denominator. I don't write for dumb people. I figure if everybody doesn't get it, that's OK. Someone bright enough will get it, and that's who I write for. It's probably not the way to make million-sellers. What can I say? I won't apologize for trying to write for smart people." - Paul Westerberg
Pretentious, elitist rhetoric. When other intelligent songwriters talk about their songs they don't usually feel the need to go into a spiel about how intelligent their songs are, and generally want everyone who is listening to them to understand their ethos. The quote above is almost like a person explaining WHY they are hip - which is a pretentiously unhip thing to do. There are many cases where lyrics are interpreted in different ways by different people. It doesn't always necessarily mean someone who doesn't get it is dumb. People like Stevie Wonder, Ani DiFranco, Lennon/McCartney, Smokey Robinson, Meshell Ndegéocello, Lieber & Stoller...they don't/didn't have a need to proclaim to the world how above everybody else and "intelligent" their songs were. They just released them to world and let marketing and nature take its course. Westerberg seems to have a chip on his shoulder. beautifully put... at the end of the day, people have different tastes... i don't like country music... but i can't say it's all shit... it just doesn't do it for ME... i just don't connect with it... to say that if you don't dig my songs you're 'stupid', just makes you sound like a wanker | |
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MrBliss said: Supernova said: IceNine said: "I try to write for highest common denominator. I don't write for dumb people. I figure if everybody doesn't get it, that's OK. Someone bright enough will get it, and that's who I write for. It's probably not the way to make million-sellers. What can I say? I won't apologize for trying to write for smart people." - Paul Westerberg
Pretentious, elitist rhetoric. When other intelligent songwriters talk about their songs they don't usually feel the need to go into a spiel about how intelligent their songs are, and generally want everyone who is listening to them to understand their ethos. The quote above is almost like a person explaining WHY they are hip - which is a pretentiously unhip thing to do. There are many cases where lyrics are interpreted in different ways by different people. It doesn't always necessarily mean someone who doesn't get it is dumb. People like Stevie Wonder, Ani DiFranco, Lennon/McCartney, Smokey Robinson, Meshell Ndegéocello, Lieber & Stoller...they don't/didn't have a need to proclaim to the world how above everybody else and "intelligent" their songs were. They just released them to world and let marketing and nature take its course. Westerberg seems to have a chip on his shoulder. beautifully put... at the end of the day, people have different tastes... i don't like country music... but i can't say it's all shit... it just doesn't do it for ME... i just don't connect with it... to say that if you don't dig my songs you're 'stupid', just makes you sound like a wanker   Mr. Ellis Dee-licious, the Official NPGigolo 
Candy Dulfer is my boo...  | |
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I think there are plenty of intelligent songwriters out there, who make really smart music. Of course, much of this is never heard by the masses at large. I think its fine if someone rights a catchy, poppy song, as long as it is truly what they are trying to express, and not because they are trying to hit it big.
Prince is an artist who has done both. He's created true, genuine music, and commercial pop crap that he could do in his sleep. With both, he's had mixed success. Some of his most innovative stuff has been ignored, but then again, "When Doves Cry" was not what anyone in the recording industry would have predicted to be a hit. Likewise, the "Rave Un2 The Joy Fantastic" album was commercial pop filler, and with proper promotion could have hit big. Most fans detested it though, because it was so beneath his abilities as an artist. 
