an even couple

Aphoristics and pop music are two forms that go together particularly well, for several reasons. For one thing, both rely on a superficial sort of catchiness which is bound to give way to a more profound punchline. The impact and content of the punchline however is something highly subjective in each case; it is formed in the mind of the recipient. We agree that a certain aphorism / a pop song is meaningful, but we may differ when it comes to explaining what this meaning is, how to capture it descriptively. This is unlike with e.g. jokes, where the point can be made explicit in an intersubjective way. (Particularly with respect to songs, I am constantly amazed at how people differ on their judgements about whether a given song conveys sadness / melancholy or happiness / recklessness!)

Another thing that pop songs and aphorims have in common is that their distinctive charm is based not so much on what is expressed, but rather on how it is expressed. What is important is that something that may already be known or familiar – an idea, a melodic pattern - is conceptualized from a new, different angle. This is what creates the momentum of pleasurable surprise in a good aphorism and a good pop song. - Neither aphoristics nor pop music is the stronghold of conceptual or artistic innovation; it is the realm of the playful, sometimes outrageous, sometimes unassuming.

Come on over,the future's here.

(Teenage Fanclub, "Fallen Leaves")

It’s like 10.000 spoons when all you need is a knife.

(Alanis Morissette, “Ironic”)

You’re all whores, and I’m a fag.

(The Smashing Pumpkins, "Tales Of A Scorched Earth”)

I was so much older then, I’m younger than that now.

(Bob Dylan, “My Back Pages”)

Just kick my feet off the ground, I’ll embrace the sky.

(Teenage Fanclub, “Going Places”)

Don’t it make you smile when the sun don’t shine.

(Pearl Jam, “Smile”)

I’ve been waiting in the desert for my ship to come in.

(Gun, “One Reason”)

Here comes the girl with the perfect teeth – I bet she won’t be smiling at me.

(Therapy, “Trigger Inside”)

Life it seems so easy when it’s from my easy-chair.

(Goo Goo Dolls, “Burning Up”)

It’s hard to sing with someone who won’t sing with you.

(The Jayhawks, “Blue”)

Your smile is worth its weight in gold.

(The Black Crowes, “Better When You’re Not Alone”)

I’ll be better when I’m older.

(Edwin McCain, “I’ll Be”)

round one

...here is a blog about two things I am fond of: words and pop music.

Even though it’s mostly the melodies that grab my attention when I’m listening to music, and the words rather stay in the background, every so often the lyrics outshine the music and start to live independently in my mind, like a beautiful poem. In still other cases, it is not the lyrics as a whole, but merely part of it - a well-turned phrase or an interesting notion - that I come to associate with a song. Here you will find a collection of these latter creatures, which I am calling aphorisms, in a loose understanding of the term.

Some of the items listed here make me smile, some make me ponder, some make me confused - but I have found all of them worth thinking about more than once.

I hope that you will enjoy reading this. I will add new items as I hear and remember them. Please contribute your favourites, too!

Johannes

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You can steal what you love, but you can't love what you steal.
(Idlewild, “Future Works”)

I'd steal a car to drive you home.
(Teenage Fanclub, "Don't Look Back")

You can never ever leave without leaving a piece of youth.
(The Smashing Pumpkins, “Tonight, Tonight”)

You don’t get lost in the dark when you shine.
(Embrace, “I Hope You’re Happy Now”)

I don’t wanna learn more – I’m already tired by things I’ll never do.
(The Wonder Stuff, “Storm Drain”)

In case you haven’t noticed, I’m talking to myself.
(Woodface, “White light to you”)

Don’t always look for comfort in a song.
(Teenage Fanclub, “Fear Of Flying”)

I’m looking forward to looking back on days like today.
(Soul Asylum, “Crawl”)

The devil is not in the details, the devil is in my pants.
(Dog’s Eye View, “Everything Falls Apart”)

I’m sick of myself when I look at you.
(Matthew Sweet, “Sick Of Myself”)

Nostalgia isn’t what it was.
(Stephen Duffy, "So Far Away")

I ain’t an abacus, but you can count on me.
(Jamie T, "Operation")

I never said I was deep - but I am profoundly shallow.
(Jarvis Cocker, "Never Said I Was Deep")

I'm like a firecracker - I make it hot.
(Britney Spears, "Circus")

When you like music more than life, something’s wrong.
(K’s Choice, "Something’s Wrong")

Victory is sweet even deep in the cheap seats.
(Conor Oberst, “Cape Canaveral”)

I've had a pretty hard life for such an easy heart.
(Whiskeytown, “Easy Hearts”)

There ain't no cloud that a bottle can't chase away.
(Del Amitri, “Some Other Sucker's Parade”)

On a clear day I can read your mind.
(Rilo Kiley, “Give A Little Love”)