Cuss words in songs?

pushbuttonfour · #1 03-10-2013, 12:51 AM

So, I am just now starting to put lots of effort into writing my songs, and I was wondering, should I avoid using buss words in my songs? I'm in High School, and I'm sure my dad would be a little upset with it, but other than that, I can't see any other reason to avoid using them. If I ever play at a family-friendly venue, I can simply change the words. But still, do you recommend excluding offensive words from my songs?

Kenzy · #2 03-10-2013, 12:54 AM

What kind of music do you play? Unless it's really ****ing heavy, I would say stay away from cussing. It's kind of unnecessary, IMO.

Bert Slide · #3 03-10-2013, 12:59 AM

Write what you want, If profanity is what it takes to express it then have at it. Having the radio/family version is a good idea too.

pushbuttonfour · #4 03-10-2013, 01:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kenzy

What kind of music do you play? Unless it's really ****ing heavy, I would say stay away from cussing. It's kind of unnecessary, IMO.

it's punk, so it kinda fits

FiskFisk33 · #5 03-10-2013, 01:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pushbuttonfour

it's punk, so it kinda fits

then i assume you'd agree that its kind of ****ing stupid to let others tell you how to live your life, what the **** are you doing here asking us?

Jazz Ad · #6 03-10-2013, 01:15 AM

Haha well yeah it has to be tame punk if you ask about the use of cuss words.

pushbuttonfour · #7 03-10-2013, 01:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jazz Ad

Haha well yeah it has to be tame punk if you ask about the use of cuss words.

lol it is. I should have specified; it's more like alternative. Think Fall Out Boy, blink-182, etc. (inb4 FOB's not punk! we use power chords and are influenced by big punk bands, but we've sort of evolved in a different direction)

Mike in Chicago · #8 03-10-2013, 01:21 AM

Don't use them. They sound forced, Like you're trying way too hard to be rebellious.

It's uncool and poser like.

**hsech** · #9 03-10-2013, 01:28 AM

I wouldn't use profanity in my music. You may play for an audience one week that thinks it's cool or OK, but the next week you may play for a different audience that thinks the profanity is rude and vulgar. Just my thoughts.

Jazz Ad · #10 03-10-2013, 01:39 AM

Use whatever language is fit for the song. Why retraining yourself?
The song may not be fit for the audience though.

Scott Sauna · #11 03-10-2013, 01:44 AM

Use profanity all you want! Who is really going to care? If people are offended by your lyrics then **** THEM! Who gives a single **** about cuss words in music anyway?

phangtonpower · #12 03-10-2013, 01:45 AM

Cuss songs are not bad especially for genre. I don't think it's wrong in even neo-soul or old school sounding soul songs as long as it fits. I don't know what's going on back home anymore (US), but they consistently play this song on fox tv here that pisses me off when I hear it. The hook or what ever you want to call and goes something like this "I wanna party and bull$hit". LAME!

Maleikbassist · #13 03-10-2013, 03:51 AM

Personally I think it's ridiculous when an artist has to write two versions of a song because of the lyrical content(as made famous to me by Mr. Green) with that being said, I think some bands/people can nail it without it being too forced. Such as the few songs from The Wall by Pink Floyd. A term like sh*t would be used as an adjective in relation to what the lyrics are about, and I wouldn't make a big deal. But something like the F word... That word had been dumbed down and has multiple meanings, you'd be much better off with something that would be a better fit in place of the F Word.

Kmonk · #14 03-10-2013, 04:37 AM

I do not like cuss words in songs. I don't see the point. People do it because they think it sounds cool. To me, it just makes them sound unintelligent.

chatterbox272 · #15 03-10-2013, 04:51 AM

I wouldn't care either way to be honest, if one of those words is the word that feels like it fits best then use it, but don't use them for the sake of using them. Hell, one of my favourite songs is F*** by Bring Me The Horizon, so obviously it can work.

IPYF · #16 03-10-2013, 05:12 AM

Only if it's clever, regardless of genre. It's usually not clever, so you need to be careful what you do.

cnltb · #17 03-10-2013, 05:18 AM

More often than not do I think of cuss words as the blunt instrument one uses when there really is nothing else in the shed on might use instead. Only if there is nothing else at all.
To me cuss words make those using them look quite stupid and uninspired, most of the time.

Only one exception comes to mind.

kevteop · #18 03-10-2013, 05:52 AM

They're just words. Mark Twain said use the right word, not its second cousin.

Curse words are pretty powerful when they're applied well, so I see no reason to rule them out.

Meddle · #19 03-10-2013, 06:03 AM

There is nothing punk about worrying about offending your Dad over lyrics!

lfmn16 · #20 03-10-2013, 08:02 AM

If you have to ask this, you may want to re-think your writing process. For me, when I write something it just comes out. Unless you are writing insipid, formulaic, pop music to be played in the most generic and soulless style possible by Justin Beaver and his ilk, write from your heart and let the cards fall where they may.