Category Archives: Lyrical Literature

Lyrical Literature: The Graveyard Near the House

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“The Graveyard Near the House” by The Airborne Toxic Event is my favorite love song. I love its honesty and the simplicity of the ideas that it presents, which allow it to talk about love without being ridiculous. The entire song is impeccably written, as are most of TATE’s songs.

Oh, and there’s a viola. That also makes it badass.

I particularly like the line about memorizing one’s lines. This shows that the speaker is willing to play his part and commit to that role. This theme is again touched upon at the end, when it is mentioned that he will defy all of his fears to love her still.

Lyrical Literature: Motorcycle Drive By

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Couldn’t find a better video, but the sound quality on this one is good.

One of the most underrated bands of the 90s is Third Eye Blind, and I say that fully aware of the fact that almost everyone I know loves them. Not only did the band cleverly disguise songs about illicit drug use and sex with happy-go-lucky guitar riffs and sweet sounding “do do do dos,” but it has turned out some real poetic gems. One of my favorites, both lyrically and musically, is “Motorcycle Drive By.”

What I love about this writing is how the band plays with the meter, how Stephan Jenkins, the lead singer, puts words together then abruptly end stops lines that you anticipate to just keep going. More like poetry than a song, this particular piece is one that represents the highest level of talent, as far as writing is concerned, that the band has showcased. One of my best friends once said that this music is “tragically beautiful” and I agree wholeheartedly– it has a poignancy that popular music doesn’t even try to convey anymore.

If you have heard this song before, go ahead and give it another listen. You may be surprised to find that it is more literary than you thought. If you haven’t heard this song before, you’re welcome and enjoy.

Motorcycle Drive By by Third Eye Blind

Summer time and the wind is blowing outside
in lower Chelsea
And I don’t know what I’m doing in this city
The sun is always in my eyes
It crashes through the windows
And I’m sleeping on the couch
When I came to visit you
That’s when I knew
That I could never have you
I knew that before you did
Still I’m the one who’s stupid
And there’s this burning
Like there’s always been
I’ve never been so alone
And I’ve
Never been so alive
Visions of you on a motorcycle drive by
The cigarette ash flies in your eyes and you don’t mind
you smile
And say the world it doesn’t fit with you
I don’t believe you
You’re so serene
Careening through the universe
Your axis on a tilt
You’re guiltless and free
I hope you take a piece of me with you

And there’s things I’d like to do
That you don’t believe in
I would like to build something
But you’ll never see it happen
And there’s this burning
Like there’s always been
I’ve never been so alone
And I’ve
I’ve never been so alive

And there’s this burning
There is this burning
(yeaa)

Where’s the soul I want to know
New York City is evil
The surface is everything
But I could never do that
Someone would see through that
And this is the last time
We’ll be friends again
And I’ll get over you
And you’ll wonder

who I am
And there’s this burning,
Just like there’s always been
I’ve never been so alone, alone
And I’ve, and I’ve
I’ve never been so alive

So alive

I go home to the coast it starts to rain I paddle out on the water
Alone
Taste the salt and taste the pain
I’m not thinking of you again
Summer dies and swells rise
The sun goes down in my eyes
See this rolling wave
Darkly coming
To take me
Home

And I never been so alone
And I’ve never been so alive

Where, oh Where, Have the Muses Gone?

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Musas dançando com Apolo by Baldassare Peruzzi

So, the Grammys. Yeah, Lady Gaga was out there, Nicki Minaj was ridiculous (sorry Julius, if you are reading this), and John Mayer looks like a creepy, not so hot version of Johnny Depp. Honestly, there are only two things that I find worth taking away from the whole show… or at least the pieces of it that I caught (Family Guy was on!). 1. Rihanna finally wore something that wasn’t hideous (the black dress that looked like the bottom was on fire) and 2. The opening tribute to Aretha Franklin was phenomenal.

Christina Aguilera, Jennifer Hudson, Florence Welch, Yolanda Adams, and Martina McBride killed it during their Aretha Franklin tribute. Their soulful voices reminded me of the singing Muses in Disney’s version of Hercules, which has long been one of my faves. This got me thinking about the role of the Muses and, given today’s music, wondering if these mythical deities are still around.  

According to Greek mythology, the nine Muses inspired the arts and brought great ideas to writers, artists, and musicians. As I have been scouring the musical world for songs to spotlight in the Lyrical Literature category, I repeatedly find myself coming back to the same handful of talented songwriters. The musical world seems to be straying from the influence of the Muses and recalculating its route via the way of the almighty dollar.  

