I pretty much never pay attention to lyrics in music

[space]

I don't even know the lyrics to most of my favorite songs. I mostly consider vocals as just another instrument, ie it just has to fit well with the rest of the music.

This sort of occured to me because I couldn't think of any answers for the songs about mothers/fathers/etc. thread despite the fact that I probably know plenty and it's just because I never paid attention to the lyrics.

Am I the only one like this?

[orvonton]

I don't even know the lyrics to most of my favorite songs. I mostly consider vocals as just another instrument, ie it just has to fit well with the rest of the music.

This sort of occured to me because I couldn't think of any answers for the songs about mothers/fathers/etc. thread despite the fact that I probably know plenty and it's just because I never paid attention to the lyrics.

Am I the only one like this?

Well, there just aren't that any good songs about Brothers or Dads, and all the good songs about wives are old country songs.

[mighty joe moon]

Well, there just aren't that any good songs about Brothers or Dads, and all the good songs about wives are old country songs.
didn't see that thread but a song about father/son relationships is One by U2. another is A Boy Named Sue by johnny cash.

as for the thread topic: it depends on the music. if i'm listening to bands like mogwai, yo la tengo, or even sonic youth i don't listen to the lyrics much. acts like johnny cash, neil young, the silver jews, and lambchop i do. for some it depends on the song and the mix. if the vocals are way in the back they become less important.

[LocoPopo]

I don't even know the lyrics to most of my favorite songs. I mostly consider vocals as just another instrument, ie it just has to fit well with the rest of the music.

This sort of occured to me because I couldn't think of any answers for the songs about mothers/fathers/etc. thread despite the fact that I probably know plenty and it's just because I never paid attention to the lyrics.

Am I the only one like this?
I don't care about the lyrics till later. Lyrics is just another layer in the composition aspect to me. Good rhythm, melody and layering is what I subconciously pay attention to.

[Bigwig]

I'm sort of in the middle. I pay attention to the lyrics, but I don't pay much attention to their meaning.

[Wirdama]

Am I the only one like this?
Nope. I can't compose lyrics, either, although I can conceive of the way I think it should sound. I plan to title my first album "Shraaah Zool Garuah Baaaaaah."

[orvonton]

didn't see that thread but a song about father/son relationships is One by U2. another is A Boy Named Sue by johnny cash.

as for the thread topic: it depends on the music. if i'm listening to bands like mogwai, yo la tengo, or even sonic youth i don't listen to the lyrics much. acts like johnny cash, neil young, the silver jews, and lambchop i do. for some it depends on the song and the mix. if the vocals are way in the back they become less important.
Didn't even think about A Boy Named Sue, good call.

[Rogertron]

I pay attention to everything. Vocal performance, lyrics, guitar/bass/drum/keyboard performance, etc. . . & the song itself.

[space]

didn't see that thread but a song about father/son relationships is One by U2.



See, I didn't even know One was about father/son relationships. Not that I particularly like that song, but I've sure heard it plenty of times.

[Thorin Oakenshield]

I note exceptional lyrics when I hear them, but I can also generally block out average to crappy ones.
Meaning is often interesting to ponder, but most of the artists I listen to have lyrics that are either so transparent or random that bothering with "deeper meanings" is pointless.

I do like a good story-song, though.

[mighty joe moon]

I note exceptional lyrics when I hear them, but I can also generally block out average to crappy ones.
Meaning is often interesting to ponder, but most of the artists I listen to have lyrics that are either so transparent or random that bothering with "deeper meanings" is pointless.

I do like a good story-song, though.
i think that crappy or average lyrics usually come from a crappy band. good bands usually either have good or meaningless lyrics. if you're trying to invest some meaning in words and you fail miserably its much worse than not trying at all. furthermore a good band in terms of musical (non vocal) ability will usually find a good singer and lyric writer.

[Aubergine]

The song writers that have a message rather than some random rhyming stuff will usually combine vocals and music in a way that makes you pay attention.

