It really bugs me that certain songs get so much play time on the radio. People that like whatever is popular fall for their gimmicks, but not me. I'm hearing more songs that are complete junk and empty of any musical talent. For example, Ke$ha songs are just a simple phrase repeated over and over with a ton of autotune and sound effects. You can hear her sing without autotune on youtube and it is very unpleasant. I have the same problem with Rihanna. Her stuff is garbage. Her current #1 could've been written by a 2nd grader. The few lyrics in the song are so vague, and none of it rhymes. I decided to break her song down and compare to some songs I like to prove that there is a logical reason for why her stuff is barely music.
We Found Love
[Rihanna]
[Verse 1]
Yellow diamonds in the light, and we're standing side by side
As your shadow crosses mine, what it takes to come alive
[Bridge]
It's the way I’m feeling I just can't deny
But I've gotta let it go
[Chorus 4 times]
We found love in a hopeless place
[Verse 2]
Shine a light through an open door, Love and life I will divide
Turn away cause I need you more, Feel the heartbeat in my mind
[Bridge]
[Verse 1]
[Chorus 8 times]
Stats:
# of different words used – minimal
Repetition – maximum, the same verse is used twice, the chorus is sung 12 times
Rhyming – once, probably on accident
Delivery – good, it’s the only reason this is even a song, she phrases things in an interesting way to make it seem like she's not just saying the same thing over and over. (even though she is)
Notes - You knew this song sounded really simple, did you realize how simple? There is hardly any verse, there is hardly an chorus. There is nobody singing harmony. Try reading the lyrics and tell me what it's about. There's no story, she hardly has a coherent thought. It's so repetitious that a preschooler would have memorized 60% of the song after listening once. The artist isn't challenged in her range at all. If this is music for preschoolers, that's fine with me, just stop playing it on the radio. And what happens if music degrades further and other artists start making songs with just 2 phrases they repeat 20 times in a song. I hope that doesn't happen. Let's check out a real song.
Pinball Wizard
[The Who]
[Verse 1]
Ever since I was a young boy, I've played the silver ball
From Soho down to Brighton, I must have played them all
But I ain't seen nothing like him, In any amusement hall
[Chorus]
That deaf, dumb and blind kid
Sure plays a mean pinball
[Verse 2]
He stands like a statue, Becomes part of the machine
Feeling all the bumpers, Always playing clean
He plays by intuition, The digit counters fall
[Chorus]
[Bridge]
He's a pinball wizard, There's got to be a twist
A pinball wizard, He's got such a supple wrist
How do you think he does it?
(I don't know)
What makes him so good?
[Verse 3]
He ain't got no distractions, Can't hear those buzzers and bells
Don't see lights a flashin', Plays by sense of smell
Always gets a replay, Never tilts at all
[Chorus]
[Verse 4]
I thought I was, The Bally table king
But I just handed,My pinball crown to him
Even on my usual table, He can beat my best
His disciples lead him in, And he just does the rest
He's got crazy flipper fingers , Never seen him fall
[Chorus]
Stats:
# of different words used – Good
Repetition – Minimal
Rhyming – Great, the last line of the verse even rhymes with the chorus. it's cool because you don't even know you're in the chorus since the rhyme scheme is still there.
Delivery – Great, try to sing it in rockband, it's not so easy.
Notes - This song has a good story. It's pretty easy to follow, there is nice harmony, and it's a new idea. It's not just another love song. It's about a blind kid playing pinball and beating kids that can see. And it's based on a true story that actually happened to the artist. The verses all rhyme. That's not a new concept, that's what music is supposed to do. And just to let you know, when the guy wrote it, it was a joke. He said it was one of the worst songs he ever wrote. They only play it on the radio and at concerts because the fans liked it so much. Seems like a lost concept that fans would decide what music is good instead of just listening to whatever record companies tell radio stations to play.
99 Problems
Jay-z
[Bridge]
If you're havin' girl problems I feel bad for you son, I got 99 problems but a bitch ain't one
[Verse One]
I got the rap patrol on the gat patrol, Foes that wanna make sure my casket's closed
Rap critics they say he's "Money Cash Hoes", I'm from the hood stupid, what type of facts are those?
If you grew up with holes in ya zapatos, You'd be celebrating the minute you was havin' dough
I'm like fuck critics you can kiss my whole asshole, If you don't like my lyrics you can press fast forward
I got beef with radio if I don't play they show, They don't play my hits I don't give a shit so
Rap mags try and use my black ass, So advertisers can give 'em more cash for ads, fuckers
I don't know what you take me as, Or understand the intelligence that Jay-Z has
I'm from rags to riches niggas I ain't dumb, I got 99 problems but a bitch ain't one
Hit me
[Chorus]
99 problems but a bitch aint one
If you're havin' girl problems i feel bad for you son
I got 99 problems but a bitch ain't one
Hit me
[Verse Two]
The year's '94 and my trunk is raw, In my rear view mirror is the mother fuckin' law
I got two choices y'all pull over the car or (hmmm), Bounce on the double put the pedal to the floor
Now I ain't tryin' to see no highway chase with Jay, Plus i got a few dollars i can fight the case
So I...pull over to the side of the road, I heard "Son do you know why I'm stoppin' you for?"
Cause I'm young and I'm black and my hats real low? Do I look like a mind reader sir, I don't know
Am I under arrest or should I guess some mo'? "Well you was doin fifty-five in a fifty-fo' "
"License and registration and step out of the car", "Are you carryin' a weapon on you I know a lot of you are"
I ain't steppin out of shit all my paper's legit. "Well, do you mind if I look round the car a little bit?"
Well my glove compartment is locked so is the trunk in the back, And I know my rights so you gon' need a warrant for that
"Aren't you sharp as a tack, you some type of lawyer or something'?" "Or somebody important or somethin'?"
Nah, I ain't pass the bar but i know a little bit, Enough that you won't illegally search my shit
"We'll see how smart you are when the K9 come." I got 99 problems but a bitch ain't one
Hit me
[Chorus 2x]
[Verse Three]
Now once upon a time not too long ago, A nigga like myself had to strong arm a hoe
This is not a hoe in the sense of havin a pussy, But a pussy havin no God Damn sense, try and push me
I tried to ignore him and talk to the Lord, Pray for him, cause some fools just love to perform
You know the type loud as a motor bike, But wouldn't bust a grape in a fruit fight
The only thing that's gonna happen is I'ma get to clappin, He and his boys gon be yappin to the captain
And there I go trapped in the kit kat again, Back through the system with the riff raff again
Fiends on the floor scratchin again, paparazzi's with they cameras snappin them
D.A. tried to give the nigga shaft again, Half-a-mil for bail cause I'm African
All because this fool was harrasin' them, Tryin to play the boy like hes saccarin
But ain't nothin sweet 'bout how I hold my gun, I got 99 problems being a bitch ain't one.
Hit me
[Bridge 3x]
Stats:
# of different words used – Great
Repetition – Minimal
Rhyming – Great
Delivery – Great, try to memorize a verse and sing it without stumbling. It takes some practice
Notes: The beat to this song is great, plus the guitar sound was a nice changeup for a rap song. It paints a picture for you in each verse without ever breaking the rhyme scheme. That's what a talented artist does. Just look at all the words, he didn't write this song in an afternoon.
