soul lyrics - C or D

Or an aesthetic whereby too much artifice in the writing runs the risk of allowing overt artifice into the performance, making the emotions seem less realistic?

Or would fancy words be seen as distracting from the performance?

This may be an important factor here. Usually, if you have something to say in the lyrics, you prefer to say it yourself rather than having somebody else say it for you. In spite of the occasional "Eve Of Destruction", lyrics with a message aren't very usual among non soul acts either, if they are written for other people to perform.

what do you mean by 'a message'?? im not asking all soul artists to be political.

perhaps one of the reasons that these songs are popular is because they concern aspects of human emotions and relationships that a lot of people can relate to their own experiences? the deeper into your own unique experience you go, the fewer people you will be able to connect with?

when i enjoy what you call mechanical or predictable lyrics, it's because when i listen to them it makes me think of how many people would be able to understand what the singer is singing about. the actual real-life personal situation of the vocalist and lyricist isn't something i pay a lot of attenion to, i suppose.

and, check out please the greatest of all soul albums (I'm only half-kidding), "City of Angels" by the Miracles, which is about loving L.A. Stupid and confused lyrics that add up to a real picture of that era, the mid-'70s. Anyway, are lyrics about some chick for whom you've bought some hair (wig hats) and then watched hit the streets while you cry at home any more ridiculous than plasticine porters? I'm all for self-expression but sometimes you want a good song-factory song, I think.