Genius
Listening to: OK Go - A Million Ways
This has been posted everywhere else, so I figured I might as well post it, too. Click that. DO IT! Watch the video for "A Million Ways". Any band that spends that long on choreography and also has great songs is a band I like.
Caleb, this can be the first in the "good songwriting" series. This is a great song purely from a melodic and lyrical standpoint. It is literally flawless. Disregard the production as much as possible (although it certainly supports the song very well) and listen only to the melody and words. Note the harmony plays a very strong supporting role and really doesn't move unless it has to, as dictated by the melody.
Pay special attention to the background vocals on the chorus. I don't consider this a production element because the content of the BGV's is a lyrical idea that perfectly complements what the lead vocal is doing at that point. It took me a minute to figure out what they were doing, and it's very smart.
Lyrics follow. They are perfectly balanced, with the syllables following the beat of the melodic line. Nothing is forced. Furthermore, each and every word develops the theme of the song. Absolutely crucial to proper songwriting, and most songs in general fail to achieve this.
Sit back, matter of fact
Teasing, toying, turning, chatting, charming
Hissing, playing the crowd
Play that song again
Another cup of Klonopin
A nod, a glance, a half-hearted bow
Oh, such grace
Oh, such beauty
And lipstick and callous
And fishnets and malice
Oh, darlin'
You're a million ways to be cruel
I should, I wish I could, maybe if you were I would
A list of standard issue regrets
One last eighty proof, slouchin' in the corner booth
Baby, it's as good as it gets
Oh, such grace
Oh, such beauty
So precious, suspicious
And charming and vicious
Oh, darlin'
You're a million ways
Oh, darlin'
You're a million ways to be cruel
On top of all this, the video is excellent. They deserve to be #1 on the Billboard charts for this (and awarded at least 3 Grammys). But they'll probably get a lukewarm tour and a voided contract. Smeh.
This has been posted everywhere else, so I figured I might as well post it, too. Click that. DO IT! Watch the video for "A Million Ways". Any band that spends that long on choreography and also has great songs is a band I like.
Caleb, this can be the first in the "good songwriting" series. This is a great song purely from a melodic and lyrical standpoint. It is literally flawless. Disregard the production as much as possible (although it certainly supports the song very well) and listen only to the melody and words. Note the harmony plays a very strong supporting role and really doesn't move unless it has to, as dictated by the melody.
Pay special attention to the background vocals on the chorus. I don't consider this a production element because the content of the BGV's is a lyrical idea that perfectly complements what the lead vocal is doing at that point. It took me a minute to figure out what they were doing, and it's very smart.
Lyrics follow. They are perfectly balanced, with the syllables following the beat of the melodic line. Nothing is forced. Furthermore, each and every word develops the theme of the song. Absolutely crucial to proper songwriting, and most songs in general fail to achieve this.
Sit back, matter of fact
Teasing, toying, turning, chatting, charming
Hissing, playing the crowd
Play that song again
Another cup of Klonopin
A nod, a glance, a half-hearted bow
Oh, such grace
Oh, such beauty
And lipstick and callous
And fishnets and malice
Oh, darlin'
You're a million ways to be cruel
I should, I wish I could, maybe if you were I would
A list of standard issue regrets
One last eighty proof, slouchin' in the corner booth
Baby, it's as good as it gets
Oh, such grace
Oh, such beauty
So precious, suspicious
And charming and vicious
Oh, darlin'
You're a million ways
Oh, darlin'
You're a million ways to be cruel
On top of all this, the video is excellent. They deserve to be #1 on the Billboard charts for this (and awarded at least 3 Grammys). But they'll probably get a lukewarm tour and a voided contract. Smeh.
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posted by Brandon at 3:23 AM
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