Charlie
Jul-21-2024, 01:08 GMT
South Africa
 | Hey Paul, question for a brilliant lyricist from a Long Island, NY fan: In the Boxer, you chose to say "I do declare, there were times when I was so loneSOME....', which puts the emphasis on "Some", which is different from the spoken emphasis. Was there a reason you chose that rather than "....times when I was so alone...?" I'm not trying to be a jerk, but maybe your answer will cure me of my pet peeve about artists choosing phrasings that are different from the natural spoken word. Humbly,
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Paul
Jul-21-2024, 20:02 GMT
USA - United Staates America
  | Hey Charlie,
Great to hear from a Long Island fan! Let’s get right into your question.
In "The Boxer," I chose "lonesome" over "alone" because it fit the song's emotional and musical needs better. Emphasizing "some" in "loneSOME" adds a certain weight and resonance that "alone" just doesn’t have. It stretches the word out, making the feeling of loneliness linger longer, which enhances the storytelling and the melody.
Bob Dylan's “The Lonesome Death of Hattie Carroll” uses "lonesome" to hit hard with sorrow and isolation. Sometimes, Bob’s intensity feels like he’s squeezing every bit of emotion from that word, which can be a bit much. Hank Williams' "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry" takes "lonesome" to a haunting level, making you feel every ounce of that sadness.
So, while different from how we naturally speak, using "lonesome" and emphasizing "some" helps convey the depth of the feeling in "The Boxer." Hope this sheds some light and maybe eases your pet peeve a bit.
Best,
Paul |
Scaaty , Jochen