Do not hurry yourself in your spirit to become offended, for the taking of offense is what rests in the bosom of the stupid ones. (Ecclesiastes 7:9) | |
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Supernova said: IceNine said: "I try to write for highest common denominator. I don't write for dumb people. I figure if everybody doesn't get it, that's OK. Someone bright enough will get it, and that's who I write for. It's probably not the way to make million-sellers. What can I say? I won't apologize for trying to write for smart people." - Paul Westerberg
Pretentious, elitist rhetoric. When other intelligent songwriters talk about their songs they don't usually feel the need to go into a spiel about how intelligent their songs are, and generally want everyone who is listening to them to understand their ethos. The quote above is almost like a person explaining WHY they are hip - which is a pretentiously unhip thing to do. There are many cases where lyrics are interpreted in different ways by different people. It doesn't always necessarily mean someone who doesn't get it is dumb. People like Stevie Wonder, Ani DiFranco, Lennon/McCartney, Smokey Robinson, Meshell Ndegéocello, Lieber & Stoller...they don't/didn't have a need to proclaim to the world how above everybody else and "intelligent" their songs were. They just released them to world and let marketing and nature take its course. Westerberg seems to have a chip on his shoulder. BING the phuck O. The pompous, arrogant statement made by mister westerberg tells me that more than likely he will say nothing that i want to hear. The i'm superiour, you're inferiour shit is what's got the world messed up today. People on a God trip thinking they should rule the world and eliminate everyone else. | |
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Paisley said: SuperC said: IceNine said: SuperC said: IceNine said: SuperC said: IceNine said: SuperC said: Or if you don't buy my records, you not smart. I am the judge of who is smart and you should know this. So again if you don't buy my records, you are not smart because only the intelligent will buy my records. If you want to be smart Buy my records.
Or... he doesn't write shitty party music that is consumed by morons and submental idiots who only want to use drugs, drink alcohol and follow the latest fashion. Or he is using a sales ploy to help get him more buyers. Or... maybe not, as he isn't promoting anything. He is promoting his songs. Past, present or future. He is saying all his songs are for smart people. He is saying that he does not write for the ignorant people who don't view music as art... he doesn't write for lazy listeners... he has, in the past, written some lazy songs and he has moved past it... He is speaking about integrity in his art and is not attempting to promote anything... at no point did he say that ALL the songs that he has ever written were aimed at the intellect, nor did he say "buy my albums," as intelligent lyrics are not appealing to the masses in the music-buying public. That's why it's a ploy. come on girls let's not fight. :LOL:  and make-up.Does that make you a Lesbian?  | |
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SuperC said: Paisley said: SuperC said: IceNine said: SuperC said: IceNine said: SuperC said: IceNine said: SuperC said: Or if you don't buy my records, you not smart. I am the judge of who is smart and you should know this. So again if you don't buy my records, you are not smart because only the intelligent will buy my records. If you want to be smart Buy my records.
Or... he doesn't write shitty party music that is consumed by morons and submental idiots who only want to use drugs, drink alcohol and follow the latest fashion. Or he is using a sales ploy to help get him more buyers. Or... maybe not, as he isn't promoting anything. He is promoting his songs. Past, present or future. He is saying all his songs are for smart people. He is saying that he does not write for the ignorant people who don't view music as art... he doesn't write for lazy listeners... he has, in the past, written some lazy songs and he has moved past it... He is speaking about integrity in his art and is not attempting to promote anything... at no point did he say that ALL the songs that he has ever written were aimed at the intellect, nor did he say "buy my albums," as intelligent lyrics are not appealing to the masses in the music-buying public. That's why it's a ploy. come on girls let's not fight. :LOL: and make-up.Does that make you a Lesbian?  :LOL: | |
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IceNine said: There are so few though... it is sad. And... apparently they are not held in high regard by some. Few? How about these? Prince Kurt Cobain John Lennon Paul McCartney Bob Dylan Frank Black Rivers Cuomo Juliana Hatfield Kim Deal Evan Dando Frank Zappa Beck Flaming Lips Ween They Might Be Giants Paul Westerberg Jimi Hendrix Pink Floyd Stevie Wonder John Prine John Martyn Bruce Springsteen PJ Harvey Michael Stipe Steve Malkmus Bjork Jeff Tweedy Nick Drake Tried all of these? Well, they're just off the top of my head, and I hold them all in high regard. Seek and ye shall find. | |
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