Hurtin', Leavin' and Longin' (36)—Upbeat and Downcast

Click here to read the introduction to the Round and Square series "Hurtin', Leavin', and Longin'..." 

[a] Upbeat RF

I have always been puzzled by a peculiar kind of song. In both folk and country-western versions, I have more than occasionally heard some of the saddest lyrics imaginable set to jaunty and upbeat tunes.

[b] Downcast RF

The contrast can be startling when realization hits, because (this is my experience, at least) the melody tends to bury the lyrics, wrapping the painful lines in a seemingly happy musical package. In fact, I first noticed this many years ago when I (for some reason I cannot remember) found myself transcribing the lyrics to George Strait's 1983 hit, "Eighty Proof Bottle of Tear Stopper." I was stunned by the unremitting misery in the lyrics, and—maybe it's just me—I did not find as much irony in the language as I suspect the songwriter did. 

Let's try a little experiment, in any case. Most Sundays, I have you listen to the song and examine the lyrics at the same time (this is how I usually want you to do it, anyway). Today, just read the lyrics first. Then listen to the song. 

I hope you'll see what I mean by "upbeat and downcast."


     Eighty Proof Bottle of Tear Stopper
        Artist: George Strait
        Songwriter: Darrell Statler

You ain't never fell as far as when you fall in love
Except the fall you take when you've been loved and given up
When you have your heart and soul rubbed into the dirt
An 80-proof bottle of tear-stopper will take away the hurt

Give me an 80-proof bottle of tear-stopper
And I'll start feeling I forgot her
Get a little loose and lose her memory
And I won't think I'm close to dying
Because it dries up all my crying
An 80-proof bottle of tear-stopper always sets me free

It ain't easy losing love although it's turned out bad
All at once you're turning off old feelings you once had
But I found a helping hand right here in my hand
An 80-proof bottle of tear-stopper will help me take command

Give me an 80-proof bottle of tear-stopper
And I'll start feeling I forgot her
Get a little loose and lose her memory
And I won't think I'm close to dying
Because it dries up all my crying
An 80-proof bottle of tear-stopper always sets me free

[c] Stopper RF

O.k., of course I can see some irony in the lyrics, but it still reads like a tale of despair to me. Now take a look and listen to what the producers (and the incomparable George Strait) did. It became a toe-tapping and downright buoyant little tune. I'm not saying this is a "bad" thing. The purpose of these blog musings is to explore little and often forgotten dimensions of culture. Well, the playful hurtin' song seems to be one of these hidden corridors. Take a listen.

George Strait, Eighty Proof 2:13

"When you've had your heart and soul rubbed into the dirt / An eighty-proof bottle of tear-stopper will take away the hurt."

Wow. So I started asking myself if there are other songs like this. Anyone who knows me well understands that my musical range isn't very broad. It's pretty much Rachmaninoff and Johnny Cash for me. I did remember a folk song from my youth, though. Performed by the exquisite (and all-too-brief) pairing of Sylvia Fricker and Ian Tyson, this song has a similar intellectual tension between vivacity and despair.

Ian and Sylvia, Traveling Drummer (excerpt)

[d] Proof RF

So I have raised the question here. Now I hope that y'all will contribute your own thoughts on the matter of upbeat but downcast songs from different genres. Place your insights in the comments section, and we'll see where it takes us. Don't be shy. Put your choices into the comments section.

•••  •••

[e] Updown RF

Finding East Asian parallels for "upbeat, downcast" is not very difficult. I found examples of exuberant tellings of sad stories in various genres, and from all three major East Asian literary traditions. Since I pick only one a week, I had to make a choice.

There is nothing that provides as much of a contrast between "upbeat and downcast" as a certain kind of Japanese poem. Called a "Death Poem," this form of lyric was meant to be written in the moments before a Haiku poet or Zen monk passed off into death. This is about as "downcast" as situations get, but some of the lyrics are postively upbeat. Take a look, and consider the context. I will be exploring this genre of poems in the coming weeks.

