3. When Lyrics That Feel Throwaway Are Actually Genius
Understanding how lyrics can amplify the feelings of songs. Looking at “Next Girl” by The Black Keys.
Often, bands that sound exceptional musically suffer from poor lyrics as the focus is on the meticulously crafted sounds. The lyrics and storytelling within a song become an afterthought as the music has the character and definition. I don’t want to say that this is a bad thing because it really isn’t, it is just that great lyrics can amplify the feeling of the music.
The Black Keys are the epitome of musical “vibe”. Loud guitars drenched in fuzz and booming drums that that echo for miles. Throw on a Keys record and you know its them. It sounds big, raw and exciting. “Next Girl” is no exception. It opens up with heavy drums and a muffed-out guitar, you feel that the two boys chemistry is dialled into the finest point. Dan steps up to the mic and sings:
“Well, the look on the cake
It ain’t always the taste
My ex-girl she had
Such a beautiful face”
At first these few lines can feel almost off-the-cuff and slightly comical. A metaphor about a cake might crack you up and the ex-girlfriend thing is the old rhetoric. Furthermore, Dans delivery is so laid back that you might not even notice the words. However, this is their genius; The Black Keys make their songs feel “effortless”.
Look how much storytelling is packed into these nineteen words:
→ He once has a beautiful girl, but she turned bad on him
→ He got manipulated, took the bait and later found out
→ He feels slightly foolish that he got caught in her trap (“It ain’t always the taste”)
→ He isn’t resentful towards the girl (He still says “Such a beautiful face”)
→ He is reflecting on the situation is hopeful he won’t make the same mistake
→ He isn’t hurt and is re-assuring of himself (The confident phrase “My ex-girl”)
→ He is slightly optimistic for another try at love
This depth of this storytelling is almost subconscious to the listener but with such universal lines, there is something any person can grab and take from it. This makes the music powerful and responsive.
Beyond the storytelling, there are hooks that will capture any listener. A metaphor about a cake is bizarre and unique. The rhymes cake, taste and face are so rhythmic and metrical. Also, the universal theme of getting played by an ex-love is something we know all too well.
My learning from this that great storytelling is executed through universal themes, the best songwriters leave as many crumbs as possible for us to grab onto and relate too. Secondly, the demeanour and delivery of such words dictates how we perceive them. If Dan wasn’t so chilled out it would lead us to think he was down-and-out and heartbroken, opposed to being assured and hopeful. Lyrics really do not have to complement the music, but when they do like this, the track is taken to a whole new level.
Big Love, Spenser
I like your brain