SING ALONG

May 01, 2025

SING ALONG

"Some may say that I couldn't sing, but no one can say that I didn't sing". Florence Foster Jenkins

Good Afternoon

FAMILIAR NOTES

Most of us, can't explain in plain words, perhaps afraid of being banal, how a handful of organize music notes can create melodies that have the eminent capability of demanding our attention and make, under approval, our entire existence tremble of raw emotion, because, we actively anticipate pleasure upon hearing familiar notes, music can become an important antidote to our live struggles or an enhancement to our joyful days

But, the lyrics of a song are also an important element that could makes us excited or could makes us frown upon their meaning. I know some popular songs that to me are a deal-breaker based upon solely on lyrics, despite the incredibly beautiful melodies, it is difficult to listen to them.

I am sure many of us remember early in life, singing along songs with lyrics we did not fully understand, and it was until much later we realized that we were singing catchy tunes about sex, suicide, death or worse, about god or religion. And so that is the world we live in.

POP CULTURE

Intentional "incorrect" grammar is, alas, a handy tool for song writers, and it has always been present in popular music. Although, there's no secret at all, plenty of musicians who write songs, “enhance” their talent with the use of drugs, and the results could be disastrous and beautiful, while, never both at the same time.

Inexact grammar could be, in addition to the point above, a calculated form of rebellion against establish norms, or the erroneous structure can be also used to force a word to rhyme with another. The intention, however, doesn't matter, after all, somebody has to keep the cringe on popular culture.

English is not my first language, and I know I make a lot of mistakes when I write and when I speak, alas, I'm listing three songs I cannot stand because of bad use of English grammar. There is no excuse, this is English 101.

1.- On my way. Jennifer Lopez sings:

Always knew you even when I didn't

know you, don't make sense, but it do

It is painful to even try listening to the complete song when the opening lines are so wrong. Where did the song writers go to school?

2.- I don't want to wait. Paula Cole discharged with:

So open up your morning light

And say a little prayer for I

The opening lines of the song follow the same formula of sacrificing good grammar for an insignificant rhyme, so insignificant that despite opening a morning "light", the rhyme is difficult to be found. I've always hated the song.

3.- Body electric. Lana Del Rey confesses with no hesitation:

Jesus is my bestest friend

Where should I begin with Lana?. A fan wrote: Lana studied philosophy at Fordham. While all her songs share in symbolic Americana pop-culture icons, they also, without exception, have references to different works of literature and philosophy.

Lana might be well verse in spiritual nonsense, but by the hard evidence, I am almost certain she flunked English, and what is "worsest", Jesus did not help her.

A BEAUTIFUL LANGUAGE

Granted, languages are always evolving, changing, becoming something completely new or disappearing. Am I being overly critical and blowing the issue out of proportion?, Perhaps, but, there is hope, and there are song writers taking the time to give us serious messages without, annoyingly, wanted to be different for "artistic" reasons and raped the beautiful English language.

In contrast, I have heard beautiful melodies with lines that speak to me in a way so captivating, and I feel these songs could be, for all I know, out of this world. Indeed, there are songs that are exceptionally poetry in motion hard to ignore.

My short list goes as follow:

1.- First Time Ever I saw Your Face.

Roberta Flack's emotional rendition, makes this song, one of the most lovely versions. She delivers the opening lyrics in such a way that compels me to listen to what she has to say, until the very end.

"The first time, ever I saw your face

I thought the sun rose in your eyes

and the moon and the stars were the gifts you gave

to the dark and the endless skies".

This lyrics represent, strangely, joy and sadness; all wrapped up into a moving tear.

2.- November Rain.

Axl Rose's voice timbre seems at first, similar to a cartoon character, but as I listen to the seriousness of the message, I realize, the joke is on me.

"Nothin' lasts forever

and we both know hearts can change

and it's hard to hold a candle

in the cold November rain"

It feels as if the song dispatch bad news you already have expected, and then, cry unconsolably, desperately pleading in a last intent to stop, ahead of time, the inevitable hardship.

3.- Dreams

With such transparent voice, nobody could conveyed the message better than Dolores O'Riordan.

"And now I tell you openly

You have my heart so don't hurt me

You're what I couldn't find

A totally amazing mind

So understanding and so kind

You're everything to me"

Beautiful token entrenched at the very edge of my heart. It never fails to remind me how much I love you. It's a magical poem, in every possible way.

4.- Unravel

In a handful of words, Bjork wisely explains:

While you are away

My heart comes undone

Slowly unravels

In a ball of yarn

The devil collects it

With a grin

Our love in a ball of yarn

He'll never return it

So when you come back

We'll have to make new love

A song hard to tame, but incredibly sophisticated. To me, it represents the uncomplicated true essence of the struggle life really is, all explained in two paragraphs.

5.- So Far Away

Marie Fredriksson showed in the live recording of this song, emotions that I did not think were possible.

"You're so far away

So far away

You left me

You told me you would stay

You never said goodbye

And I keep wondering why

I keep on wondering how"

So many memories, and our parting, without saying goodbye, was what torn me into pieces.

REMEMBER TO SING

There will always be songs with amazing lyrics that touch my emotions in a way no other form of art does. These songs could bring me comfort, hope, joy, or freedom from pain.

I wrote "Sing Along", (The composition within this entry), thinking about the songs with meaningful lyrics that somehow, they'd come to my rescued in the time of need. Thanks to all the song-writers for providing, generously, an open window to let the sunshine in, or an unbrella to cover for the rain.

If you happened to play or listen to my composition, thank you!, and while you are at it, think of a song you like, and next time you listen to it, I would invite you to always remember to sing, sing along!

Thank you for reading

MUSIC Information: