Beautiful Waste: A Journey Through the Poetry of David McComb

In her 2003 book, Beautiful Waste, the talented writer and artist, Kate Zambreno, observed that the work of David McComb, the late lead singer and songwriter of The Triffids, was ‘a body of work, often beautiful, that is also always aware of its own waste and transience.’

Beautiful Waste: Poems by David McComb

by Chris Coughran

4.4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1408 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Print length	:	110 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

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This is a perceptive observation, and one that goes to the heart of McComb's unique and compelling artistry. McComb's songs are often suffused with a sense of melancholy and loss, but they are also shot through with moments of great beauty and hope. His lyrics are full of vivid imagery and evocative language, and his melodies are both haunting and memorable.

McComb was born in Perth, Western Australia, in 1962. He began playing guitar and writing songs as a teenager, and he formed The Triffids in 1978. The band released seven studio albums and toured extensively throughout Australia and Europe. McComb's songs were often inspired by his own experiences, and they often dealt with themes of love, loss, and the search for meaning in a difficult world.

McComb died in 1999 at the age of 36. He had been suffering from depression and alcohol abuse for many years, and his death was a tragic loss for the music world. However, his legacy lives on through his music, which continues to be loved and admired by fans around the world.

In this article, we will explore the poetry of David McComb, and we will examine some of the themes that run through his work. We will also discuss McComb's influence on other musicians and artists, and we will consider his legacy as one of the most important and influential songwriters of his generation.

The Poetry of David McComb

David McComb was a gifted poet, and his lyrics are full of vivid imagery and evocative language. He was also a master of melody, and his songs are both haunting and memorable. McComb's lyrics often dealt with themes of love, loss, and the search for meaning in a difficult world.

One of McComb's most famous songs is "Wide Open Road," which was released on The Triffids' 1986 album, Born Sandy Devotional. The song is a meditation on the open road and the search for freedom and adventure. McComb's lyrics are full of vivid imagery, and the song's melody is both haunting and beautiful.

I'm gonna hit the wide open road Gonna leave this town behind Gonna follow the sun 'Til I reach the great divide I'm gonna see the world Gonna live my dream Gonna find my place In this wide open stream

Another one of McComb's most famous songs is "Bury Me Deep in Love," which was released on The Triffids' 1989 album, Calenture. The song is a beautiful and moving ballad about the power of love.

Bury me deep in love Let the earth cover me Bury me deep in love Let the earth set me free I'll be waiting for you In the fields of endless green I'll be waiting for you Where the rivers gently gleam

McComb's songs are full of personal experiences, and they often deal with difficult subject matter. However, his songs are also full of hope and beauty. McComb was a brilliant songwriter, and his songs continue to inspire and move people around the world.

The Themes of David McComb's Poetry

The poetry of David McComb is full of a wide range of themes, including love, loss, and the search for meaning in a difficult world. McComb's songs often deal with personal experiences, and they are often suffused with a sense of melancholy and loss. However, his songs are also full of hope and beauty.

One of the most common themes in McComb's poetry is the theme of love. McComb's songs are full of love songs, and he often wrote about the power of love to both heal and destroy.

Love is the only thing that matters Love is the only thing that's true Love is the only thing that can save us From this world of pain and strife

Another common theme in McComb's poetry is the theme of loss. McComb's songs often deal with the loss of loved ones, and he often wrote about the pain and grief that comes with loss.

I lost my love I lost my way I lost my faith I lost my mind

However, McComb's songs are not all about love and loss. McComb also wrote about the search for meaning in a difficult world. His songs often deal with the themes of hope and redemption, and he often wrote about the power of music to heal and inspire.

I'm searching for a meaning In this world of pain and strife I'm searching for a reason To keep on living my life

McComb's songs are full of personal experiences, and they often deal with difficult subject matter. However, his songs are also full of hope and beauty. McComb was a brilliant songwriter, and his songs continue to inspire and move people around the world.

The Influence of David McComb

David McComb was one of the most important and influential songwriters of his generation. His songs have been covered by a wide range of artists, including Nick Cave, The National, and Sufjan Stevens. McComb's music has also been used in films and television shows, and his songs have been translated into a number of languages.

McComb's influence can be heard in the music of many contemporary artists. His songs have inspired a new generation of songwriters to write honest and personal lyrics, and to explore the darker side of the human experience.

McComb was a unique and talented artist, and his music continues to inspire and move people around the world. His songs are a testament to the power of music to heal and inspire, and they will continue to be enjoyed for generations to come.

Beautiful Waste: Poems by David McComb

by Chris Coughran

4.4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1408 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Print length	:	110 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE