Back in 1983 I decided to start a fanzine called Kindred Spirit, featuring an array of poetry and prose combined with music reviews and band interviews. It was an exciting time when DIY culture was at its strongest, and something I look back on very fondly.
Three years ago I started a blog sharing the contents of my fanzines 21st century style. If you would like to know more, I invite you to take a look here.
This post is something of a trip down memory lane in that what I have done is combine music and poetry once more. I have written poems where I put my own spin on the lyrics of different well known songs.
There are eight songs in total. Here are the first four. The next four will follow shortly.
There are eight songs in total. Here are the first four. The next four will follow shortly.
Song #1 - Will You? By Hazel O'Connor
There is a little backstory behind this poem and it's rather incredible. I wrote the poem in a dream.
As soon as I woke up I grabbed a pen and paper, wrote down the poem then expanded on it. As I read back over the completed poem it occurred to me it could be an alternative version of the story told by the multi-talented singer/actress Hazel O'Connor in her classic 1981 hit.
That is when the idea of doing a song based verse post here on my blog started germinating.
The song 'Will You?' featured in the film 'Breaking Glass' and reached #8 in the UK charts in 1981. It is probably best remembered for its stirring saxophone solo and incredibly moving lyrics.
Here is my take on the song:
Song #2 - Fire Dances by Killing Joke
One of the highlights of my fanzine writing days was when we interviewed Jaz Coleman of Killing Joke in December 1983 around the time their fourth studio album 'Fire Dances' was released.
Jaz is a very interesting character and as a result of speaking to him I tuned into his frequency and viewed the sentiments behind the album in a whole new light.
The next poem is my spin on the title track.
Song #3 - Autobahn by Kraftwerk (single)
I remember being introduced to Kraftwerk back in 1978 by a girl I was at school with but it wasn't until many years later I fully came to appreciate how groundbreaking and influential they were.
I wrote this poem after coming across 'Autobahn' during one of those You Tube searches that ends up taking you half way around the world and back.
This track says far more musically than it does lyrically, which is in my opinion what Kraftwerk were all about. However hearing it again immediately brought to mind the many journeys I have made along the stretch of motorway between Hull and Manchester. The following poem was the end result:
Song #4 The Day The World Turned Day-Glo by X-Ray Spex
As I was driving through the countryside near to where I live I couldn't help but notice a field of bright yellow rape flowers stretching as far as the eye could see. I pulled over to take a photo and the words "the day the world turned yellow" dropped in my head.
When I arrived home I made the connection with this X-Ray Spex punk classic and immediately dug out the track to have a listen to it.
After throwing everything into the mix the next poem was born.
I hope you have enjoyed reading. I will be back very soon with part two of my song based verses. If you would like to join me on Twitter I can be found here:
https://twitter.com/jillwebbwords
That is when the idea of doing a song based verse post here on my blog started germinating.
The song 'Will You?' featured in the film 'Breaking Glass' and reached #8 in the UK charts in 1981. It is probably best remembered for its stirring saxophone solo and incredibly moving lyrics.
Here is my take on the song:
I had a dream
About you last night,
It seemed like you
Were part of my life.
You sat in a chair
With the kind of ease
Reserved only for
Those you hold dear.
I left the room
To make us a drink,
I caught your eye,
You started to slip.
As I swirled the spoon
In your milky tea
I was swept away
On a sea of unease.
When I returned
You had disappeared,
Your chair was still warm,
I stroked the seat.
And that was when
I opened my eyes,
Through darkness and tears
I whispered goodbye.
Song #2 - Fire Dances by Killing Joke
One of the highlights of my fanzine writing days was when we interviewed Jaz Coleman of Killing Joke in December 1983 around the time their fourth studio album 'Fire Dances' was released.
Jaz is a very interesting character and as a result of speaking to him I tuned into his frequency and viewed the sentiments behind the album in a whole new light.
The next poem is my spin on the title track.
Lava teardrops
Slowly falling
Metamorphasis
Twisting, distorting
Into a pool
Of raging flames.
Raw inferno,
Transforming heat,
So primeval,
Tribal beat,
Mesmerising
Hypnotic dance.
Glowing embers,
Twinkling stars,
Distant chanting
Of ancestors,
Time stands still
Within the fire.
Song #3 - Autobahn by Kraftwerk (single)
I remember being introduced to Kraftwerk back in 1978 by a girl I was at school with but it wasn't until many years later I fully came to appreciate how groundbreaking and influential they were.
I wrote this poem after coming across 'Autobahn' during one of those You Tube searches that ends up taking you half way around the world and back.
This track says far more musically than it does lyrically, which is in my opinion what Kraftwerk were all about. However hearing it again immediately brought to mind the many journeys I have made along the stretch of motorway between Hull and Manchester. The following poem was the end result:
In my car
I am cocooned
But not invincible,
Restrained,
Confined,
Travelling
At speed
Along a seemingly
Endless road.
A dart flying
Past monochrome
Yards and buildings,
Construction,
Distribution,
Income
Generation,
Putting food
On many tables.
Fields and trees,
A much needed
Splash of colour,
Makes me open
Rain-smeared
Windows,
Makes me
Want to
Breathe again.
Patchwork quilt
Of misty moorland,
Desolate lilac,
Bracken brown,
Marsh green,
Windswept, tinged
With deep despair,
Strangely unique
And beautiful.
Clumps of houses,
Smoking chimneys,
Distant echoes
Of years of strife,
Conurbations,
Brickwork canvas,
Fabric woven
With shades
Of life.
Road signs flashing,
Dipping headlights,
Music pounding
As cars pass by.
Streaks of
Lightning
In the distance,
Tyres swish
On textured ice.
Cars advancing
In my mirror,
Weaving patterns
Across the lanes,
Barriers,
Lights,
End destinations,
Contemplate
But don't look back.
Song #4 The Day The World Turned Day-Glo by X-Ray Spex
As I was driving through the countryside near to where I live I couldn't help but notice a field of bright yellow rape flowers stretching as far as the eye could see. I pulled over to take a photo and the words "the day the world turned yellow" dropped in my head.
When I arrived home I made the connection with this X-Ray Spex punk classic and immediately dug out the track to have a listen to it.
After throwing everything into the mix the next poem was born.
Multi faceted,
Cut glass prism,
A thousand spotlights,
Yellow precision.
Psychedelic,
Dream-like state,
Lacy pathway
To a colourful place.
Heady aroma,
Waving hands,
Hypnotising,
No start no end.
Vying for attention,
Merging into one,
Indecipherable
Summer song.
No words no music,
No above no below,
Lost in time the day
The world turned yellow.
I hope you have enjoyed reading. I will be back very soon with part two of my song based verses. If you would like to join me on Twitter I can be found here:
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