[Thorin Oakenshield]

i think that crappy or average lyrics usually come from a crappy band. good bands usually either have good or meaningless lyrics. if you're trying to invest some meaning in words and you fail miserably its much worse than not trying at all. furthermore a good band in terms of musical (non vocal) ability will usually find a good singer and lyric writer.
I generally agree with that. I was mainly refering to the slightly whiny and/or generic lyrics that crop up occasionally even in good lyricists.
I mean, the album in your avatar is the one that contains those deep, resonant lines "I stood up and I said yeah! I stood up and said hey, yeah, yeah, yeah!"
I'd most definately say any artist with nothing but crappy lyrics should be avoided.

[Cry Little Sister]

I dont understand people who dont pay attention to lyrics.

That would be like getting a letter and only paying attention to the penmanship.

[space]

I dont understand people who dont pay attention to lyrics.

That would be like getting a letter and only paying attention to the penmanship.

yeah, but maybe the penmanship is really beautiful and you're not really interested in what the person has to say.

[mighty joe moon]

I generally agree with that. I was mainly refering to the slightly whiny and/or generic lyrics that crop up occasionally even in good lyricists.
I mean, the album in your avatar is the one that contains those deep, resonant lines "I stood up and I said yeah! I stood up and said hey, yeah, yeah, yeah!"
I'd most definately say any artist with nothing but crappy lyrics should be avoided.
the great thing about the lyrics from the lips or say mercury rev is that they are so simplistic. granted in isolation they can be viewed as quite banal, but by the same merit they show confidence in the universal ideas being expressed.

the example you quote is so simple and (at first listen) so cliche that an artist of less confidence wouldn't write the song for fear of being dismissed as childish. hence, most truly painful lyrics fall into the category of over-reaching rather than under-writing. in the case of the song you refer to, it appears to be a very generic affirmation. however in the context of the song (about an overly optimistic hallucination induced by a head trauma) it works.

[Grebdron]

"Good" music I pay attention to. Well-written lyrics can be great. Tool, Metallica, Rush...the lyrics are more important than the music, often.

[crossapply]

I dont understand people who dont pay attention to lyrics.

That would be like getting a letter and only paying attention to the penmanship.
what's music without lyrics like...just paper?

The trouble with comparing mediums is that you have to pay attention what makes them different. Listening to music, as an experience of art, is different in significant ways from reading a book (or letter, and have you heard of caligraphy?) from watching a movie.

[space]

...the lyrics are more important than the music, often.

This could never be true for me.

Or, to put it another way, it is unlikely that I'd ever like a band for which this was true.

[crossapply]

Am I the only one like this?When I listen to operatic music, beyond knowing the general outline of the plot and character motivations, I don't know what exactly is being said, even when they're singing in English.

With the other types of music I listent to, I listen for good phrases and good phrasing. They tend to compliment each other.

[The_Devils_Cheeseburger]

I pay attention to it all. I love understanding the real meaning behind songs, and what the artist has to say.
There are alot of sites that let people explain what the artist is trying to say.

[MadMark]

I don't even know the lyrics to most of my favorite songs. I mostly consider vocals as just another instrument, ie it just has to fit well with the rest of the music.

This sort of occured to me because I couldn't think of any answers for the songs about mothers/fathers/etc. thread despite the fact that I probably know plenty and it's just because I never paid attention to the lyrics.

Am I the only one like this?
Gosh! If you don't listen to lyrics, you miss out on such relevant meaning!!!


Take this Police song for example:

De do do do, de da da da
Is all I want to say to you
De do do do, de da da da
Their innocence will pull me through
De do do do, de da da da
Is all I want to say to you
De do do do, de da da da
They're meaningless and all that's true

[Fatty Macbutterpants]

Most unnecessary lyric ever:

Her placenta falls
to the floor

[Thyrsos]

I don't even know the lyrics to most of my favorite songs. I mostly consider vocals as just another instrument, ie it just has to fit well with the rest of the music.

