"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

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.

SuperC said:

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.

IceNine said:

Or he is using a sales ploy to help get him more buyers.

By the way... what is up with the 420 views??? I know FOR A FACT that this thread has not been viewed 420 times in the 10 minutes or so that it has existed.

SuperC said:

Or... maybe not, as he isn't promoting anything.

IceNine said:

He is promoting his songs. Past, present or future. He is saying all his songs are for smart people.

Of course they exist...

Kate Bush
Jeff Buckley
Madonna (yes, Madonna)
Peter Murphy
Prince
Nick Cave
James Taylor
Carole King
Elvis Costello
Quincy Jones


And so many more I can't think of right now

SuperC said:

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.

applekisses said:

There are so few though... it is sad.

And... apparently they are not held in high regard by some.

IceNine said:

That's why it's a ploy.

SuperC said:

Well... you are certainly entitled to your opinion, no matter how wrong it might be.



Seriously, this guy is NOT how you seem to think he is... he is brutally honest and he will never try to schmooze anyone ever... he never has and he never will.

IceNine said:

Well, and I don't mean to sound harsh, but there is something called 'average' intelligence because it is just that...an average. People tend to like the things that they can most relate with and that sets up a big market for average-quality mass media.
Just my opinion.

applekisses said:

God... how I loathe the truth.

:LOL:

Yes, average people will not connect with any of the artists that you mentioned in your list...

I don't really think that Prince or Madonna are too concerned with quality and intelligence in their work, but the rest are right up there...

well, first of all, songwriting of quality and integrity don't necessarily have anything to do with some sort of superior intellect. it has to do with song writing as a craft. it has to do with attempting to write songs of substance, that really say something, not just a catchy jingle, "that'll have'em singing in the showers".

that being said, there's nothing wrong with a catchy song. i like catchy songs, but is there something more to it? it doesn't have to be "intellectual", but does it really say anything?

specifically, i've never really been that into the replacements. i've only really heard some songs from their first few releases, and they really didn't move me. but, several friends whose musical tastes i respect really love them, so they must have something going on, and i do respect their artistic integrity.

in discussions with friends about music, i always use the analogy of food and music. some music is like a well balanced meal, it provides real sustenance. while other music is like candy, it tastes good, but you can't live on it and, too much of it is not good for you.

.
[This message was edited Wed Apr 23 10:21:17 PDT 2003 by medoc2003]

SuperC said:

come on girls let's not fight. :LOL: and make-up.

Here's a few concepts.

Ice, I'm sure Paul is an AWESOME musician, and an intelligent guy. But, like the rest of us, he has an OPINION. Now, for his avid listeners like yourself that read/hear those types of comments from him, probably feel mighty special. Just like an avid Prince or Yanni fan. I would. "I GET it! I'm super-intelligent!"

Aware of my mediocre brain skills, I have little to flaunt. But I do know medoc2003 has a point by saying "some music is like a well balanced meal, it provides real sustenance. while other music is like candy, it tastes good, but you can't live on it and, too much of it is not good for you."

Absolutely. Adding the fact that the type of music Mr. Westerberg plays/creates may have some pull in the effect of his quote. If his lyrics were pasted on the foreground of P. Diddy's music, would he still have the right to feel superior?

Who's Paul Westerberg?

I guess Westerberg would have a site dedicated to him and the smart ones would hang there and post over 15,000

rdhull said:

rdhull said:

Nice attempt at sarcasm.

IceNine said:

I'm jus' sayin Ice

Who's Paul Westerburg?!?!

PURPLEJACKSON9 said:

A real smart guy who can't go gold?
And I like the 'Mats so dont trip.

rdhull said:

IceNine said:

for a second there you had me confused...420 is the international marijuanas smokers code...

one of the things i sometimes find interesting is that when the discussion of songwriting comes around and the subject of "intelligent" songwriting comes up, there seems to be some sort air of negativity about a particular songwriter being deemed "intelligent", like intelligence is a bad thing.

i remember in a thread about another songwriter many months back, several people posted very negative things about his reputation as being an intelligent songwriter, and the negativity was particularly directed at the "intelligent" aspect of his song writing. this thread is no where near that, but there is that sort of feeling here.

like i said in my previous post, a songwriter doesn't have to be of superior intellect to write songs with integrity or substance, but i really don't get the "anti-intelligent" thing.

medoc2003 said:

Well said.

IceNine said:

ANI DIFRANCO
ANI DIFRANCO
ANI DIFRANCO
ANI DIFRANCO
ANI DIFRANCO

ERYKAH BADU
ERYKAH BADU
ERYKAH BADU
ERYKAH BADU
ERYKAH BADU

IceNine said:

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.