Music and poetry have been two of the main forms of expression throughout history. From Pablo Neruda and Mario Benedetti to Freddie Mercury and Elton John, the lyrics of their poems and songs have accompanied us throughout our lives, identifying us or helping us understand our feelings. Although music and poetry are different in terms of composition and expression, they are united by the simple fact that they are timeless.
First of all, composing a poem is not the same as composing a song. Starting with the fact that poems are considered more literary and that poetry is created based on the poet’s deepest experiences, According to Olivia (2011), “Poetry is an artistic tool that uses language to make a composition that says more in a few words and has a much deeper meaning than just words” (para. 2). However, on the other hand, we have the music, which is composed thanks to the stories or experiences of the composer or someone else, and usually the song lyrics are much more direct, for the better understanding of the listener. When reading poems and listening to music, you can tell the difference, since in poems there are usually more complex words or phrases than in the lyrics of a song, which are usually more direct, common, and sometimes informal.
Moreover, the sentiments expressed in poems and in music are different in depth. As I said before, it is very common for poetry to deal with some internal experience of the author, and thus reflect it in a deeper and more complex way in the lyrics, using phrases or words that are unusual or much more formal than those that are used. What do we see when we listen to a song? When a song is composed, what is sought is that the listener understands it and identifies with its history. So many times we notice that the songs, although they also reflect the feelings and stories of the composer, are captured in a way that is easier to understand and learn, using phrases and words that we hear and use every day.
Furthermore, the most precious thing about music and poetry is that both are timeless. Years and even decades may pass, but when we talk about music and poetry, it is very difficult for us to stop enjoying them as we do now. In fact, on the Radio Art Blog, Alexia Milopoulou (2021) explains that some famous rappers today use the alliteration method used by Dickinson to write song lyrics. Thanks to the fact that we managed to unite music and poetry, they have managed to complement each other so that composers can use them to create the art that they share with us today. And I hope that as the years continue to pass, this union between music and poetry does not die, since it is something so precious and so useful for our lives that it would be a real shame if one day it lost the recognition it has today.
To summarize, we understand that despite the different ways of composing and expressing themselves in music and poetry, both will remain timeless. Music and poetry are precious arts, and I consider them the most beautiful ways to express ourselves. Let’s not let this art die.
Sources:
Milopoulou, A. (2021, July 01). Music and poetry, a timeless relationship. Radio Art. https://www.radioart.com/blog/music-and-poetry,-a-timeless-relationship
Olivia. (2011, November 9). Difference between poetry and song. DifferenceBetween.com. https://www.differencebetween.com/difference-between-poetry-and-vs-song/
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