Undoubtedly, you’ve found yourself in the circumstances of someone asserting a band’s lyrics — something out there and unexpected like AC/DC — are pure poetry.
Now, AC/DC’s lyrics serve the songs by creating an atmosphere where a switchblade might pop out at any moment but I doubt “Have A Drink On Me” would get famous off the page of a book. But that’s not to say its lyrics are not effective where they strike.
On paper, poetry and song lyrics might appear identical. Try to tell the difference between a William Carlos Williams poem and Radiohead lyrics, both unstructured and most of the time vague. The real difference lies in the intention for the words: to be read or delivered in melody.
Lyrics come packed with notes and instruction while poems deal only with the time. A sung delivery can express emotions that cannot be omitted from poems. Poems must guide with words while lyrics have a more visceral component of tone.
Of course, many artists have adapted poems into songs to make them more singable. The lyrics for Red Hot Chili Peppers’ hit “Under the Bridge” began as a poem written by Anthony Kiedis.
Likewise, Greta Kline of the airy band Frankie Cosmos has said she turned her poetry into songs, noting the distinction between the two in several interviews. The reality that, most times, changes need to be made to poems before they can resemble the structure of songs, shows the original creative division between them.
But some musicians rendered the separation not so absolute by fusing poetry over a musical background that ranges from jazz to folk to metal.
Gil Scott-Heron read his poetic compositions over jazz-tinged drums and flutes. Other songwriters strive to have their songs read like poems. Two songs on Bob Dylan’s 1965 Bringing It All Back Home, “Subterranean Homesick Blues” and “Gates of Eden,” could be read as poems without having lost anything. In fact, the rhyme scheme of “Homesick Blues” borrowed from the Woody Guthrie song “Taking It Easy,” which really sounds like a poem. On the heavier side, Henry Rollins basically recites a poem in Rollins Band’s 1994 song “Liar,” immortalized by Beavis and Butt-head.
Understandably, because there’s no clear line to differentiate the poetry and lyrics like there is with crocodiles and alligator. In this case, valid arguments can be crafted by both sides.
However, I’m not on the fence about it. I think lyrics might sound and read poetically but do not constitute poetry, of which is meant to be read or listened. You can’t say the lyrics to “Girls Got Rhythm” were written for rhetorical clout — they’re visceral and suit the tone of the music, and therefore, are not poetry just like many other songs asserted as such.
Poetry offers a good starting place for a songwriter but eventually proves irreconcilable to the physics and effectiveness of a song. And songwriting could never compare to a poem crafted to be read raw and unsupported by melody or any other crutch.
That might seem like a tough stance, but you have the AC/DC kid from elementary school to thank for this column – it’s a matter I’ve been ruminating about it for years.
Luke Furman is a senior studying journalism at Ohio University. Please note that the views and opinions of the columnists do not reflect those of The Post. Are you one for poetry? Let Luke know by tweeting him @LukeFurmanLog or emailing him at lf491413@ohio.edu.