This sort of occured to me because I couldn't think of any answers for the songs about mothers/fathers/etc. thread despite the fact that I probably know plenty and it's just because I never paid attention to the lyrics.

Am I the only one like this?

I don't read books either. I just like the pictures. I'm probably not missing anything.

[stork-lor]

"Good" music I pay attention to. Well-written lyrics can be great. Tool, Metallica, Rush...the lyrics are more important than the music, often.Bah... Tool's lyrics can be dark and moody, and quite appropriate to the music... but Peart is a garbage lyricist and always has been, and Metallica have terrible lyrics. Silliness reigns supreme.

[moviegoof]

For some reason I've been humming Red Tape (by Agent Provocateur) lately.... But I couldn't 'hear' what they are saying even after I've looked up the lyrics on the net.

[stork-lor]

De do do do, de da da da
Is all I want to say to you
De do do do, de da da da
Their innocence will pull me through
De do do do, de da da da
Is all I want to say to you
De do do do, de da da da
They're meaningless and all that's trueIncredibly relevant meaning, actually, given the rest of the song. On their own, of course, they sound kind of dumb, but then again, "shoulda been gone long ago" sounds kind of pointless if you don't have the rest of Ohio around it, too.

[Drizzle]

I don't even know the lyrics to most of my favorite songs. I mostly consider vocals as just another instrument, ie it just has to fit well with the rest of the music.

This sort of occured to me because I couldn't think of any answers for the songs about mothers/fathers/etc. thread despite the fact that I probably know plenty and it's just because I never paid attention to the lyrics.

Am I the only one like this?
Well, I do listen to lyrics, but with artists like Beck the above is quite often true.

[space]

I don't read books either. I just like the pictures. I'm probably not missing anything.
Yeah, but if I want interesting words or phrases, I'll read a book or poetry. Music is all about the beats and/or melody to me.

[space]

Well, I do listen to lyrics, but with artists like Beck the above is quite often true.
I should say that in a way Beck's lyrics are incredibly good because the sounds of the words he uses work so well with the music (probably one of the best examples of this is 'Lazy Flies').

[MadMark]

Incredibly relevant meaning, actually, given the rest of the song. On their own, of course, they sound kind of dumb, but then again, "shoulda been gone long ago" sounds kind of pointless if you don't have the rest of Ohio around it, too.
Thanks for ruining my joke!

THANKS ALOT, Stork!


;)

[stork-lor]

Incidentally: lyrics can be incredibly important to a song, or not. Lyrics can be good for their meaning, for their rhythm, for their innate sound, for their message, for their humor, for their raw sexuality, and so on. Storytelling lyrics are good, and so are evocative imagistic lyrics. So are lyrics born of the peculiarities of any particular genre.

In short: as long as there's artistry behind them, lyrics are good.

[Angelo Mike]

Incidentally: lyrics can be incredibly important to a song, or not. Lyrics can be good for their meaning, for their rhythm, for their innate sound, for their message, for their humor, for their raw sexuality, and so on. Storytelling lyrics are good, and so are evocative imagistic lyrics. So are lyrics born of the peculiarities of any particular genre.

In short: as long as there's artistry behind them, lyrics are good.
Nope.

[ColonelLipnick]

Nope.
What's this? Have you adopted BigWig's schtick?

[stork-lor]

Nope.Excellent point. You've really convinced me.

Incidentally, since you think that music in and of itself is inhuman, your opinions on what constitutes good lyrics are essentially meaningless.

Kind of like saying you think that paintings are inherently evil and an offense against humanity that cheapens our collective existence, but hey, this is really good paint.

[Angelo Mike]

What's this? Have you adopted BigWig's schtick?
I just can't believe how stupid you'd have to be to believe that the lyrics to music are more important than the melody. If that was the case, just print them out and get rid of the melody.

