"A man hears what he wants to hear and disregards the rest."
Until today's iteration, I've adhered to a guideline established at the inception of this series in 2017, i.e., not to repeat any lyricist. But a recent discussion about confirmation bias with a new friend persuaded me it was time to forego that guideline, at least this one time. Carefully re-read those twelve words above from The Boxer and share with me a lyric that more succinctly captures our shared human tendency to ignore information that doesn't support or reinforce our worldview. I'm standing by.
In addition, if any lyricist deserves to be cited more than once in a series entitled Words for the Ages who can reasonably take issue with that lyricist being Paul Simon? Have others been more influential than him? Perhaps. More literary? Maybe. More consistent? Emphatically not. Put Paul Simon's entire catalog against any other twentieth century lyricist and compare song-by-song. After doing that comparison, return here and make your case for who has been more consistent. I'll wait.
In the meanwhile, I welcome nominations for an aphoristic lyric you would cite as words for the ages. Reach for a lyric that stands alone, i.e., one that doesn't depend on a rhyme to complete the thought. Next, make whatever you nominate terse enough to be easily recalled. The main point? Timelessness. I'll be right here.
Reflections From The Bell Curve: Words For The Ages, Line Fourteen
"Hope is gone and she confessed, you can get what's second best, but it's hard to get enough." From "Eye of the Hurricane," a one-hit wonder for David Wilcox.
ReplyDeleteJim; Thanks for that gem, one that has up til now escaped my radar.
DeleteFreedom's just another word for nothing left to lose
ReplyDeleteKris Kristofferson-- Me and Bobby McGee
Regina; Uncanny! I just sent you an e-mail with the link for the maiden voyage of this series I initiated in May, 2017. Care to guess which lyric I used to kick this off 8 years back?
DeleteFrom Jackson Browne’s “Fountain of Sorrow”: “And while the future’s there for anyone to change, still you know it seems/It would be easier sometimes to change the past”
ReplyDeleteSusan; That terrific phrase by Jackson Browne was in contention when I cited him in this series several years back. In the end, I went instead with "Please don't confront me with my failures, I have not forgotten them" from "These Days" largely because it's a bit more terse. Great suggestion. Thanks for joining in.
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ReplyDeleteFrom Elsa
I feel such emotion in response to the times these lyrics were written🎶
I think It’s time we stop, children
what’s that sound,
everybody look what’s going down
And
Come on people now,
smile on your brother (and sister) everybody get together
Try to love one another right now
And, the start to that lyric;
Love is but a song we sing, Fears the way we die
Elsa; Nice to see a comment from you here. The lyrics you quote above (from "For What It's Worth" and "Get Together") are strong statements reflecting the turmoil of the 60s and the response to that turmoil from two songwriters - Stephen Stills and Chet Powers - both of whom spoke to our generation. Their words ring true to this day, for sure.
DeleteHey Pat. So many possibilities. And I didn't want to use Neil Young lyrics again - lol. But, how's this from ''Tears For Fears' - Everybody Wants To Rule The World. Sort of eerily appropriate given the current political atmosphere.
ReplyDelete'Most of Freedom and of Pleasure
Nothing ever lasts forever
Everybody wants to rule the World"
Be well,
Bob
Bob; Those are and clearly words for the ages; thanks for the thought. And as far as "repeating" your Neil Young nominations from earlier iterations of this series, please know I'm still on the lookout for a lyric from Neil to include here thanks to your continuing endorsement of that great couplet from "Old Man".
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