“The difference between the almost right word and the right word is really a large matter. 'tis the difference between the lightning bug and the lightning.”
- Mark Twain
Boy, that Mark Twain fellow really knew what he was talking about. The difference between the almost right word and the right word truly is the difference between a lightning bug and lightning. That's never truer than in the writing of lyrics, where the economy of words conveying an idea or emotion is critical. Here's one quick example:
In the song All Kinds of Kinds written by Don Henry and Phillip Coleman and popularized by Miranda Lambert, the narrator is describing how she's never fit in, even at an early age, and has chosen to forge her own path. She says"
When I play this old guitar
At children's shows and smokey bars
I take a break and think about the past
When I stood up in geometry
And everybody stared at me
And I tossed my test into the trash
I love the use of that word “tossed." They could have said she ”threw" her test, or “pitched” or “flung” her test into the trash, and they all would have worked. But to me, the word “tossed” perfectly describes the girl's attitude of subtle defiance and rebellion. Plus, “tossed” flows better with ‘test’ and is easier to say and sing with low-key contempt than the other options. That's my take on it anyway.
Here's hoping you find all the right words today.
RP
Birthdays in Music: Sam Moore of Sam and Dave (1935-2025) Soul Man and I Thank You
Name That Movie: “Nobody, I mean nobody, puts ketchup on a hot dog!"