Not that all music isn't crap, anyways. But back in the day when I was a dumb ten year old and enjoyed listening to it, I understood that the melody was far more entertaining than trying to figure out usually indecipherable or meaningless lyrics. And even if they were decipherable and told a story, it still doesn't matter. If I wanted lots of choice words, I'd listen to a speech.

[ColonelLipnick]

I just can't believe how stupid you'd have to be to believe that the lyrics to music are more important than the melody. If that was the case, just print them out and get rid of the melody.

Not that all music isn't crap, anyways. But back in the day when I was a dumb ten year old and enjoyed listening to it, I understood that the melody was far more entertaining than trying to figure out usually indecipherable or meaningless lyrics. And even if they were decipherable and told a story, it still doesn't matter. If I wanted lots of choice words, I'd listen to a speech.
So, you don't listen to music? At all?

[stork-lor]

I just can't believe how stupid you'd have to be to believe that the lyrics to music are more important than the melody.I can't believe how stupid you'd have to be to think that I said that lyrics were more important to music than melody anywhere in my post.

In any event: setting lyrics aside for a second, music can also be anti-melodic. In fact, music can have no melody, or for that matter traditional harmony, whatsoever. This will be lost on you, but it bears saying, for those who can accept it.

[stork-lor]

So, you don't listen to music? At all?You're opening a can of worms here, Colonel. :)

[Drizzle]

I just can't believe how stupid you'd have to be to believe that the lyrics to music are more important than the melody. If that was the case, just print them out and get rid of the melody.

Not that all music isn't crap, anyways. But back in the day when I was a dumb ten year old and enjoyed listening to it, I understood that the melody was far more entertaining than trying to figure out usually indecipherable or meaningless lyrics. And even if they were decipherable and told a story, it still doesn't matter. If I wanted lots of choice words, I'd listen to a speech.
I bet you're fun at parties.

[Angelo Mike]

No, I don't listen to music. And I generally dislike parties.

[space]

No, I don't listen to music. And I generally dislike parties.
fun is overrated

[ColonelLipnick]

No, I don't listen to music. And I generally dislike parties.
Well, I'm going to finish opening this can of worms: Why don't you like music?

[space]

Well, I'm going to finish opening this can of worms: Why don't you like music?
If I remember correctly it's because it's not a true artform or something.

Also, because it's too loud and black people are good at it.

[lwilson85]

It depends on what the overall effect is supposed to be. Someone like Brian Eno uses lyrics to play around mostly. They don't really make sense in the general sense. Someone like Can uses lyrics like an instrument. The lyrics don't matter so much as how the melody sounds.

[ageispolis]

I usually consider the voice another instrument. Lyrics are nice, but it's more important that the vowels and consonants FLOW. it's the WORST when a vocalist throws in too many syllables or stretches them out awkwardly just for the sake of the lyrics.

poetry is poetry and music is music. if i'm lucky I can get both together, but I listen to music for the music!!! AND I DONT READ POETRY IT SUCKSS

[Grebdron]

but Peart is a garbage lyricist and always has been,
:eek:

I have no words.

[Angelo Mike]

Well, I'm going to finish opening this can of worms: Why don't you like music?
I find it distasteful. And here's a thread where I explained why, and got into a lengthy debate about it.

http://www.rottentomatoes.com/vine/showthread.php?t=427151&page=1&pp=30

Also, since I found this thread in my journal category of "Links of the Day", here's another link I found.

http://chaoscloud.ytmnd.com/

[Grebdron]

I find it distasteful. And here's a thread where I explained why, and got into a lengthy debate about it.

http://www.rottentomatoes.com/vine/showthread.php?t=427151&page=1&pp=30

Also, since I found this thread in my journal category of "Links of the Day", here's another link I found.

http://chaoscloud.ytmnd.com/
You're going to die a virgin.

Or kill one.

