Songwriters and song lyrics: architecture, ambiguity and repetition. Issue 2 (30th April 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Negus, Keith; Astor, Pete
• Is Part Of: Popular music. Volume 34:Issue 2(2015)
• Page Start: 226
• Page End: 244
• Publication Date: 2015-04-30
• Subjects: Popular music -- Periodicals; 780.4205
• DOI: 10.1017/S0261143015000021
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0261-1430

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="normal"> <title>Abstract</title> <p>This article argues for understanding popular songs and songwriting through the metaphor of architecture, an idea we draw from vernacular terms used by songwriters when comprehending and explaining their own creative practice, and which we deploy in response to those who have called for writing about music to use a non-technical vocabulary and make greater use of metaphor. By architecture we mean those recognisable characteristics of songs that exist as enduring qualities regardless of a specific performance, recording or sheet music score. We use this analogy not as a systematic model, but as a device for exploring the intricate ways in which words and music are combined and pointing to similarities in the composition of poetry and the writing of song lyrics. The art of repetition and play with ambiguity are integral to popular song architectures that endure regardless of the modifications introduced by performers who temporarily inhabit a particular song.</p> </abstract>