I listen to the great late 90's pop songs, especially the ones written by Max Martin, and I feel like I'm listening to a divine sermon on how to fix the modern world, and all we are going through.
I don't understand why we can't be lovers. Things are getting out of hand- but we can win! Let it go! If you want me as a friend let me know! I am down on my knees- I can't take it anymore!
Don't misunderstand what I'm trying to tell you. In the corner of my mind I feel we are running out of time. Let it go! If you want me as a friend let me know!
I feel like I've been locked up tight for a century of lonely nights, waiting for someone to release me.
Boy, who didn't feel that way about 1996? After long years of Grunge and Gangster Rap?
At least here in America.
How was I supposed to know that something wasn't right here? I shouldn't have let you go. But I must confess that my loneliness is killing me now- but I still believe! Give me a sign!
They never did give us a sign. They had already given up on Life. But maybe we got a sign from God.
This is what makes the Pop of the late 90's so great- especially the Max Martin songs- but also some of the great Beyonce songs, especially Survivor, and Genie in a Bottle as well. These lyrics. Telling us what we had been- and still are- going through, telling us exactly what we were, and still are, going through in this dark age in America when America has given up on Life, and telling us just how we can fix it!
We haden't heard lyrics like this since George Harrison's Living in the Material World album back in 1973! This was up with John Lennon and George Harrison's most visionary lyrics, such as While My Guitar Gently Weeps and Give Peace A Chance! Visionary spiritual leadership!
And it started with Mmmbop by Hanson.
It was Hanson who started that. It was Hanson who gave Pop its spiritual mission. Thank you, Hanson!
(Listen to the lyrics on the verses of Mmmbop! But it was also the overall spirit of the song, and the spirit of their performances!)
And it was all following the original template.
Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation.
Updated to be a response to the Grunge 90's.
Thank you, Janet Jackson!
And its adult version was Believe by Cher and Madonna's Ray of Light.
Just as joyous, just as revolutionary, just as full of life!
From the original pop stars, Cher and Madonna!
Madonna, who first combined modern dance music with personal expression
And Cher, who was there before them all!
That is what made late 90's Pop great!
And Grunge finally got lyrics just as visionary when Avril Lavigne seamlessly combined Grunge and Pop in 'Complicated', her masterpiece and the song which gave us the strength to resist the darkness for a few more years here in America! (Before the spirit died in America around 2004) :'(
Let's listen to those lyrics and heal the World! It can still live in us! God loves you!
Sincerely,
David S. Annderson