Simplicity or how I learned to love the color blue

[Jack of All Parades]

One song this spring has brought back for me the real difficulty of simplicity and in particular the beauty of achieved simplicity as personified in a pop song. That song is "Driving in My Car" as done by She & Him:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WpiI2ab6trU

I have been coupling it with several other 'perfect' examples for me as represented by The La's, Ron Sexsmith, EC and Paul Westerberg- "There She Goes", "Gold In Them Hills", "Blue Chair", "Dyslexic Heart" and "Things" to be specific.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k8JZHiCeADQ&feature=fvst

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DncGOPzkAns

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bFUKN9WuJz4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JcMIWKu0ZYE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GcfCBb-amUc

I have always marveled at the economy, precision and, ultimately, beauty that can be packed into three to four minutes[and before I am blasted please note "Riding in My Car" is written by Al Anderson of NRBQ fame]. To place within that time span, genuine emotion coupled with a striking melody and, if lucky, inventive word play is a marvelous thing for me. These songs have achieved this and are in my pantheon of 'perfect' pop favorites. The songs float ethereally with an effortlessness that is breathtaking. In fact I think love has to be the theme for success.They share a commonality in that you have to have been in love and now long to return to that emotional state. It never hurts to have some anger or at least wistfulness, as well. They do not go off on wild word binges; instead they stay within simple sentiments, told in most cases inventively[love Westerberg at this] that can resonate with many listeners. This also means they can hold up to countless playings and still maintain their freshness and ability to strike an effective chord with the listener.

These artists have achieved this 'simplicity' on occasion in their careers- a testament to the difficulty of achieving such a special result[which is all the more amazing when you think that Lennon & McCartney seemed to be able to do it at will in their oeuvre]. In the case of EC it is yet another example for me of his affinity with the color blue, as well. If you do not think it difficult to do what these artists have done as represented here give yourself a test and try to write such a lyric- it is damn near impossible.