Do you ever really think about...

[bovinehost]

In case you missed it, this all came to a head over "Tush", "Only the Good Die Young" and "Brown Sugar".

So I'm guessing he won't sit in with us for "Why Don't We Do It In The Road"?

What you are refering to, is specifically, rap, which is just one form of hip hop, ie: all the bitch, hoes, money and street cred you spoke of. I, personally think that is a load of crap too.

Then there's nothing for us to disagree about. And even if you DIDN'T think it was a load of crap, I'd still respect your right to listen to whatever you wanted. Music is personal. Whatever I think of your CD collection has nothing to do with what makes you happy.

Now, I don't expect you to try and go out and find the type of hip hop that is classy and sophisticated. But I just want you to know that it does exist. There are some true poets in hip hop. Mos Def is a prime example in my opinion.

I think it's also a generational thing. I grew up on the Beatles. Melodic pop speaks to me on a very visceral level - it's intertwined with my past, my memories, who I am. Mos Def may well be a very talented guy (it's a guy, right?) but I'm too entrenched in my own thing to really 'get' it, I think.

But if you do and it gets inside you and makes you FEEL, then I think that's good.

Jack

 

[phatduckk]

I don't like songs about raping people (my fiancee was a victim of rape from her last girlfriend, and I've had many friend become a victim of it)!

unfortunately i know too many victims of that same crime. im really sorry man. ive heard that news a few times and i can understand hwo u feel.

to keep on topic but regarding that same horrible scenario... the spirit and the "where its coming from" points of the lyrics play a huge part in whether i find something unacceptable.

for example: my band has a song called Vigilante that starts off with the lyrics "That's me with my gun pointed at your temple". it continues w/ "its me unexpectedly waking you at night. its me, the last voice you'll ever hear". then chorus goes "upped the antee and became a vigilante. ill take revenege on you for taking her virtue. this is the end; for you my friend this is the end". Now i know the lyricist, i know his personality, i know where he's coming from, i know he wouldn't kill a man. But depending on which part of the song you can decipher the lyrics from the song's either about murder or its an anti abuse song.

you can download it at: http://victimnation.fuzz.com/ if you wanna hear the rest.

as far as band dynamics go. its always a HUGE bummer when suddenly a member (or 2) start souring up the situation. like a few people said above... its supposed to be fun. I know you're a standup guy and am sure your bandmates are as well and couldnt see you guys doing any horribly offensive number.

best of luck my friend. i hope it works out easily and as quickly as possible

 

[AnthonyD]

So I'm guessing he won't sit in with us for "Why Don't We Do It In The Road"?

Nope... He's not likely to sit in on any song re: "doing it"...




Surprisingly, though, he found himself digging us doing "Bad Case of Loving You"...

Him: "I didn't think we'd pull it off - I like the groove - sounds really good..."

Him: "Just one thing though..."

Him: "Do you think we could ditch the line: I know you like it, you like it on top?"







Us: "No freaking way..."

 

[KennethB]

certain things that shouldn't be talked about in song format.

I disagree with this point.
I think anything can be talked about in a song format.
The writer doesn't have to agree with the point of view that's described in the text.
Why is it that people think that a musicians' lyrics is a reflection of his/her personality?
You never hear people say that about people that write books.

 

[tadawson]

So I guess "Big Bottom" would be right out, then . . . . . .

I must be a mutant . . . I LIKE being controversial, and tend to push the envelope . . ..

- Tim

Nope... He's not likely to sit in on any song re: "doing it"...




Surprisingly, though, he found himself digging us doing "Bad Case of Loving You"...

Him: "I didn't think we'd pull it off - I like the groove - sounds really good..."

Him: "Just one thing though..."

Him: "Do you think we could ditch the line: I know you like it, you like it on top?"







Us: "No freaking way..."

 

[tkarter]

I have sat out songs I hated. Simple as that.

Typically the ones trying to justify abusing a woman.

tk

 

[Bass Control]

I disagree with this point.
I think anything can be talked about in a song format.
The writer doesn't have to agree with the point of view that's described in the text.
Why is it that people think that a musicians' lyrics is a reflection of his/her personality?
You never hear people say that about people that write books.

I do agree that anything can be talked about in song format, but there are things that, for certain reasons dependent upon the topic, just shouldn't be touched upon.

It's not that I think or believe that the lyrics reflect their personality. The songs that I have a personal problem with are those that glorify those situations, whether the writer agrees with it or not. I know the writer probably doesn't indulge in it (and I know that in most cases that they don't), but the problems comes where there are people in the world who listen to the lyrics and say "Yes, I totally agree with this" (and in some cases act on it) and when the songwriters are making money off of a song that talks about it in a very, very slack and accepting way.

In some cases, it is a morality issue. Would I go and change a song's lyrics because I disagree with it? Absolutely not because it's not my place. I perform music because I enjoy the music. I don't have to perform it because I like the lyrics, and that isn't the only reason in most times that I perform any song. Most times it's because it is technically challenging. Sometimes it's just because of the sound of the song and how it is musically build. In some cases it is because the lyrics speak to me. I play music because that's what I love to do. I'm a musician, not an entertainer. Maybe that's my problem...

And I'm ranting again... getting close to highway thread robbery...

 

[steve21]

Considering I've written a song titled "F*** the FCC" for a comedy band, I think about 'em and don't care what we say.

To be 17 is pretty sweet.

