Artists: What kind of lyrics are permissible to write?

[yawnernonner]

I don’t write “love” songs (lust songs) so I don’t have a problem there, but I do have a concept album idea that is pretty gross (like a non-horror version of The Thing).
Outside of the realms of lust and the devil, what do you advise against including in lyrics?

Edit: Actually, maybe normal people may get scared by it. I don’t know.

 

[Mary888]

I think it’s not only about the words themselves but also the ideas presented. And the responsibility of what your music may induce to others… I mean… I know, it sounds big, but I for one would worry if I write something incredibly depressive and sad will someone think of committing suicide inspired by my music?.. That sort of thing.
An album about monsters can induce the right ideas like for example in Shrek - the idea that even if you feel like a monster you aren’t really. Dunno… maybe it’s a cheesy idea for you but I was trying to give an example.

 

[twf]

Yet there’s a place for sad songs. Some of the laments in the Old Testament…even some of the Psalms (88 comes to mind) are extremely depressing. “My one companion is death.” That’s in inspired “lyrics”.

 

[Mary888]

Yes but that is the Bible the Holy book. I do believe there is protection there even if the words seem strange. Plus it’s pretty obvious in the Psalms that David and others ask God for help, the text in its entirety expresses this and it’s repetitive. Basically - I have no one to depend on but You, Lord so… help me(us) out like you helped me(us) out before. Nothing depressive there.

 

[twf]

Wretched and close to death from my youth up,
I suffer your terrors; I am desperate.
Your wrath has swept over me;
your dread assaults destroy me.
They surround me like a flood all day long;
from all sides they close in on me.
You have caused friend and neighbor to shun me;
my companions are in darkness.
(Psalm 88:15-18)
I totally agree that, understood properly, especially as a prophesy of Christ’s Passion, there is beauty even in these words… but isolated without context it still sounds pretty depressing! My point being that songs / poems express authentic human emotions, some of which are negative.

 

[Mary888]

Yes exactly. But the same words can be arranged in a way that in no longer evokes a dark situation but also offers a solution or incites to violent immediate solutions. The Psalms do not do this because God’s invisible help is required/asked. So the human action is actually muted.
I think… that as long as the desperate situation is evoked not invoked the lyrics are constructive even if they sound despaired.