People ask me about performing sometimes and I tell them that to me it is all about the music, and really, just about the music. All of the great texts out there used with music are made great by the music, otherwise they would be lost in translation.
Don’t get me wrong, I have tried to write texts since I was a kid, and for sure the art is an important one. But, I didn’t go into music because of some text, I went into music because of music, and honestly, I could care less about the text in just about any piece of music or what it is about. When I sing, I sing music, which possesses a much broader and deeper meaning and impact than whatever words you could ever want to put to them.
Even Rap music is fascinating because of the musical effect, does anyone really care about the text? If the text happens to enhance the music in some way, great, but it certainly isn’t the reason most people listen to music.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rJ9tahGn0IU?rel=0]
Having said that, words can inspire music so I am not saying don’t pay attention to the text. Obviously in stage works the text propels the plot, but in the end, all of the stage pieces that are popular, are loved because of the music and it has little to do with the subject matter, the plot or the text.
Look at opera, most of them have a tragic ending. They end sad, yet the feeling you have on any given evening, provided the stage director hasn’t ruined it for everyone, is one of happiness. You don’t leave the performance sad, but lifted!
So for me, music transcends everything in life, it accompanies our lives in a way that we overlook and it is good to always get back to the music.
The Suite Madame Blue by Styx is a prime example for me. I’ve never paid attention to the text, but the song gives you a feeling.
Listen to the music and how powerfully they perform this song.
The Text by Dennis DeYoung
Time after time I sit and I wait for your call
I know I’m a fool but why can I say
Whatever the price I’ll pay for you, Madame Blue
Once long ago, a word from your lips and the world turned around
But somehow you’ve changed, you’re so far away
I long for the past and dream of the days with you, Madame Blue
Suite Madame Blue, gaze in your looking glass
You’re not a child anymore
Suite Madame Blue, the future is all but past
Dressed in your jewels, you made your own rules
You conquered the world and more …………..heaven’s door
America….America…America..America..
America….America…America..America..
America….America…America..America..
Red white and blue, gaze in your looking glass
You’re not a child anymore
Red, white, and blue, the future is all but past
So lift up your heart, make a new start
And lead us away from here