More Than Words

Words are tricky things. Sometimes they can be deployed with pinpoint accuracy to perfectly encapsulate a single moment or a particular emotion. Sometimes they can be mangled beyond recognition and fail to make any sense, let alone any impact.

Lyrics are even more temperamental. My humble songwriting efforts so far have proved what I long suspected – lyrics are difficult. Or rather, good lyrics are difficult. And The Guardian has picked up on the theme today with this article about truly terrible lyricists. Fortunately they’re going to spend the coming days celebrating the giants of the form – Joni Mitchell, Bob Dylan and so on – but this reminder of the cringeworthy could be enough to make me give up entirely... or at least try and remember to avoid cliches, cocaine and coconuts.