Most of us have favorite songs – sometimes it’s the beat, the melody or the singer – and sometimes the lyrics that get us. It is probably often a combination of these. But there are songs that stand out lyrically and tell a story.
What I’m asking here is what happens when we change a small part of a song’s lyrics. The purpose is to change the whole meaning of the song rather than a few, or to play a part of the song.
KODACHROME, PAUL SIMON – This is just to add to the table. for for years this was bad for me, until one day I sang it loudly and it was corrected. When I was told, they all made good sense. Instead of “Kodachrome” I thought the lyric was “heritage”. As in “Don’t take Momma, I’m going away from my homes.” Paul Simon would describe the amazing color photography, I just thought it was great!
LITTLE DANCER, ELTON JOHN – Definitely one to mention as an Elton John fan.
“But alas, how true it feels, lying here, with no one near – just you, and listen to me – when softly, slowly, you hold me closer to the dancer.” Change the two words. Miny Dancer to Tony Danza. You will never hear the same song again!
CASBAH ROCK, CRASHED – Oh, the song of the earth breaking from the soil of the broken train. Change the lyric “Sharif don’t like, rockin’ the Casbah, rock the Casbah.” Instead of Sharif, sing Sharia. Suddenly you’ve changed the commentary of a fundamentalist religion with one word.
CORVETTE PRINCIPI LITTLEUM – A beautiful song built on a very romantic hint. Change Corvette to Green Chevette. It changes with the tone of the insinuation, ch? Still a Chevy, right?
ALL LOVERS, THE BEATLES – OK, this (and the next one) would be PG-13. He reminded you himself.
“I’ll kiss your eyes and you, tomorrow I’ll miss you, remember that I’m always true. And then while I’m away, we’ll write home every day, and I’ll send all my love to you.
With two changes – Your eyes and I will kiss you, I will miss you tomorrow, I remember that I will always be true. Then while I’m away, I’ll shake twice a day and send all my love to you. All my beloved, I send to you, all my lovers, a package of goo. MO, go ahead, tell me – poor taste. So tell me you didn’t laugh!
PASSING RELIGION, REM – I’m just going to say the lyrics, then I’m telling you to change one word. Take it from there.
O life is greater!
It is greater than
And you are not me
The lengths I will go to
Distance in the eyes
Oh no, I said too much!
I have it
(chorus)
That is a corner in me
That’s my spotlight
Losing my religion
He tries to be with you
And I don’t know if I can do it
Oh no, I said too much!
Not enough said
I thought I heard you laughing
I thought I heard you sing
I think I saw you try
Every whisper
I’m all awake
Choosing my confessions
He tries to always keep an eye on you
As the evil lost and blinded the fool, the fool
Oh no, I said too much!
I have it
Look at this
Look at this
The warning of the century
Look at this
The fall of that me
I fell to my knees
What if this is a ghost?
I came around in a whirlwind
Now I have said too much
I thought I heard you laughing
I thought I heard you sing
I think I saw you try
But this is a dream
What is the dream
(Repeat the chorus)
But this is a dream
Try, cry, what are you trying?
What is the dream
Like a dream, like a dream
Dream
Now change one word – “religion” erection. Tell me again you don’t laugh when you sing!
