Dio's Lyrics

Ken is a great singer. He probably has more range than Dio. Dio had charisma and style.

Very cool video. Thanks for posting it.

As for Dio's lyrics, it's always been key words that sound "dark", but is basic nonsense.

I enjoy Dio's obtuse lyrics. I think this line - "It's like broken glass, you get cut before you see it." - is pretty clever, actually.

I think Dio's lyrics are awesome.

If you can't figure out a meaning, then you're just lacking imagination. They are relatable to practically anything and everything.

"FLY LIKE THE RAINBOW!!!!"

I've always found this line a little humorous:

So the next time someone points a gun at you

Say "Shoot, shoot



The next time!? I hope I never have a gun pointed at me even one time!

Not sure if shoot, shoot is what i'd be saying.

That song doesn't count!   

Ear In The Wall is just too strange for words, I giggle whenever I hear that song, so I tend to skip it.

Dark Horseman wrote:

Not sure if shoot, shoot is what i'd be saying.

  

ultmetal wrote:

As for Dio's lyrics, it's always been key words that sound "dark", but is basic nonsense.

Yeah, that's it. I think he picked words for how they sounded rather than to try to convey any sort of coherent message (Yes and the Mars Volta do a similar sort of thing). They work because they fit together so well with the music and vocal melodies that it doesn't matter that they don't really mean anything.

S.D. wrote:

Ear In The Wall is just too strange for words, I giggle whenever I hear that song, so I tend to skip it.

It's a good jam though.

Citanul wrote:

ultmetal wrote:

As for Dio's lyrics, it's always been key words that sound "dark", but is basic nonsense.

Yeah, that's it.  I think he picked words for how they sounded rather than to try to convey any sort of coherent message (Yes and the Mars Volta do a similar sort of thing).  They work because they fit together so well with the music and vocal melodies that it doesn't matter that they don't really mean anything.

I think the songs themselves as a whole do mean something, I think Dio was a great storyteller, even though some lines w/in the songs made you scratch your head...

Hammerfall has some incomprehensible lyrics too:
"Angels of mercy, guardians of time, shackled and chained to the eternal flame, the hammer will surely arise"
Killer song, but, whuh?

Hadley wrote:

Hammerfall has some incomprehensible lyrics too:
"Angels of mercy, guardians of time, shackled and chained to the eternal flame, the hammer will surely arise"
Killer song, but, whuh?

The Claw chooses who will go
And who will stay
Nirvana is coming
The Mystic Portal awaits

Jesus H!! Ronnie James Dio never claimed to be the T.S. Elliot of the metal world, but he can turn a clever phrase from time to time. Granted 'Shoot Shoot' should have been entitled 'Filler, Filler', but he hits the mark more then misses on the lyrical side.

^^What Manny's saying. I don't think Dio is bad, but compare him to Dylan, Young, Lennon, and other great songwriters, I couldn't say that he fits the bill. But I do believe, in the metal genre, that he is the best. His ability to deliver clever wordplay, regardless of any lack of subtext or metaphor, sets him apart and makes his songs memorable. Metal lyricists in general are just not good writers--of course then you have the whole debate of whether or not such music is meant for complex and nuanced poetry. Of course there is Neil Peart...

corplhicks wrote:

^^What Manny's saying. I don't think Dio is bad, but compare him to Dylan, Young, Lennon, and other great songwriters, I couldn't say that he fits the bill. But I do believe, in the metal genre, that he is the best. His ability to deliver clever wordplay, regardless of any lack of subtext or metaphor, sets him apart and makes his songs memorable.

In my opinion, Martin Walkyier is the best metal lyricist hands down. But other than that, I agree with what you say about Dio. The fact that we can quote so many of his lyrics even if we have no clue what they mean proves how good he was at making them memorable.

NONE OF YOU WILL EVER BE THIS METAL!!!

"Ride the Tiger!"   

You can see his stripes, but you know he's clean. Oh, don't you see what I mean?!

Lari wrote:

You can see his stripes, but you know he's clean. Oh, don't you see what I mean?!

No. No one sees what he means!

  

MetallicSeminarian wrote:

Lari wrote:

You can see his stripes, but you know he's clean. Oh, don't you see what I mean?!

No. No one sees what he means!
 

He looks experienced, but he's never had anyone ride him before. [*tee hee*  ]

Shawn Of Fire wrote:

NONE OF YOU WILL EVER BE THIS METAL!!!

You have a very valid point.

I so want a large poster of this.

I think Dio is a great lyricist. A poet, really. A lot of his words are open to interpretation though, as they should be. As Manny said -- Dio himself has stated this was often done purposefully.



I was watching this interview a few nights ago and he mentions that and explains some of the lyrics to his songs (such as "ride the tiger"). It's not in that first clip, I don't think (there's six or seven parts), but it's an interview worth watching.

I could watch Dio interviews for hours on end.

Damn I miss Dio.