I've found, particularly over the last few years, that there are levels to the music I like. Sometimes it's an artist or musical style I like, sometimes it's a particular song, often it's repesect for talent that an individual has like a great voice. However, I've started listening to some music that has surprised me.

One example of this is Eminem (who I wouldn't ordinarily have listened to). The music is very aggressive and abusive (which I don't agree with) but if you listen to the words he's actually quite a good poet who seems to be talking quite thought provokingly about life. Now I don't post this to provoke a slagging match on musical tastes but to highlight the point.

Kylie for example. Again, I'm not ashamed to admit that I like her music. But it does generally seem to be just music, no story, no insights, just great voice and good music. Pink, on the other hand, is like a clean version of Eminem. Another grreat poet singing about real life.

So, the point of this thread. Who are the musical artists that you appreciate for more than just the music but also for the words?

I have quite a broad taste in music but I have often found that R&B is my favourite.

I am also quite a big fan of what was known as "Gangsta Rap", they seem to be trying to correct that image but there is quite a lot of meaning behind the lyrics if you filter out the F word. I think Tupac Shakur was one of the best rappers I heard and his lyrics reflect things that were happening in his life, even predicting his own death.

WEIRD!

Elvis Costello is, and will always be GOD!

QUOTE (Ryano @ Feb 16 2003, 10:45 AM)

Elvis Costello is, and will always be GOD!

Oh how I wish I could moderate threads I started myself. You picked the wrong Elvis!!!

Kenny, not a fan then? I like Presley as well but only recently started to listen to him regularly. I like a lot of singers that have a good or different voice. Alison Moyet was always a favourite as was Kirsty McColl. The words used to be important but the topics and priorities of most of the 'newer' bands are different to mine. I like the likes of Radiohead, Travis and Coldplay but more for the music than the lyrics. Eminen, I must say has never held any appeal for me. Don't get me started on the trend for TV manufactured bands.

QUOTE (Zorro @ Feb 16 2003, 11:24 AM)

QUOTE (Ryano @ Feb 16 2003, 10:45 AM) Elvis Costello is, and will always be GOD!  Oh how I wish I could moderate threads I started myself. You picked the wrong Elvis!!!

Too right he did - Elvis (THE Elvis) always was and always will be The Greatest!

...of course, when I'm driving along there's nothing like singing along to a fab musical. At the moment I'm alternating between "Saucy Jack" (my current show), "The Lion King" (my fave show) and "Sweeney Todd" (the last show I was in, and because I saw it last night).

Show numbers are bestest!

My fave sing-alonga musicals in the car are:
- They're Playing our Song (perfect key for a mezzo)
- Chicago (Ruthie Hensall version not the new film)
- Bombay Dreams (only because I just went to see it)
- Cabaret (esp. Mein Herr and Cabaret)

Love a good belter number!

QUOTE (Maureen @ Feb 21 2003, 10:24 AM)

- Bombay Dreams (only because I just went to see it)

Was it good? It didn't really appeal to me.

We're seeing Les Mis (yet again) in a couple of weeks. Only went 3 months ago. But it's just soooooo excellent (and we've got a friend in it at the moment).

I think Les Mis is fab as well. Went to see it first with just me and Mrs Ryano, then with my Mum & Dad, then with Mrs Ryano's Mum and Dad.

Saw 'Our House' a couple of months ago and wasn't very impressed. I was surprised it won the award. Mind you, we saw it in it's first week so it may have sharpened up a bit. I'm a really big Madness fan so I was really disappointed. It was like RADA does the Nutty Boys.

'One likes driving in one car'

'Night cab to Clapham'

'Versace Trousers'

Got another friend just about to open as one of the leads in Mama Mia so I guess I'll be seeing that very soon too. Also my type of music - my era, shall we say?!

QUOTE (Anne-Marie @ Feb 22 2003, 4:20 PM)

Got another friend just about to open as one of the leads in Mama Mia so I guess I'll be seeing that very soon too. Also my type of music - my era, shall we say?!

I hated this show - the story was an excuse to link the songs together and the whole thing was worse than amatuer. (personal opinion of course)
My Fav still has to be Miss Siagon, just wish I was Oriental so I could be in it (mind you I have played a Tonkanise girl so I might be able to get away with it!!

Backto the Original thread though I like Eminen, he has a lot to say and expresses it in a good way - He talks alot about improving his life and doing good things recently, which is a change to his old "I hate my mum" stuff.
Pink is cool, but Justin Timberlake is the best stuff to dance to (oh and you can't beat a bit of michael Jackson!!)

QUOTE (Aims @ Feb 23 2003, 11:15 AM)

(oh and you can't beat a bit of michael Jackson!!)

But which bit? And can we be sure it's really him?

Bombay Dreams is nice, pleasant, harmless stuff. Nothing startling about any of it. But having seen the show the soundtrack CD is growing on me more and more.

Our trip down to see this was a girlie train trip to London so we had a fantastic day even without having seen the show!

It's kinda worth seeing but not worth going if you only get to London rarely.

Look, if you want to go off topic in your own topics then fine, but do you have to do it in mine as well? Where are the moderators!!!

Back on topic, I used to think that Pink was quite sugary but I find that I am somewhat drawn to her lately. Her voice is very good and the music is does not have the shallowness that I dismissed it with at first.

QUOTE (Zorro @ Feb 16 2003, 1:42 AM)

So, the point of this thread. Who are the musical artists that you appreciate for more than just the music but also for the words?

I think that's half the problem with a lot of modern pop music - you either can't hear the words or it's just half a dozen phrases repeated over and over.

That said, I agree with Zorro that a lot of artists are now starting to produce more 'meaningful' songs.

I've been very dispirited with the music market in recent years - I loathe all these manufactured bands and am fed up with pretty boys/girls who are successful because of looks and dancing alone most of the time.

Whinge over though. I recently came across a band called The Coral and have rediscovered the joy of playing a new album over and over again (something I haven't done for years!). Eccentric, eclectic, kookie stuff - it's fab!

I've been very dispirited with the music market in recent years - I loathe all these manufactured bands and am fed up with pretty boys/girls who are successful because of looks and dancing alone most of the time.

Whinge over though. I recently came across a band called The Coral and have rediscovered the joy of playing a new album over and over again (something I haven't done for years!). Eccentric, eclectic, kookie stuff - it's fab!

Helen, stop double posting you big cheat!

I thinks it's the board today. I've double-posted twice but I've just deleted them as it happens.

QUOTE (Ryano @ Feb 25 2003, 9:13 AM)

Helen, stop double posting you big cheat!

It's not my fault! I keep getting "Page Cannot be Displayed" ....

Echo

Echo

Maureen's doing it now! Cheater!

Well this is a tough one.

If I had to pick a favourite artiste it would have to be Joe Jackson.
Fantastic lyrics, excellent tunes and extremely versatile.

I think I must be a bit of an old hippy cos I also like the "Prog Rock" bands such as Genesis (before Steve Hackett left) and King Crimson and ELP.

For a more "poppy" sound I'd choose Supertramp. Best thing they've ever done is "Fool's Overture"

I could go on, but unlike some of the aforementioned I won't...