When the term "spoken word" is mentioned, the first thing to come to mind isn't the music genre, no, the first thing that generally is thought of is slam poetry or simple readings at a local open mic night. Spoken word has evolved into something much more than that; it's emerged as a genre of music, one that is slowly creeping into the alternative rock industry. It's an underrated genre, one that is more obscure and one that some don't prefer because it doesn't have the same aspects as the typical "music" is defined to have.
Spoken word music generally has an instrumental beat, of course, typically of hard rock or alternative rock though hip-hop can also be considered spoken word..., but the lyrics aren't always "sung." Some spoken word songs may contain some instances of singing (particularly for the chorus), but for the most part they are spoken, talked, yelled or screamed. The aspect of incorporating spoken word into music provides an emotional emphasis on the lyrics and their meanings. The darker, sad, uplifting, real, personal, and emotional undertones most of these songs have would not have been justified without being spoken; the listener would have missed the point.
Personally, I listen to spoken word whenever I'm feeling down or whenever I'm in the mood to write; the raw emotion helps not only helps me feel slightly better, but ultimately it helps spawn ideas for stories and poetry of my own.
The best examples of alternative rock bands who are proclaimed under the spoken word genre include:
"Unopened Letter" by September Stories
"Because every time I look at the scars you left covering the undersides of my arms
I only see the beauty that once was
I only see the times we enjoyed, and not the times that we regret
The times you left me star struck and teary eyed and not broken and alone
Please God I just wish you had poured meaning into the word we call “love”
"I Always Thought I Would Be Okay..." by Hotel Books
"And the most sense I can make of this world
Has slowly transformed itself from being ink in my pen
To being the pain in my heart and head.
And I never meant to write words
That would make people feel like crying,
I just never wanted to write a single word where I was lying."
"Andria" by La Dispute.
"I held your name inside my heart, but it got buried in my fear.
It tore the wiring of my brain; I did my best to keep it clear.
So, dear, no matter how we part, I hold you sweetly in my head.
And if I do not miss a part of you, a part of me is dead.
If I can't love you as a lover, I will love you as a friend.
And I will lay a bed before you; keep you safe until the end."
And that's just a small taste of what spoken word can be visualized as; the beauty of the lyrics and what can be felt between the lines. In what other form of music could the lyrics "...there is grace in a steeple collapsing," mean something more than what is simply read in black and white? Or perhaps "I’ve played with the thought of running away from what haunts me most or maybe just ending the story short...?" How about "But I think I’ve finally discovered what keeps me up at night when I’m all alone, that’s the pain that’s made it’s home in these God forsaken bones...?"
No, because lyrics such as these need to be spoken to reach people who are struggling with the same issues that are being written about, to reach people so that maybe these lyrics will stick with them and touch them and be therapeutic, therapeutic and help them. Or make them see, be emotionally aware of what others around them could be going through. Whatever the reason may be, these lyrics will stick to someone and help in one way or another. Help in a way that other things cannot and will not, because that's the funny thing about music...it can be the therapist when no one else understands, it can say the words no one else can find, it can answer questions no one else knew existed, and it can fill the void that nothing else can fill.
And that is why spoken word is underrated and why it's important.
