Storytelling.....

Some of the best music I've ever heard tells a story. See exhibits below. Which makes me wonder what happen to good music that tells a story and takes you there?

1) Stevie Wonder: Living In The City. (R&B)

A boy is born in hard time Mississippi

Surrounded by four walls that ain't so pretty

His parents give him love and affection

To keep him strong moving in the right direction

Living just enough, just enough for the city

His father works some days for fourteen hours

And you can bet he barely makes a dollar

His mother goes to scrub the floors for many

And you'd best believe she hardly gets a penny

Living just enough, just enough for the city yeah

His sister's black but she is sho 'nuff pretty

Her skirt is short but Lord her legs are sturdy

To walk to school she's got to get up early

Her clothes are old but never are they dirty

Living just enough, just enough for the city

2) Ice Cube: Today Was A Good Day. (Rap)

Just waking up in the morning gotta thank God

I don't know but today seems kinda odd

No barking from the dogs, no smog

And momma cooked a breakfast with no hog

3) James Blount Your Beautiful (Pop) 

My life is brilliant.

My life is brilliant.

My love is pure.

I saw an angel.

Of that I'm sure.

She smiled me on the subway.

She was with another man.

But I won't lose no sleep on that,

'Cause I've got a plan.

You're beautiful, You're beautiful,

You're beautiful, it's true.

I saw your face in a crowded place,

And I don't know what to do,

'Cause I'll never be with you.

4) Goo Goo Dolls "Iris" (Rock)

And I'd give up forever to touch you

'Cause I know that you feel me somehow

You're the closest to heaven that I'll ever be

And I don't want to go home right now

And all I can taste is this moment

And all I can breathe is your life

When sooner or later it's over

I just don't want to miss you tonight

And I don't want the world to see me

'Cause I don't think that they'd understand

When everything's made to be broken

I just want you to know who I am

Good music is meant to transport the mind to another place. To paint a picture in the listener's mind that is interesting and captivating. Maybe that's why some songs pass the test of time and others don't. The lyrics clearly help you see the scene that Stevie depicts on "Living In The City." A hardworking loving family in Mississippi has two children in a small house. The parents are providing a loving environment that allows for the children to learn the value of hard work and education. His sister is a beautiful chocolate colored girl who wakes up early and walks to school which in turn is developing her mind and body because ther legs are to die for. Whew! I know a lot about this family in just a few minutes. That's storytelling to the finest. 

Today's music is void of the fantastic storytellers in most generes. It seems like too many artists have forgotten about the tried and true value of having a message and story in their music. Good stories help music last the test of time. Even my twelve year son knows that a girl was trying to pin a kid on Michael Jackson in Billie Jean even though that song is 30 years old. Artists, song writers, producers wake up. Give us a good story and we will show you a hit record. Songs can't just be about money, jewelry, sex, drugs, and partying. Too much of the popular songs of today are about style over substance. 

I still have hope for this generation though because early this year the critically acclaimed album "To Pimp A Butterfly" by Kendrick Lamar was released and one of my favorite tracks on the album is "How Much Does A Dollar Cost?" On this song Lamar is struggling with if the person who's panhandling outside the gas station is more then meets the eye. Check out the verse below:

Kendrick Lamar:

He's starin' at me in disbelief
My temper is buildin', he's starin' at me, I grab my key
He's starin' at me, I started the car, then I tried to leave
And somethin' told me to keep it in park until I could see
The reason why he was mad at a stranger like I was supposed to save him
Like I'm the reason he's homeless and askin' me for a favor
He's starin' at me, his eyes followed me with no laser
He's starin' at me, I notice that his stare is contagious
'Cause now I'm starin' back at him, feelin' some type of disrespect
If I could throw a bat at him, it'd be aimin' at his neck
I never understood someone beggin' for goods
Askin' for handouts, takin' it if they could
And this particular person just had it down pat
Starin' at me for the longest until he finally asked
"Have you ever opened up Exodus 14?
A humble man is all that we ever need
Tell me how much a dollar cost"

Lamar indeed tells a story that is captivating and interesting. That's good music!!! Others are getting into a similar thought I look forward to more artists telling a story instead of just making a hit record. 

What are your favorite songs that tell a story? Share them with me.