Tag Archives: national poetry month

The Poetry of Queen: Radio Ga Ga

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Queen image

A song lamenting the loss of radio’s popularity that produced a music video that went into heavy rotation on MTV. There’s a bit of a contradiction there, no? But Queen owned this irony. They included clips from their previously popular music videos in the video for Radio Ga Ga and took partial responsibility for killing the radio star.

But there isn’t anything ironic about the song’s lyrics or Freddie Mercury’s performance. Straightforward and earnest. The band is wearing their nostalgia like a badge of honor.

I can relate.

I’d sit alone and watch your light

My only friend through teenage nights

And everything I had to know

I heard it on my radio

——————————————————–

So don’t become some background noise

A backdrop for the girls and boys

Who just don’t know or just don’t care

And just complain when you’re not there

You had your time, you had the power

You’ve yet to have your finest hour

Radio.

All we hear is Radio ga ga

Radio goo goo

Radio ga ga

All we hear is Radio ga ga

Radio blah blah

Radio what’s new?

Radio, someone still loves you!

The Poetry of The Style Council: Sweet Sounds, Dark Thoughts

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The first few times I heard this classic by The Style Council in 1984 I assumed it was a love song. I thought the singer was lamenting his inability to stay faithful to his girlfriend. Or maybe he was only admitting to having a wandering eye? In defense of my younger self I’d say this was an easy mistake to make. The song lures you in with its sweet and smooth British soul harmonies. It’s Motown via South London.  But Paul Weller is asking you to come for the groove and stay for the lyrics – an angry, sad, rebellious mediation on taking responsibility for injustices in the world. Downer? Yep. But have no fear, if the lyrics have you feeling low, the music will lift you back up.

Teardrops turn to children who’ve never had the time

To commit the sins they pay for through another’s evil mind

The love after the hate

the love we leave too late

I wish we’d wake up one day and everyone feel moved

But we’re caught up in the dailies and an ever changing mood.

 

The Poetry of The Smiths

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The Smiths

Continuing the celebration of national poetry month and my tribute to the music of 1984 I present lyrics from The Smiths debut album. Yes – The Smiths debuted in 1984! Are we beginning to see the abundance of musical gifts 1984 bestowed upon us?

Punctured bicycle

on a hillside desolate

Will nature make a man of me yet?

When in this charming car

this charming man

Why pamper life’s complexity

when the leather runs so smooth on the passenger seat?

I would go out tonight

but I haven’t got a stitch to wear

This man said, ‘it’s gruesome

that someone so handsome should care”

 

The Poetry of Annie Lennox

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herecomstherainContinuing the celebration of national poetry month and my tribute to the music of 1984 I present lyrics from the one and only, my personal diva, Miss Annie Lennox. More on this song, the album and the band in future posts.

Here comes the rain again

Raining in my head like a tragedy

Tearing me apart like a new emotion

I want to breathe in the open wind

I want to kiss like lovers do

I want to dive into your ocean

Is it raining with you?

The Poetry of RUN-D.M.C.

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Run-D.M.C.

I’m celebrating national poetry month and the great music of 1984. These lyrics are courtesy of the great RUN-D.M.C from their self-titled debut album.

 

 

 

 

Unemployment at a record high

People coming, people going, people born to die

Don’t ask me, because I don’t know why

But it’s like that, and that’s the way it is

———————————————————

One thing I know is that life is short

So listen up homeboy, give this a thought

The next time someone’s teaching why don’t you get taught

It’s like that (what?) and that’s the way it is!

 The Poetry of Chrissie Hynde

ltc

I’d like to celebrate national poetry month and keep the theme of this blog going by featuring some of my favorite lyrics from pop songs in 1984. The following lyrics are courtesy of Ms. Chrissie Hynde from The Pretenders’ My City Was Gone.

I went back to Ohio

But my pretty countryside

Had been paved down the middle

By a government that had no pride

The farms of Ohio

had been replaced by shopping malls

And Muzak filled the air

From Seneca to Cuyahoga Falls