Keep It Together, Please
Prosody. It’s a funny looking - and sounding - word.
You’ll hear experienced songwriters use this word now and then in reference to their craft. Its basic meaning relates more to the realm of poetry, but it has a slightly different meaning for songwriting.
In short, “prosody” means everything about the song should sync up.
Like this: say I’m writing a sad song about my dead dog. “Prosody” would dictate that my mournful lyrics should be should be paired with (or at least reference in some way) a minor key/scale, so the song sounds “sad”. And the melody would likely be subdued, the cadence slow, and the lyrics may have breaks that reflect sighs of emotional pain.
In other words, no happy-snappy stuff when singing ‘bout dead pets!
A good example of prosody in action is “J'ai Fait Tout” (translation: I Did Everything) written and performed by Emmy Lou Harris (and co-written with Jill Cunniff and Daryl Johnson). The song is about lost/unrequited love and the misfortunes of the object of desire. The decidedly minor key, the languid pace of the song and wide “gaps” (no words sung) in the lyrics all support the downer feel of the song. And even though the bridge turns briefly to a major key, that just helps set up contrast with the more melancholy verse lines.
In contrast, a song about giddy feelings of being in a new, exciting love relationship would be in a major key, with fast-paced lyrics and an overall upbeat feel (I’m looking at you, “Walking On Sunshine”. Written by Kimberley Rew for the band Katrina & The Waves.)
Most songwriters (including yours truly) are not too hot on songwriting “rules”, but honestly, this is one of those regs that most songwriters follow, maybe even unconsciously.
But then… there are exceptions.
May I present to you this old standard, “Mack The Knife” (written by Bertolt Brecht and Kurt Weill; performed by Bobby Darin.)
Just a few snippets of the lyrics for you:
When that shark bites with his teeth
Scarlet billows start to spread
On the sidewalk, sunny morning
Lies a body just oozin' life
OK, you get the picture. Definitely something sinister goin’ on here, right?
Prosody would require it to be in a minor key. Maybe with hushed whispers, moody effects, long, drawn out phrasing, some pounding timpani in the background.
You’d think. But instead, we have a bubbly, finger-snappin’ snazzy-jazzy song! You can practically see Mr. Darin grinning his way through the lyrics that make this serial killer sound like an heroic figure. Welcome back, Mack! Good to see ya!
It’s hard to deny the the appeal of this amazing little song. And it’s probably because it is such a rule-flaunter.
Oh, well. So much for prosody.