Don said he wrote a lot of lyrics for the first album. Judging by the credits he had at least a lyrical hand in everything apart from The Bottom Line. He wrote all of the words for E=mc2 apparently, that genuinely surprised me.
Hypothetical 6th Clash record if Mick never left
- Heston
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Re: Hypothetical 6th Clash record if Mick never left
There's a tiny, tiny hopeful part of me that says you guys are running a Kaufmanesque long con on the board
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drowninghere
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Re: Hypothetical 6th Clash record if Mick never left
Still not sure how the lyrics went from such a plus on the debut to more often than not a negative and borderline cringeworthy on albums 3 and 4, particularly as Don I believe had said at one point that he was Mick's "lyrical apprentice" on the debut and, Upping St. aside, presumably played a larger role thereafter (which you would think would involve getting better and not worse). Indeed, I occasionally find it hard to believe that the same people were writing the lyrics across all 4 albums (although this can be said for a few artists).
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Silent Majority
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Re: Hypothetical 6th Clash record if Mick never left
I agree. They lost a lot of wit and subtlety on 3 and 4.drowninghere wrote: ↑29 Apr 2021, 1:23pmStill not sure how the lyrics went from such a plus on the debut to more often than not a negative and borderline cringeworthy on albums 3 and 4, particularly as Don I believe had said at one point that he was Mick's "lyrical apprentice" on the debut and, Upping St. aside, presumably played a larger role thereafter (which you would think would involve getting better and not worse). Indeed, I occasionally find it hard to believe that the same people were writing the lyrics across all 4 albums (although this can be said for a few artists).
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Re: Hypothetical 6th Clash record if Mick never left
I wouldn't say they were that bad on Tighten Up and Megatop but they had a lot to live up to after the debut. The writing credits got a lot more varied from Tighten Up onwards, I think Megatop was mostly written while Mick was recovering from pneumonia.drowninghere wrote: ↑29 Apr 2021, 1:23pmStill not sure how the lyrics went from such a plus on the debut to more often than not a negative and borderline cringeworthy on albums 3 and 4, particularly as Don I believe had said at one point that he was Mick's "lyrical apprentice" on the debut and, Upping St. aside, presumably played a larger role thereafter (which you would think would involve getting better and not worse). Indeed, I occasionally find it hard to believe that the same people were writing the lyrics across all 4 albums (although this can be said for a few artists).
There's a tiny, tiny hopeful part of me that says you guys are running a Kaufmanesque long con on the board
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Guest1
Re: Hypothetical 6th Clash record if Mick never left
Idk I still consider Megatop Pheonix to be an absolute sprawling masterpiece, shoddy lyrics or not. So ahead of it's time in many ways. Like Screamadellica before Primal Scream. I feel like it's an album that deserves critical re evaluation.Heston wrote: ↑29 Apr 2021, 1:28pmI wouldn't say they were that bad on Tighten Up and Megatop but they had a lot to live up to after the debut. The writing credits got a lot more varied from Tighten Up onwards, I think Megatop was mostly written while Mick was recovering from pneumonia.drowninghere wrote: ↑29 Apr 2021, 1:23pmStill not sure how the lyrics went from such a plus on the debut to more often than not a negative and borderline cringeworthy on albums 3 and 4, particularly as Don I believe had said at one point that he was Mick's "lyrical apprentice" on the debut and, Upping St. aside, presumably played a larger role thereafter (which you would think would involve getting better and not worse). Indeed, I occasionally find it hard to believe that the same people were writing the lyrics across all 4 albums (although this can be said for a few artists).
- Heston
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Re: Hypothetical 6th Clash record if Mick never left
I wouldn't say any of the first four albums were lyrically shoddy myself, generally speaking, but that debut album was a lot to live up to. Tighten Up in particular got a bit of slating for the lyrics but I thought it was a fun diversion into pop for them. I love the lyrics in Applecart, All Saints Rd, Esquerita, and the title track.RockNRollWhore wrote: ↑29 Apr 2021, 1:48pmIdk I still consider Megatop Pheonix to be an absolute sprawling masterpiece, shoddy lyrics or not. So ahead of it's time in many ways. Like Screamadellica before Primal Scream. I feel like it's an album that deserves critical re evaluation.Heston wrote: ↑29 Apr 2021, 1:28pmI wouldn't say they were that bad on Tighten Up and Megatop but they had a lot to live up to after the debut. The writing credits got a lot more varied from Tighten Up onwards, I think Megatop was mostly written while Mick was recovering from pneumonia.drowninghere wrote: ↑29 Apr 2021, 1:23pmStill not sure how the lyrics went from such a plus on the debut to more often than not a negative and borderline cringeworthy on albums 3 and 4, particularly as Don I believe had said at one point that he was Mick's "lyrical apprentice" on the debut and, Upping St. aside, presumably played a larger role thereafter (which you would think would involve getting better and not worse). Indeed, I occasionally find it hard to believe that the same people were writing the lyrics across all 4 albums (although this can be said for a few artists).
There's a tiny, tiny hopeful part of me that says you guys are running a Kaufmanesque long con on the board
Re: Hypothetical 6th Clash record if Mick never left
I heard him on podcast say it was the first set of lyrics he gave to Mick too.
Putting a little stick about. Putting the frighteners on flash little twerps
Re: Hypothetical 6th Clash record if Mick never left
Bad lyrics can be mitigated with good music, but not vice-versa. I find it very valuable to not care much about lyrics unless they're REALLY bad. However, it does make it harder to write my own.Heston wrote: ↑29 Apr 2021, 2:00pmI wouldn't say any of the first four albums were lyrically shoddy myself, generally speaking, but that debut album was a lot to live up to. Tighten Up in particular got a bit of slating for the lyrics but I thought it was a fun diversion into pop for them. I love the lyrics in Applecart, All Saints Rd, Esquerita, and the title track.RockNRollWhore wrote: ↑29 Apr 2021, 1:48pmIdk I still consider Megatop Pheonix to be an absolute sprawling masterpiece, shoddy lyrics or not. So ahead of it's time in many ways. Like Screamadellica before Primal Scream. I feel like it's an album that deserves critical re evaluation.Heston wrote: ↑29 Apr 2021, 1:28pmI wouldn't say they were that bad on Tighten Up and Megatop but they had a lot to live up to after the debut. The writing credits got a lot more varied from Tighten Up onwards, I think Megatop was mostly written while Mick was recovering from pneumonia.drowninghere wrote: ↑29 Apr 2021, 1:23pmStill not sure how the lyrics went from such a plus on the debut to more often than not a negative and borderline cringeworthy on albums 3 and 4, particularly as Don I believe had said at one point that he was Mick's "lyrical apprentice" on the debut and, Upping St. aside, presumably played a larger role thereafter (which you would think would involve getting better and not worse). Indeed, I occasionally find it hard to believe that the same people were writing the lyrics across all 4 albums (although this can be said for a few artists).
"Suck our Earth dick, Martians!" —Doc
- Heston
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Re: Hypothetical 6th Clash record if Mick never left
Totally. There's thousands of songs I love with lyrics that could have been written on the back of a cigarette packet in 2 minutes. But all the better if you get both sides right.
There's a tiny, tiny hopeful part of me that says you guys are running a Kaufmanesque long con on the board
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Guest1
Re: Hypothetical 6th Clash record if Mick never left
Same reason I can’t get into Dylan. Some great songs interspersed throughout his discography. Some even greater lyrics but too often, the tune simply isn’t there.Kory wrote: ↑29 Apr 2021, 3:51pmBad lyrics can be mitigated with good music, but not vice-versa. I find it very valuable to not care much about lyrics unless they're REALLY bad. However, it does make it harder to write my own.Heston wrote: ↑29 Apr 2021, 2:00pmI wouldn't say any of the first four albums were lyrically shoddy myself, generally speaking, but that debut album was a lot to live up to. Tighten Up in particular got a bit of slating for the lyrics but I thought it was a fun diversion into pop for them. I love the lyrics in Applecart, All Saints Rd, Esquerita, and the title track.RockNRollWhore wrote: ↑29 Apr 2021, 1:48pmIdk I still consider Megatop Pheonix to be an absolute sprawling masterpiece, shoddy lyrics or not. So ahead of it's time in many ways. Like Screamadellica before Primal Scream. I feel like it's an album that deserves critical re evaluation.Heston wrote: ↑29 Apr 2021, 1:28pmI wouldn't say they were that bad on Tighten Up and Megatop but they had a lot to live up to after the debut. The writing credits got a lot more varied from Tighten Up onwards, I think Megatop was mostly written while Mick was recovering from pneumonia.drowninghere wrote: ↑29 Apr 2021, 1:23pm
Still not sure how the lyrics went from such a plus on the debut to more often than not a negative and borderline cringeworthy on albums 3 and 4, particularly as Don I believe had said at one point that he was Mick's "lyrical apprentice" on the debut and, Upping St. aside, presumably played a larger role thereafter (which you would think would involve getting better and not worse). Indeed, I occasionally find it hard to believe that the same people were writing the lyrics across all 4 albums (although this can be said for a few artists).
Monotonous folk strumming simply isn’t my thing.
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Guest1
Re: Hypothetical 6th Clash record if Mick never left
There’s also like a ton of shitty hair metal bands I absolutely adore despite the cornball lyrics. I must admit.RockNRollWhore wrote: ↑29 Apr 2021, 7:09pmSame reason I can’t get into Dylan. Some great songs interspersed throughout his discography. Some even greater lyrics but too often, the tune simply isn’t there.Kory wrote: ↑29 Apr 2021, 3:51pmBad lyrics can be mitigated with good music, but not vice-versa. I find it very valuable to not care much about lyrics unless they're REALLY bad. However, it does make it harder to write my own.Heston wrote: ↑29 Apr 2021, 2:00pmI wouldn't say any of the first four albums were lyrically shoddy myself, generally speaking, but that debut album was a lot to live up to. Tighten Up in particular got a bit of slating for the lyrics but I thought it was a fun diversion into pop for them. I love the lyrics in Applecart, All Saints Rd, Esquerita, and the title track.RockNRollWhore wrote: ↑29 Apr 2021, 1:48pmIdk I still consider Megatop Pheonix to be an absolute sprawling masterpiece, shoddy lyrics or not. So ahead of it's time in many ways. Like Screamadellica before Primal Scream. I feel like it's an album that deserves critical re evaluation.
Monotonous folk strumming simply isn’t my thing.
- Heston
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Re: Hypothetical 6th Clash record if Mick never left
Yep.RockNRollWhore wrote: ↑29 Apr 2021, 7:09pmSame reason I can’t get into Dylan. Some great songs interspersed throughout his discography. Some even greater lyrics but too often, the tune simply isn’t there.Kory wrote: ↑29 Apr 2021, 3:51pmBad lyrics can be mitigated with good music, but not vice-versa. I find it very valuable to not care much about lyrics unless they're REALLY bad. However, it does make it harder to write my own.Heston wrote: ↑29 Apr 2021, 2:00pmI wouldn't say any of the first four albums were lyrically shoddy myself, generally speaking, but that debut album was a lot to live up to. Tighten Up in particular got a bit of slating for the lyrics but I thought it was a fun diversion into pop for them. I love the lyrics in Applecart, All Saints Rd, Esquerita, and the title track.RockNRollWhore wrote: ↑29 Apr 2021, 1:48pmIdk I still consider Megatop Pheonix to be an absolute sprawling masterpiece, shoddy lyrics or not. So ahead of it's time in many ways. Like Screamadellica before Primal Scream. I feel like it's an album that deserves critical re evaluation.
Monotonous folk strumming simply isn’t my thing.
There's a tiny, tiny hopeful part of me that says you guys are running a Kaufmanesque long con on the board
- Heston
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Re: Hypothetical 6th Clash record if Mick never left
Nope.RockNRollWhore wrote: ↑29 Apr 2021, 7:22pmThere’s also like a ton of shitty hair metal bands I absolutely adore despite the cornball lyrics. I must admit.RockNRollWhore wrote: ↑29 Apr 2021, 7:09pmSame reason I can’t get into Dylan. Some great songs interspersed throughout his discography. Some even greater lyrics but too often, the tune simply isn’t there.Kory wrote: ↑29 Apr 2021, 3:51pmBad lyrics can be mitigated with good music, but not vice-versa. I find it very valuable to not care much about lyrics unless they're REALLY bad. However, it does make it harder to write my own.Heston wrote: ↑29 Apr 2021, 2:00pmI wouldn't say any of the first four albums were lyrically shoddy myself, generally speaking, but that debut album was a lot to live up to. Tighten Up in particular got a bit of slating for the lyrics but I thought it was a fun diversion into pop for them. I love the lyrics in Applecart, All Saints Rd, Esquerita, and the title track.RockNRollWhore wrote: ↑29 Apr 2021, 1:48pm
Idk I still consider Megatop Pheonix to be an absolute sprawling masterpiece, shoddy lyrics or not. So ahead of it's time in many ways. Like Screamadellica before Primal Scream. I feel like it's an album that deserves critical re evaluation.
Monotonous folk strumming simply isn’t my thing.
There's a tiny, tiny hopeful part of me that says you guys are running a Kaufmanesque long con on the board
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Guest1
Re: Hypothetical 6th Clash record if Mick never left
Did I ruffle some feathers?Heston wrote: ↑29 Apr 2021, 7:24pmNope.RockNRollWhore wrote: ↑29 Apr 2021, 7:22pmThere’s also like a ton of shitty hair metal bands I absolutely adore despite the cornball lyrics. I must admit.RockNRollWhore wrote: ↑29 Apr 2021, 7:09pmSame reason I can’t get into Dylan. Some great songs interspersed throughout his discography. Some even greater lyrics but too often, the tune simply isn’t there.Kory wrote: ↑29 Apr 2021, 3:51pmBad lyrics can be mitigated with good music, but not vice-versa. I find it very valuable to not care much about lyrics unless they're REALLY bad. However, it does make it harder to write my own.Heston wrote: ↑29 Apr 2021, 2:00pm
I wouldn't say any of the first four albums were lyrically shoddy myself, generally speaking, but that debut album was a lot to live up to. Tighten Up in particular got a bit of slating for the lyrics but I thought it was a fun diversion into pop for them. I love the lyrics in Applecart, All Saints Rd, Esquerita, and the title track.
Monotonous folk strumming simply isn’t my thing.
- Heston
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Re: Hypothetical 6th Clash record if Mick never left
Not really.RockNRollWhore wrote: ↑29 Apr 2021, 7:26pmDid I ruffle some feathers.Heston wrote: ↑29 Apr 2021, 7:24pmNope.RockNRollWhore wrote: ↑29 Apr 2021, 7:22pmThere’s also like a ton of shitty hair metal bands I absolutely adore despite the cornball lyrics. I must admit.RockNRollWhore wrote: ↑29 Apr 2021, 7:09pmSame reason I can’t get into Dylan. Some great songs interspersed throughout his discography. Some even greater lyrics but too often, the tune simply isn’t there.
Monotonous folk strumming simply isn’t my thing.
There's a tiny, tiny hopeful part of me that says you guys are running a Kaufmanesque long con on the board