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User Name Thread Name Subject Posted
GUEST,Howard Jones Poetry exposure versus Folksong (31) RE: Poetry exposure versus Folksong 03 Oct 14


Poetry is a different art from songwriting. It is entirely dependent on getting meaning and emotion from language. Songwriting uses similar forms, but uses music to reinforce these. Songs may also be poetry, and poetry can also be set to music. However an over-poetic lyric may fail as a song because it places too much emphasis on the words, and setting a poem to music may detract from the poetry. And as you point out, many songs would not work as poetry, without the music to reinforce them.

You appear not to enjoy poetry - that is a matter of taste. Your criticism of the delivery is a personal opinion - these are read by professional actors, and personally I find their delivery is usually excellent. Similar complaints could probably also be applied to many folk singers by someone who doesn't appreciate that particular art form.

Half an hour of poetry a week on Radio 4 compared with an hour of folk music on Radio 2. Not enough of either, arguably, but are we being poorly served by comparison?


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