How much do you care about lyrics in music?

*Prowler* · 11-20-2019, 10:01 AM

A lot of lines and song lyrics are memorable and/or historical. Good lyrics are nice and bad lyrics can either be funny or very cringe-worthy.

Personally, as someone who likes death metal and Japanese pop music, I can't say lyrics are THAT important to me. in thrash metal, traditional heavy metal and rock music in general obviously they'll be more important, but it's not like it will bother me if the bands happen to sing in a foreign language I don't speak either. And ofc, let's not forget that a lot of music is instrumental. I doubt people will feel bothered by the lack of lyrics in classical music and jazz, for example. Music itself is a form of communication, just like art is. A comic panel or a drawing doesn't necessarily need to have text on it to get its message across.

At the end of the day, the most important thing of music to me is the actual music itself. Kinda like the most important thing in a video game is its gameplay and the experience, and not how great the story is per se. Good lyrics are more of a bonus overall. Mediocre lyrics can easily be overlooked if the musicians behind the song are talented. But good lyrics simply will not save a terrible musician/song, imo. Not to mention that a lot of time I listen to music I'm outside, riding public transit or just home on my computer working on something else, meaning I'm not 100% focused on the lyrics.

Basically, I don't play a song expecting to hear lyrics that could possibly win the Nobel Prize of Literature award.

What about you?

*Leo656* · 11-20-2019, 10:05 AM

A lot.

/10char

*CyberCubed* · 11-20-2019, 10:47 AM

90% of the time I don’t understand the lyrics to any song because the music goes over the words or I can’t understand the singers. And I’m too lazy to look up the lyrics online. So I get about 10 words in on every song.

*Whatswiththeheadbands?* · 11-21-2019, 07:28 AM

Depends on the artist. My favorite Band is Blind Guardian, and if I'm listening to them, I'll probably bring up the lyrics and read along (especially if I'm listening to tracks like 'And Then There Was Silence' or albums like 'Nightfall in Middle Earth')

*Prowler* · 11-21-2019, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Whatswiththeheadbands?

Depends on the artist. My favorite Band is Blind Guardian, and if I'm listening to them, I'll probably bring up the lyrics and read along (especially if I'm listening to tracks like 'And Then There Was Silence' or albums like 'Nightfall in Middle Earth')

Blind Guardian have pretty clear vocals being a power metal band and all though.

*Wesley* · 11-21-2019, 11:05 AM

I agree it depends on the artist. Doesn’t matter to me if it’s opera, metal or in a foreign language. I care more about the lyrics if it’s other genres.

*Original TMNT Cartoon Fan* · 11-23-2019, 03:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Prowler

yrics that could possibly win the Nobel Prize of Literature award.

Bob Dylan is the only pop artist to have done that.

*Prowler* · 11-23-2019, 09:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Original TMNT Cartoon Fan

Bob Dylan is the only pop artist to have done that.

Bob Dylan is an interesting case. He's not a good singer, especially live, and I bet even himself would admit that... but yet a lot his songs are pretty great. It's like he's telling a story every song.

*DarkFell* · 11-23-2019, 07:20 PM

Do I listen to the lyrics to a song and care about them?

It depends on if I like the song. Granted, it takes a few 're-listens' to a song to actually understand the lyrics, but I take to them pretty quick afterwards.

I'm not going to lie and say that I never misheard a few lyrics or song titles because, I totally have done that on more than one occasion.

*Slade* · 11-23-2019, 11:09 PM

A lot. I mostly listen to rap. Eminem, Tech N9ne, ones like that. Also a lot of older artists. I don't like the mumble mess.

*Leo656* · 11-24-2019, 01:14 AM

Yeah, I only like some rap, but in that genre specifically the lyrics are a big part of my interest. I'm a big fan of Madchild and Swollen Members specifically for that reason, although the beats are great too. But the lyrics are what makes it all come together.

*Voltron* · 11-24-2019, 07:58 AM

Yeah, I do. But I have to take it with the artist's intent, as well. If the song is meant to just be a fluff piece that sounds good, then there's not a whole lot to unpack. If it's supposed to be some deep riddle of a song that warrants a closer look, I'll give a closer look.

Or, if I hate the song, I'll read the lyrics so I can hate it better.

*Prowler* · 11-24-2019, 09:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leo656

Yeah, I only like some rap, but in that genre specifically the lyrics are a big part of my interest. I'm a big fan of Madchild and Swollen Members specifically for that reason, although the beats are great too. But the lyrics are what makes it all come together.

See, rap is a good example of how good lyrics won't necessarily save a song for me. A lot of times I've happened to listen to rap songs which had interesting enough lyrics but the background beat/sample wasn't to my liking, thus making the song less enjoyable.

