Lindsey: Master of the Memorable Muttering

[CarneVaca]

As I get ready to listen to Save Me a Place for the 1047th time, I paused to ponder why this is one my favorite songs ever. Is it the sense of raw melancholy that permeates right to the core of your innermost wistful longings? The simple melody that gets you swaying unwittingly along? The simple three-chord repetitiveness that is so key to conveying the sense of wistfulness? The elegant lyrics that in their simplicity create a much more powerful message than 1,000 words could?

I know, I know, it's all of the above.

But therein the genius of the song. Not only does Lindsey gives us a disarmingly simple melody that is impossible to dismiss. Not only does he give you that trademark repetitiveness. But he also conveys a universe of longing with a masterful stroke of lyrical economy. And just as you immerse yourself in the emotion, the utter desolation the song conveys, it's over.

I know Lindsey has been dismissed around here as not being great with lyrics. To be sure he's written a couple of stinkers, but I often find that he is a master with quick word phrases and especially choruses. So much is said in what he says and what he doesn't say, if you catch my drift. It's that elegance, brevity and ability to convey emotion that I found so appealing in his songwriting.

Of course, in the Gift of Screws songs, he seems to have gotten wordier. The elegance has become more intrisincally woven with ambiguity in the new stuff, but what he has to say still makes you think. And that is the mark of great songwriter.

I could go on about other Lindsey songs, but it's your turn...