Clockwise from upper left: Leonard Cohen, Lou Reed, The Mountain Goats, Suzanne Vega. Courtesy of the artists hide caption
toggle caption Courtesy of the artistsFew people can easily define it, but nearly everyone knows it when they hear it. Speak-singing, the murky marriage of spoken lyrics and sung melodies, can be heard in everything from 17th-century opera to The Velvet Underground and the latest Mountain Goats record. On this edition of All Songs Considered, hosts Bob Boilen and Robin Hilton argue over the pros and cons of this polarizing art form and take a look at some of their favorite (and not-so-favorite) speak-singing artists. Plus, listeners chime in with some of their own picks.
Rex Harrison"A Hymn to Him"
From 'My Fair Lady [Original Soundtrack]'
The Velvet Underground"Sweet Jane [Full Length Version]"
From 'Loaded [Fully Loaded Edition]'
William Shatner"Common People"
From 'Has Been'
The Modern Lovers"She Cracked"
From 'The Modern Lovers'
U2"Pride (In the Name of Love)"
From 'Unforgettable Fire'
Mozart"Le nozze di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro), opera, K. 492 [Act 1. Scene 1 & 2. No. 2. Duettino. Se a caso madama]"
From 'Mozart: Le Nozze di Figaro'
The Speak-Singing Debate: Just Sing The Damn Song! Christine Schäfer"Pierrot lunaire, melodrama for voice & chamber ensemble, Op. 21 [Act I, No. 1, "Mondestrunken"]"
From 'Arnold Schoenberg: Pierrot Lunaire; Herzgewächse; Ode to Napoleon'
The Speak-Singing Debate: Just Sing The Damn Song! Laurie Anderson"Blue Lagoon"
From 'Mister Heartbreak'
Suzanne Vega"Tom's Diner"
From 'Solitude Standing'
The Mountain Goats"Love Love Love"
From 'Sunset Tree'
Wilco"I Am Trying to Break Your Heart"
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