11-20-2019, 10:01 AM	#1
Prowler Emperor Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Portugal Posts: 8,909	How much do you care about lyrics in music? A lot of lines and song lyrics are memorable and/or historical. Good lyrics are nice and bad lyrics can either be funny or very cringe-worthy. Personally, as someone who likes death metal and Japanese pop music, I can't say lyrics are THAT important to me. in thrash metal, traditional heavy metal and rock music in general obviously they'll be more important, but it's not like it will bother me if the bands happen to sing in a foreign language I don't speak either. And ofc, let's not forget that a lot of music is instrumental. I doubt people will feel bothered by the lack of lyrics in classical music and jazz, for example. Music itself is a form of communication, just like art is. A comic panel or a drawing doesn't necessarily need to have text on it to get its message across. At the end of the day, the most important thing of music to me is the actual music itself. Kinda like the most important thing in a video game is its gameplay and the experience, and not how great the story is per se. Good lyrics are more of a bonus overall. Mediocre lyrics can easily be overlooked if the musicians behind the song are talented. But good lyrics simply will not save a terrible musician/song, imo. Not to mention that a lot of time I listen to music I'm outside, riding public transit or just home on my computer working on something else, meaning I'm not 100% focused on the lyrics. Basically, I don't play a song expecting to hear lyrics that could possibly win the Nobel Prize of Literature award. What about you?

11-20-2019, 10:05 AM	#2
Leo656 The Franchise Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: nWo Country Posts: 27,696	A lot. /10char __________________ "I left some words quite far from here to be a short reminder... I laid them out in stone, in case they need to last forever..." "But hey... I'm not telling you anything that you don't already know." nWo Tech: The Official Thread Poison of the Technodrome Forums https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxr...awnHgDz1ceDcfA https://theroxxshow.blogspot.com/

11-21-2019, 07:28 AM	#4
Whatswiththeheadbands? The Weed of Crime Join Date: May 2013 Location: The Shadow's Sanctum Posts: 3,006	Depends on the artist. My favorite Band is Blind Guardian, and if I'm listening to them, I'll probably bring up the lyrics and read along (especially if I'm listening to tracks like 'And Then There Was Silence' or albums like 'Nightfall in Middle Earth') __________________ Who knows what Evil lurks in the hearts of Men? The Shadow knows...

11-21-2019, 11:05 AM	#6
Wesley Mad Scientist Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Republic of Ireland Posts: 1,589	I agree it depends on the artist. Doesn’t matter to me if it’s opera, metal or in a foreign language. I care more about the lyrics if it’s other genres. __________________ Donatello: The tracker! It might work. Donatello goes to the back of the Turtle Van Raphael: Shrewd move, Donatello. If we ignore the problem, it might go away by itself. (from The Mean Machines)

11-23-2019, 11:09 PM	#10
Slade god status Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Louisiana Posts: 3,291	A lot. I mostly listen to rap. Eminem, Tech N9ne, ones like that. Also a lot of older artists. I don't like the mumble mess. __________________ Do not concern yourself with what I've already done: rather tremble at the thought of what I am about to do. Everyone has a plan 'till they get punched in the mouth. http://forums.thetechnodrome.com/showthread.php?t=48140

11-20-2019, 10:47 AM	#3
CyberCubed Overlord Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 41,031	90% of the time I don’t understand the lyrics to any song because the music goes over the words or I can’t understand the singers. And I’m too lazy to look up the lyrics online. So I get about 10 words in on every song.

11-23-2019, 07:20 PM	#9
DarkFell A Crusty Bob Fan Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: At the current moment, on your screen. Posts: 1,978	Do I listen to the lyrics to a song and care about them? It depends on if I like the song. Granted, it takes a few 're-listens' to a song to actually understand the lyrics, but I take to them pretty quick afterwards. I'm not going to lie and say that I never misheard a few lyrics or song titles because, I totally have done that on more than one occasion.

11-24-2019, 01:14 AM	#11
Leo656 The Franchise Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: nWo Country Posts: 27,696	Yeah, I only like some rap, but in that genre specifically the lyrics are a big part of my interest. I'm a big fan of Madchild and Swollen Members specifically for that reason, although the beats are great too. But the lyrics are what makes it all come together. __________________ "I left some words quite far from here to be a short reminder... I laid them out in stone, in case they need to last forever..." "But hey... I'm not telling you anything that you don't already know." nWo Tech: The Official Thread Poison of the Technodrome Forums https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxr...awnHgDz1ceDcfA https://theroxxshow.blogspot.com/

11-24-2019, 07:58 AM	#12
Voltron Handsomest Boy in School Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: The Realm of SJW Posts: 4,642	Yeah, I do. But I have to take it with the artist's intent, as well. If the song is meant to just be a fluff piece that sounds good, then there's not a whole lot to unpack. If it's supposed to be some deep riddle of a song that warrants a closer look, I'll give a closer look. Or, if I hate the song, I'll read the lyrics so I can hate it better. __________________ I AM FOR ACTUAL! . . . and the White Savior. . . and the Right Hand of God. . .