The Analysis of the Song Run - Essay Example

Song Analysis Song Run Lyrics: I go away to a place Way far out in space That is away from the things I know I imagine about today how tomorrow is Overrated But can’t think of What to do about it Sometimes it seems That everything is too much as it seems For me I’d rather run than walk Because when I sit and think of growing old I don’t want to spend time lost Analysis: The specific song I have constructed has adopted a variety of artistic approaches. The first consideration is the lyrics. The first verse of lyrics was composed through improvisational methods. I believe that in large part lyrics should not be composed without the general idea of the song in mind. In this way lyrics take on a form that is unique in music, as compared to poetry and writing. This is because music has forms that seem to occupy a place of human consciousness that literature does not. In this way the first verse of lyrics was composed in a free form and improvisational way with the background music in mind. The song is written in a way to highlight a strong or unique vocalist, as it becomes the primary responsibility of the vocalist to imbue the song with life. Similar styles have been witnessed with such vocalists as Nico from the Velvet Underground, or the underground alternative rock artist Cat Power. The music begins before the song’s lyrics start. A snare drum is heard playing slow and hushed-like. An electric guitar plays a minimalist melody. Two to three chords are played, currently there is no bass being used. After a few minutes the guitar and drum combo ends. The bass guitar and the drums continue as the vocals finally started. The first three lines state, “I go away to a place/ Way far out in space/ That is away from the things I know”. This line refers to the imaginative process that I go under when I play music or think in lyrical terms. Additionally, the reference to space refers to the aesthetic qualities of the universe as the great unknown of human experience. The lyrics here are relayed in a subdued tone in accordance with the minimalist melody that has already been established by the bass guitar and drums. As the song progresses the lyrics continue, “I imagine about today how tomorrow is/ Overrated/ But can’t think of/ What to do about it ” Here the bass guitar and snare drums continue in a minimalist style along with the vocals. The lyrics are composed in a purposely meandering way. In this way they do not follow the strict pattern of grammatically correct discourse, but instead adopt a logic that is acceptable within the confines of music. The lyrics additionally reflect a general existential malaise that is recurrent throughout the track. One imagines the vocalist spending the day alone and lazily reaching over and grabbing a guitar. The music in terms of the vocals and the melody are then improvisational in an aesthetic sense. The bass guitar melody as does not need to be incredibly consistent. Instead this could even be reinvented for each song. The minimalist quality of the bass guitar allows it to be changed to reflect the mood of the audience. Ultimately the first verse is characterized by sparseness of sound. After the first verse of lyrics is sung, then the lead guitar again joins the bass guitar and drums. During the intervening period between the first lyrics and the second lyrics the lead guitar plays the main melody. While there is an improvisational feel to the song, particularly in terms of the bass guitar and drums, the main guitar melody is distinct. It is a simplistic melody, however, that works within the song’s minimalist aesthetic. Subsequently this lead guitar melody is highlighted through the contrast it echoes between the first group of lyrics and the second verse. The guitar melody continues to play as the second verse begins. This way the first verse and the second verse are juxtaposed, with the second verse having a much more robust feel. The second verse of the lyrics adopts a different technique from the first verse. While the first verse was free form and improvisational, the second verse is more thought-out and considered. The second verse was considered with the influence of specific bands, including a popular band called Death Cab for Cutie. Notably, this band implements common expressions on life in their lyrics. The same style is witnessed in the second verse, which states, “Sometimes it seems/ That everything is too much as it seems.” Here the lyrics are referring to a general sense of alienation. There is the recognition that the wordplay implemented has some of the same improvisational like feel that is witnessed in the opening verse. The combination of the two verses then can occur in a seamless way, yet with enough distinction to create a musical highlight in the song. As the second verse continues the lyrics state, “For me I’d rather run than walk/ Because when I sit and think of growing old/ I don’t want to spend time lost.” Here the lyrics continue to adopt the simplistic style that merely states popular truisms. The reference to running rather than walking functions as a metaphor on the importance of living life to its fullest potential, rather than experiencing life at a reduced rate. These lyrics do not embrace a specific cultural or moral stance, but rather explore more transcendental themes of everyday reality. In this way they are constructed so that many people can relate to them and to the song. As the lyrics from the first verse are sung they are done so with the full accompaniment of the drums, guitar, and bass guitar. In this way the vocals are highlighted as a major part of the song. Later parts of the song will have varying degrees of musical background. The contrasts between the inclusions of the varying instruments will create a unique sound for the track. Read More