I love the lyrics to this song. It might be difficult to get used to his voice, but try to focus on the words. The music is simplistic folk, just an acoustic guitar and a piano, but it seems to highlight the name of the song. It's also interesting to compare the bouncy rhythm/feel of the music to the somewhat depressing story told in the lyrics.
Another thing: should music be used for an escape? John Darnielle (vocalist/lyricist/catalyst of The Mountain Goats) sure thinks so.
Song here
Lyrics here
Finally, post stuff.
I can't take anything he's saying seriously when he sings like Weird Al and plays guitar like it's some sort of children's song.
ReplyDeleteMaybe he doesn't want to be taken seriously?
If that's somehow a poetic point he's trying to make, I'm not sure it's successful.
Music as an escape? It can be done - and often is, but I think really great music does the opposite, that is, CONFRONTS reality in a meaningful way - rather than avoids it.
Harsh Dave, really really harsh, you jerk. No, he does want to be taken seriously, I mean read the lyrics. The whole album is about abuse from a step-dad, and how he deals with it. Plays guitar like a children's song? Explain. And his voice is love it/hate it, and I personally love it.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I'd agree whole heartedly about music not being an escape. I think what I meant by saying that "Darnielle sure does" is that as a child the music was his escape (like the lyrics "so this is what the volume knob is for" indicate), but I love what you said about the way music confronts reality in a meaningful way. That's exactly why I appreciate music, and The Mountain Goats.
ReplyDeleteDave this song is eminently listenable ;)
ReplyDeleteEMINENTLY
ReplyDeleteI may have been a little harsh - but either 'Dance Music' sounds like a children's song, or this:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RkgAKBljXfU
...sounds like 'Dance Music.'
All silliness aside, you're right. There is something dark, expressive, and meaningful about the lyrics. I just think they would be more effectual alongside a like-natured progression.
Unless he's trying to say something with all those major chords that I'm missing. Maybe it's a reference to some sort of simpler perspective.
And speaking of perspective... just look at that parking lot.
"Hokey" is the word I want to use, regarding the musical style.
ReplyDeleteDave, I'm inclined to agree with you. The entire song feels incoherent to me. The title doesn't fit with the style of music (which may, I guess, be part of the "schtick" of the song) which certainly doesn't fit with the lyrics. Even if the lyrics are good enough to stand on their own as a poetic piece, the three chord guitar part broken up by the awkward rhythm of the vocals detracts from whatever theme the lyrics were trying to lay down.
ReplyDeleteHarsh as this all may sound, Brad, are the lyrics all you like about this song?
No it's not just the lyrics. I'll try to explain why I like it:
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, I still think the title of the song is a perfect fit (I say "still" Dave b/c Nate and I discussed it). The whole concept revealed in the lyrics is that as a youth he hid from the abuse in his family by listening loudly to dance music. Therefore, the title "Dance Music" should not be taken literally (I mean, Darneille isn't trying to make actual dance music here obviously), but should rather be seen as an allusion to his escape from (or his alternate to) the terrible reality in his home. "Dance Music" is not just a small part of the song; it encapsulates the entire concept.
Second, the music does seem a bit puerile. However, I think it fits. Perhaps if you allow yourself to believe Darnielle is trying to bring you back to those days of his childhood with the music it will make more sense to you. In the beginning of the song he says "5 or 6 years old maybe" so you know he is talking about his childhood. There is a certain "danceability" to the track as well, and I am fascinated (instead of appalled) by the contrast in the happy-go-lucky music and the dark content of the lyrics. Finally, the song does have a bit more than a three-chord guitar part. I'll have to listen to the song more to further dissect it, but there is a piano line, along with some percussion (bongos I think) that create (like I said before) a bouncy, happy-go-lucky rhythm and melody. Do you remember learning about foil characters in English (LOOKING AT YOU DAVE)? A foil is described as a contrasting character in a play, story, etc. whose attributes are opposite or contrasting of the protagonist's, therefore highlighting those of the protagonist. I'd say the music acts as a darn good foil to the lyrics.
Whoa, this took too long and it's 6:35 AM, but that's what I have for now. As for his vocals, I really can't defend them (yet). The guy can't really sing, but I feel his faulty attempts reveal his honesty even further.
And Dave "Hokey" is the word I want to use to describe YOUR FACE!
I'd like to back up my perspective by refering you to any live performance of this song.
ReplyDeleteHe is having a pretty great time singing about his emotional scars...
All that says to me, is that they can't be that deep.
We've outlined two possibilities here, and I'm inclined to believe it's one or the other:
1. This guy wrote an honest expression of real feelings, but made the (poor) decision to try to guise them in a poppy tune. This either reflects a misguided attempt to appeal to a certain audience, inability to compose a more appropriate accompaniment, or otherwise bad decision.
2. This guy is trying to create a certain feeling by juxtaposing the very happy with the very sad. Through contradiction, he hopes to reveal some greater truth.
Call me a cynic, but I'm leaning toward #1.
I give up.
ReplyDeleteI can't believe my foil argument didn't work. That was a good one.
ReplyDeleteIs it worth it for me to post another Mountain Goats song? Don't want to dominate the blog with my stuff though. If I post it on this list, will you listen, Nate and Dave? I won't be offended if you say no.
ReplyDeleteI'll give it a shot.
ReplyDeletesong: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=REW3f_LGQuQ
ReplyDeletelyrics: http://www.themountaingoats.net/lyrics/sunset_lyr.html#teeth
*holds breath*
I like this one MUCH more.
ReplyDeleteBrad: a good argument. I still don't like the song, but you've parsed out the artistic merit that you see in it, and I think you make a good case. However, were I to hear this on the radio, it would sound just as pastiche as most other songs I hear in this genre. It's really only upon taking a closer look at the lyrics does it become interesting.... I wonder what that means...
ReplyDeleteOn a more positive note: I, too, like "Lions Teeth" MUCH better.
I had to look up "pastiche."
ReplyDelete