If we’re still considering music lyrics to be poetry, then that’s how this post relates. Last night I saw the Shin’s play, among other things, a cover of Depeche Mode’s “Dreaming of Me.” I guess I too am old, as the band offered their reasoning for those who knew the song, because I recalled my record (not cd, not tape) of that album back in the bedroom of my youth. This rendition was decidedly more upbeat than the rest of their songs, which were muted but pop-y, occasionally raw with a handful of grit. Overall it was a good night: I had a drink, ran into friends and the obligatory one person I didn’t want to see, and saw a live show (rare here) which was as good as could be had at the Pipeline Cafe.
So, are we still considering music to be poetry? I’ll leave you with the lyrics below to ponder and perhaps with which to answer that question. Back in my teaching days, I might have asked, as a place to begin: What do you notice about it? What stand out? What questions do you have? What do you like?
——Depeche Mode
Light switch, man switch
Film was broken only then
All the night, fused tomorrow
Dancing with a distant friend
Filming and screening, I picture the scene
Filming and dreaming, dreaming of me
So we left, understanding
Clean cut SONG-we’re sounding fast
Talked of sad, I talked of war
I laughed and climbed the rising CAST
Filming and screening, I picture the scene
Filming and dreaming, dreaming of me
Quickly, I remember
Fused and saw a face before
Timing, reason, understanding
Like association whore
Filming and screening, I picture the scene
Filming and dreaming, dreaming of me
Dreaming of me (Oooh, la la la …)
Just dreaming of me
It’s only me
Just me
Literary Lotus 