Diction Dictates - Contrasting

The start of the 1990's, the last decade of the 20th century, was capitalized by two very different types of music. Techno was just starting to filter over from Europe, this was also intertwining with other various styles of music creating a new Alternative category. The garage and grunge bands were also starting to spring up all over the country as well. These two very distinct, very different styles of music were able to coincide in one generation. One very evident difference is their diction. Diction, the dialect and word choice by the writer, can totally change the sound of a song depending on the style. Deee-Lite's techno groove it "Groove is in the Heart" and Crash Test Dummies grunge ballad "Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm" have two very distinct and different dictions.

Deee-Lite is a modern psychedelic band playing crazy music at the end of the era that brought us into the techno realm. Through out the song, they use very hip lingo, such as "Dig" and "Funky". They also make allusions to the great psychedelic musician himself, Jimmy Hendrix.
This diction is fun and free flowing, very loose and relaxed. There are many ways you can interpret the lines making it almost like it can be your own song at times.

A few years later, a grunge garage band by the name of Crash Test Dummies emerged from the new phenomenon forming in the 90s. They cut the ballad "Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm" which is mostly about sticking out in society for doing things that you believe in or were against your power to change. The diction is very straight forward, saying exactly what happens to each of the people mentioned in the song. The feeling of the song is also alot dimmer and sadder than the previous song.

The early ninety's were a very important time in the music industry. Going from the very techno synth style to a more grunge rock style was a big change. However, both genres were still able to coexist, but with very different styles of writing. The more sorrowful mood of the CTD compared with the happy-go-lucky feel of Deee-Lite speaks for itself. With both these artists only being able to obtain one hit, they were able to leave a lasting impression on the minds of their listeners, and over all striking a strong chord in the song writing world. The straight forwardness of the CTD and the lax of Deee-lite shows perfectly how two styles of music can be appreciated at one time.



"Groove is in the Heart" Deee-Lite (1990)

and

"Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm" Crash Test Dummies (1993)



Groove Is In The Heart
You’re going to dance
You’re going to dance
You’re going to danceAnd have some fun
Dig
The chills that you spill
Up my back keep me filled
With satisfaction when we’re done
Satisfaction of what’s come
I couldn’t ask for another (I-I-I-I)
No, I couldn’t ask for another (that’s right)
Your groove I do deeply dig
No walls only the bridge
My supper dish
My succotash wish (sing it baby)
I couldn’t ask for another (uh-huh, uh-huh)
(I-I-I-I) No, I couldn’t ask for another
Groove is in the hea-a-a-art
Groove is in the hea-a-a-art
Groove is in the hea-a-a-art (astronomical)
Groove is in the hea-a-a-art (hit me!)
Watch out!
The depth of hula groove
Moves us to the nth hoop
We’re going through too
Horten hears a who-o-o
I couldn’t ask for another (I-I-I-I)
No, I couldn’t ask for another
DJ Soul (Soul!) was on a roll
I’ve been told he can’t be sold
He’s not vicious or malicious
Just dee-lovely and delicious
I couldn’t ask for another
Someone’s in this torso (yeah)
Hot! Gotta deal you wanna know (wanna know)
Dee-Liteful truly Dee-Liteful (liteful)
Makin’ it doin’ it 'specially at show (show)
Feeling kinda high like a Hendrix haze (haze)
Music makes motion moves like a maze (maze)
All inside of me (side)
Heart especially (yeah)
Help of the rhythm where I wanna be (c’mon)
Flowin’ glowin’ with electric eyes (ha)
You dip to the dive baby you’ll realize (yeah)
Baby you’ll see the funky side of me
Baby you’ll see that rhythm is the key (hmm!)
Get get ready with it (with it)
Can’t can’t quit it (quit it)
Stomp on the stoop when I hear a funk loop (loop)
Playing Pied Piper
Follow what’s true
Baby just sing about the groove (sing it)
Groove is in the hea-a-a-art (na-na-na-na)
Groove is in the hea-a-a-art (na-na-na-na)
Groove is in the hea-a-a-art (na-na-na-na)
Groove is in the hea-a-a-art1-2-3 brrrrr
Blow them horns, oh lord
Groove is in the heart
Groove is in the hea-a-a-art (yeah)
Groove is in the hea-a-a-art
Groove is in the hea-a-a-art
Groove is in the hea-a-a-art(laughs)
C’mon, ya’ll are…(laughs) ya’ll are crazy, man




Mmmm Mmmm Mmmm Mmmm
Once there was this kid who
Got into an accident and couldn't come to school
But when he finally came back
His hair had turned from black into bright white
He said that it was from when
The cars had smashed so hard

Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm
Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm

Once there was this girl who
Wouldn't go and change with the girls in the change room
But when they finally made her
They saw birthmarks all over her body
She couldn't quite explain it
They'd always just been there

Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm
Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm

But both girl and boy were glad
'Cause one kid had it worse than that
'Cause then there was this boy whose
Parents made him come directly home right after school
And when they went to their church
They shook and lurched all over the church floor
He couldn't quite explain it
They'd always just gone there

Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm
Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm