Great Lyrics: Across The Universe

It is quite common for people to explore songwriting immediately after learning to play an instrument. I had the same transition from merely playing other people's songs to writing my own not long after I learned my first three chords.

As I soon found out though, three chords can only get you so far. I also learned that stringing chords together is far simpler than composing the lyrics. Some people would say it's the opposite; that writing the lyrics is nowhere near as hard as creating the music. Well, this only shows that composing music and writing lyrics are two different processes requiring different skillsets.

Oasis main songwriter and lead guitarist Noel Gallagher has reportedly said that the secret to great songs is the melody and not so much the lyrics. I don't know about that but I'm sure great lyrics also make for great songs.

One of my favorites is the lyrics of the Beatles song "Across The Universe," which were written by John Lennon but credited to Lennon/McCartney. Lennon himself said that this was one of his best and most poetic lyrics. He speaks the truth no doubt about it.

Across The Universe

Words are flowing out like endless rain into a paper cup,
They slither while they pass, they slip away across the universe
Pools of sorrow, waves of joy are drifting through my open mind,
Possessing and caressing me.
Jai guru de va om
Nothing's gonna change my world,
Nothing's gonna change my world.

Images of broken light which dance before me like a million eyes,
That call me on and on across the universe,
Thoughts meander like a restless wind inside a letter box they
Tumble blindly as they make their way
Across the universe
Jai guru de va om
Nothing's gonna change my world,
Nothing's gonna change my world.

Sounds of laughter shades of earth are ringing
Through my open views inviting and inciting me
Limitless undying love which shines around me like a
Million suns, it calls me on and on
Across the universe
Jai guru de va om
Nothing's gonna change my world,
Nothing's gonna change my world.

Here's Fiona Apple's version of this classic Beatles' tune.