Lyrics vs rhythm/beat/feeling of a song?

[Plane Stress]

When you listen to a song, are you more affected by the lyrics or by the music itself? What do you look for in a song? For me, I definitely pay more attention to the music than the lyrics... a lot of times, I don't really hear them, or at least it rarely bothers me not to understand the words of a song. I get much more pleasure out of how a song flows or picking out how the different musical elements of it fit together. Anyone have any thoughts on this?

[Synamon]

Lyrics for me, I'm a sucker for a sappy ballad or folk song. The music is secondary.

[Cygnus]

The music. Voice is just another instrument, the words are a secondary consideration. It is also why I can appreciate songs from other cultures, when I have no clue what the words are :)

[rwyatt365]

The music, without a doubt. If the music doesn't touch me, then I can't hear the words no matter how profound they may be. But I can listen to (what I perceive to be) great music regardless of the content of the lyrics. I often listen to vocal pieces where the artist is singing in a language that I don't know, and that doesn't bother me in the least bit. Family members often ask me, "What are they saying?", to which I reply, "I don't know." They look at me like I told them I had a three-headed snake in my pocket.

[Gazelle]

Music, definitely. Lyrics could be anything. It's the music that infuses them with emotional power.

[Harmony]

Mostly music, but occasionally someone comes up with some damn good lyrics that catch my attention more than music.

[Airfire]

Music. Lyrics are irrelevant in most cases. I find voices muddle the instrumental clarity, are often incoherent, and are brought down by the need for "rhyme time."

[Allie]

Music.

Music helps connect to the lyrics for me.

[Polymath]

The music and the music only. If I want to hear poetry I'll read poetry (I despise poetry :laugh:).

[Shorgenfunkel]

Music first, lyrics last. The music creates the raw emotions that drive the song, and the lyrics are a device that can funnel those emotions into a specific meaning. However, the raw, visceral, base feelings created by the melodies, rhythms, harmonies, timbre, etc. are more important.

Vocals also contain notes, and are part of the overall harmony. They often push glorious music over the edge into even more glory. They can also push bad music even lower.

There are tons of lyrics that grab me and make me feel something, but they'd be nothing if they were read in text. Even if the rhythm/tone of spoken word is what gets you more than the words themselves, that's still the music.

[Merle]

Music first, lyrics last. The music creates the raw emotions that drive the song, and the lyrics are a device that can funnel those emotions into a specific meaning. However, the raw, visceral, base feelings created by the melodies, rhythms, harmonies, timbre, etc. are more important.

Vocals also contain notes, and are part of the overall harmony. They often push glorious music over the edge into even more glory. They can also push bad music even lower.

There are tons of lyrics that grab me and make me feel something, but they'd be nothing if they were read in text. Even if the rhythm/tone of spoken word is what gets you more than the words themselves, that's still the music.

you read my mind.

I used to have massive arguments with my ex over this exact topic. To make it worse, he found really schlocky, sentimental lyrics the most *real* emotionally. eugh.
Um, I sound mean... but it was a specific instance of a much larger personality clash between us and so got blown out of all proportion.:blush:

Actually, I suppose my very favourite songs are those where the lyrical meaning and the emotion of the music clash, like in a lot of Beach Boys songs.


The music that moves me the most, though, is almost always without lyrics. Schubert's Death and the Maiden for example.

[Gazelle]

I used to have massive arguments with my ex over this exact topic. To make it worse, he found really schlocky, sentimental lyrics the most *real* emotionally. eugh.
Um, I sound mean... but it was a specific instance of a much larger personality clash between us and so got blown out of all proportion.:blush:


Ugh. I'm sorry. That sounds awful!

[integratedvelocity]

I actually prefer vocal music in foreign languages. I get the beauty of the human voice without being distracted by often stupid lyrics.

[Plane Stress]

Interesting trend so far. I have heard plenty of people say "I listen to music for the words" or send me a song because of the lyrics, which never really made sense to me. After thinking about this some more, though, I actually prefer songs with singing in it... I don't think it matters what language it is, maybe I just like the sound of human voices or something.

[Aya]

It's the "music" that comes first for me than the lyrics. And for some songs they happen to be both excellent.

Shame that sometimes the "music" is excellent but the lyrics are just STUPID (actually the case of many songs) but I still wanna hear it pretending not to listen to the lyrics.

[ElstonGunn]

It's tough to say. There are certain styles of music that I will not like no matter how good the lyrics are, which makes me think that I pay more attention to the music. On the other hand, if the musical style falls within my "not annoying" range, then I can forgive poor instrumentation if the words are really good, so I think I'm more of a lyrics guy. ...I guess I'd take "both" if that were an option, even though it's a bit of a cop-out.

[Anumidium]

I'd have to say music. I like music without words or in languages I don't understand, but if a song's musical aesthetic clashes with mine I will not listen to it no matter what the lyrics say. Profound lyrics with good music is the best combination, though.

[Linwenilid]

Music, all the way. I even tend to listen at uttered words as instruments themselves: alliteration as percussion, long vowels as wind instruments, etc. Ultimately, their meaning bears no importance at all.

But yeah, a few lyrics are just too good to miss.

[SRVcardsfan27]

Music is about the only way I'm able to understand my emotions. I listen to blues and jazz music constantly, and it is a religion to me. Lyrics don't mean much at all to me; and I could (and oftentimes do) listen to Joe Satriani for hours at a time.

[intellael]

Music is primary. My preference is for instrumentals or music in languages other than mine. Often, I have not understood the words for years later.

[Hitorijime]

Definitely the music. There have been times when I've stopped loving the song because of the lyrics, despite the music, but that's pretty rare. I always love songs with foreign lyrics, though, just because I don't understand what is being sung. I always feel like I understand these songs more than the songs with lyrics I can understand.

[Ranie9]

Definitely the music. I've actually been looking for a way to strip the vocals out of certain songs, because they ruin the song. However, there are some powerful lyrics out there.

[Cocoa]

Wow, I'm one of the few that said lyrics.

[PortInStorm]

Lyrics here too! I love instrumental as well, but if you ARE going to put lyrics in a song, you damn well better make sure they're high quality! I think often artists think that as long as the music's got a good 'hook', they're good to just slap some overused lyrics to it and call it a day. That's a copout. Good music is only half the job done.

I think a lot of us are saying the same thing in different ways. Many of you say (bad) lyrics ruin the music, and I'm saying lyrics are most important to me because without them you don't have a good song. Same deal.

[SmileyMan]

Definately music. Lyrics are, as post #2 mentioned, nothing but another instrument. I do not listen to their meaning but to their feeling.

[Doki]

The music, can't really jump around to an Obama speech like you can with DJ Casper.

[Brittle]

Definitely the music. It amuses my partner that I'm more likely to be able to give the complete instrumental break-down for just about any song I love, but wouldn't have a clue to half the lyrics.

[2obvious]

Really?! I thought we were idea people, here.

Lyrics. Music is a glorified metronome.

[Samoan Corleone]

I voted music. The instrumental of a song enhances the lyrics, and the instrumental can also stand on its own.
If Kanye West's Flashing Lights didn't have such a great beat, I don't know if I'd still like it. It's such a great beat Soulja Boy could rap over it and Nickelback could sing over it, all at the same time.

[Linwenilid]

I think a lot of us are saying the same thing in different ways. Many of you say (bad) lyrics ruin the music, and I'm saying lyrics are most important to me because without them you don't have a good song. Same deal.

I really don't mind stupid lyrics; I've surprised myself singing the most ridiculous lyrics (from pop songs, usually), because they're very catchy.:cheesy:

Really?! I thought we were idea people, here.

Are you saying that musical ideas don't exist?:suspicious:

[Brittle]

I really don't mind stupid lyrics; I've surprised myself singing the most ridiculous lyrics (from pop songs, usually), because they're very catchy.:cheesy:


Give it to me baby, uh huh, uh huh
Give it to me baby, uh huh, uh huh
Give it to me baby, uh huh, uh huh

Uno dos tres cuatro cinco cinco ses




....love it! :shhh:

[Plane Stress]

I really like a lot of pop songs with stupid lyrics, and I'll even sing along to them in my mind (or at least something like them sort of), but it's still the way the lyrics sound that's important. I find that a lot of pop songs have really catchy, regular beats, which is what I like in music.

