Quote:
Originally Posted by JimKW 
Wow! Talk about getting off topic, but I will add my two cents for what it's worth. I pretty much don't like Dylan because I don't understand what he is trying to say. My nephew, who is just six years younger than me, thinks he's the greatest and can understand why I don't.
When I was in College I took a class in literature and had to read books like Madam Bovary, Candide and Metamorphisis. I would come to class and these people would be talking about how they got all these meanings and how they got this and that from the book. I could tell what the story was and it was obvious that I read the book just like they did, but other than Candide none of them sent a message to me.
I asked the professor one day why don't I get it like others in the class do. He looked at me and said "Are you really good with numbers?" I said yes. He just said "Then don't worry about it, you will never get it". And to this day I don't get it, but I still like listening to music even though I rarely understand the message if, in fact, there is one.
Wow! Talk about getting off topic, but I will add my two cents for what it's worth. I pretty much don't like Dylan because I don't understand what he is trying to say. My nephew, who is just six years younger than me, thinks he's the greatest and can understand why I don't.
When I was in College I took a class in literature and had to read books like Madam Bovary, Candide and Metamorphisis. I would come to class and these people would be talking about how they got all these meanings and how they got this and that from the book. I could tell what the story was and it was obvious that I read the book just like they did, but other than Candide none of them sent a message to me.
I asked the professor one day why don't I get it like others in the class do. He looked at me and said "Are you really good with numbers?" I said yes. He just said "Then don't worry about it, you will never get it". And to this day I don't get it, but I still like listening to music even though I rarely understand the message if, in fact, there is one.
Ha ha. Your post made me laugh because I recognize myself in it. I suffer the same problem and I am very mathematically inclined (I even earned a BS in math). I do not naturally "get" it when it comes to poetry or the story behind lyrics, or the message behind the literal meaning of much literature. With music lyrics, I often have to listen over and over and see the lyrics before it clicks with me.
That said, I care very much about and can be overwhelmed by great lyrics once I get them. For instance, I cannot imagine listening to a lot of Pink Floyd without being blown away by the imagery and meaning of the lyrics in many of their songs, regardless of which band member wrote them (through I could do without much of Roger's later political stuff). I love James Taylor's music as much for its beautiful lyrical content as for the music itself. He is a terrific storyteller, even when he is covering someone else's songs. Others whose lyrics I look forward to hearing that readily come to mind are of course Dylan (mostly through other people covering his songs), Neil Peart of Rush, Joe Jackson, Ben Folds, REM (bizarre and unintelligible as many of their lyrics are), The Flaming Lips, Built to Spill, and who knows how many others. I like some merely for the imagery they inspire, some for the storytelling, and some for the profound bits of wisdom they impart (see, e.g., "Time" by PF).
Guess I'm dating myself with that one! LOL
over 300 Phish shows! Wow! I have seen Phish "only"
about 20 times, but man what a phenominal live band. Are you going to the upcoming comeback shows?
) I swear that guitar is plugged right into his soul