                                     Shushiki
                                        秋色

                    Died on the fifteenth day of the fourth month, 1725
                                   at the age of fifty-seven
        I wake and find                       Mishi yume no
        the colored iris                        sametemo iro no
        I saw in my dreams                kakitsubata

                                      Jakua
                                       寂阿
　　　　　Died on the fifth day of the fifth month, 1801
       Cuckoo,                                   Hototogisu
       let's go—how bright                 iza ya akaruki
       the western skies!                   nishi no sora

                                      Shogo
                                       松後
               Died on the third day of the fourth month, 1798
                             at the age of sixty-seven
       Today the sky above Mount Hiei, too,    Hie mo kyo
       takes off its clouds:                                 kumo naki sora ya
       a change of robe.                                   koromogae

[f] Cast RF

Next

January 22nd

She's Gone, Gone, Gone

Lefty Frizzell will lead us back into the forests of misery next week, when he discovers that she's gone.

Hurtin', Leavin' and Longin' (2)—Autumn Chill

Click here to read the introduction to the Round and Square series Hurtin', Leavin', and Longin'.

[a] Autumn twilight     RF

This will be another brief post. When it comes to lyrics, it is often best to let them do the heavy interpretive lifting for themselves. Throughout the world, autumnal references share similar qualities. Before you study the words (and listen to them sung), take a moment to reflect on autumn and its various qualities. There is joy, to be sure, but it is very often mixed with a wistful feeling that the warm, yang weather is fleeting, and is soon to give way to the cool yin mists of early winter. Happiness is momentary; sadness can be enduring. This is the way that some poets have interpreted these matters.

Take a look at the lyrics written by Green Daniel and Gretchen Peters—and sung by George Strait. Then examine the pithy little poem by the Tang dynasty (618-906) master, Li Bo (Li Bai). We are not looking here for lyrics that are "exactly the same" (that would be dull, indeed). Take the time to notice the themes of wind, chill, longing, and even bitterness. The "direction" of the two sets of lyrics is different, of course, but the heavy, brooding weightiness of autumn remains.

We will return to autumnal themes often in this series, and will explore lyrics from China, Japan, Korea, and...Texas (and beyond).

[b] Strait   RF

 George Strait

"Chill of an Early Fall"

(Green Daniel, Gretchen Peters—songwriters)

Well her old friend  

From her old end of town  
Dropped by today  
And way down deep inside of me  
Something died when he came 'round  
To see her that way

Here it comes again  
That same old chilly wind will blow
Like a cold winter squall

And I'll begin to feel

The chill of an early fall
 

And I'll be drinkin' again

And thinkin' whenever he calls

There's a storm comin' on

And it won't be too long

Till the snow falls

Oh, I'll be sober some

But when October comes and goes

In no time at all

I'll begin to feel the chill of an early fall

Oh, how quick they slip away

Here today and gone tomorrow

Loving seasons never stay

Bitter winds are sure to follow

Now there's no doubt

It's gonna be cold out tonight

I've shivered all day

And when I look in her eyes

Even to hold her so tight

She just looks away

Oh, she'll swear that it's true

He's just someone she knew long ago

But I'll know that 's not all

And I'll begin to feel 

The chill of an early fall

George Strait, "Chill of an Early Fall"

For advice on how best to "engage" the lyrics, click here.

Li Bo  (701-762)
"Song of Autumn Winds"

The autumn winds are lonely and cool
The autumn moon is bright
Swirling leaves cluster and disperse
A wary jackdaw perches, pauses, and is startled anew
Tangles of memory—will we meet again?
This hour, this evening, my emotions in tumult. [1]

[1] 全唐詩 184.26. Complete Tang Poems 184.26. Translated (freely) by Robert André LaFleur.

     

[c] Corvusmonedula (寒鴉)  RF

秋風詞    
秋風清    
秋月明      
落葉聚還散    
寒鴉栖复驚      
相知相見知何日      
此時此夜難為情

NEXT      
Sunday, May 15th    
Old Memories
Memories and music. Emotion and jukeboxes. Or lutes. These are weighty combinations, my friends. Prepare yourself as next weekend approaches, when Keith Whitley meets Li Qingzhao.