A lack of talent is not in question, as (almost) all of the artists featured on this year’s lineup are talented. The question is a matter of value. Today’s culture values entertainment that doesn’t take itself seriously, that inspires dancing, drinking, and sex. Sure, these are important parts of life, in moderation, but are we, as a culture, really turning the arts away from the realities of life?

If art, writing in particular, is a form of therapy, it should help us cope with life’s troubles, not simply wish them away. This is one of my main problems with Top 40 music. Our love/hate relationship is rooted in the fact that I am a sucker for catchy dance tunes and a great bass line, but at the same time I want music to take my mind further than the bar. Of course I don’t want all of my music to thrust the harsh realities of my life into my face, but I do want it to be meaningful. I’m sorry, but lines such as “too school for cool” and “sticks and stones may break my bones/but chains and whips excite me” are simply trashing the airwaves that could be making a real difference.

So, where do we go from here, as a culture? I hope to continue to find worthwhile artists that invest their talent in meaningful music– and to share the work of the Muses with all of you.

The Airborne Toxic Event: Great Literature in the Form of Great Music

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Great literature is associated, generally, with novels, poetry, and collections of short stories. Not often is music thought of in the same realm, but many lyricists write songs that are just as emotionally charged as the greatest works of literature. True, these heartfelt lyricists can be difficult to find amongst the jungle of commercial artists writing about Apple Bottom jeans and boots with the fur, but I promise you they are out there.

Mikel Jollett, lead singer and guitarist for The Airborne Toxic Event, is a fabulous writer. Beyond fabulous. Highlighted by the highly emotive quality of his voice, his lyrics recall poignant and life changing moments in a truly unique style that everyone can relate to. The Airborne Toxic Event has only released one album thus far, but their self-titled debut addresses a span of emotions that range from despair and hopelessness to the heartsick agony of unrequited love.

Despite the heavy subject-matter, the songs are more uplifting than not. This could be attributed to the sigh of relief most listeners will have when they realize that true talent still exists in the music business, but the real reason for the success of these songs is the quality of the writing. Don’t get me wrong, the musicians are extremely talented (and the band has a violist and often plays with a quartet, which I absolutely love), but the defining and truly unique aspect of the music is the verbal content. This, paired with the instrumental parts, makes for a truly amazing album that is nothing short of art.

Obviously, I like the lyrics, but this is more than just a girl gushing over her favorite band; the literary techniques used in the crafting of the words are brilliant. Sure, similes and metaphors abound in modern music, but they abound in highly cliché ways, which are highly annoying. Mikel Jollett is able to accomplish effective similes while maintaining an original and unique view point. Take, for instance, the following song that describes the feeling of wanting to mean more, of expecting something big to happen, as wanting to experience all of the possiblity of a coin tossed in a wishing well.

Or consider another song, one that perfectly captures the despair of lost innocence. Everyone has felt it, in one way or another. Everyone has felt the finer, naïve layers of their being abruptly ripped away. The key here is in the detail, in the description of certain aspects of this moment that most people are oblivious to, in the feelings that flow through the bones and blood. Another quality of importance here (which is a common thread throughout the entire album and really sets The Airborne Toxic Event apart) is the raw honesty that characterizes these emotions. Nothing is held back, no part of the soul is hidden in this moment.

And last, but not least, the perfect marriage of musical and verbal crescendos. “Sometime Around Midnight,” the band’s first single, builds an unstoppable momentum that carries through the entire song. Like the inescapable force of gravity, the song’s lyrics literally pull the subject throught the emotions that he has obviously tried to avoid. Paired with the driving force of the building instrumental, the song culminates in the poignant beauty of a broken heart and the recognition that facing vulnerability is better than facing a future alone.

Knowing that great songs are still out there, and that true songwriters still care as much about their art as they do their paychecks, is a great relief for people who believe in the endless possibilities of musical literature. Mainstream music has become vapid, lifeless, and no matter how many bottles of liquor they sell or how many dance clubs they fill these lifeless songs will eventually be forgotten and replaced. Fortunately, both for my hope in humanity and my iPod, true songwriters are still alive and kicking.

P.S.– Before becoming a rock star Mikel Jollett was a freelance writer. You can find a link to one of his articles here.