Yes, I think you're right about lyrics not standing up on paper but I have been trying to listen to them in context as much as I can. I am a recent arrival to New Zealand and I don't yet have any examples of what I think are good NZ lyrics. I hope I don't sound like a nob, I am looking!

Much of my work in last few years (music publishing) has revolved around actual sheet music (warehouses full of the stuff) so I guess I've become a 'lyrics off paper' expert of sorts.

I always thought that lyric was "I was in love in the end" and I had this whole story to go with it, where its about a relationship, guy is not that interested in her, more out for himself, cheats, tells her, she breaks up with him, and then he realises he loves her belatedly but it's too late. Ah well, that's what it is for me anyway.

But yeah, sucks to be in Blindspott. And Tadpole.....easy target. There are some that are much worse than that. "Are you coming in my back door, how did you get there, and do I mind?" springs to mind. They've had some stinkers.

Easy to criticise lyrics off paper though as Heather said. Someone (I think a kiwi musician) once said it's more about the feeling of the words when combined with the music than what the words themselves are. Is it our job as musicians to tell a story, or simply to evoke a feeling, or several feelings? I think most kiwi musicians tend towards the latter (as do I).

Yes I sorry. I should have made it clear that my topic heading was tounge-in-cheek. I certainly wasn't implying that there were no quality lyricists in New Zealand. I simply wanted to bluntly outline my journey into NZ lyrics thus far, and hopefully find some new directions.
I have heard of Neil Finn and Crowded house, but I always thought he was Australian?! His lyrics are ok off the page, a bit catholic for my tastes, lots of references to falling down on his kness and candles and what-not.

I will definately search out the other names you have suggested. Thank you.

Anyone else noiced how often paper cups come up in Finn lyrics?
And for my penths worth look to Trinity Roots and Don Mc Glashan, and I think some lyrics on Che Fu's Navigator are more than flash

That song is it "In The Morning"? Her singing about an abortion she had, knowing that and listening to the lyrics, wow!

I also really dig Bic Runga's lyrics (especially off Beautiful Collision) as readable poetry.

and the Straightjacket Fits - totally impressionistic delivery of lyrics. was great to be at the gigs recently, and everyone was singing seemingly unrelated syllables along with Shayne. words? sentences? where? what i like about Shayne Fits' lyrics is that his voice sounds ggrrrreeat. explicit meaning is secondary, in their tunes (to me), compared to the implicit feel of a song.

All valid points, thank you. I suppose I am a bit of a lyrics nerd. The examples I've given are songs I've heard on the radio where the lyrics are 'out front'. Also, the lyrics were available at various internet sites. That's all I have to go on at the moment, radio and the net. I will start buying some cds (and sheet music, if it's available) as soon as a I have some cash.

//i don't think Shihad fans are really that interested in lyrics that much.

Maybe I'm in the minority, but this isn't strictly true. Shihad are an interesting example lyrics-wise, because each album seems to vary in quality. While I enjoy most of their songs anyway, some songs or even albums have lyrics that would make me wince if I didn't enjoy the rest of the music so much. But when Jon is on he's on - much of the fish album is incredibly written.

I know which way to set the clocks every year thanks to a shihad lyric. That's cultural contribution gold right there.

I think you're forgetting Ray Davies.

Was listening to 'Lola' today and had fresh waves of excitement about how good it is - lyrically in particular.

Lou Reed, goddamit! Not all the time- but often
and musically...
Jesus, how much more would you rather listen to Lou than Randy Newman?

Frank Black had some pearlers I reckon... not as coherent as some, but he knows that that's not what matters, and that poetry and pop songs are both about implicit rather than explicit meaning... so he writes pop songs which reference far outside the usual range... and this is what makes the NZ examples above so shit. Self-centred and boring... no monkeys, no sliced eyeballs, no Samson and Delilah. No drama.

I think you mean thanks iluvtheclean

i feel
good i
knew that i
would now
so good
i got
you

i feel
nice like
sugar and
spice
so nice
i got
you

when i hold
you in my
arms
i know that i
can't do no
wrong

and when i hold
you in my
arms
my love
won't do you
no harm

ha I just read my posts on that, nearly 3 years on, I have nothing new to say..sigh

And by the way, listen to the radio in ANY country, any city, any hemisphere, and you're bound to be disappointed by the lyrical stylings of most of what you hear. It's probably much worse here.

She's wearing her "Don't talk to me" face as she makes the kids lunches.
I oblige and quietly shut the front door as I leave.
I drive into town before the fog lifts,
I sell sporting goods - I've got a shop not far from Cathederal Square.

I like to open up early so fellas can come in on thir way to work
And daydream around the rods and reels while their breakfasts still
warm inside them.
Why don't you take a look. I'm proud of my shop.
Almost everythings from overseas, you won't find a better selection.

Look at the way this gun fits in the crook of your arm.
To make a thing like that you'd need to know what you were about.
You'd have to know where you were going and go there in a straight line.
And everything else you'd have to shut right out.

Can you see the man who made that?
Can you see him putting it down and standing back?
Can you see the moment when he said "That's it. That's perfect."?
At a time like that you wouldn't care about your job,
Or your mortgage, or the fight you had with your wife.
'Cause when a man holds a thing well made,
There's connection,
There's completeness when a man holds a thing well made.

It's Wednesday, so I do the mail orders.
Nothing much, some oilskins and a .303 for a hunter over in Westland.
And, Oh yes.
One of those Ak47's
For some collector down the line.

[ http://thebigcity.co.nz ]

Dominion Road is bending,
Under it's own weight,
Shining like a strip
Cut from a sheet metal plate,
'Cause it's just been raining.

[ external link ]