On My Way to Where

by Dory Previn

A book of poems by Dory Previn.

117 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1971

About the author

Dory Previn, born Dorothy Veronica Langan, was an American lyricist, singer-songwriter, poet and memoirist.

During the late 1950s and 1960s, she was a lyricist on songs intended for motion pictures and, with her then husband, André Previn, received several Academy Award nominations. In the 1970s, after their divorce, she released six albums of original songs and an acclaimed live album. Previn's lyrics from this period are characterised by their originality, irony and honesty in dealing with her troubled personal life as well as more generally about relationships, sexuality, religion and psychology. Until her death, she continued to work as a writer of song lyrics and prose.

Reviews

[Madison Grace · Rating 3 out of 5]

This may be the first volume of true confessional poetry that I’ve ever read — I don’t consider Sylvia Plath to be a confessional poet, and I’ve never read Anne Sexton. So, strangely, this out-of-print volume by Dory Previn was my introduction, and it was a fine one. Only a few of these poems really blew me away (“Lemon Haired-Ladies” and “Listen” come to mind immediately), but the rhythm of her voice and the frankness of her words felt like a rich, heartfelt song that was hard to turn my ear from. These poems are earnest and honest, if not a bit simplistic. But one doesn’t need to be a maestro to be a brilliant artist. I think of the drummer Meg White, or the singer Allison Statton, who are far from virtuosos, but whose raw passion and complete honesty as artists and performers captivate me more than the skills of John Bonham or the range of Mariah Carey. Previn is similar. These poems are not ornately crafted works of art, but clear-eyed cries that reach your heart first and foremost. If I see her name again in the future, it will bring a warm feeling.

[Robert Jr. · Rating 2 out of 5]

The poetry felt really repetitive to me. Maybe, lyric poetry is not my thing as some of these poems are actual songs taken from the author's albums and others were meant to be. However, I found three poems that I did like, hence the rating of two stars for the book. I enjoyed Mary C. Brown and the Hollywood Sign [pg.89], For Sylvia Who Killed Herself in 1963 [pg.100] the repetition in the last stanza was good and Scared to be Alone [pg.106]. I don't have much else to say about this one, I can't recommend it although the three poems I mention are worth checking out if you get the chance.

[Emily Koester · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautifully written.

[Gvantsa!]

How I adore you Dory Previn
Turned you up to eleven for the band's ears to bleed