pop music wisdom
this self-initiated project began while marcus kraft was travelling in asia: it had been raining cats and dogs for a week. to keep his spirits up, he listened to a lot of music. this made him realize that lots of songs give good advice or worldly wisdom. soon, the collection had a remarkable number ... over 900 songs.
back home, he painted the songs with black ink in his distinctive typographic handwriting. many of the lyrics are supposed to be serious; some of them are said with a wink; all of them have the ability to make us view something from a different perspective.
the songs represent the popular music styles from the last 70 years: from rock to folk, and from punk to hip hop. It’s a collection of famous advice songs, but there are also many surprises.
In 2012, the first book don’t eat the yellow snow got published and struck a chord with the audience. soon, it became a worldwide bestseller and it is nowadays sold in the finest gift shops and in some of the world’s most important art museums.
over the years, the pop music wisdom brand got consistently expanded and now comprises clothing, posters, publications, wines and various accessories. all products, curated playlists and more information can be found on popmusicwisdom.com.
various exhibitions of the original ink drawings were held and were very well received, including the closing exhibition of the legendary concept store colette in paris, france.
project details
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pop music wisdom is a self-initiated project by marcus kraft, collecting advice, observations and worldly wisdom found in popular song lyrics. the idea emerged while travelling in asia, when listening to music became a way to stay optimistic during a long period of rain. noticing how many songs offer unexpected insights into life, the collection grew to include more than 900 songs spanning over seven decades of popular music.
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the project brings together the wit, wisdom and occasional absurdity of popular music. from rock, folk and punk to hip hop, the selected lyrics range from sincere life advice to ironic observations and unexpected perspectives. each phrase becomes a small piece of everyday philosophy, inviting the audience to rediscover familiar songs and encounter lesser-known musical gems.
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at the heart of pop music wisdom is a distinctive typographic language. each selected phrase is painted by hand in black ink, transforming song lyrics into expressive typographic compositions. the individual character of the handwriting gives the words a direct, personal quality, balancing the meaning of each phrase with the visual rhythm of the lettering.
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the first book, don’t eat the yellow snow, was published in 2012 and became an international bestseller. the project subsequently expanded into a broader brand encompassing books, postcards, posters, clothing, wine and accessories. the original ink drawings have also been exhibited internationally, including at colette in paris for the concept store’s closing exhibition.
pop music wisdom continues to bring together music, typography and everyday wisdom across a growing collection of products and creative formats.
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project: pop music wisdom
type: self-initiated project and independent brand
since: 2012
services: concept development, art direction, hand lettering, typographic design, editorial design, book design, product design and brand development -
concept, art direction & design: studio marcus kraft, model photography: lukas maeder, books & cards: bis publishers, wine edition: weingut zähringer