Lyrics or Music?

[Lui-Slamo]

When you listen to a song, do you listen to the lyrics or the music. Does the lyrics make the song what it is? Or is it the beat or music? Just wondering, I personally hear to both,sometimes one. I'll have to say the music though. What about you?

Have a nice day

[Evil Semp]

Lyrics

[Metsfanmax]

There are probably not more than 5 mainstream bands of the last 50 years whose lyrics actually mattered

[keiths31]

Lyrics for the most part, but good lyrics mean nothing if the music is terrible.

[thegreekdog]

For me it's definitely the music. That being said, I do enjoy Bob Dylan, one of the best lyricists ever, but he can't sing his way out of a paper bag (although, to be fair, I'm not sure anyone could sing themselves out of a paper bag).

[Aradhus]

Good songs often have music and lyrics that are not distinct from each other, they're joined thematically, and compliment each other.

I think with In my life, for example, you'd get a feeling of nostalgia with only the lyrics or only the music.

[The Bison King]

That's a great example.

[TA1LGUNN3R]

There are probably not more than 5 mainstream bands of the last 50 years whose lyrics actually mattered

Couldn't agree more. I don't know why everyone thinks lyrics are so revelatory anyway. You're most likely listening to a regular guy who couldn't finish high school or college, and so he roams around with a band, writing simple poetry to tunes. Sounds like a pretty easy gig.

Call me when another Sagan starts writing lyrics for songs.

In short, I listen to the music.

-TG

[Ray Rider]

There are probably not more than 5 mainstream bands of the last 50 years whose lyrics actually mattered

Yeah, but who cares about the mainstream bands anyway? If you check around a bit you can find some really good bands which are less popular...

Good songs often have music and lyrics that are not distinct from each other, they're joined thematically, and compliment each other.

I think with In my life, for example, you'd get a feeling of nostalgia with only the lyrics or only the music.

Good point and example!

There are probably not more than 5 mainstream bands of the last 50 years whose lyrics actually mattered

Couldn't agree more. I don't know why everyone thinks lyrics are so revelatory anyway. You're most likely listening to a regular guy who couldn't finish high school or college, and so he roams around with a band, writing simple poetry to tunes. Sounds like a pretty easy gig.

Call me when another Sagan starts writing lyrics for songs.

In short, I listen to the music.

-TG

You sure have low view of musicians...I actually feel sorry for you...

Anyway, I have some music with great tunes/beats but blah lyrics, and I have some music with blah tunes/beats and great lyrics. What really attracts me to an artist is when they can successfully combine the best of both. My current favorite is a rapper named Lecrae.

[muy_thaiguy]

When you listen to a song, do you listen to the lyrics or the music. Does the lyrics make the song what it is? Or is it the beat or music? Just wondering, I personally hear to both,sometimes one. I'll have to say the music though. What about you?

Have a nice day

Both.

[Army of GOD]

There are probably not more than 5 mainstream bands of the last 50 years whose lyrics actually mattered

You're going to have to define what you mean by mainstream. Queen, Radiohead, Pink Floyd, System of a Down, Alice in Chains. Those are probably 5 of the most lyrically most important bands to me personally, and they're all less than 50 years old.

I listen for both, but Queen and Radiohead are the two bands that excel at both and have thus are the only two to hold the position of "favorite band".

Also tgd, I know you'll agree with me when I say that Freddie is, in fact, the greatest lyricist ever (oh, and the greatest singer ever...rock singer, that is).

[natty dread]

Two words:

Frank Zappa.

Now that's some lyrics.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w8y0JLPQl94

[Metsfanmax]

There are probably not more than 5 mainstream bands of the last 50 years whose lyrics actually mattered

You're going to have to define what you mean by mainstream. Queen, Radiohead, Pink Floyd, System of a Down, Alice in Chains. Those are probably 5 of the most lyrically most important bands to me personally, and they're all less than 50 years old.

I listen for both, but Queen and Radiohead are the two bands that excel at both and have thus are the only two to hold the position of "favorite band".

Also tgd, I know you'll agree with me when I say that Freddie is, in fact, the greatest lyricist ever (oh, and the greatest singer ever...rock singer, that is).

I'm talking about mainstream bands whose lyrics can be said to have had objective, socially transformative properties. Of those that you listed, only Pink Floyd qualifies. Bob Dylan is another.