AI and VDP

It’s dispiriting to see so much AI-generated blather about stuff one loves. Example: this explanation of Van Dyke Parks’s “Dreaming of Paris.” A sample passage:

The lyrics of the song are poetic and thought-provoking, allowing the listener to interpret its meaning in their own unique way. It is a song that invites introspection and reflection, encouraging listeners to delve deeper into their own desires and dreams. Through its enchanting melody and evocative lyrics, “Dreaming of Paris” captures the essence of longing for something beyond the ordinary and the beauty of pursuing one’s passions.

Yeah, sure. I’m reminded of what it’s like to read the work of a student who hasn’t done the reading.

One more:

While Parks has not explicitly mentioned any specific events or experiences that directly influenced “Dreaming of Paris”, it is evident that his love for the city and its rich cultural history played a significant role in shaping the song. It is likely that his personal encounters, observations, and memories of Paris have influenced the lyrical themes and overall ambiance of the song.

The really sad part is that the website presenting this blather embeds a brief video in which VDP talks about the events that underlie the song: the assassination of Martin Luther King and Robert Kennedy, a trip to Paris, a second trip to Paris, the Iraq War. Listen: the historical realities are in the song itself.

There’s a name attached to the writing on the website, but I say it’s AI, and I say the hell with it. If I’m wrong, I’ll eat my copy of “Dreaming of Paris” (Bananastan, 2011), even the sleeve by Ed Ruscha, who just did the sleeve for the Beatles’ “Now and Then.”

A related post
Van Dyke Parks, two singles