Throw your Hands in the Air till it Cuts like a Knife
Musicians’ lyrics are words for music,
An afterthought to fill the tune.
And that’s what makes them words of int’rest,
Knocked-up quick, and none too soon !
Musicians’ lyrics, they’re corny or woozy,
But always organic in self-expression –
Their very essence is always the quintest –
When forged in the deadline of ending the session.
Musicians are never librettists,
They never write words to stand alone –
They’re woven into the very chords,
Their voices are played like a saxophone.
Musicians’ lyrics are hard to resist,
They’re what turns a tune to a song.
They master what poets are groping towards,
When the audience all sing along.
Note that this poem is about bands who write their own songs, not about professional songwriters who often have individuals working exclusively on the words. It’s intended as a celebration of those musicians for whom the words are simply less important than the tune.
Rhyming Couplets 