Stephen Stills, Paul Simon, Janice Joplin and Now, Brad Paisley

I found Ovation TV a week or so ago, and I have been watching documentaries on the growth of music since the Big Band Era. Several shows were about the 50’s and 60’s music–Elvis, the Beatles, the Byrds, and so on. Old rock concert footage combined with interviews of these rockers today make for fascinating TV.

At the core of most good music, it seems to me, is great lyrics. Lyrics that seem timely, that tell a bit of story, or give you an insight into the culture of that particular time. Bonus points from me would be lyrics that make you smile.

So I was heartened to see an interview of some songwriting expert (have to get a notepad by the TV) from that period, who said if a lyric can make someone laugh it will be remembered much more than one that tugged at you emotionally. Good.

Then, today, on my drive in to work, I am listening to Brad Paisley’s newest song  “Online.” Based on my own laugh-factor-quotient-while-driving-meter, this will be a hit song, just like his others, “I’m Gonna Miss Her” and “Ticks.”

The lyrics are below:

Artist: Brad Paisley
Song: Online

Lyrics:

I work down at the pizza pit
And I drive and old Hundai
I still live with my mom and dad
I 5′3 and overweight

I’m a Sci-fi fantatic
Mild athsmatic
Never been to 2nd base
But there’s a whole nother me
That you need to see
Go check out MySpace

Cause online I’m down in Hollywood
I’m 6′5 and I look damn good
I drive a Mazarati
I’m a black belt in Karate
And I love a good glass of wine

It turns girls on that I’m mysterious
I tell ‘em I don’t want nothing serious
Cause even on a slow day I can have a three way
Chat with two women at one time

I’m so much cooler online
So much cooler online

I get home, I kiss my mom
And she fixes me a snack
I head down to my basement bedroom
And fire up the mac

In real life, the only time I
Ever even been to LA
Was when I got the chance with the marching band
To play tuba in the Rose Parade.

Online I live in Malibu
I posed for Calvin Kline, I’ve been in GQ
I’m single and I’m rich
And I got a set of six pack abs that’ll blow your mind

It turns girls on that I’m mysterious
I tell ‘em I don’t want nothing serious
Cause even on a slow day I can have a three way
Chat with two women at one time

I’m so much cooler online
Yeah I’m cooler online

When you got my kinda stacks, it’s hard to get a date
Let alone a real girlfriend
But I grow another foot
And I lose a bunch of weight everytime I log in

Online I’m out in Hollywood
I’m 6′5 and I look damn good
Even on a slow day, I can have a three way
Chat with two women at one time

I’m so much cooler online
Yeah I’m cooler online
I’m so much cooler online
Yeah I’m cooler online

[tags] Stephen Stills, Paul Simon, Janis Joplin, songs of the 50’s, 60’s music, rockstars{/tags}

Tags: Ovation TV, Big Band Era, Elvis, Beatles, Byrds, Brad Paisley, “Online.”, I’m Gonna Miss Her, Ticks