Write Away Magazine - Issue No:13
The Lyric Writers Magazine
The Lyric Writers Magazine
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Simon Wright<br />
Art Of Simplicity<br />
My final example is from one of the greatest living<br />
lyricists, Nick Cave. What I like about this one is<br />
that it starts with a statement that’s all about hard<br />
scientific logic, but then turns that round to feelings<br />
that are very tender and intimate. Apart, possibly,<br />
from the word ‘interventionist’, there is nothing<br />
overly complex about the words he used, and it’s<br />
certainly not flowery language.<br />
Why there’s beauty in simplicity<br />
Sometimes an artist’s greatest skill is in knowing<br />
when not to show off the full range of their abilities.<br />
It is in creating something that is both easily<br />
accessible but which also comes across as genuine<br />
and emotional. I think it’s worth remembering that<br />
when people are dealing with raw emotions, they<br />
don’t tend to speak in elegant flowery language.<br />
Emotions such as grief or hate cause us to speak in<br />
short sharp sentences, so replicating that in your<br />
lyrics can help make those powerful emotions seem<br />
genuine.<br />
Here’s the full lyric for Footprints in the snow.<br />
Footprints in the snow<br />
(Verse 1)<br />
Footprints in the snow<br />
Tracks that soon will vanish<br />
<strong>No</strong>-one will know<br />
That I was here<br />
That you were here<br />
Or that I felt your breath<br />
As I pulled you near.<br />
(Verse 2)<br />
Spiderwebs that glow<br />
Perfect threads that glisten<br />
<strong>No</strong>-one will know<br />
That we were here<br />
Blue sky so clear<br />
And that you said you loved me<br />
As I pulled you near.<br />
(Bridge)<br />
<strong>No</strong>w memories they fade<br />
And snow begins to melt<br />
Dripping on my pillow<br />
As the stars are fading out<br />
I trace the steps<br />
Mine large, Your’s small<br />
And the years roll back<br />
I can see it all<br />
<strong>No</strong>t a dream, not a fantasy<br />
<strong>No</strong>r a trick of my mind<br />
A moment captured<br />
A frozen snapshot<br />
A perfect moment in time<br />
(Instrumental solo)<br />
(Verse 3)<br />
Footprints in the snow<br />
That slowly will vanish<br />
Only we will know<br />
That I was there<br />
That you were there<br />
That we kissed beneath the larch<br />
Beyond prejudice unfair<br />
And that you said you loved me<br />
As I pulled you near.<br />
Written by Simon Wright (with additional contributions<br />
by Josh Castagno)<br />
(February 2018)<br />
About Simon Wright<br />
Simon is an Irish lyric writer who lives in Scotland.<br />
He collaborates with musicians across the world to<br />
turn his lyrics into songs.<br />
Check out his website www.LyricSlinger.co.uk<br />
and follow @TheLyricSlinger on Twitter.<br />
www.writeawaymagazine.co.uk 15
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