A call for a moratorium

[Orrex]

I propose that no song henceforth can use the following rhymes:

walk/talk or walking/talking

above/love

and

any rhyme of the -ly ending and a word ending in an "ee" sound

likewise

any use of "thee" in a modern song for the sake of an easy rhyme:

Here's an example with both of those last two:
Here and now, I promise to love faithfully
Here and now, I vow to be one with thee.

It gets points for the now/vow rhyme mid-sentence, and of coure "thee" is meant to resonate with wedding vows, but it's still artificial, stilted, and pretentious.


These too-easy pairings have borne more than their fair share of the load for many decades. Time to give them a rest.

Feel free to suggest your own.

[jobycom]

1. All rhymes are "artificial, stilted, and pretentious."

The art is to transcend the artificiality.

Poetry, including pop lyrics, should have no rules. That doesn't mean failed attempts shouldn't be criticized, just that prior restraint should be rejected.

Although, rhymes that match a word with itself as part of another word really irk me.

[Orrex]

2. True--I think that you've stated it exactly

But I stand by my walk/talk injunction.

A question, though:

Although, rhymes that match a word with itself as part of another word really irk me.

Can you think of an example? I'm having trouble thinking of one off the top of my head.

[jobycom]

3. I couldn't, either

When I hear them, they grate on me, but I couldn't think of an example.