 

[KennethB]

Oh, right. The FCC.......

[nomedia="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U058nz0Jepg"]YouTube - Broadcast Yourself.[/nomedia]

 

[Aussie Mark]

IMHO, cop killing, abusing women and similar themes should never make it into song lyrics at all.

On the other hand, refusing to play a song because there's a line involving a little rumpy pumpy or a woman gittin' on top is downright weird. I get that those type of lyrics might be inappropriate at Sunday worship, but to a mixed audience of adults in a bar sipping brews and enjoying some live music, lyrics about a$$, partying hard or an attractive African-American woman are totally appropriate.

The guy really needs to find a band that meets his extreme moral ideals.

 

[RitchieDarling]

Artist: Kiss Lyrics
Song: Rock & Roll All Night Lyrics

You show us everything you've got but not the naught bits or too much midriff

You keep on dancin' but not suggestively and the room gets hot but perhaps that's an air conditioner issue

You drive us semi-wild, we'll drive your Light Emission Vehicle

You say you wanna go for a spin while obeying all the relevant traffic laws

The party's just begun, we'll let you in as long as your naughty bits are not exposed or even tightly outlined

You drive us semi-wild, we'll drive your Prius

You keep on speaking in a perfectly reasonable voice

I wanna rock and roll until around 10 pm or so

and study the Dalai Lama after lunch.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!! That's damned funny, Jack!

R

 

[Jason5150]

Oh, right. The FCC.......

YouTube - Family Guy FCC song

HAHAHAHAHAHA - I love family guy!

 

[adouglas]

Surprisingly, though, he found himself digging us doing "Bad Case of Loving You"...

I love playing that song...

Most of what my band does is a bit on the light side, so it's extra-fun when we pull out the odd rowdy rock song and cut loose.

That lyric is pretty darned mild, all things considered, IMHO.

 

[ptg]

I disagree with this point.
I think anything can be talked about in a song format.
The writer doesn't have to agree with the point of view that's described in the text.
Why is it that people think that a musicians' lyrics is a reflection of his/her personality?
You never hear people say that about people that write books.

I wrote a song about a sniper picking people off a roof to impress his girlfriend. Do I condone it or would I do it? Of course not. (Save for a few politicians ) It was a story.

Would I write or sing a song glorifying rape? No. But art is art and (as stated above) plenty of people have written novels about some not too pretty subjects.
Bottom line: If you don't want to play it, don't play it. But I don't think one should force his/her morals on a band. (And changing certain lines in a song is just downright silly IMHO.)

 

[Psycho Ward]

I like songs about love and happiness.

 

[adouglas]

I wonder how he'd feel about "Afternoon Delight?"

 

[Dr. Nick]

Wow. I mean, like....WOW!!!

The guys I play with are very devout (much more so than I, I daresay) and we have NEVER had the type of issues that you're talking about here. We are all older folks with kids, and we play to generally adult audiences, but not bar gigs, and we play what you would call, for lack of a better term, "classic rock".

It doesn't sound like you guys are playing anything that I would consider remotely controversial...hey, this is ROCK music, for gosh sakes! (See how clean I can be?)

Perhaps this fellow would be more comfortable playing polka music or perhaps performing a puppet show for toddlers? Sorry if this sounds flippant, but GEE WHIZ! Does everything have to be over-analyzed, censored and dumbed-down to the point that it becomes meaningless pablum? WTF (What The Fudge)? Heaven forfend that someone is (gasp) OFFENDED! (or, worse yet, made to think uncomfortable thoughts!)

Now, I'm not in favor of dropping the F-bomb right and left, or encouraging kiddies to do drugs or commit acts of violence, but this guy sounds like he would have a problem with Mr. Rogers! If it were me, I'd tell him to loosen up a little and not take everything too seriously!

On the other hand, The Wiggles have an excellent catalog of non-offensive tunes that I don't hear anybody covering...

 

[roballanson]

Does everything have to be over-analyzed, censored and dumbed-down to the point that it becomes meaningless pablum?

Ah now there is the rub. Isn't art (music, literature, painting et al) supposed to be challenging, and by this I mean really challenging, as well as be pretty?

Sure by all means opt not to play something, but don't take away someone else's rights to perform or write what they want.

Over-PC and censorship is a dangerous thing.

 

[AnthonyD]

What the Fudge!

Hysterical!


Guys - thanks for the support and the open and honest feedback. Excellent discussion.

Feels like my Band will be developing a bit of a "split-personality", with gigs I run leaning clearly to the "rock-n-roll dance party" side of things and gigs he runs leaning a bit more to the "squeaky-clean/mickey-mouse" (my other guitarist's words) side of things.

I'm fine with playing his music for his events - no problem. We'll see if he's fine playing mine. If not, there's one less way to split the paycheck - and more room on the bandstand.

The reality is, with three accomplished guitarists in the group, it ain't gonna be no trouble if we're down one on occassion. Prefer not to go that route - but I'd prefer making fun music more.

 

[Dr. Nick]

Feels like my Band will be developing a bit of a "split-personality", with gigs I run leaning clearly to the "rock-n-roll dance party" side of things and gigs he runs leaning a bit more to the "squeaky-clean/mickey-mouse" (my other guitarist's words) side of things.

Anthony, I'll come to one of YOUR gigs anytime! (but I'll take a pass on the Mickey Mouse Club!)

(and Rob, I couldn't agree with more!)