Death Warrant for Full Lyric Posting

You've seen it on network TV. You've seen it on the streets. Actually, you haven't, but I figured that would be a good hook. You DO see what I'm talking about on AIM profiles, away messages, blogs, livejournals, xangas, dillywoppers, bungalows, and billabongs though. Strike the last four.

Lyrics.

Lyrics are an important thing to many people. They give music a texture that often tickles us and makes us say things like "I can partially agree with this artist about the emotional state one experiences after breaking up with someone" or "I totally get what they're saying about hope." I think lyrics are great too. They can mean different things to different people. Maybe they catch you at a moment when you needed them. Maybe they shock you into emotional arrest. Whatever they do, most people enjoy the musical poetry they create.

But I hate it when people will post an ENTIRE readout of the lyrics to a song. Quoting choice lines or stanzas is cool, but why is it necessary to post the entire damn thing?

While you exalt this spectacle, the rest of us, especially those who haven't heard the song, are left perturbed by your poor lack of judgment. Does anyone (please tell me if you do) ever actually sit there and read through the LYRICS of an entire song and make up their own melody to match it? I just get annoyed and wonder why I'm reading the same line over and over in the chorus (which is usually written out again and again). It's even worse when the lyrics are something like "JET! Whooooooohoooo hooooo!" or "Sha la la la la la la la la la la la la la dee da."

So please, the next time you feel the urge to slap an entire ream of lyrics down, consider the pain you may cause. Consider quoting things other than "Woooo oh oh wild heart!" That should do it.

This concludes my misguided crusade against full lyric posting.