Degradation of lyrics in songs - Page 3

Originally posted by: sushrutapandey

One of the general things imho to remember when comparing the present with the past is that we didn't live the past. For example, we were not living in the 60s paying attention to every movie that came out and noticing all the songs and then forming an opinion. What we generally consider old songs are the ones that stood out from the rest of the songs at that time and consequently were passed on for being good. So it is incorrect sampling. Most of the time when we are comparing we automatically tend to compare the best songs of old times with the all the songs of the new times. Hence, the result that most people always tend to think things were better in the old times.

Originally posted by: Indradhanush

Sorry but I disagree.

I have had extensive interaction with people who wrote and collected biography on R D Burman and got hand on almost all the albums, I can confirm the quality of lyrics in general is quite good.
In the same way, I have heard all songs of S D Burman and I find the lyrics thumbs up.

There were songs like rat rat mane chuha, cat cat mane billi but they were laced with comedy and had a diff flavour.

Originally posted by: musicmuse

Hmm. Interesting point.😊

To a great extent we are talking not only of the popular songs.

The general trend of the movies and their content all over the world have reflected the current societal scenario at that point in time.

I am not saying those days were good, or this is bad.every decade had its share of grey.

We have had advances which we would never imagined.Internet and cell phones.😊and music reality shows😉

But those days were definitely innocent and carefree.ask people who have seen those days from 50s till today.😊

Originally posted by: Indradhanush

Sorry but I disagree.

I have had extensive interaction with people who wrote and collected biography on R D Burman and got hand on almost all the albums, I can confirm the quality of lyrics in general is quite good.
In the same way, I have heard all songs of S D Burman and I find the lyrics thumbs up.

There were songs like rat rat mane chuha, cat cat mane billi but they were laced with comedy and had a diff flavour.

Originally posted by: Indradhanush

I am quite sure if we sit down to listen to all songs madan Mohan (foe example), it won't be disappointing in poetry. In general lyrics in those days were far better & meaningfu

Originally posted by: sushrutapandey

Well, I am not going to try to convince you otherwise also😆.

I just think people automatically bias themselves in favor of the past.

Originally posted by: sushrutapandey

One of the general things imho to remember when comparing the present with the past is that we didn't live the past. For example, we were not living in the 60s paying attention to every movie that came out and noticing all the songs and then forming an opinion. What we generally consider old songs are the ones that stood out from the rest of the songs at that time and consequently were passed on for being good. So it is incorrect sampling. Most of the time when we are comparing we automatically tend to compare the best songs of old times with the all the songs of the new times. Hence, the result that most people always tend to think things were better in the old times.

Originally posted by: tantadaan

I think the nostalgia factor adds that ethereal feel to old songs. 😍 I also think that a song which was not quite popular during its time, is given royal treatment today just because it is sung by a respected & much revered singer who is no more. Or a beloved MD.

But still IMHO an old flop can stand on its own in front of a new hit. 😳

Take the theme of romance for example which plays a pivitol role in our hindi film music. Uss zamane mein we would see two phools smooching when the scene got really romantic. The scene behind the scene was left to our imagination. Chandi raatein and pyar ki baatein were subltle. The lyrics combined with our imagination weaved magic in a song. And the charm of romance was intact in the lyrics and in the way our imagination processed the lyrics. It was simple and spun around that simple feeling called love. Otherwise there was nothing worthwhile in the song picturization itself. Kuch bhi khaas nahin. Khaali peeli black and white tha. With monotonous facial expressions and weird body movements. The visual impact of a song was insignificant.

Today we live in times where there is no time for romance. Get a life. Jo bolna hai fatafat saaf saaf bol. Ghuma phira ke kai ko bolna. So instead of phools smooching we see fools smooching. 😆 So where is the element of imagination here? Old songs of 60s and even 70s carried the chhaap of sincerity and commitment that goes with real love. I don't think those old lyrics make sense anymore in these times. Today we need songs that depict the new mindset. Most of the songs today have a visual appeal. They are situational. If I have watched the movie, I might appreciate the song more than if I have not watched it.