A YEAR IN LYRICS
Collected & Edited by Abigail Canary
A YEAR IN LYRICS
Collected & Edited by Abigail Canary
Contents Preface
01
Chapter 01 Identity
05
Chapter 02 Love 103 Chapter 03 Society 187 Index 211
Preface
Many of us can easily designate songs to the soundtrack of our lives. You can likely recall your anthem during some of life’s pivotal moments, such as the time you aced that job interview, or following the heartbreaking news that she already had a date to the prom. We share our most personal experiences with music, as we would with a close friend. 1
Music can transport us to the vivid humiliation of our teenage years, reminds us of a love once had, or allows us to live vicariously through our inner rebel. With the support of rythym and melody, we can not only remove ourselves, but also express and understand feelings that are too difficult to resolve with our vocabulary alone. Musicians continuously manage to transform puzzling and complex emotions into a precise narrative with which millions of listeners can commiserate. In the year 2014, we heard music that responded to a world that is turbulent with change. The news shares rattling and overwhelming statistics about brutal politics and unfair wars. In addition, modern times present the challenge of coping with an overabundance of digital devices in our lives, as we seek peace in a chaotic social climate. Aside from
these external factors, the ever persistent themes of love, friendship, and the quest to known oneself are topics that never cease to permeate our consciousness and pop charts alike.
the lyrics alone? Would we experience the songs differently if the audio component was removed? The purpose of this anthology is to provide readers with the ability to experience their favorite songs in plain text. This collection includes one hundred of the most popular and acclaimed songs of 2014. They have been gathered from the top album lists provided by the Rolling Stones, Billboard, Pitchfork, and National Public Radio. The featured songs were selected using sources including Spotify and Youtube to verify how these songs ranked in popularity compared others from the same album. After collecting the initial scope of songs, the lyrics of each were sourced, then interpreted and sorted into three relevant categories: Identity, Love and Society. Upon further analysis, the lyrics were entered into a word frequency counter to find out how often we use certain words in popular songs. The top one hundred words are listed on the following page:
Each year the most popular songs span genres and listener demographics. Among the thousands of songs that are released into the public spectrum, there are some that capture the attention of music critics and laymen alike, receiving acclaim for their creativity and mastery.. or as some would argue, they’re just catchy. What would happen if we abandon the musical context of popular songs, and examine Preface
2
The 100 Most Frequently Used Words Word
know want see get love just go
down one say 3
Frequency
139
135
129
119
108
100
97
95 93 85
new
25
around 35
still
25
63
day
35
thought
25
feel
63
keep
35
ready
25
shake
61
shit
35
world
25
way
60
tear
34
enough
25
wanna
59
boy
33
you’re
24
people
58
hold
32
away
24
thing
57
put
32
somebody
24
back
52
well
32
breathe
24
gonna
52
yeah
32
take
24
make
51
through
32
can’t
23
time
50
use
32
leave
23
I’m
49
inside 31
better
22
tell
48
left 31
talk
22
off
47
little
31
wish
22
real
47
call
30
flawless
22
cause
46
good 30
over
22
think
46
high
30
trying
22
baby
46
nothing
30
power
21
how
45
find
29
hate
21
look
45
break
28
fast
21
right
45
hard
28
stay
21
girl
41
mouth
27
ho
20
mind
40
man
27
God
20
run
40
night
27
don’t
20
fuck
38
open
26
full
20
hand
37
much
26
money 20
give
36
gone
25
light
20
heart
36
mine
25
last
20
come
79
play
never
77
bitch
36
Preface
4
Chapter 01
5
Identity
8
3Jane EMA
Can you believe all they say? It doesn’t seem like it was only yesterday When you wandered out on Superhighway There should be a law about it When they can take videos of you Of you, of you, of you, of you Feel like I blew my soul out Across the interwebs and streams It was a million pieces Of silver, and I watched them gleam It left a hole so big inside of me And I get terrified that I will never get it back to me To me, to me, to me, to me I guess it’s just a modern disease I get stressed out And I just wanna get high It’s cuz I’ve seen my face And I don’t recognize The person that I feel inside, inside Like an American superpower Turn on the spotlight And nobody cowers I don’t want to sell you anything I don’t want to put myself out And turn it into a refrain, refrain, refrain It’s all just a big advertising campaign When everybody’s lookin’ It’s supposed to be a dream But, disassociation, I guess it’s just a modern disease
9
Identity
10
All About That Bass Meghan Trainor
Because you know I’m all about that bass ‘Bout that bass, no treble I’m all about that bass ‘Bout that bass, no treble I’m all about that bass ‘Bout that bass, no treble I’m all about that bass ‘Bout that bass... bass... bass... bass Yeah, it’s pretty clear, I ain’t no size two But I can shake it, shake it, Like I’m supposed to do ‘Cause I got that boom boom that all the boys chase And all the right junk in all the right places I see the magazine workin’ that Photoshop We know that shit ain’t real, come on now, make it stop If you got beauty, beauty, just raise ‘em up ‘Cause every inch of you is perfect from the bottom to the top Yeah, my mama she told me “don’t worry about your size” She says, “Boys like a little more booty to hold at night” You know I won’t be no stick-figure silicone Barbie doll So if that what you’re into, then go ‘head and move along Because you know I’m all about that bass ‘Bout that bass, no treble I’m all about that bass ‘Bout that bass, no treble I’m all about that bass ‘Bout that bass, no treble I’m all about that bass ‘Bout that bass... hey!