[Shorgenfunkel]

Really?! I thought we were idea people, here.

Lyrics. Music is a glorified metronome.

Really?! I thought we were the ultimate pragmatists, here.

Music. Lyrics are glorified grunts.

---------------------

In seriousness, neither music nor lyrics can be stripped to its furthest back-formation for anything but conceptual purposes. If you're clinically tone deaf, my condolences, but otherwise, "glorified metronome" just doesn't hold up under actual listening.

Besides, "metronome" only accounts for one axis of music, namely the rhythm. What about the "glorified set of pitch pipes?" And when you get into articulations and timbre, you'll be hard-pressed to find simple all-purpose things to glorify.

[DRog]

Heh. "Glorified grunts." Yeah, it's more music for me. I think Gazelle made a good point about how the music is what makes the emotional connection. I won't pay attention to the lyrics if the music doesn't first draw me in. And if it doesn't, I certainly won't listen to the song very often either. Oddly enough, when playing with my band, I usually pay no attention to the lyrics, thinking of the vocals merely as another (less well-tuned) instrument.

As others have mentioned, I'm amused by songs today that have random and admittedly pointless lyrics, but a catchy hook. There may not be much of a message, but there's plenty of emotion. It's really like a spectrum, with feeling and message being the opposing extremes. Honestly, I'd really rather listen to music that is very strong in both areas.

[DewFuel]

Give it to me baby, uh huh, uh huh
Give it to me baby, uh huh, uh huh
Give it to me baby, uh huh, uh huh

Uno dos tres cuatro cinco cinco ses




....love it! :shhh:

he asked for a 13 but they drew a 31

[2obvious]

Are you saying that musical ideas don't exist?:suspicious:

Are you suspicious because I'm right-handed?

No, one doesn't follow the other, Master of Logic. Hyperbole.


In seriousness, neither music nor lyrics can be stripped to its furthest back-formation for anything but conceptual purposes.

"Music versus lyrics": seems like Thunderdome rules to me.


Besides, "metronome" only accounts for one axis of music, namely the rhythm. What about the "glorified set of pitch pipes?" And when you get into articulations and timbre, you'll be hard-pressed to find simple all-purpose things to glorify.

You may have a point there. By lyrics, I meant "vocals." (Static words on a page aren't nearly as enervating.) The way something is said is often as important as the message itself. But isn't that implied? Words devoid from context do not a point make.

[DewFuel]

Music is a glorified metronome.

Tell that to Beethoven :thinking:

[Nikita]

I can get lost in the music even when I don't like the lyrics. But, when you put the two together, the song almost feels like it becomes ingrained in my blood.

[Plane Stress]

I can get lost in the music even when I don't like the lyrics. But, when you put the two together, the song almost feels like it becomes ingrained in my blood.

Yes, I agree. But when the lyrics are good and the music is bad, it's hopeless trying to like the song.

[Winterstorm]

Sometimes music (especially when I listen to instrumental songs :P), sometimes both, but never lyrics over music. For me lyrics are natural expansion of music.

[Eric86]

atmosphere>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>all else

[Deadgod]

Really influenced by the choice of notes of used, key signature, ambiance, tempi, timbre; music pretty much. I do expect the lyrics to make sense and have meaning to them, however.

[John F Kennedy]

When I listen to music I really just listen to the music, not the lyrics. I find it very hard to concentrate on the words sung and I'm wondering if anyone has a psychological explanation to this or has a similar experience. I can listen to a whole song and not have a clue about what the singer is singing unless I really concentrate on it, and even then my concentration is poor.

[theunstrungharp]

Not that music has a point, necessarily, but...... I don't think the point of music is anything about pointing to "music" or "lyrics" and judging it based on one of these, standing alone, without the other. WTF?

This is like saying, "I really like Monet's green, but his red was lame."

[joshy]

i think of every instrument that is part of the song as equal. and since i think of vocals as just another instrument, they are both equally important to me. but i'm not saying that a song without lyrics is bad; if the band can exclude an instrument and still make it work, then it works.