Ed the Lyrical Genius

bk159954 wrote:

He is so fucking talented. A modern day poet. Can anyone name a single music artist that has put words to music better than him over the last 20+ years? I think not.

Let's put a list together of our favorite Ed lyrics. Try to keep it to short one liners. The more obscure the better. I'll start it. You top it. And as you remember more, post it.

"It's like his thoughts are too big for his size"

the last 20+ years??? I'm a big Ed fan, but come on...just of the bat, think of some of Ed's heroes. Springsteen and Young to name 2 off the top of my head. Yes, they've been around for longer than 20 years, but the music and lyrics they've put out in the last 20 are just as good.

Just IMO.

"Come to send....not condescend."

"Tell ya to pray while the devils on their shoulder"

Anyone who can work in the word "subterfuge" or the phrase "metaphysically redeemed" is ok in my book.

fox_mulderX wrote:

I think Ed was one of the best in the 90's, but now his lyrics are much more straight forward. There's nothing wrong with that, but I feel that there are better lyricists today (I've named a few already, but here are a few more):

Alex Turner
Jack White
James Mercer

To me, there's nothing wrong with more straightforward lyrics. You don't get point for being cryptic or writing about Dungeons or Dragons or something else nobody can figure out. I'm sort of over music as homework.

To me, great lyrics are about an idea. Do you have an interesting point of view? And how is that idea communicated? What words are chosen and how do those words fit together?

For instance, there's a moment in Sirens in which Ed wishes to communicate the idea that when he was younger, before he had a family to care for and care for him, he was more reckless and carefree with his life, unafraid of whatever dangers might lurk around the corner.

To have that mouthful manifest itself as "I danced in laughter with the everafter" is an example of pretty fucking stellar lyricism.

"I am lost, I'm no guide.
But I'm by your side.
I am right by your side."

"Wonderland pullin' Alice in the hole."


"Behind her eyes there's curtains, but they've been closed to hide the flames. Remains."

Looks like bottom line its the lyricist, or lyrics you identify with the best that counts.
For me its Ed.
Everyone previously mentioned is certainly good at the craft

slightofjeff wrote:

fox_mulderX wrote:

I think Ed was one of the best in the 90's, but now his lyrics are much more straight forward. There's nothing wrong with that, but I feel that there are better lyricists today (I've named a few already, but here are a few more):

Alex Turner
Jack White
James Mercer

To me, there's nothing wrong with more straightforward lyrics. You don't get point for being cryptic or writing about Dungeons or Dragons or something else nobody can figure out. I'm sort of over music as homework.

To me, great lyrics are about an idea. Do you have an interesting point of view? And how is that idea communicated? What words are chosen and how do those words fit together?

For instance, there's a moment in Sirens in which Ed wishes to communicate the idea that when he was younger, before he had a family to care for and care for him, he was more reckless and carefree with his life, unafraid of whatever dangers might lurk around the corner.

To have that mouthful manifest itself as "I danced in laughter with the everafter" is an example of pretty fucking stellar lyricism.

You're right, something doesn't have to be cryptic to mean something. Like I said, there's nothing wrong with being straight forward. I just prefer the tone and style of Eddie's lyrics from the 90's as opposed to todays. That's not to say that he hasn't had his moments of greatness since (Into the Wild).

From Down - "And if hope could grow from dirt like me. It can be done."

From the new album,

Getaway - "Sometimes you find yourself having to put all your faith...in your faith"

MYM - " Try my patience, my patience tried" (I just love the way he delivers this line)


RM

So I got the CD today and got to see the lyrics for the first time (I don't like to look in other places for many reasons) and I think this is the strongest lyrical album in the band's existence. I'm really impressed. One man's opinion.