Lyrical Abstraction Scale

1 – Chant the ingredients of a box of pasta

2 – Marin Marais – “Tableau of a Bladder Operation” (straightforward catalogue of events)

3 – Bob Dylan – “The Hurricane” (straightforward editorial)

4 – 50 Cent (featuring Olivia) – “Candy Shop” (thin metaphor)

5 – Beatles – “Blackbird” (riddle-like text, but more straightforward than “Who by Fire”)

6 – Leonard Cohen – “Who by Fire” (riddle-like text)

7 – Don McLean – “American Pie” (difficult metaphors throughout)

8 – Counting Crows – “Omaha” [highly abstract, but with recognizable patterns and possible theme(s)]

9 – Beatles – “I am the Walrus” (intentionally abstract)

10 – Ella Fitzerald – “One-Note Samba” (scat vocal)

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