The Sublime and the Ridiculous

The week's almost over and I'm having fun doing the compare and contrast between the song lyrics of my youth compared to the song lyrics of today's youth. Such degeneration into the absurd, the perverse, and the vulgar.

As long as there has been music, songs have been written about love. For example, Thomas Morley in the 16th Century wrote this love song called "Sing Ye and Chant it." You can guess what the "fa la la's" mean, but again, the artist will be subtle, e.g.

Sing we and chant it while love doth grant it,
fa la la, etc.
Not long youth lasteth, and old age hasteth;
now is best leisure to take our pleasure,
fa la la, etc.
All things invite us now to delight us,
fa la la, etc.
Hence, care, be packing! no mirth be lacking!
Let spare no treasure to live in pleasure,
fa la la, etc.

In these delightful lyrics one can see that the singer is madly in love and feels like singing and telling the world about it. Now, let's move up a few centuries to the 20th Century and let's take a look at some lyrics from this period. For example, in the early 20th century, Cole Porter expressed himself as follows:

I've got you under my skin

I've got you deep in the heart of me

So deep in my heart, that you're really a part of me

Ive got you under my skin

I''ve tried so not to give in

I've said to myself this affair never will go so well

But why should I try to resist, when baby will I know than well

That I've got you under my skin

Now the above tune is a little more direct, but it still stays subtle and get's the point across that this guy has the major hots from some girl that he simply cannot resist. A classic song. Now let's move up to the 1960's with a song from Paul McCartney with a simple ditty from the White Album:

Who knows how long I've loved you
You know I love you still
Will I wait a lonely lifetime
If you want me to--I will.

For if I ever saw you
I didn't catch your name
But it never really mattered
I will always feel the same.

Love you forever and forever
Love you with all my heart
Love you whenever we're together
Love you when we're apart.

And when at last I find you
Your song will fill the air
Sing it loud so I can hear you
Make it easy to be near you
For the things you do endear you to me
You know I will
I will.

Paul's lyrics in the short song "I Will" once again in simple lyrics, gets the point across without resorting to vulgarity and brashness. It frankly is more effective in getting the point across about the singer's feelings for some special someone. Paul demonstrated more direct feelings a few years later in his song "Maybe I'm Amazed", but still he keeps things clean while still getting across his message:

Baby Im amazed at the way you love me all the time

Maybe Im afraid of the way I love you

Baby Im amazed at the the way you pulled me out of time

Hung me on a line

Maybe Im amazed at the way I really need you

Baby I'm a man and maybe I'm a lonely man

Who's in the middle of something

That he dosent really understand

Baby I'm a man and maybe you're the only woman who could ever help me

Baby won't you help to me understand

A beautiful song and one of my favorites growing up. So, now as a contrast, let's look at the drech that is popular today by looking at these lyrics from Christina Aguilera from her most recent album:

You've been a bad bad boy
I'm gonna take my time, so enjoy
There's no need to feel no shame
Relax and sip upon my champagne
'Cause I wanna give you a little taste
Of the sugar below my waist, you nasty boy

I'll give you some oh-la-la
Voulez vous coucher avec moi?
I got you breaking into a sweat
Got you hot, bothered, and wet
You nasty boy

Nasty naughty boy

Oh baby for all it's worth
I swear I'll be the first to blow your mind
Now if you're ready, come and get me
I'll give you that hot, sweet, sexy loving (loving)

Hush now, don't say a word
I'm gonna give you what you deserve
Now you better give me a little taste
Put your icing on my cake
You nasty boy

So folks, you make the call. Has songwriting improved in the last 500 years? I think not. I'll take the Morley madrigal over this "ca-ca" they now call "popular music"

Have a great day.