7. Ode To The Singersongwriter

Singer songwriters have always been a constant source of my contemplation. Maybe because I have always gone out with them but didn’t end up marrying one. Maybe because that is very often the place I like music from. I like some good production but it’s all about the song itself for me. If you can add some good fashion and hair that’s nice, but it’s not a skill to me to make noise or ambience. I feel that I could crap that stuff out in a minute. But oh for some beautiful poetry and a well crafted hook and harmony. I don’t like to use the word hook but it’s true, to me that is the only thing that I consider a skill. I know I can’t do it. Something that captures or creates. Something that says it. Something that says what needs to be said.

Well yes and the singer songwriter has to get up there and sing it to you. And you sure do believe it. If he’s any good.

Here’s the thing. None of it’s true. He sounds so sincere. And wise. But here is a person who really needs to teach himself a few things. Things that most people learn quite easily and without a lot of fanfare, are very difficult for the singer songwriter. He needs to capture these lessons in songs to remind himself. Because the singer songwriter is not only learning things at a much slower rate than most people but he is also constantly repeating the same mistakes over and over. He can sing these songs each night over and over, with so much emotion because he has actually forgotten what he has taught himself already from the night before.

And they can turn on you with unexpected ease. A singer songwriter can tell you to read that huge Dostoevsky book and the Plato book. He sounds highly sincere. You put the year in on that and you don’t quite get it so you call him up for insight. Well such a fellow can say next, “Who cares about that? Just drink beer”. After this much Dostoevsky, this is not exactly funny.

But the singer songwriter is my kin. I have no memory. I never learn. I sound quite convincing at times. I am never satisfied. My husband complains about being around so many singer songwriters, even at home. My complaint is, if I am to be saddled with such an aggravating personality, where is the singing and where are the songs?

11/8/03