Pop music, helps

It’s pretty cold today.

I am reminded of a quote from Frank Zappa,

Frank Zappa Crappa,

 of don’t you eat that yellow snow fame,

I read this years ago,

 so I may be fuzzy on the details.

Zappa was being interviewed,

and was asked about his impression of Montreal.

Here’s what he said:

It’s so cold in Montreal the fuckin’ snot freezes in your nose.

The man had obviously been to Montreal,

possibly in February.

It’s not quite that cold right now, but…

It’s coming.

What I wanted to talk about today is song lyrics.

I don’t listen to nearly as much music as I used to,

not quite sure why,

probably a combination of factors.

Since I walk to work and do most of my shopping on foot,

I use public transit sparingly,

so I don’t listen to it on the metro or bus.

I like quiet when I walk around.

Sort of futile,

 in my noisy neighborhood but,

hope springs eternal.

Sufice it to say,

 I am not as up on pop music as I could be.

A few months ago,

 a friend of mine remarked that pop music was in rare form right now.

“Really?” says I “How so?”

and she explains to me that Lady Gaga and the like are damn good.

I agree.

Lady Gaga is awesome,

 that Bad Romance has got some dynamite lyrics,

and raw emotion.

From memory, not quoting

         I want your love and I want your revenge

         You and me could write a Bad Romance.

         I want your ugly, I want your disease

 

Yep,

 a far cry from Duran Duran.

What I like most about pop music is that underneath all the cliches,

there is real feeling.

I don’t think anyone would confuse Bon Jovi with Leonard Cohen,

but,

I for one,

 like both.

            It’s my life,

            It’s now or never,

            I ain’t gonna live forever

Has real symetry and reasonance and it is inspiring.

Ditto for

                 Baby I have been here before

 
 

Pop songs are a common language .

                 I know this room, I’ve walked this floor
                 I used to live alone before I knew you

 

Everyone knows Lady Gaga and Bon Jovi.

Pop songs help us remember parts of our lives,

they form a common generational thread and they help to bridge gaps.

 They help us know that we are not alone and that sometimes

               Love hurts,

               or Lifts us up where we belong ,

               That Everybody Hurts and Everybody dances Now and then.

Put on some music,

 dance like noone is watching,

maybe have a good cry,

smile even though your heart is breaking,

get it out, let it in.

Have fun, combat the cold with the warmth of music and words.

Later Girls

BB