Guitar and the Abstract Truth

As a bass player, wannabe-pianist and ex-trumpet player, my primary focus while listening to music is to catch bass lines, harmony and melody. For quite some time, those three items alone comprised my appreciation for music. About a year ago, I picked up guitar for fun and started learning all sorts of songs. It was then that I started perceiving music in a new and completely different way.

After figuring out basic chords and strum patterns, I noticed that singing lyrics while playing actually forced me to know what the lyrics were about. For a guy who pretty much "La-La-La'd" his way through a college music program, this is a HUGE development. Paying attention to lyrics gave me appreciation for songs I didn't like before, and a completely new perception of songs that I thought I knew very well.

One of my favorite songs right now is "Two Way Street" by Kimbra. You may know her as the girl who sings in "Somebody That I Used To Know." Anyway, one of my main complaints when I first listened to this song was that she only sings during the very first half of the song. The rest of the song is filled with prolonged vocal ad-libs that sounds like Christina Aguilera giving birth to Mariah Carey. Though I didn't think it was perfect, I liked the first two minutes of the song (when she actually uses words) enough to actually learn it. It was then that I realized that the song was much more than I thought it was.


Essentially, the song is about how Kimbra has opened her heart to someone and that there is no barrier preventing that person from claiming her love. With that said, she implies that this gentleman has to reciprocate her sentiments for their love to be true (because love is a "two way street"). With this in mind, the "empty" second half of the song may represent the lack of a response from her man, which makes Kimbra's effusive declaration in the first half tragically unrequited. I'm sure there are plenty alternate explanations, but interpreting the lyrics to this song was essential to justify its bizarre musical structure for me.

Now, for those of you who are thinking, "Man this guy is a total BOOB! You obviously have to listen to lyrics to appreciate music," I'd like to challenge you to reconsider one of the simplest, most misunderstood songs of all time:



Even though this song lit up your middle/high school dances with guileless feel-goodery, "Hey Ya!" upon second glance, is incredibly depressing. In between the repetitive "HEEEEYYYY YAAAAA's" the song describes a broken relationship where a man no longer loves his woman and she in turn is losing interest. If you were too busy "shakin' it like a Polaroid picture" to catch that, don't worry. The song is aware of its unknowing listeners!

"Y'all don't want to hear me/You just wanna dance"

Several of my teachers have distinctly told me that to fully understand a song, one must refer to the lyrics. I'm relieved that I've finally taken their advice and that there are still discoveries to be made in music. Now, please excuse me while I try to analyze the lyrical nuances of the greatest song of all time.

Have a nice day,
Matthew

Guilty Pleasure Songs

When people find out I studied music in college, they usually ask me what sort of music I like. My simple answer to this question is that I pretty much dislike ALL types of music, but there are millions of exceptions that I love. I generally judge my music by song or artist rather than genre, which has led me to like a pretty weird variety of music.

An interesting fact about my musical interests is that, despite growing up in church and in a conservative family, I have no moral proclivities when choosing the music I listen to. I like quite a few songs that have terrible, socially irresponsible lyrics. Here's a brief list of some of my favorite awful, awful songs. Enjoy if you dare!

"Drank in My Cup" - Kirko Bangz

Worst Line: "Ain't tryin' to love you baby, just f*** you instead."
What it's about: Typical self-aggrandizing hip hop artist talking about his sexual exploits and how he wants nothing more from women except sex.
Why I like it: I like this song mostly because the harmony (chords) fit well with its super simple melody. Also, some of his rhyming repetitions are good enough that I forget that I just listened to a song by a guy named "Kirko Bangz."

"Quickie" by Miguel





Worst Line: "I don't want to be loved, I don't want to be loved/I just want a quickie"
What it's about: Typical self-aggrandizing RnB artist talking about his sexual exploits and how he wants nothing more from women except sex.
Why I like it: The bass line, guitar lines and beats are all top notch. In addition, all the melodies and vocal harmonies are stunning. Personally, I think the song is well written, but the lyrics are too controversial to receive widespread radio play.

"Super Bass" by Nicki Minaj





Worst Line: "When he gimme that look then them panties coming off, off"
What it's about: Typical self-aggrandizing rapper talking about her sexual exploits, how her heart beats for hot, successful people and.... that pelicans fly?
Why I like it: A lot of complaints for Nicki Minaj are that her lyrics make no sense and that she makes a lot of weird noises. Considering that this song is about the incomprehensible feelings one has for a crush, Nicki's typical gibberish is oddly appropriate. Musically, the hook is raw and beautiful and the guitar lines have a cool counterpoint with the bass drum and keyboard synths.

"It's in the Mornin'" by Robin Thicke

Worst Line: "Let me put some CREAM in your COFFEE"
What it's about: Typical self-aggrandizing RnB artist talking about his sexual exploits. Also, if you listen REALLY carefully, you may hear him talking about having sex in the morning.
Why I like it: One Word: Falsetto. Also, Snoop Dogg!

"No Bulls***" by Chris Brown



Worst Line: IT'S ALL BAD
What it's about: A step by step description of what a self-aggrandizing RnB singer wants to do with his lady.
Why I like it: Pretty much all musical aspects of this song are just beautiful. Whatever opinion you have about Chris Brown, he's a damn good singer. With that said, there's no denying that the lyrics gets are quite explicit.

Have a nice day,
Matthew

Conscience Personified

Last week I received a noise complaint. It was around 11 at night and I was practicing really repetitive exercises on my guitar when I heard a loud knocking at my door. When I opened it, a small, but tough-looking, security guard curtly stated, "I got a call about a noise complaint," and asked, "Were you playing guitar?" I replied, "Yeah that was me. I'll stop. Sorry about that," and he left me alone.

I wasn't particularly angry at the security guard or my neighbor (though they could be a bit more considerate with their Thirsty Thursday-romping), but I was a bit upset with myself. I had received several "unofficial" noise complaints in the form of obnoxious pounding on the walls a week earlier while I was practicing for an upcoming lesson. I guess part of me just wanted to conveniently forget the courtesy of saving my neighbors from my boring practice regimens.

I often forget what I'm supposed to do with my life. I'm young, poor and foolish and while the path to my future is extremely linear, I generally choose to chase after my own tail like the dumb dog I am. I wish there was a small, tough-looking security guard in me to remind me every once in a while how I'm goofing up. I don't need any lengthy lectures or sermons on why I'm doing things wrong; I already know that I am. I just need a voice in my head that says "YOU DUN GOOFED" and forces me to playing guitar just a little softer.

As for my neighbors, I'll send security over to their house next time they play "Let's Stomp Like Dinosaurs" after midterm season is over.

~~~

On Monday, August 24, 2009, I wrote this on my Xanga:

Sometimes, my genius makes me smile.
More times, my stupidity makes me laugh.

In reaction, I smiled and then I laughed. Thought that would be fun to share!

Have a nice day,
Matthew