Songwriters and poets

[addy]

I think billy's analogy is spot on... they are differing art forms. Lyrics don't automatically count as poetry, but some songwriters do pull it off very well. Leonard Cohen is of course the go-to example and quite unmatched. Nowadays i've noticed quite a few indie-ish bands tend to be more lyrics-focused; there are some songs that feel like strong writing slapped onto an average melody, like they were by a writer who dabbles in music instead of the other way around (I'm thinking of The Hush Sound's "You Are The Moon".... and I don't mean it at all as an insult. I quite like that song)

Here's a lyric from Puscifer that I'm fond of

"The Humbling River"

Nature, nurture heaven and home
Sum of all, and by them, driven
To conquer every mountain shown
But I've never crossed the river

Braved the forests, braved the stone
Braved the icy winds and fire
Braved and beat them on my own
Yet I'm helpless by the river

Angel, angel, what have I done?
I've faced the quakes, the wind, the fire
I've conquered country, crown, and throne
Why can't I cross this river?

Angel, angel, what have I done?
I've faced the quakes, the wind, the fire
I've conquered country, crown, and throne
Why can't I cross this river?

Pay no mind to the battles you've won
It'll take a lot more than rage and muscle
Open your heart and hands, my son
Or you'll never make it over the river

It'll take a lot more than words and guns
A whole lot more than riches and muscle
The hands of the many must join as one
And together we'll cross the river