The "Best Lyrics" thread got me thinking, not about what lyrics were best, but words that sounded good when spoken or sung.
"Try to catch the deluge in a Paper Cup"
This phrase sounds good not simply because of it's imagery but because the sound of the words "Paper Cup"
"Watchin' the bottles of Bud as they spill on the floor"
I told a friend of mine once that that was an incredibly pleasant sounding phrase. She commented that she didn't think I would like it since I don't drink, but I told her not to listen to the lyrics, but the sounds of the words.
I have no idea why these particular words sound pleasant to me. And to others, obviously or they wouldn't be in popular music. What is so pleasant about "Paper Cup" and "Bottles of Bud as they Spill"? Does anyone have any ideas? Does anyone else have phrases that simply sound nice to them?
Posted by docmagik (Member # 1131) on :
It's funny that when I saw this thread title, the first thing I thought of was a song--one of the songs Prince did on the Batman soundrack had a line about how he'd "Rather drink six razor blades . . . razor blades fom a paper cup."
Can't think of lyrics or poem lines offhand, but I've always thought the word "Churro" was way fun to say.
Gimme a minute, something will come to me . . .
Posted by punwit (Member # 6388) on :
I like the word dappled. It seems to work great in poetry. I like the imagery and the sound of the phrase; dappled shadows.
[ September 10, 2004, 06:26 AM: Message edited by: punwit ]
Posted by delicate flower (Member # 6260) on :
My favorite words to say are: antidisestablishmentarianism, despicable, and Robert Kelker-Kelly. None of them show up in songs too often, but they are fun to say, they just feel cool coming out of you month. Really, try saying this sentence: Robert Kelker-Kelly’s views on antidisestablishmentarianism are despicable. Good times.
In all fairness to Robert Kelker-Kelly, I doubt he actually has views on antidisestablishmentarianism. (does anyone?) And even if he did, I don’t think they would be despicable. But, it’s still fun.
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
I like defenestration.
Posted by Noemon (Member # 1115) on :
I love the phrase "to pop upon the top of Peter" from Peter Rabbit.
I love the rhythm of a lot of Aztec words. Popocatepetl has always been a favorite. I love the way it feels as it leaves my mouth.
Other favorites include a decent number of their gods names, such as: Huitzilopochtl Itzcoliuhqui Mictlan Ometeotl Tlaloc And perhaps my favorite, Tezcatlipoca. God I love the sound of that one. The imagery behind the name is beautiful too--God of the Smoking Mirror. I love that.
Posted by Noemon (Member # 1115) on :
I also love the sound of a lot of Marvell's poetry. The phrase "Vaster than empires, and more slow" is one that runs through my mind unbidden now and then.
Posted by Annie (Member # 295) on :
Rivka - the word, or the practice?
And Noemon, my favorite Aztec word is xocolotl.
Posted by dkw (Member # 3264) on :
My favorite individual word is arugula.
My favorite poet for sheer playing with word-sounds is Hopkins
“By and by, nor spare a sigh, Though worlds of wanwood leafmeal lie”
Posted by Noemon (Member # 1115) on :
I could really go for a nice chunck of dark xocolotl. Not too sweet now...
Yeah Annie, it's a great word. You know, I'm getting in the mood to learn Nahuat'l now. I probably won't, but it sounds like fun.
So, what does it say about me that I knew that Dana's favorite word was "arugula"?
Posted by TomDavidson (Member # 124) on :
I'm having Into the Woods flashbacks. Posted by dkw (Member # 3264) on :
It says you have a good memory and we've had this conversation before?
Posted by The Pixiest (Member # 1863) on :
Tom, are you "Still standing stuck on the stuff on the steps?"....
Posted by Noemon (Member # 1115) on :
Oh yeah, that's it.
Posted by Dan_raven (Member # 3383) on :
quote: Eagerly I wished the morrow; vainly I had sought to borrow From my books surcease of sorrow, sorrow for the lost Lenore,
(The Raven, of course)
[ September 10, 2004, 11:49 AM: Message edited by: Dan_raven ]
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
Annie, both.
Posted by Sara Sasse (Member # 6804) on :
quote:Love the girl who holds the world in a paper cup, Drink it up, Love her and she'll bring you luck.
Posted by Elizabeth (Member # 5218) on :
I saw the title and immediately thought of this song, one of my favorites in the world, called "Nashville Christmas." (by, you know, Donna da Dang Buffalo):
"Christmas morning I'll be laying there Seven children all in my hair We can't start without you Yeah, you must get up Pour a shot of whiskey in your coffee cup "
Posted by Elizabeth (Member # 5218) on :
Noemon, Aztec words are some of my favorites as well.
Posted by Raia (Member # 4700) on :
Tom, the same thing happened to me!
"Rooting through my rutubaga, Raiding my arugula, And ripping up the rampion, My champion, my favorite!"
Posted by plaid (Member # 2393) on :
Aurelio O'Reilly
Posted by Goody Scrivener (Member # 6742) on :
quote:"Try to catch the deluge in a Paper Cup"
ahhh, Crowded House.... I was just watching my DVD of The Stand again last night. That's one of my favorite songs from the soundtrack (number one being Don't Fear the Reaper)
Goody
Posted by Icarus (Member # 3162) on :
quote: "Watchin' the bottles of Bud as they spill on the floor"
I told a friend of mine once that that was an incredibly pleasant sounding phrase. She commented that she didn't think I would like it since I don't drink, but I told her not to listen to the lyrics, but the sounds of the words.
I don't find it pleasing. I find alliteration of B sounds or P sounds unpleasant and difficult to pronounce.
-o-
quote: I doubt he actually has views on antidisestablishmentarianism. (does anyone?)
I do. I am opposed to it.
Posted by Alucard... (Member # 4924) on :
Anyone recall what Drew Barrymore's character wrote on the board of Donnie Darko's class that was supposed to be the most pleasant sounding grouping of words in the English language?
. . . . . . . . .
. . . I believe it was "cellar door"...
Posted by Mabus (Member # 6320) on :
Noemon, I have a theory that Nahuatl was really a prank the Aztecs played on stupid Europeans. No one could possibly learn a language where "the", the shortest word, is four syllables long and everything ends with "atl". Posted by Jenny Gardener (Member # 903) on :
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