Long & Drawn Out

Songwriting is not an easy task, something with which I have first-hand experience. When a song doesn't sound good, we automatically dismiss it as poor, and we take it for granted. However, a line must be drawn somewhere, and I am the person to do it.

At issue here is the song title. Someone please explain to me why certain bands feel the need to have song titles upward of 4 words. How is the fan supposed to remember names to all songs in the catalog? As an avid music fan, my song bank is pretty vast. But when it comes to song titles as sentences rather than a few words, I get antsy. Note that I am not commenting on the music, rather just the name.

Below is a list of song titles that could easily be cut down to 2 words:

1. "They Also Mourn Who Do Not Wear Black (For the Homeless in Muskegon)" - Sufjan Williams
2. "For the Windows in Paradise, For the Fatherless in Ypsilanti" - Sufjan Williams
3. "Heart in the Hand of the Matter" - And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Dead (long band name too!!)
4. "A Distorted Reality is a Necessity to be Free" - Elliott Smith (RIP)
5. "Miranda That Ghost Just Isn't Holy Anymore: Pour Another Icepick" - Mars Volta
6. "Good To Know That if I Ever Need Attention All I Have To Do Is Die" - Brand New

Phew. Let me catch my breath. Okay, now I'm fine. In conclusion, don't be so damn verbose all the time!