Learning From Song Lyrics

I love music. I love good tunes. I really love good lyrics. Lyrics that tell a story, that capture you. Unique, poetic lyrics.

Good lyrics inspire me as a writer, particularly those that tell a complete story. I’m captivated and challenged by such songs. Just think of how very few words there are in a song. If you’re going to tell a good story in a song, every word has to count. And here’s the key—the listener must be drawn in immediately to the story. Must immediately care about the main character’s plight and the outcome.

We authors, who tend to spend way too much time on backstory and introduction of our characters, can learn a lot by listening to good ballads. Here’s one from Bon Jovi, one of my fave rockers. (Keep in mind it’s a secular song.) It’s called The Right Side of Wrong. (If you want to get a better feel for the song, you can listen to a portion of the chorus here.) I choose this song because the first time I heard it, I noticed how quickly I was drawn into the story. Immediately I connected with these guys—even though they’re doing something wrong. And it led me to examine the song—what elements in the lyrics pull me in? To make me almost want them to get away with their crime?

The Right Side of Wrong

A friend of a friend needs a favor.
No questions asked, there's not much more to say.
Me and the wife, we need the money.
We've got four kids all hungry, one on the way.

Slip these sweat socks in your shirt and pray they think your packin'.
Be sure to keep your head down, don't look 'em in the eye.
And don't get fancy, Ricky, we ain't Jimmy Cagney.
Look at me. Let's do the job, and let's get home tonight.

I got a half tank of gas, and if we run all the lights,
We'll slip across the border on the wrong side of right.
And just like Butch and Sundance, we'll ride until the dawn,
Sipping whiskey, singing cowboy songs On the Right Side of Wrong.

We picked a helluva of a night, from the shore I see the skyline.
In a couple of hours from now, Rick, we're gonna get out of this life.
We'll stop for smokes. I brought a six pack. We'll stop at lookers on the way back.
We'll laugh this off, keep your fingers crossed that all goes well tonight.

I got a half tank of gas, and if we run all the lights,
We'll slip across the border on the wrong side of right.
And just like Butch and Sundance we'll ride until the dawn,
Sipping whiskey, singing cowboy songs On the Right Side of Wrong.

We'll make the grade, they'll know our names. I need a friend to drive—here,
Wear my necklace of St. Christopher and talk to him while I go inside.
I'll take that suitcase, get the cash and we'll be gone before you know.
Wait until we tell the girls we're moving down to the Gulf of Mexico!

(guitar solo)

A friend of a friend needed a favor.
Life was just what happened while we were busy making plans.
We never saw nothing. There was a run-in.
.9 millimeter steel was coming for the windshield of that Oldsmobile
As the cop said, “Show your hands!”

I got a half tank of gas and if we run all the lights,
We'll slip across the border on the wrong side of right.
And just like Butch and Sundance, we'll ride until the dawn,
Sipping whiskey, singing cowboy songs On the Right Side of Wrong
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What do you think? What makes us care for these guys so quickly? What can we learn from this song about making our own characters empathetic?