Soft Porn Lyrics, No climax from this writing Options

[Gilgamesh]

The lyrics are insulting and soft as the pornography of the olympic ice skating competition's tv camera coverage. On scene of something really graceful, yet really just pimp'in out crotch shots and cleavage for ratings and a contrived fanbase. That sums up this attempt of writing on "Songs From A Black Mountain."

If the topic/theme is gonna be the run of the mill sex & love & war then let's get hard core about it instead of turning out adolescent pg pop corn and candy bs!

One thing I notice about live's lyrics is that the topic/theme etc. has become so watered down, thoughtless and weak in comparison with their strongest messages and in comparison to bands that have picked up where live left off years ago (somewhere in the mix of V and B.O.P.). Bands like Coldplay for one. As I read the lyrics for this new album, I cannot help but think of the critics ripping it for being a great soundtrack for "Brokeback Mountain" - it's that light in the loafers lyrically. Loafing ... the words are juvenile, as are the morals to the stories. Dig into the archives and listen to "Born Branded" and then try, just try to digest "The River" and you know something has been lost. A lot rather. Their fanbase. It's as if the band is trying to target a new generation, and to our misfortune, Live has chosen to write songs that will stimulate the passions of 12 year old girls, and other fans of American Idol, but even Simon would call out this commercial crap. And don't get me wrong, I love this band, but I am no longer a blind fan. Their material has really gone soft. The closest attempt to sincerity on the album appears to be "You're Not Alone" which to me, just reminds me of a bad remake of an old R.E.M. song (Everyone Hurts). I have not heard the music to the songs other than the River, so maybe the musicianship can overcome the trite writing again... I hope.

This post has been edited by Gilgamesh: Mar 18 2006, 3:01 pm

[FishOutaWater]

You are so right on with this thread. I need the lyrical equivalent of a hard-core, gay, child porn, snuff film in order to be able to say that a song or album is any good. This stuff is R-rated at best, maybe even PG-13!

For example, in the song The River, when Ed sings about the spiritual and artistic inspiration of his muse, the feminine Hindu goddess Saraswarti, and brilliantly ties in references to both the legendary mythical Saraswarti River and the context of the transendental consciousness of water, in a catchy tune that is bound to be popular with the masses, it is like so totally 1st grade! Any moron that can sing Row Row Your Boat can look deeply at the lyrics of The River and see below the surface meaning of the words to completely understand Ed's purpose and artistic expression, right?

[mrmcpheezy]

For example, in the song The River, when Ed sings about the spiritual and artistic inspiration of his muse, the feminine Hindu goddess Saraswarti, and brilliantly ties in references to both the legendary mythical Saraswarti River and the context of the transendental consciousness of water, in a catchy tune that is bound to be popular with the masses, it is like so totally 1st grade! Any moron that can sing Row Row Your Boat can look deeply at the lyrics of The River and see below the surface meaning of the words to completely understand Ed's purpose and artistic expression, right?

Where the hell do you see any of that in the lyrics to the river? Please, do explain. I'd hate to think your comments here are nothing more than unfounded conjecture.

[FishOutaWater]

Where the hell do you see any of that in the lyrics to the river? Please, do explain. I'd hate to think your comments here are nothing more than unfounded conjecture.

Well, Ed has stated that this album draws heavily on his relationship to, and inspiration by, the female spirit. He has also indicated that references to the female in The River are references to his muse, Saraswati. Here is a photo of his Saraswati statute in his room where he creates:

Saraswati

There is also a legend of the Saraswati River. Here is the Wikidpedia description of the Saraswati River as one example:

Saraswati River

Is it a coincidence that the song about Ed's relationship to the muse and artistic inspiration, Saraswati, is entitled The River or, perhaps, does Ed put a little creative thought into his lyrics? Maybe you guys aren't giving him enough credit.

Of course, Ed's lyrics often reference water and in the Awake liner notes, Ed mentioned that those are references to the transendental consciousness of water.

I think that The River is awakening and "The River" (the song) is about awakening. The River will ease your pain. Bring your burning skin to The River. I'll give you life. My interpretation of those lyrics is that maybe they have to do with pure tanscendental consciousness easing the pain or, in the Buddha's words, "suffering" of life. An unawakened life is one of suffering. That is the first noble truth and is inherent in Hindu Vedic teaches, buddhism, taoism and all forms of eastern spirituality. By awakening to pure consciousness, one truly finds "life". My interpretation is that maybe "burning skin" refers to the material, physical world, filled with attachment, grasping, material orientation, separation, judgement, division, suffering - basically samsara. Saraswati offers The River. By finding the The River, or water, Saraswarti brings comfort and eases the pain of the ordinary life centered in the ordinary mind. She cools that burning "skin" in which we live and brings us life, real life, free from suffering.

I don't think that I am reading too much into the lyrics. I give the benefit of the doubt, given his propensity towards Eastern spirituality and the works of Ken Wilber, and more importantly, his body of work to date. Ed has talked about this. Most of his songs are about this. Ed has talked about this specifically with respect to this song and this album. I have said it before, but those who hear The River and read the lyrics and say that it is a simple pop song about some chick lying naked on the floor just don't seem to "get it" and consequently are not bringing the full expression of Ed's meaning into the song. I'm not saying that I am right and others are wrong. I'm just saying that I am bringing all of these ideas with me when I hear this song and it means a lot more to me than what the words say on the surface. I could make the same arguments for all of Live's other songs on SFBM or other albums. Again, I am not trying to come across like an elitist Live fan snob. I'm just explaining that this is how I hear the music.

Add to all of that the fact that I feel that The River is a damn catchy song and the result is that I really enjoy it. And to the extent that the whole album is less searching and angst and more peace and contentment, I can appreciate where Ed is at in his life right now. It's a good vibe.