The unusual world of songs with unusual lyrics

For this special theme show, each of the hosts presented a song with “unusual” or hard-to-decipher lyrics. We delved into a discussion around understanding the intentions behind and interpreting the songs. Download the lyrics here: Unusual Lyrics

• Neel’s selection: A Self Called Nowhere by They Might Be Giants
• Bruce’s selection: McArthur Park by Jimmy Webb (performed by Donna Summers)
• Janice’s selection: Paranoid Android by Radiohead

We talked about:

• The notion that once your song is released to the world, it’s no longer yours and open to multiple interpretations
• Check out www.songmeanings.com to read user interpretations of songs
• What is the purpose for communicating a story through unusual, hard-to-decipher lyrics?
• Use of metaphors
• Writing a song with unusual lyrics as a songwriter’s challenge – break the rules!

Listen to the complete show: