Several years ago I was doing computer work for a regional ad agency. Their creative team was working on a campaign for a world-renowned children's hospital, and when its executive board paid them a visit, they debuted a beautiful, life-affirming commercial of children and their parents frolicking on a breezy beach, set to...the Fray's "How To Save A Life". When it concluded, the trustees were ecstatic, there were handshakes and hugs all around, and there wasn't a dry eye in the house. Save, of course, for the middle-aged software developer in the back whose jaw was on the floor in appallment, if that's a word.
After the presentation was over, I walked up to the department and lead and said, basically, "Have you people completely taken leave of your senses??! That song isn't about doctors saving lives. It's about a man lamenting that he was unable to prevent a drug-addicted friend from killing himself!" He looked at me with a smirk and replied, "Um, yeah, your point being?"
He then explained, rather reasonably, that the arts (including the commercial arts) were not about content but about interpretation. If people view, say, "Born In The U.S.A." as an optimistic, patriotic song, that's their prerogative. If the singer and/or songwriter intended to draw a completely different reaction from the listener, guess who's mistake it is? Hint: not the listener's. I've never forgotten that moment, and for that reason I'm a little bit cynical about this quiz (though I enjoyed it quite a lot.) In particular, if the guys from Timbuk 3 meant "TFSBIGWS" as an apocalyptic song, they *really* need to run, not walk, back to Songwriting 101. Anyway, as Don McLean once wisely said, a songwriter should present his song and then maintain a dignified silence about it. Nice quiz, thanks. |
The Smiths Songs by Lyric
Wisdom From Music
Mister-y Songs
