Which one is the best lyricist ?

[dissention]

Originally Posted by CarneVaca

(interestingly, I find Planets of the Universe to be rather uninspired. The "dreams" theme was dealt with much more expertly in the song bearing the name. In "Planets," it sounds like a developing idea, but one that hasn't been fleshed out completely. So I guess that shows that regardless of the time period, both of them wrote good and not-so-good lyrics.)

That's because she stole a lot of it, or rather, "borrowed liberally," from Poe, if I'm not mistaken.

Oh well, I still think it's great.

[snwriter]

Please. Every lyricist, even Dylan and Joni Mitchell (the best), play around with grammar rules. Hello--"The Skie's the Limit"!!!!????!!!!

Stevie isn't any worse than the others.

And besides, "fever dance" is gramatically correct, as would "fevered dance" be.

[strandinthewind]

Originally Posted by CarneVaca

True, "fever dance" and "fevered dance" are two different things. In context, you are quite right that she should have said "fevered."

"You can't plant no seed - where there's only greed" I think they are on equal footing when it comes to using incorrect grammar for emphasis

Having said that the impression I got from the phrase "fever dance" was that hot, confused, elated emotional state experienced when you have an instant attraction for someone to wit:

Somethin' in you brought out somethin' in me, that I've never been since
That part of me that was only for you,
That kind of romance
Comes only once, that kind of love
That kind of fever dance
That you love because you become someone else in an instant

I think it is brilliant - It makes me happy. I cannot imagine everyone would not want to feel this way at least once in their life. But, others disagree . . .

As does:

Somethin' in you put a hold on my heart
It's hard to believe now
Here in the place that will never be dark
I remember that place...
That kind of touch, electricity of love
That certain kind of grace
That you love because you become someone else in an instant

Who would not want to experience that portrayal of love?

[strandinthewind]

Originally Posted by Lux

Indeed, Schizophrenic delusions are high on my list of desired experiences.

^note, sarcasm present.

To call this a delusion, even with sarcasm, means to me you obviously have never experienced what she is talking about. I have and therefore I get it - in fact, I'd like to have it again! It is just beyond me that no one would want to experience this picture exactly as she brilliantly paints it

[dissention]

Originally Posted by strandinthewind

"You can't plant no seed - where there's only greed" I think they are on equal footing when it comes to using incorrect grammar for emphasis

I was joking, doll. (Even though she uses the wrong word)

However, ever since I heard SYW for the first time, the song has bothered me because of the opening verse. Grammar and stuff doesn't bother me at all, but this one made me gasp:

Somethin' in you brought out something in me
That I haven't been since,
That part of you that was only for me,
That kind of romance...

I know what she's getting at and I like it, but it's unfinished.

[dissention]

Originally Posted by strandinthewind

It is just beyond me that no one would want to experience this picture exactly as she brilliantly paints it

My, my. It's a good song and love it, but I find it far from brilliant. If you want a brilliantly pictured song, skip to track 11.

[strandinthewind]

Originally Posted by dissention

My, my. It's a good song and love it, but I find it far from brilliant. If you want a brilliantly pictured song, skip to track 11.

I agree RTTG (track 11) is a great song. Interestingly, I think SG probably is the prettiest love song on the disc though - it is just so sad. GB - if it is about LB and SN's relationship, is also stunning.

Also, I was using ther term brilliant to mean vivid. I think SYW (the song) paints a picture in vivid detail.

[wondergirl9847]

Ya'll, EVERY songwriter takes liberties with music, because if they wrote with correct grammar, rap wouldn't even EXIST.

Well, some people would be happy with that, actually.

Seriously, I really wish the whole grammar argument would die.

Every writer that's ever BEEN in FM contributed at least ONE amazing song, IMO. Dangit, that's why we love this band, there's something for everyone.

You like blues? There's Peter/Danny/Jeremy!!
You like pop? There's Lindsey/Stevie/Christine!!
You like country-pop? There's Rick/Billy/Stevie/Christine!!
You like jazz? There's Bob Welch!!
You like songs about witches? There's Stevie!!
You like songs about death? There's Lindsey!!
You like songs about love? There's Christine!!
You like songs about the Bermuda Triangle? There's Bob!!
You like songs about hatred of self? There's Peter Green!!
You like songs about Dragonflies? There's Danny Kirwan!!

You like good music? There's Fleetwood Mac!!

[dissention]

Originally Posted by strandinthewind

I agree RTTG (track 11) is a great song. Interestingly, I think SG probably is the prettiest love song on the disc though - it is just so sad. GB - if it is about LB and SN's relationship, is also stunning.

Also, I was using ther term brilliant to mean vivid. I think SYW (the song) paints a picture in vivid detail.

I consider Say Goodbye the best song on the album, so you'll hear no arguments from me.

[sodascouts]

Originally Posted by CarneVaca

Also, Nancy, I don't think "Love is like a grain of sand, slowly slipping..." is problematic at all. Because he is talking about one grain of sand, that does not necessarily exclude it from being one of many grains of sand that are slipping through the hand. In fact, I think the metaphor works because of that. It adds to the sense of isolation, if that makes any sense. Like, one walking alone in a crowd kind of thing.

Hmm, I like that. OK, now I realize Oh Diane has no flaws.

[sodascouts]

Originally Posted by dissention

And I'm surprised you didn't mention that it should be "fevered dance" and not "fever dance." It is, after all, another example of her bad grammar.

I'm not one to let Stevie slide on grammar, but I think "fever dance" works. In fact, I like it better than the traditional "fevered dance." The latter makes me think of someone who's dancing a little too hard and is all red in the face ready to collapse, lol. The first one makes me think of joy and excitement in the heat of passion and love.

[sodascouts]

Originally Posted by snwriter

Please. Every lyricist, even Dylan and Joni Mitchell (the best), play around with grammar rules. Hello--"The Skie's the Limit"!!!!????!!!!

AARGH! "The Skies the Limit" is like NAILS ON A BLACKBOARD to me. What was she thinking when she decided to mistitle her song in this idiotic way?

[sodascouts]

Originally Posted by dissention

That's because she stole a lot of it, or rather, "borrowed liberally," from Poe, if I'm not mistaken.

Oh well, I still think it's great.

I hadn't noticed any uniquely Poe references in POTU. I must be slipping. Perhaps I was too distracted by the blatant TISL demo / dirge "Annabel Lee."

I adore RTTG, and I think it's great Stevie reads the classics, but.... well, moderation in all things. I guess it's unfair to count demos such as "Have No Heart" and "Annabel Lee" in with "Running Through the Garden," though, because perhaps the first two were never meant to be released.

Stevie has said she doesn't make up stories in her songs. I guess that means she sometimes has to "borrow" them if her own life becomes a little dull.

[Janet]

On stricly lyrics, I chose Stevie because she is the poet writer isn't she? Christine and Lindsey are more musical but Stevie is the writer and if all 5 of them sat down, they'd all agree I think.

[snwriter]

Very well said, wondergirl!

Also, I agree with dissention that "Say Goodbye" is one of the best if not the best song on SYW.