[stork-lor]

:eek:

I have no words.Neither does he. That's the problem. :D

[Grebdron]

Neither does he. That's the problem. :D
I'm honestly flabbergasted. I understand not liking Rush, but you're the first person I've ever heard claim Peart is a horrible lyricist.

[Thyrsos]

I find that a lot of song lyrics, without the music, are some of the best poetry ever written.

[stork-lor]

I'm honestly flabbergasted. I understand not liking Rush, but you're the first person I've ever heard claim Peart is a horrible lyricist.Don't get me wrong... I've got every Rush disc except for Caress Of Steel, Vapor Trails, and that covers one. I've seen 'em live twice. I could play all the tunes from memory right now. I'm a drummer from Canada, for christ's sake.

They're great. I just think that Peart is pretty hamfisted as a lyricist. He uses a lot of big words and all, but it's often at the expense of any emotion. Their music manages to turn this into an asset, but lyrically, it's a drawback. He also spends way too much time forcing the rhyme, and it often seems artless. And some of the early stuff is just cape rock at it's silliest, with supposedly profound themes that really aren't wrapped up in sci-fi/fantasy allegory and delivered with all the subtlety of a train colliding with a Buick. I mean, Hemispheres. Eeek.

He has gotten better, and has managed a few gems, Big Money in particular. But bleh for the most part.

[Grebdron]

Don't get me wrong... I've got every Rush disc except for Caress Of Steel, Vapor Trails, and that covers one. I've seen 'em live twice. I could play all the tunes from memory right now. I'm a drummer from Canada, for christ's sake.

They're great. I just think that Peart is pretty hamfisted as a lyricist. He uses a lot of big words and all, but it's often at the expense of any emotion. Their music manages to turn this into an asset, but lyrically, it's a drawback. He also spends way too much time forcing the rhyme, and it often seems artless. And some of the early stuff is just cape rock at it's silliest, with supposedly profound themes that really aren't wrapped up in sci-fi/fantasy allegory and delivered with all the subtlety of a train colliding with a Buick. I mean, Hemispheres. Eeek.

He has gotten better, and has managed a few gems, Big Money in particular. But bleh for the most part.
The Trees?

[ColonelLipnick]

I find it distasteful. And here's a thread where I explained why, and got into a lengthy debate about it.

http://www.rottentomatoes.com/vine/showthread.php?t=427151&page=1&pp=30

Also, since I found this thread in my journal category of "Links of the Day", here's another link I found.

http://chaoscloud.ytmnd.com/
Heh. You claimed that "Smells Like Teen Spirit" has no melody.

[ColonelLipnick]

AngeloMike, are your ideas on music based on internal reflection or some sort of perverse religious indoctrination? Both maybe?

[Fandango 9600]

I don't even know the lyrics to most of my favorite songs. I mostly consider vocals as just another instrument, ie it just has to fit well with the rest of the music.

This sort of occured to me because I couldn't think of any answers for the songs about mothers/fathers/etc. thread despite the fact that I probably know plenty and it's just because I never paid attention to the lyrics.

Am I the only one like this?
Not the only one. And I wasn't able to make much out of that thread either. For me the most important thing on average is the arrangements and timbre of the instrumentation and vocals (if any), and the overall tune or melody, how they augment each other and the senses it evokes for me. Consequence: lack of things in common with the ways music is interpreted by other people on average, a "taste in music" that comes across as bizarre or impenetrable to others, as well as significant difficulty in participating in discussions on music because of this. Lyrics are mostly a very low priority for me, although there are quite a few exceptions.

[YouRinsane]

Yeah, I don't pay [much] attention to lyrics either. The only time I really stop is when they are really, really awful. That throws me off. Otherwise, it doesn't matter.

[Katarhal]

I once spent an hour in silent contemplation over the poetic meaning behind Ashley Simpson's, "Boyfriend". After which, I drank from a jar of broken glass and rusty roofing nails. Guess which experience was more satisfying?