now bry or somebody clever post something really piss poor she's written to make me look like an asshole. i'm not saying it's all good stuff.
but i've always related to her no doubt lyrics, more than probably anybody else. although fiona apple can be scarily accurate.
pj harvey is amazing, but she works more in fantasies and storytelling. i already know how to get angry and to want revenge, so her (early) music doesn't offer anything other than entertainment. which isn't to say i'm not grateful for it. not sure what the fuck she's on about since TBYML, although i guess 'stories' seems fairly straightforward and honest.
courtney just writes shit that sounds good. and it's all good in a way a sad movie is good. part of entertainment is having your emotions manipulated a little.
but gwen's lyrics (especially on return of saturn) depress me. possibly because i see them more as reporting than entertainment. everything is about her boyfriend lying and cheating on her. and how she would still rather be with him than without.
if you've ever found out somebody you care about has been cheating on you, think of the instant wanting to vomit then die feeling that hits you.
wanting to cut off the person's legs or have them lick your injuries can do nothing for you at this point. possibly after some times passes, but you have to spend some time being totally fucked.
then comes the shit about whether you should make a break and move on or try to make it last.
too many songs advocate moving on, expressing yourself, respecting yourself blah blah blah. but it's never that easy, and i don't even believe it's always for the best.
gwen stayed with the guy. on rocksteady she seems a little more relaxed. she still doesn't totally trust the guy, still has doubts about whether it will last, but can appreciate the good things about him & and also recognize her own power. he isn't with her out of charity.
i haven't heard much of her solo stuff, so won't discuss that.
i do think she was fairly underrated as a lyricist in the no doubt days. she may not be a fantastic poet, but she's decent enough as a wordsmith and gets points for honesty and accuracy.