Words

I've spent a good bit of time this week listening to non-symphonic music, everything from jazz to hypnotic classical Indian, and Celtic to new pop/folk. And in particular to music with words. I've spent some time thinking about how they directly affect the tone of a song.

When I play Celtic music, more often than not, the music is in a minor or minor-sounding modes (like Dorian), but the rhythms and lyrics can turn those sad sounding notes and scales into something jovial and rowdy, or light and cheery, often making one want to dance. On the flip side, some of the songs that I've listened to this week have very peaceful and happy sounding melodies in major keys, but the words put on top of those melodies really create a whole new feel, sometimes not so jovial.

A friend and former colleague of mine, Chris Collier (www.chriscollier.com), is a folk singer in the Cincinnati area. Her words are authentically genuine and share pure-at-heart stories, making me laugh, smile, and cry. Her words are able to reach right through to my heart, tapping into my own life's experiences, raw emotions, and attachments to people. Vienna Teng (www.viennateng.com), a crossover classical to pop musician, inspires me with her simple melodic lines, soft, almost child-like voice of innocence, and the powerful poetry she uses to make her statements and share her feelings. Again, another musician whose words have reached into the center of my soul.

From Vienna Teng's song "Eric's Song", sung in almost a whisper of a voice with a gentle, soft melody, piano accompanying:

Strange how certain the journey.
Time unfolds the petals for our eyes to see.
Strange how this journey's hurting,
in ways we accept as part of fate's decree.

So we just hold on fast,
acknowledge the past
as lessons exquisitely crafted,
painstakingly drafted
to carve us as instruments
that play the music of life.
For we don't realize
our faith in the prize
unless it's been somehow elusive.
How swiftly we choose it
the sacred simplicity
of you at my side.

A snippet from Chris Collier's "Let's Just Have tonight," an almost waltz sounding folk ballad, with guitar accompaniment. (The whole song is great. This is just my favorite part.)

I have wanted this moment for so long.
Can you feel what stirs inside of me?
Step to the music, that has no origin or song.
Without a tune, we're free just to be.

What song lyrics do you allow to reach the depths of your soul and spirit? What is it about those lyrics that find their way inside?