Cliff has never been able to understand why I admire these people: Bob Dylan; Kris Kristofferson; John Prine; and Iris Dement. Oh yes, and even Arlo Guthrie (and of course his dad, Woody).
Or even something as simple as Laura Ingalls Wilder's books.
Or the book of Ecclesiastes in the Bible.
He listens, and then says, "I guess I just don't get it."
That's because he's listening to the music, and not the words.
When you can hear a song and feel like the writer has been where you've been, and is echoing what you've felt, it really doesn't matter how the music sounds. It's like you've met that person, because he/she is writing your own feelings.
To me, the words are what matters.
To me, the words are what matters.
It's the same feeling I get when I'm reading some of Robert Frost's poems.
Or reading certain soliloquies written by Shakespeare. For instance, "Tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow.... "
Or even something as simple as Laura Ingalls Wilder's books.
Or the book of Ecclesiastes in the Bible.
I don't think I'm alone in this. Are there songwriters or poets who make you feel as though you know them through their compositions?
There are about 5-7 Travis Tritt songs that got me out of the horrible Hiram years. Gave me strength, gave me hope, gave me words. Travis didn't write all of them, but he sang them to me. It was the only reason I got out of bed back then.
ReplyDelete"Lookin' out for number one" was the one that put me over the hump. I'll love Travis for all eternity for recording that one.
Yeah, Mom, I get it.
Words are everything, I agree.
ReplyDeleteI think a favorite song, since you and Cliff ride the motorcycle, should be Arlo's Motorcycle song! "I don't want a pickle..
ReplyDeleteI just wanna ride my motor-sickle." :o)
Dee from Tennessee
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely. (And I can remember a million and half yrs ago how Rod McKuen spoke to my soul it seemed. Your post has transported me back instantly....memories are like that sometimes.)
Oh my, I have too many to name. First ones that came to my mind was Paul Simon & Art Garfunkel, probably cause I just listen to one of their songs.
ReplyDeleteI seem to deal with the words first then the music.
I love music in all forms...almost to a fault.