The Guardian published free leaflets of lyrics each day last week of well-known songwriters.
Greer argues that it's pointless to print just the lyrics because modern song lyrics are not lyrical in the traditional sense ( a poem in a song form), and they need the music to convey their meaning.
She argues real poetic lyrics don't need music because of their own internal rhythms, patterns and recurring sounds. She continues the lyrics also leave much to the readers' imagination, not explaining exactly what it means, leaving an element of mystery.
She praises Morrissey because she believes he gives thought to the weight, meaning and importance of each word and how it is expressed. For example, if he repeats a line it is for a purpose, to illustrate, rather than fill the next few bars of music. However, without the music, she argues, we don't feel the full impact of the words.
She criticises Dylan for not writing real poetry. I feel many songwriters use word sounds to create a mood, a landscape, along with the music, and it is not necessary for the words to have sense or meaning in themselves. Here the music is of greater importance.
Others tell a story concisely, intelligently or humorously.
To me the pop song where the rhyme is so predictable that I can speak in advance of the singer what's coming next is boring and unchallenging. For this reason I like the twists and turns Morrissey takes, and the way he changes the lyrics in concert.
