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Old 05-15-2000, 12:23 AM   #7
2Much2Lose
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Join Date: May 2000
Location: Sherwood Forest, MD
Posts: 387
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I disagree that there is any need for disappointment in talking about changing lyrics. Shakespeare was the greatest writer who ever lived and his text may be edited / updated / criticized / analyzed. Gord is one of the best poets / songwriters of his generation, but even he admits that he wrote some clunkers ("sickly South"). You have to be able to recognize them for what they are -- minor flaws in the gems.

Like most critics, I don't have a scintilla of the talent of the person critiqued. But a forum like this is exactly the place to express one's views. It is censorship to worship the text as if it were sacred. It's not merely a matter of political correctness either. You are free to disagree with us without being "disappointed" in us. Of course, you are also free to express your disappointment.

I remember a couplet from Coleridge's poem "Cristabel" that my English prof pointed out as one of the alltime ghastly goofs by any great poet. It went:

Sir Leonine, the baron rich,
Hath a toothless mastiff bitch.

I doubt there would be much dispute that (a) Coleridge is a great poet, and (b) the second line of the above couplet is unpronounceable. The two concepts -- the greatness of the artist and the flaws in the body of work -- are in tension yet somehow perfectly compatible.

For that reason, notwithstanding my respect for the writers here, I don't think it is reasonable simply to ignore the songs/lyrics you don't like. In my view, it is much more interesting to explore the entire work of a great artist, awed by the artist's creative power yet inquisitive enough to wonder if a nip here and a tuck there might be an improvement. Or not.

It's probably worth pointing out that those who submit serious commentary in this forum are likely among the most zealous of Gord's fans, whether or not we question a line or two.


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