| re: NJC: Next Best Thing | |
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Posted by: |
John_Galt 10:50 pm UTC 02/12/11 |
| In reply to: | re: NJC: Next Best Thing - Vin 03:09 am UTC 02/10/11 |
| I agree with Vin on this. His lyrics don't read like he's trying to do an imitation of Steinman, which is a good thing because imitations of Steinman almost always suck. Also, Vin's songs are significantly more naturalistic in theme than Jim's. There's actually something similar about Vin's writing to Jim's lyrics that I enjoy, but it would take me awhile to explain it and I'd have to go back and dig for examples and I'm swamped and it's a Saturday. At any rate, the part of Jim's approach -- in terms of going OTT -- that really works doesn't necessarily involve fantastical metaphorical language, anyway. (Totally valid to disagree with me on this point, I'm hardly an expert on such things!) I could kind of imagine Vin writing Left in the Dark, but it'd be substantially different from the Steinman version. But still, that's where the two seem to come closest in my mind... at least the recent Vin -- there's been sort of an evolution in style... -=John Galt=- > I don't try to do Steinman. I just do what I do. I'm > heavily influenced by Jim, of course, but I've only ever > once set out to write a deliberate Steinman knock-off, and > that was in 1993 or so. (I also think that I, and > everybody on this board, share a certain degree of > artistic sensibility with Jim, that was in place before we > ever heard Jim's name. There's a reason we're here, you > know? And not much else accounts for a straight > 10-year-old boy sitting through "Streets of Fire" and > being absolutely blown away by Ellen Aim & The Attackers.) > My lyrics do tend to be more literal, or factual, than > Jim's, its true. > > > > > If you are trying to do Steinman try and do a little OTT a > > bit more often and not so factual otherwise it is Bad > > Company not Steinman. > > > > Example - Sure the shadows are thick and the light in > > here’s tricky, should be something like > > You embrace the shadows of my darkest thoughts > > I sense a need growing from your silent presence > > ellinminate the night and discover my passion... > > > > Should be something like - > > Instead of Bouncer's calling closing time say call him the > > Matchfaker's calling closing time > > > > You, you’re not as young as you used to be, > > Should be something like - you're not as pure as virgin > > snow > > Instead of - And I refuse to be as old as I feel. > > but this old stallion needs a refreshing gallop > > on glissening grounds that cascades and unfolds > > > > > > > Some lyrics I'd like to share. Not intentional, but I > > > sort of feel like this is a prequel to a song I posted > > > awhile back, "You Pay for What You Get." For a reason I > > > can't yet figure out, I write most of my lyrics for female > > > characters, and they tend to be a little fucked in the > > > head. > > > > > > "Next Best Thing" > > > > > > This place is packed tonight > > > With damned and damaged souls > > > So many phony brave faces > > > Hoping hard that nobody will notice > > > Just how bad > > > > > > But you let your heart show > > > It’s dripping down your sleeve > > > You’ve got that look about you > > > Like you don’t know what to believe > > > Anymore > > > > > > So offer me your ear > > > Maybe later we can get the hell out of here > > > But for now sit back and let me do the talking > > > > > > Oh boy, stop wishing on broken stars, > > > Quit dreaming recycled dreams. > > > If the Gods ever cared they’d have answered your prayers, > > > You wouldn’t be here in the back of this bar, > > > Crying cold tears on colder shoulders > > > And conjuring your desperate schemes. > > > > > > Let me be your next best thing tonight > > > And I’ll let you be mine. > > > It’s past last call, the house has turned up the lights, > > > The bouncer’s calling closing time. > > > You, you’re not as young as you used to be, > > > And I refuse to be as old as I feel. > > > So I’ll settle for you if you’ll settle for me – > > > Nod twice for “yes,” pick up the check – > > > Give me a kiss and we’ll seal this deal. > > > > > > No you can’t put make-up on a shattered heart, > > > Sun glasses won’t hide an anguished mind, > > > You can tease your hair up like an ecstasy high, > > > And pull your hat low as the brim will go, > > > Sure the shadows are thick and the light in here’s > > > tricky, > > > But sooner or later – you better pray that it’s later- > > > Sooner or later, boy, > > > Even the small cracks will show. > > > > > > > > > This place is Hell tonight, > > > So many devils are on the prowl. > > > We’ve got our best angel masks on, > > > But I can see you like mine anyhow, > > > Like it bad. > > > > > > You went and let your heart show! > > > Its pouring down your sleeve, > > > I swear I’m looking right through you, > > > And I’ll never let nobody deceive you > > > Anymore > > > > > > So offer me your hand > > > We can have ourselves a little one night stand > > > You never know how different things may look in the > > > morning > > > > > > So boy, stop waiting for the ride to begin, > > > Quit watching from your seat in the stands. > > > There’s no way you can win without some skin in the game, > > > No way to knock a little something straight out of the > > > park > > > You can wash away your fears in these watered down beers > > > Or you can get a little life on your hands. > > > > > > Let me be your next best thing tonight > > > And I’ll let you be mine. > > > It’s past last call, the house has turned up the lights, > > > The bouncer’s calling closing time. > > > You, you’re not as young as you used to be, > > > And I refuse to be as old as I feel. > > > So I’ll settle for you if you’ll settle for me – > > > Nod twice for “yes,” pick up the check – > > > Give me a kiss and we’ll seal this deal. > > > > > > | |
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