On Poetry II: Lyric Poetry

I sometimes hear comments suggesting that lyrics are different than poetry (for example, "So-and-so's lyrics are almost poetry"). This is probably grounded in an elitist error -- the thought that lyric is a lesser form of poetry, extended to a complete demotion or ejection from the class. Perhaps the lyrics "When I'm Sixty-Four" by Lennon & McCartney are less liable to formal and substantial interpretation than "When Forty Winters Shall Besiege Thy Brow" (Sonnet II) by Shakespeare. Perhaps.

Certainly, bad lyrics exist. Sed, abusus non tollit usum. In other words, don't slight lyric just because some lyricists can't, or don't, edit their work well. Lyric stands in the same relationship to poetry as apple to fruit, not as apple to orange. Lyric is a type of poetry. And bad poetry exists, too.

It's true that lyrics must be assessed at least in part with the thought that they are meant to be sung, not merely scanned with the eye or heard read. Particularly when lyrics include frequently repeated phrases, they may seem absurd or boring when merely read, but when sung they may gain power in the repetition. (Even when read, the repetition of the reading may begin to move the reader or listener into a magical state -- but that is perhaps better left for another discussion).

Consider the refrains of the Talking Heads' "Once in a Lifetime":

Same as it ever was
same as it ever was
same as it ever was
same as it ever was
same as it ever was
same as it ever was
same as it ever was
same as it ever was

Letting the days go by
let the water hold me down
letting the days go by
water flowing underground
into the blue again
after the money's gone
once in a lifetime
there is water underground

Letting the days go by
let the water hold me down
letting the days go by
water flowing underground
into the blue again
into the silent waters
under the rocks and stones
there is water underground

Particularly "same as it ever was", while of course the signature hook of the song, these refrains are fine (I think excellent) poetry, but to be read, they require either fortitude (temerity?) or alteration. When I sing this song, I avoid the strict repetition of the sounds in "same as it ever was"; I sing the eight repetitions, but I vary the melody. That's certainly not the way David Byrne approaches the lyric, but I guess that's just the point: I'm not David Byrne, and he's probably relieved.

Or, to take an example from closer to home: "Taillights".

I'm watching your taillights
going down the lane again
I feel such joy from the time we've had
I hardly mind
that now you're going home.

One day soon, I won't see those lights
fading faster than the fireflies
down that lane, 'cause you'll be home
with me
all night long.

As "poetry" to be read, well, I doubt that I would ever offer this one, but as lyric it's fine. I don't think I would ever read "Love Me Do" by Lennon and McCartney from a podium except perhaps for comic effect, but sung it's perfectly charming (although to sing it from a podium would be cognitively dissonant).

As sung, "Taillights" is a more extended production:

I'm watching your taillights
going down the lane again
I feel such joy from the time we've had
I hardly mind
that now you're going home
going home, oh
you're going home, you're going home
going home
you're going home, going home,
oh you're going home, you're going home.
You're going home
going home, oh
you're going home, you're going home
going home
you're going home, going home,
oh you're going home, you're going home.

One day soon, I won't see those lights
fading faster than the fireflies
down that lane 'cause you'll be home with me all night long
oh, you'll be home, you'll be home, oh
you'll be home, you'll be home, all night long,
you'll be home you'll be home, oh, you'll be home, you'll be home.
Oh, you'll be home, you'll be home, oh
you'll be home, you'll be home, all night long,
you'll be home you'll be home, oh, you'll be home, you'll be home.

But I'm not convinced that the greater length increases the podium-worthiness of the piece. It does give greater scope for vocal styling in singing.