Poetry Embedded: How โคPopular music Keeps Verse Alive
BUENOS AIRES – Aโฃ surge of interest in โขlyrical depth within contemporaryโ popular music is prompting a reevaluation of the enduring relationship between song and poetry, with artists and audiences alike seekingโ resonance beyond simple melody.From the poignant narratives of Chavela Vargas‘ 1961 recording of “La Llorona” to the introspective verses of Caetano Veloso’s “Sin” (1994), popular song has long โserved as a vessel for poeticโฃ expression, bridging the gap between high art and everyday experience.
This renewed focus arrives as digital platforms democratize access toโฃ both music andโฃ poetry, fostering cross-pollination and challenging customary genre boundaries. The accessibility of lyrics-easilyโ searchable and โคshareable-encouragesโ listeners to engage with songs as texts, analyzing their structure, imagery, and thematic content. This phenomenon isn’t new;โข however, its current scale and visibility suggestโ a deepening appreciationโ for the poetic qualities inherent in popular music, impacting artists, listeners,โ and the โvery definition of whatโค constitutes “literature.”
The lineage of poetic influence in popular music stretches back decades. รngel Branch’s 1982 study, The Literate City, explored the cultural contexts that fostered this interplay, notably in Latin America. Artists like mercedes Sosa, with her 1969 rendition of “Alfonsina and โคthe Sea,” elevated folk traditions into powerful poetic statements. Simultaneously, Anglo-American artists were exploring similar territory. Frank Sinatra’s 1969 version of “My Way,” originally penned by Paul Anka, and the Beatles’ timeless ballads “Let It Be” (1970) and “Yesterday” (1965) demonstrate a refined โฃuseโ of lyrical storytelling. โค
The โtradition continued through the 1970s โand 80s,with Silvio Rodrรญguez’s “Hopefully” (1978) and Juan Manuelโค Serrat’s “Mediterranean” (1971)โค offering politically and emotionally charged verses. Even rock anthems like The Rolling Stones’ “Angie” (1973) and Ritchie Valens’ energetic “La Bamba” (1958)โ showcase lyrical โcraftsmanship. Alfredo Sadel’s “Granada” (1957) and Roberto Carlos’ “Friend” (1977) further exemplify the breadth of poetic expressionโ within diverse musical styles.
more recently, the impact of current events has fueled a โขdemand for โlyrical depth. Sergio Ramirez’s Januaryโ 5,2021,El Paรญs opinion piece,”I saw people running,” reflects a broader cultural impulse to find meaning โand solace in art during times of crisis. This demand extends to music,โ where artists are increasingly โฃturning to poetic forms to address complex social and political issues. Marรญa Martha Serra Lima’s 1999 โคrecording of “My Way” andโ Miguel โฃRios’ “Santa Lucรญa” (1980) โrepresent continued interpretations of established themes. Even Raphael’s “My Love” (1974) โขdemonstrates the enduring โpower of romantic lyricism.โ The ongoing resonanceโ ofโ these songs-and the continued creation of new ones-confirms poetry’s vitalโ role in shaping the soundscape of our lives.