“But Dr.....What does it mean?”
Okay,,,, a reasonable question. I am a retired pro musician. I’m an instrumentalist, never been a vocalist. So to me, the vocal line, and the lyrics are just another instrument. I hear it as a human instrument, making sounds. I never have a clue about what lyrics mean. I don’t digest music that way. I hear music as a whole, not separate parts. So to me, “Walrus” is a complete sound, and not just parts. Lennon was great at putting “sounds” together. Some verses in some of his songs are so “glottal” that they sound German, even though they’re in English. He was great at that. Sometimes his lyrics make no sense “lyrically” but make wonderful sense “sonically!”
There was a German study, done just recently, and reported here a day or so ago, that dealt with “musical minds.” Some very interesting results! I have a “musical mind.” My search abilities here are so poor, perhaps someone more “Computer-minded” can find me the link? Some interesting differences.
My Sister play classical flute beautifully. But play a song for her, and she really can’t mentally recall, nor hear, in her mind, the music. Put sheet music in front of her, and she’ll play it beautifully. Alas, she doesn’t really have a musical mind.
Thanks..that is interesting.
My brother is a musician and says the same re: the voices and lyrics being part of the music. Not a defineable sound to him.
Me..I have not been blessed with the muse.
I just like do drive down the road singing off key at the top of my lungs. :)
“I never have a clue about what lyrics mean. I don’t digest music that way. I hear music as a whole, not separate parts.”
That was an amazing analysis. I too “suffer” from that same malady but never was able to put it in context as you just have. With many songs I listen to, the words have little or no meaning but they just sound good. What are your thoughts on exceptionally vocally talented artists such as Sinatra?