Merryl Lentz

THE FASCINATING ORIGINS OF CHRISTMAS CAROLS AND THEIR LYRICS

‘Tis the season to be jolly -- and to learn a few things, as well. Don't worry, though -- you won't have to stop decking the halls with boughs of holly, drinking your eggnog, or sneaking kisses under the mistletoe to attend any classes, or write the equ... Read >

RAP LYRICS – SONGS FROM THE STREET ARE TAKING THE HEAT

Rap lyrics often get a bad rap -- one that they don't deserve. Forged in the gritty urban underground of the Bronx, New York in the 1970s, rap and its lyrics are part of the Hip-Hop phenomenon, this era's dominant cultural movement. That movement has beco... Read >

WORKOUT SONGS AND LYRICS THAT PUMP YOU UP

Motivation is a big part of working out at the gym or exercising at home. Rather than being shamed, bribed or threatened into reducing those abs or building those biceps, you need positive motivation. Unless you have a professional personal trainer who kn... Read >

ADVERTISING JINGLES MUSIC AND LYRICS THAT WONT LEAVE YOUR BRAIN ALONE

Advertising jingles and their lyrics are powerful psychological tools disguised as seemingly trite little ditties. Whether they're catchy, cute or even annoying, these tunes and lyrics are intentionally designed to implant themselves in your brain and pro... Read >

CRUISIN’ WITH LYRICS ABOUT CARS

Musicians and cars -- it's a love affair that comes close to rivaling relationships with the opposite sex, if not leaving them in the dust. Auto-erotic songs and lyrics are as integral to rock and roll as guitars, drums, and spleen-vibrating stacks of Mar... Read >

SONGS OF DEATH AND DESTRUCTION - NURSERY RHYME LYRICS

Nursery rhyme lyrics sound like sugar and spice and everything nice, but many have real meanings that would send children into therapy for the rest of their lives. These seemingly innocent lyrics conceal nightmarish stories about beheadings, the black pla... Read >

BODY LANGUAGE - LYRICS ABOUT THE FEMALE FORM

The female body has been a source of inspiration for male musicians for decades. No, I'm not talking about how it's inspired them to perform certain unprintable acts in hotel rooms, in the back of tour buses, or in dressing rooms. It's inspired them to ... Read >

LYRICS FOR WEEKEND WARRIORS

Poor Monday. There are many songs and lyrics about it. But none are very flattering. Tuesday has gotten some minor recognition in songs and lyrics. And Wednesday and Thursday are virtually forgotten. But Friday and the weekend? They're the darlings ... Read >

LIGHTS, CAMERA....LYRICS! -- ACTORS IN BANDS

Parents often tell their kids they can be anything when they grow up. And then there are the parents who must have told their kids they can be many things when they grow up. These kids grow up wired with creativity that needs to be plugged into more tha... Read >

FROM LYRICS TO SCRIPTS -- MUSICIANS WHO BECAME ACTORS

Some musicians who've made the leap into acting have done it with the skill of an Olympic gold medalist. They've amazed audiences with such great silver screen performances that their lines could be lyrics. Their acting has eclipsed their musical career... Read >

THEY'RE NOT INTO YOU -- LYRICS ABOUT UNREQUITED LOVE

In rock and roll lyrics, what happens when love isn't reciprocated? Do people calmly walk away after politely and rationally saying, "OK, it's all good, thanks for your time -- can I use you as a reference in the future?" Of course not! They only become m... Read >

THE MEANINGS OF LYRICS IN FOREIGN LANGUAGES

Songs that have some, or all of their lyrics in a foreign language have a fascinating element of intrigue. Even if those lyrics translate to, "Yuck, the kitchen still smells like that fish you cooked a week ago," they sound exotic and mysterious if you'r... Read >

TODAY'S FORECAST -- SONG LYRICS ABOUT THE WEATHER

We've all been in this situation -- in the elevator with a stranger, or when first meeting someone new -- the awkwardness in the air is heavier than plutonium, and they turn to you and start talking about....THE WEATHER! Oh, no, no, no -- anything but THA... Read >

WEDDING SONGS WITH LYRICS THAT ARE OH-SO-WRONG

You're getting married! Congratulations! You're trying to choose songs with music and lyrics that will escalate this event from special to extraordinary. But if "Here Comes the Bride," makes you think, "There goes my lunch," something less traditional ... Read >

NOVELTY LYRICS THAT PUT THE "FUN" IN FUNNY

Novelty songs are like jokes set to music. They may parody other song lyrics, or just be so funny or plain ridiculous that they get incessant airplay -- until they become completely annoying. Their music and lyrics enjoy their 15 minutes of fame, and so... Read >