Have the great authors of today transitioned from poetry to song?
I cannot recall the last time I have read a contemporary poem that moved me. Certain songs have a far greater ability to speak to my emotions.
Do the gifted artists of every generation move towards the most novel form of expression? Should I be looking towards graphic novels to find the next Twain or Chaucer?
Observing members:
0
Composing members:
0
7 Answers
I’m sure there are some great poets out there still, but I wholeheartedly agree. I seek and find literary pleasure in song, from Bob Dylan to Jerry Garcia to Colin Meloy and Jim James.
de gustibus non disputandum est
Not to judge by any of the contemporary songs I can think of. If anything, it seems that song writers expect the music to excuse their often maudlin or cliché-ridden lyrics, half rhymes (together/forever, name/rain), failures of scansion, strained metaphors, and bad grammar.
Thanks, @wundayatta. My father’s favorite saying.
Great question!
Yes, I can see the transfer, although, as a poetry lover & writer I like to think there is still a big fan base for poetry in it’s true form.
There’s always Leonard Cohen…
Music has a direct line to the emotions. You can take almost any verbal drivel that has little emotional power of its own, hitch it to a decent piece of music, and it will get a pass. There really aren’t many lyrics that don’t look ridiculous when seen apart from the music.
I do think it’s interesting that poets used to see their poems as songs. Whitman constantly calls his poems songs, and speaks of the act of creating poetry as “singing”. I wonder how many contemporary poets feel this way.
Answer this question 
Composing members:
0
