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Dance Music That Means Something

there's loads of 'spiritual' house music - the likes of kenny bobbien has some very serious messages, albeit about god...
 
Most dance music lyric are very trite, true.
But looking for dance music with serious lyrical content is kind of missing the point, isn't it?
It's about dancing and enjoying the textures of the noises and bleeps and rhythms. Lyrics get in the way of all that don't they?
I get my fix of all that from reading books - I don't want it in music - it's too much to process - great sounds AND lyrics.
 
Follow Me by Aly Us! it's about puting an end to racial hatred and that. It is a great tune too. in fact i am going to put it on loud now.
 
That's a wicked tune. I like Promised Land, but it is well cheesy.
Herbert's house tunes are pretty 'intelligent' lyrically.
Dub - tell Pie Eye to get his latest album Scale.
 
rutabowa said:
Follow Me by Aly Us! it's about puting an end to racial hatred and that. It is a great tune too. in fact i am going to put it on loud now.
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i just finished listening to it, it is still excellent. now i'm listening to "Can You Party" by Royal House. The lyrics go "Can you feel it" over and over again.
 
DJ Squelch said:
"One Night In Hackney" also has cracking lyrics.:D
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Hardly meaningful, but on the same tip - the full edit of Tom Wax's "...And Then It Hit Me!"

Probably inspired some of One Night In Hackney's lyrics to be fair.
 
I asked people on a couple of electronic music boards so responses will be forthcoming.
But already people are asking 'why?' and wanted examples of what are regarded as meaningful lyrics in rock and pop music.
I responded with 'I don't rate lyrics in any music - it's a bit of a stretch for me to process and understand them when there's so many other elements in the music. If I strive to pay attention to the lyrics in a song, everything else takes a back seat and that's not how I want to enjoy music - I prefer to regard the voice as just another instrument with an equal footing to the others.'
I think this how many 'dance' music fans see music and it's certainly how, say, techno producers approach the voice.
 
Another response was:
Kraftwerk:
"Trans Europe express, Trans Europe express,Trans Europe express,Trans Europe express,Trans Europe express,Trans Europe express,Trans Europe express,Trans Europe express,Trans Europe express,Trans Europe express,Trans Europe express,Trans Europe express,Trans Europe express,Trans Europe express,Trans Europe express,Trans Europe express"

:D

(though I think Kraftwerk's songs DO have meaning and content in them)
 
There's an anti crack old hardcore track that was quite famous, if a little daft.

I've got one track around my old squinters demand that Roy Evans be sacked :D
 
Blagsta said:
Wasn't there an anti-cocaine acid house tune? Your Only Friend or something.
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Yeah, Phuture did it.
It seems that good lyrics here mean lyrics with a message, rather than sophisticated love songs
 
Orang Utan said:
It seems that good lyrics here mean lyrics with a message, rather than sophisticated love songs
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Well, yes. That is the intention of the OP if you care to read it... :p
 
Blagsta said:
Well, yes. That is the intention of the OP if you care to read it... :p
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"actual lyrical content that actually SAYS anything" - doesn't have to be political messages does it?
 
Isn't it the case though that dance music is usually listened to whilst on an amnesiac drug? Therefore, why bother making memorable lyrics? I can listen to snippets of tunes that used to send me through the roof, but I doubt I'd have remembered the words if they'd been any more complex than the 'I feel free etc' sort. I find that your body remembers the tune, but the brain won't remember the words.
 
Orang Utan

"she was wondering if there was any dance music with actual lyrical content that actually SAYS anything. Anything beyond the usual platitudes about how we're all free to feel good, love lifts us up yadda yadda - ie, i guess uplifting ecstasy fuelled positivity."

:p
 
Yes, I know! And maybe Pie Eye is looking for love songs that go beyond mere 'uplifting ecstasy fuelled positivity'
 
loads of MAW productions have fine lyrics... kimara lovelace - misery is a beautiful, bittersweet lovesong by anyone's standards.

it's disco music isn't it? so it's about loving, fucking and dancing... and while those themes have been worn out somewhat over the years, theres still plenty of sophistication to be found...
 
Lots of US house/garage is very gospel tinged (Todd Edwards is a fairly full on christian for example).

Hackney Council are a bunch of cunts - quite political

Petal by Wubble U is pretty deep.

Furious Angels by Rob D - the vocal version of Clubbed to Death

Their Law - Prodigy

The whole of the NuYorican Soul ablum has fairly rich lyrical content (It's Alright, I Feel It being my favourite)

History Repeating by the Propellerheads with Miss Shirley Bassey hasn't got *bad* lyrics per se (but they are faily trite)

and of course, the ultimate:










Techno Wonderland, by Steve Smeetit (on Tenwhite/Ravers' Choice)

Come with me, to a land of fantasy,
Take my hand, let's go into techno wonderland (let the children sing)
Click to expand...

If that doesn't move you to tears then God help you . . .

:D
 
sam/phallocrat said:
Techno Wonderland, by Steve Smeetit (on Tenwhite/Ravers' Choice)



If that doesn't move you to tears then God help you . . .

:D
Click to expand...


Step away from the fish and the cardboard box.

Take off the white gloves.

Now put your hands in the air (not like THAT :rolleyes: )

:p
 
'Everybody' by Martin Solveig from last year was a decent stab at merging lyrical social commentary with a pumping dancefloor anthem - totally underrated I felt. :cool:
 
Little Things, by Lamb is a dance track with lyrics along the lines of 'don't forget to smell the flowers'.

I'm trying to think of another one. Depends how you define 'dance' music, I mean, the Young Disciples had great lyrics - but I supposed that was acid jazz.

And I suppose you can't include remixes.

Damn, I just know I'll come up with another. . . .
 
Yothu Yindi - Treaty (Ummm.. Peace division remix?)

"Well I heard it on the radio
And I saw it on the television
Back in 1988
All those talking politicians
Words are easy, words are cheap
Much cheaper than our priceless land
But promises can disappear
Just like writing in the sand

Treaty Yeh Treaty Now
Treaty Yeh Treaty Now

Nhima Djatpangarri nhima walangwalang -
Nhe Djatpayatpa nhima gaya nhe-
Matjini.... Yakarray - nhe Djat'pa nhe walang - Gumurrtijararrk Gutjuk -

This land was never given up
This land was never bought and sold
The planting of the Union Jack
Never changed our law at all

Now two rivers run their course
Separated for so long
I'm dreaming of a brighter day
When the waters will be one

Treaty Yeh Treaty Now Treaty Yeh Treaty Now
Treaty Yeh Treaty Now Treaty Yeh Traty Now

Nhima djatpa nhe walang
gumurrtjararrk yawirriny Nhe gaya nhe matjini
Gaya nhe matjini Gaya gaya nhe gaya nhe
Matjini walangwalang Nhema djatpa nhe walang - Nhe gumurrtjarrk nhe ya-

Promises - Disappear - Priceless land - Destiny -

Well I heard it on the Radio - And I saw it on the Television
But promises can be broken Just like writing in the sand

Treaty Yeh
Treaty Now .."
 
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