the lyrics editing...

[MrsCarbohydrate]

Originally Posted by A_Plus

I accept that the words need to be honed down to fit into a song format but Williams Last Words seems to have either been dramatically lost in translation or misguidedly shoe-horned into being the kind of cryptic note people would like to imagine Edwards would leave.

As a translator I don't tend to give much credence to the concept of "lost in translation" or have a problem with people who interpret making something of their own out of the material. Which is probably why I'm not that upset about the edit.

They haven't been dishonest- they editing process has been laid very bare and we can compare the two, indeed examine the whole process of creation since we also have the demos. I'm more interested in why it was edited as it was.

[Mary Chain]

Originally Posted by MrsCarbohydrate

They haven't been dishonest- they editing process has been laid very bare and we can compare the two, indeed examine the whole process of creation since we also have the demos. I'm more interested in why it was edited as it was.

I'm incredibly interested as to why it was edited in that way. I can also see why people would be upset about it. The way it was edited put it into a context that simply didn't seem to exist in the original prose, and I'm very iterested to know why Nicky did that when it was obvious how it was going to affect certain fans. The way it's edited now absolutely drenches it in the context of Richey's disappearance (farewell, almost) whereas if it had been altered even slightly according to the original text it wouldn't be nearly as tragic and emotionally loaded as it appears.

[MrsCarbohydrate]

Originally Posted by harrijack

I'm incredibly interested as to why it was edited in that way. I can also see why people would be upset about it. The way it was edited put it into a context that simply didn't seem to exist in the original prose, and I'm very iterested to know why Nicky did that when it was obvious how it was going to affect certain fans. The way it's edited now absolutely drenches it in the context of Richey's disappearance (farewell, almost) whereas if it had been altered even slightly according to the original text it wouldn't be nearly as tragic and emotionally loaded as it appears.

I totally agree.I'm sure Nicky was aware of the way he changed it. I wondered the first time I heard it if it was an attempt to make a farewell to Richey by making a farewell from him, could some (goodnight godbless) be interpreted as a dialogue? I dunno, I'm just speculating. The most important think to remember, I think, is that when the band took these lyrics they made new meaning from them (which I don't personally have a problem with).

[The Gutless Wonder]

Nick explains why in the interview on Planet Sound.

[Manic Street Hippie]

Originally Posted by The Gutless Wonder

Nick explains why in the interview on Planet Sound.

Where is that? Is it online?

Edit: Found it!

[The Gutless Wonder]

Originally Posted by Manic Street Hippie

Where is that? Is it online?

Edit: Found it!

Have you found it on Teletext or via the web? Good little interview though innit?

[MrsCarbohydrate]

Originally Posted by A_Plus

I didn't say they were being dishonest. Without reposting my previous post, it just seems odd that the text would be reinterpreted in such a way that has almost nothing to do with the original.

I didn't say you did, I was just talking in general terms about how they have made the editing process open for the audience to see.

I don't find the reinterpretation that odd really. Like I said, with a translation background I view this as a kind of translation of the original that brings in a new meaning, and we (luckily?) can compare the two.

[Tom]

I do think that Nicky basically wrote WLW himself. But I don't necessarily see that as a negative. If they hadn't put out the original lyrics for us to see then it would have been a bit dishonest, but the fact that they did allows me to look at WLW from a new perspective. If anything, finding out the true extent of Nicky's editing on that lyric just adds more meaning to it than if Richey alone had written it.

Incidentally, if it wasn't in such bad taste then I'd suggest we see how many different songs with different meanings we can all write from that original lyric.

[Yesterday's Tonight]

I bought the deluxe edition, and looking through Richey's originals I do feel as though that it would've been much better if they had kept them as they were (Jackie Collins is the first that comes to mind - having a different second verse would've been better). But, it doesn't really bother me too much - the editing is, for the most part, sterling, it keeps the album short and punchy, which is quite welcome, and the album is utterly fantastic.

[Takk]

Originally Posted by Tom

Incidentally, if it wasn't in such bad taste then I'd suggest we see how many different songs with different meanings we can all write from that original lyric.

Maybe it is bad taste, but that sounds like a cool idea.

[mrsmanics]

Originally Posted by Tom

Incidentally, if it wasn't in such bad taste then I'd suggest we see how many different songs with different meanings we can all write from that original lyric.

That actually sounds like fun...

[The Gutless Wonder]

Hey, we could re-write some of the Manics greatest hits too! Or maybe not.........................

[Dancing Kirby]

Bad taste is my middle name.

This is a little song me and Richey (shouldn't that be Richey and I?) wrote for Nicky to sing...

Verse 1
Let me sing a song
What a lovely way to surprise you
I’ve come a long way
Even for a tone deaf singer

Ch
Oooolaaaaa
Oooolaaaaa
First, second, third time
Oooolaaaaa

Verse 2
I'll sing one more song
You wouldn’t deprive a man
We're a land of singers
I'll try my best, how does it go?

Ch
Oooolaaaaa
Oooolaaaaa
First, second, third time
Oooolaaaaa

Bridge
Now do I want to finish this song
It was lovely singing to you
I don't know when I'll remember the words
It'll be a long time, maybe never

Finish it, finish it
I made a balls up again
That's bloody horrible that is
If I sing a song I'm up or down a scale

Verse 3 - including fan-baiting repetition
One more time let me sing a song
What a lovely way to surprise you
I’ve come a long way
Even for a tone deaf singer

Ch
Oooolaaaaa
Oooolaaaaa

Soundbite
"It's what Richey would have wanted."

[The Gutless Wonder]

Big LOL!!!

[Tidus]

Personally speaking, having now read the lyrics in full I think it's amazing this album ever came out. Some of them are just absurd and I think it shows how amazing a songwriter James is that he was able to write music to those words.