I used to listen to the “wall of sound” that made up popular music. I was young.

These days, I pay more attention to the lyrics than the music, though both have a full right to carry the other.

Are the lyrics of Sarah McLachlan’s music less valid without her voice? Does Brook Benton sound more sad because of Tony Joe White’s lyrics than the years of being who he is?

These are slices of life that come to life in word, voice, music, and become the living poetry of generations.

How do you write like that? How is a mere phrase carved from a moment of life with such clarity and emotion?

Some lyrics come with subtlety, others hit you over the head with the obvious; a story. Such is the case with Maryanne and Wanda, the best of friends in a story told by the Dixie Chicks.

Sorry. No awards there, but that part of Wanda’s young life comes through loud and clear. How do you write about such moments?

Ever been to Mississippi? You have if you heard Alanah Myles’ “Black Velvet.”

They say a picture is worth a thousand words, but a verse or two of a popular song can bring up a hundred pictures.

From Johnny Rivers in 1964 there’s “hurry home drops.” The picture is painted.

Simple. Efficient. We live in more complex times. Are musical artists, writers, producers as effective at generating the pain, sorrow, and hope of the heart?

Sarah McLachlan carries a voice of purity, pain, and promise, requiring lyrics to match.

My only wish is the ability to pull from the heart such emotion and carry it to others, either written or vocal. I don’t know how they do it.

Additional musings and nonsense can be read on the McElfresh.org site (with photos, stories, a photo gallery, and an audio podcast). Should you require non-licorice tasting musings, try RonMcElfresh.com. No photos, no podcasts-- no holds barred musings for the thoughtful generation. Either way, it's the same price.