In a message dated 2/28/2003 1:04:46 PM Eastern Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: > Therein lies the difference between the genius of Joni and other > songwriters. > They each are using the same metaphor but with just 5 extra words Joni's is > vastly more complex and descriptive Absolutely correct. Joni's gift of vocabulary and metaphor isn't approached by most songwriters. Add to this, her ability to compose music who's sound also serves the lyrical content. Many popular songwriters, no matter how much they may tweak the language in their lyrics, don't have the capability or instinct to structure melody or chord changes that evoke the feeling in the content of the song. In other words, someone else might be able to write a song about a strange boy, but the tune itself would not have that snaky, ebb and flow, sensual sound to go along with it; Joni structures the sound to mimic our global perception of what "strange" is. I was just writing off list to Mitch that Down To You amazes me because, even without words, the music itself is perfect accompaniment to those times you find yourself walking along, feeling somehow disconnected and connected to passersby. And though Joni is often cited for her lyrics, I don't think she gets near enough recognition for her talent for musical composition! Ken
