The lyrics, do they really matter?

riffmongous

I often listen to songs in other languages that I don't have a clue what they are singing about, and I find it doesn't interfere with my enjoyment of the song at all once I like the song musically. Now at some early point I'll google the song to try get a rough idea of what they are singing about and if I find out it's about certain political beliefs or so this would put me off (ISIS nasheeds), but otherwise the lyrics won't matter. On the one hand you are missing out on a huge part of the song, on the other hand there is so much music out there in other languages it's a shame to rule it all out (Russian in particular has some great songs)

What about the rest of ye?

I love a good story, so the lyrics are quite important to me.

Been listening to some of Elton John's earlier stuff recently, and holy shít Bernie Taupin can write a story. Take this for example...

What is also a big part of the attraction for me though is Elton John's delivery in that song and the musical setting he created for Taupin's lyrics. It was originally the 'hook' of he song which brought me to Indian Sunset, Elton's melodies, after hearing it sampled in 2 Pac's Ghetto Gospel. Then when I listened to the Elton John original a few times and honed in on the lyrics, the story just blew me away. The music is incredibly powerful too.

I like a few instrumental genres and go to live gigs as such, but lyrics do very much matter to me in my enjoyment of music. Some great stories have been told over the last century and if you're more than a casual music listener, there is an almost endless treasure trove of stories there for you to hear.

However, if you just listen to the hook in the odd pop tune chorus every now and again, or occasionally belt out an anthem in the shower, that's ok too.

AllForIt

I understand the lyrics in hip-hop really do matter to the demographic that listens to it. Which isn't too surprising since there ain't no tune.

riffmongous

AllForIt wrote: »

I understand the lyrics in hip-hop really do matter to the demographic that listens to it. Which isn't too surprising since there ain't no tune.

Middle class white kids??

verycool

I listen to a lot of death metal... so no. :pac:

riffmongous

verycool wrote: »

I listen to a lot of death metal... so no. :pac:

I was going to say in response to Stu's nice explanation, that some of the best lyrical 'stories' I've heard were from death metal bands (Opeth), but of course I had no clue what they were singing about until I read the lyrics in the album booklet :pac:

GLaDOS

I listen to a lot of instrumental music, various metal genres with incomprehensible vocals and music in foreign languages, so I'd definitely agree understanding lyrics (or lyrics at all) aren't necessary to enjoy music.

Don't diss Isis though, they're class even if the lyrics are hard to understand

verycool

GLaDOS wrote: »

Don't diss Isis though, they're class even if the lyrics are hard to understand

Oceanic is a fantastic album!

riffmongous

GLaDOS wrote: »

Don't diss Isis though, they're class even if the lyrics are hard to understand

Welcome to the Garda watchlist!

Cina

At the end of the day... nothing really matters, anyone can see, nothing really matters, nothing really matters to me.

I'm sorry what was the question?

wexie

For me it goes both ways I guess, there are some songs I might like a bit more because the lyrics are very good or resonate with me somehow.

But there's plenty of music I enjoy without having a clue about what the lyrics might mean (or if they mean anything)

Haven't a clue what these lads are on about but I think it's a great tune

TheValeyard

Some lyrics can be very off putting even though they are very good ot catchy songs

Like Prodigy 'Smack my b*tch up*

Or Nirvana 'Rape Me'

AllForIt

Okay to answer the question more seriously this time - no, absolutely not, songs to me are 98% about the melody and the quality of the voice that delivers the melody. You mentioned Elton John and I would give the remaining 2% for songs like Daniel which do stand out lyrically. I've never been into the words and actually I rather despise poetry partly because of those snooty middle class quasi intellectuals that you hear reading them out on arts shows which I find really irritation.

And also you mention foreign languages - I listen to a French singer and I don't understand a work of French- but I don't find it detracts a jot from my enjoyment of listening to here songs. So that just proves it for me. I also like Pavarotti or anyone good singing Nessun Norma - but don't know a word of Latin either.

the beer revolu

It matters if the lyrics are really good or really bad. Outside of that, doesn't matter at all.

TheMilkyPirate

Lyrics in certain genres would be important to me while other genres not so much. I love and listen to a lot of hip hop and rap and lyrics are very important to me there but I also listen to pop and whatever else and they're not as important then a long as the tune is something I like.

riffmongous

the beer revolu wrote: »

It matters if the lyrics are really good or really bad. Outside of that, doesn't matter at all.

Or so bad they are good, truly terrible songs can be funny to listen to, "hot girls"

cantdecide

They say you can make a bad movie from a good script but you can't make a good movie from a bad script.

I feel the same about lyrics.

From playing guitar when I was younger, I tend to listen to that a lot in most music.

Some other stuff is primarily lyrics based though.

kfallon

2 of my favs and no idea about the lyrics

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hnAwPeqrdAk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j09hpp3AxIE

chakotha

Pink Floyd amazing music but a lot of dire lyrics. The musicianship wins.

Rothko

I always find good lyrics being a bonus rather than being integral to enjoying a song.