Talk:Breakaway (Kelly Clarkson song)

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The descriptions of songs in these pop-music articles can be mildly amusing in their hyperbole, but there's a serious side. this is an encyclopædia, and we need to bear that in mind. Aside from avoiding purple prose and exaggeration, words should be used correctly; the term "anthem" for example, seems to be seen as little more than a synonym for "song" — it isn't. It has a specific meaning (namely "a song of loyalty or devotion", as to a nation or college (e.g. a national anthem), or a musical composition for a choir set as part ofa church service, or a religious chant sung antiphonally).

While on this subject, note that a plethora isn't just a lot, but an excess, and that a hiatus isn't just a break (as in a holiday), but a gap from which something is missing (usually used with regard to manuscripts and the like). --Mel Etitis (Μελ Ετητης) 22:41, 17 September 2005 (UTC)

I do not understand what the anonymous user is trying to communicate. Is he attempting to indicate that the repetitive use of the word "song" is vexing? Winnermario 12:43, 18 September 2005 (UTC)

No, it's just that (as you've probably noticed) these articles are written in a sort of music-journalist style — full of peculiar misuses of words, overblown language, and a specific brand of jargon. Words like "anthem" are in the first and second categories (similarly, all sorts of verbs misused simply to mean "say", such as "cite", "affirm", etc.). It makes the skin crawl of anyone who either loves language or sees it as a useful tool for precise communication. It's part and parcel of the use of the personal names of the various pop singers (giving a spurious impression of intimacy, as if they're personal friends of "Mariah" or "Kelly" or whoever). (But it's not an anonymous editor.) --Mel Etitis (Μελ Ετητης) 18:38, 18 September 2005 (UTC)

Mel, I think the anthem usage should be put back in. Maybe thats what anthem meant back in the day, but nowadays it has taken on a broader meaning. Look at rock and roll anthem and gay anthem. Unless those articles get deleted, I don't see why we can't label the song as a coming of age anthem if those are allowed to stay OmegaWikipedia 21:37, 18 September 2005 (UTC)

But they're again in the realm of pop music, which was my point. Also, articles can explain usage, but we're no thereby committed to following it. --Mel Etitis (Μελ Ετητης) 09:54, 19 September 2005 (UTC)

I did not look into the history, so my apologies to the editor above who chose not to sign his/her name.

I have noticed just a couple of word misuses in some of Clarkson's single articles, but none are too major to really give someone a kick in the pants. They should, of course, be edited, but I think these music singles articles are exhibited to internet users in a strange fashion. Do the words "flop" and "chart topper" count as encyclopedeic? (Pardon my spelling.) Winnermario 21:30, 18 September 2005 (UTC)

I agree; I usually replace "flop" with "failure" when I see it; "chart-topper" involves a recasting of the sentence, usually. --Mel Etitis (Μελ Ετητης) 09:54, 19 September 2005 (UTC)

That's easy to rephrase, but I prefer something like, "It was her fourth number-one", or something along the lines of that. Winnermario 23:41, 20 September 2005 (UTC)

[edit] YouTube links

This article is one of thousands on Wikipedia that have a link to YouTube in it. Based on the External links policy, most of these should probably be removed. I'm putting this message on the talk page, to request the regular editors take a look at the link and make sure it doesn't violate policy. In short: 1. 99% of the time YouTube should not be used as a source. 2. We must not link to material violating someone's copyright. If you are not sure whether the link on this article should be removed or if you would like to help spread this message, contact us on User talk:J.smith/YouTube Linklist. Thanks, ---J.S (t|c) 00:50, 12 November 2006 (UTC)