Songs are Poetry...or are they?

 

What does Music have to do with Poetry?

Every heart sings a song, incomplete, until another heart whispers back. Those who wish to sing always find a song. At the touch of a lover, everyone becomes a poet. -Plato

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Poetry and music are the best at the highest level of the human mind. Out of poetry, out of their need for poetry, human beings have developed the idea of God. And so when we sing, when we dance, when we speak poetry we are speaking out of God's mouth, each other out of the music from God's heart.--Maya Angelou

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The previous quotes highlight what this blog post is all about.

Songs and poetry tend to go hand in hand.
Since time immemorial, poetry has been considered an early form of music, and vice versa. When we think about poetry in days of old, we usually have this image of a bard in puffy pants running around and singing his poems for money:

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Have you ever considered why songs and poetry go together so well? Check out this video that captures how rap and poetry are sometimes one and the same: 

Based on that video, we can see how songs and poetry have a whole lot in common! They have everything from rhyme, rhythm to puns and double entendres.  

Another element to songs that makes them poetic can be found in music videos. Music artistes love to use the visual element of their music to add another layer of imagery and poetry. Sort of in the same way poets use concrete poetry. 

Look at these two videos by popular French singer Stromae and consider the poetry behind them. What messages do you get from these songs?

Carmen-by Stromae

Papaoutai-Stromae

I hope this blog post shed some light on the connections between poetry and music. What other examples do you have of musical poetry? 

Let me know your thoughts in the comments!