11
I’m bringing booty back Go ‘head and tell them skinny bitches that No, I’m just playing, I know you think you’re fat, But I’m here to tell you... Every inch of you is perfect from the bottom to the top Yeah, my mama she told me “don’t worry about your size” She says, “Boys like a little more booty to hold at night” You know I won’t be no stick-figure silicone Barbie doll So if that what you’re into, then go ‘head and move along Because you know I’m all about that bass ‘Bout that bass, no treble I’m all about that bass ‘Bout that bass, no treble I’m all about that bass ‘Bout that bass, no treble I’m all about that bass ‘Bout that bass... You know I’m all about that bass ‘Bout that bass, no treble I said I’m all about that bass ‘Bout that bass, no treble I’m all about that bass ‘Bout that bass, no treble I’m all about that bass ‘Bout that bass... Because you know I’m all about that bass ‘Bout that bass, no treble I’m all about that bass ‘Bout that bass, no treble I’m all about that bass ‘Bout that bass, no treble
I’m all about that bass ‘Bout that bass... I’m all about that bass ‘Bout that bass... I’m all about that bass ‘Bout that bass... hey! I’m all about that bass Bout that bass... hey!
Identity
12
Anaconda Nicki Minaj
My anaconda don’t... My anaconda don’t... My anaconda don’t want none, unless you got buns hun Boy toy named Troy used to live in Detroit Big dope dealer money, he was getting some coins Was in shootouts with the law, but he live in a palace Bought me Alexander McQueen, he was keeping me stylish Now that’s real, real, real, Gun in my purse, bitch I came dressed to the T Who wanna go first? I had ‘em pushing daffodils I’m high as hell, I only took a half of pill I’m on some dumb shit By the way, what he say? He can tell I ain’t missing no meals Come through and fuck ‘em in my automobile Let him eat it with his grills, He keep telling me to chill He keep telling me it’s real, that he love my sex appeal He said he don’t like ‘em boney, he want something he can grab So I pulled up in the Jag, and I hit ‘em with the jab like... Dun-d-d-dun-dun-d-d-dun-dun
This dude named Michael used to ride motorcycles Dick bigger than a tower, I ain’t talking about Eiffel’s Real country ass nigga, let me play with his rifle Pussy put his ass to sleep, now he calling me NyQuil Now that bang bang bang, I let him hit it ‘cause he slang cocaine He toss my salad like his name Romaine And when we done, I make him buy me Balmain I’m on some dumb shit By the way, what he say? He can tell I ain’t missing no meals Come through and fuck ‘em in my automobile Let him eat it with his grills, He keep telling me to chill He keep telling me it’s real, that he love my sex appeal Because he don’t like ‘em boney, he want something he can grab So I pulled up in the Jag, Mayweather with the jab like... Dun-d-d-dun-dun-d-d-dun-dun My anaconda don’t... My anaconda don’t... My anaconda don’t want none, unless you got buns hun
My anaconda don’t... My anaconda don’t... My anaconda don’t want none, unless you got buns hun
Oh my gosh, look at her butt Oh my gosh, look at her butt Oh my gosh, look at her butt Look at her butt
Oh my gosh, look at her butt Oh my gosh, look at her butt Oh my gosh, look at her butt Look at her butt
Little in the middle but she got much back, Little in the middle but she got much back, Little in the middle but she got much back, Oh my God look at her butt
13
My anaconda don’t... My anaconda don’t... My anaconda don’t want none, unless you got buns hun My anaconda don’t... Don’t want none unless you got buns hun Oh my gosh, look at her butt Oh my gosh, look at her butt Oh my gosh, look at her butt Oh my God, look at her butt Yeah, he love this fat ass Yeah! This one is for my bitches with a fat ass in the fucking club I said, “Where my fat ass big bitches in the club?” Fuck them skinny bitches, Fuck them skinny bitches in the club I wanna see all the big fat ass bitches in the motherfucking club Fuck you if you skinny bitches. What? Yeah. Ha-ha, ha... Yeah. I got a big fat ass. Come on!
Identity
14
Beigeness Kate Tempest
“Who’s bad?” Said the kiddy in the Jacko hat To the kiddy in the Rooney shirt Dragging back The curtains in the room in her daddy’s flat A young girl heard the truth in an alley-cat Howling on the roof next door, Imagine that All your idols were just like you. Nothing’s beyond you Do what you want to do if you feel that it wants you to Look, true never meant nothing more than it means right now, When everything’s fake. But you in your deepest reaches, Keeping secrets. Know what it takes to make a meaning mean something. I’m moving through a space, that some can’t see. I know this space exists. So do you if your heart beats the oldest groove. Life is huge but we have shrunk it, We’ve made it small. We used to walk tall. But who cares, right? We’re having a ball. Them things you don’t show, I can see. Them things you don’t say, Speak to me. Them things you hide ain’t hiding. No firm ground but we ain’t sliding. Them things that haunt you, Let them be. That thing you weep for, Leave it. All life is forwards, you will see, It needs you to need it.
15
Go ahead, keep it in ‘til it withers you. Move fast, don’t stop, you got things to do. Tell yourself, it’s them man it isn’t you. Nod your head and believe that until it’s true. You can tell it not to show its face When you are trying to hold your space. But it’s in you. Deep in your sinews. And it comes out on the coldest days. See the kid with the memory he can’t shake. See the man with the lover on his mind. See the lady with the guilt and the heartache. See the woman trying to battle with time. See the man with the blood on his hands. See the girl with her hands on her hips. Everybody say nothing. Stay bland. If you don’t show it then it don’t exist. Right? Them things you don’t show, I can see. Them things you don’t say, Speak to me. Them things you hide ain’t hiding. No firm ground but we ain’t sliding. Them things that haunt you, Let them be. That thing you weep for, Leave it. All life is forwards, You will see It’s yours when you’re ready to receive it. You’re so focused on finding the differences, You ignore the bonds that bind us. Got my hand on my heart, when the rhythm hits. It’s looking for us but can’t find us. In the valley of vanity, viciousness, Full schedules and empty containers. We’re kissing the coshes that cripple us, Enjoying the beigeness.
Do it your way and they’ll find you ridiculous. Pick apart your behaviour. Their scorn ignites what inhibits us, And then we hate ourselves. And our fear pickles us. Sitting in jars ‘cause it’s safer. Some of us are happy to live with it. But some of us know it’s against our nature. Them things you don’t show, I can see. Them things you don’t say, Speak to me. Them things you hide ain’t hiding. No firm ground but we ain’t sliding. Them things that haunt you, Let them be. That thing you weep for, Leave it. All life is forwards, You will see It’s yours when you’re ready to receive it. I could try and bold italicize and underline everything that resonates right now but it wouldn’t be informative because, you know, All of de fings.
Identity
16
Chapter 02
17
Love
106
Index
A Alcohol Champagne 99 201 drink (slang) 7 21 69 91 183 liquor 29 shots 95 America 9 189 Anarchy 197 Anger mad 69 Animals 149 191 bird 21 55 109 117 cat 15 55 dog 55 69 169 fish 151 191 B Beauty 11 105 Book 69 151 197 books 189 C Cars 49 Change 35 131 Childhood 79 149 Cosmetics 33 117 lipstick makeup D Dance 179 181 198 Darkness 41 51 Death 27 61 dead 85 grave 17 191 Disease 9 Drugs 87 111 cocaine 13 17
107
dope 33 high 129 173 201 marijuana 7 119 weed 55
E Education 189 college 119 degree 119 school 25 107 F Fashion 7 65 197 Fly fly (slang) 21 33 201 to fly (verb) 55 113 173 Food candy 31 dinner 129 fruit 205 meal 13 119 123 pizza 121 Friendship friend 41 67 G Gold 29 111 115 183 Gun 7 13 29 47 87 glock 99 H Happiness 49 happy 35 131 Hate 79 149 Heartbreak 33 117 Heat 125 Heaven 51 61 heavens 33 Home 55 151 hometown 189
I Intelligence dumb 7 13 149 smart 87 105 149 J Jail 119 197 prison 17 Jealousy 141 Jewelry 57 diamond 31 L Law 9 13 crime 137 141 police 197 99 Light 21 153 207 Lonliness 181 alone 109 lonely 145 Luxury expensive 30 M Magazine 11 57 Magic 105 117 205 Marriage 31 73 157 Money 7 13 29 63 65 99 113 119 Murder 29 33 kill 17 81 113 127 185 197 Music 17 79 183 P Party 21 27 81 Phone 29 120 205 21 107 text message 69 121
R Reflect (verb) 81 153 Religion 198 church 169 holy 37 S Sadness sorrow 67 Sex 13 31 49 122 129 Shoes 17 65 85 209 179 189 heels 29 51 65 123 Silence silent 109 Soul 9 41 61 75 203 Stress 9 27 201 149 Struggle 189 201 Success 31 133 T Television 191 199 W Wealth 189 poor 189 rich 55 189 Wild 119 Win 133 World 23 37 83 111 113 167 203 Y Youth 61 young 39
Index
108
around
away
baby
back
better
bitch
boy
break
breathe
call
can’t
cause
come
day
don’t
down
enough
fast
feel
find
flawless
fuck
full
get
girl
give
go
God
gone
gonna
good
hand
happy
hard
hate
heart
high
ho
hold
how
I’m
inside
just
keep
know
leave
left
life
little
look
love
make
man
mind
mine
mouth
much
never
new
night
nothing
off
one
open
over
people
play
power
put
ready
real
right
run
say
see
shake
shit
sky
somebody
stay
still
take
talk
tear
tell
thing
think
thought
through
time
trying
use
wanna
want
way
well
wish
world
yeah
you’re
you’re
you’re
you
you
you
you
you
you
baby
baby
baby
baby
baby
baby
I
I
I
the
the
the