Some Favourite Music and Lyrics

I live in a household with quite eclectic musical tastes.

Some of us enjoy rap, others like very traditional oldies and new pop, and some enjoy dance music and top 40 hits. I happen to enjoy some of each of the above, and also R&B, Classical, Jazz and some more rock-y bands from when I was younger.

The music I'm most interested in connecting to is probably rap - only because I really despised it when I first heard some, and wanted to give it the benefit of the doubt. My issue of late with rap is that the lyrics tend to be written by someone with a pre-school education - they're sophomoric, and I think if I hear "wich you" instead of "with you" one more time I'll cut my own ears off. Having said that though I'm told I tend to get exposed to more mainstream rap rather than than the 'better' intelligent stuff. I'm not sure about that, but I'll leave it be for now.

In thinking about music and lyrics, my favorite songs of this past year all have at least one killer line - that's the single element that jumps out to me when I think of the song, and it defines the song often for me. I wanted to offer an overview of some songs and their definitve lyrics, and invite you to think about your own favs the same way - I'll bet something similar come to mind. This is a personal list of course, and you'll no doubt disagree with some choices - but that's really the point...music is a way we express ourselves and in a way it's a celebration. We all celebrate a little differently - it's what makes the world a colorful mosaic.

Most Evocative - Eminem's - Love the way you Lie (part II) with Rihanna
Maybe our relationship isn't as crazy as it seems;
Maybe that's what happens when a tornado meets a volcano;
All I know is I love you too much to walk away though
A wonderfully deep and evocative story of a troubled relationship.

Most Honest - Marianas Trench - Beside You
I'm just trying to keep this together, because I could do worse, and you could do better

A deep love song by a smart song-writer that knows how to stitch a tune together too.

Most Twistedly Thoughtful - Marianas Trench - Shake Tramp
And the guilt in me is the hurt in you
And the hurt in you is the lost in me
And the lost in me is the need in you
And the need in you is the guilt in me

A raucous, raw nerve of a pop/rock scream.

Lifetime Achievement Award for Lyric Genius - Leonard Cohen/John Cale - Hallelujah
Your faith was strong but you needed proof,
You saw her bathing on the roof;
Her beauty and the moonlight overthrew you.
She tied you to a kitchen chair,
She broke your throne, and she cut your hair;
And from your lips she drew the Hallelujah

Cohen is unquestionably a brilliant lyricist, and the song's pretty incredible too.

Look these up, they're all on Youtube and enjoy these killer lines in some great songs.