Semi-related to my other post regarding songmeanings.net.

I've noticed that there seems to be two classes of people (at least in my view) when it comes to music appreciation. Those who study, interpret and remember..even absorb...the lyrics and meanings of a song. Then you have those that may know the words when it comes to the chorus or can make out a line here or there, but never really let the words become a distinct part of the listening experience.

I would say that I probably fall more into the latter category. Knowing and having an appreciation for a lot of different types of music and wider than the general public musical knowledge, I never really focus on the words. Rather I focus on the song as a whole without necessarily "picking it apart".

So, where do YOU fall?

Depends on the song.

Sometimes the melody is so damn strong, the lyrics don't matter... and vice-versa.

Sometimes, however, a terrible lyric can ruin a song for me.

i don't always analyze lyrics to try to cull every drop of meaning i can out of them, but bad or banal lyrics can seriously turn me off, and great lyrics can help me ignore less exciting music.

couldn't have said it better myself.

same, though it takes interesting sounds and rhythms to catch my attention by default.

Yeah, I'm in this camp, too. Brilliant lyrics can make a meh song quite good. And I'm willing to overlook somewhat crappy lyrics if the music's good enough to compensate. But if we're talking cringe-worthy lyrics, the music probably has no chance to save the song.

I like both, but lean more towards songs with lyrics...I feel something is missing otherwise.

i agree with haq.

most of my favorite artists are ones that write lyrics i really connect to - dylan, costello, westerberg.

My only caveat to this would be New Order (some of the time) and Morphine (most of the time).

I'll ignore bad lyrics for the sake of good music (to an extent, I guess), but not so much the opposite.

For me, music isn't so much about language and things you can express with words. Good lyrics are always a plus, though.

new order are the kings of rhyming a word with the exact same word in the next line.

I tend towards a song's music and energy, not necessarily it's speed but that certain quality that it puts forth. I like good lyrics as much as anyone but I'll be honest and say that a lot of the time I don't really care if the lyrics are dumb or not. If I find the music and the singer's voice compelling, that's usually enough. If the lyrics are great and it has some type of resonance with me, all the better. Often enough, I'm not listening to the lyrics and just feel like hearing the quality of a singer's voice.

What about The Shins? Are you able to connect with whatever James Mercer is singing about?

no - there are a lot of other bands I like (outside of my pantheon) that I like but often have no f'n clue what they are singing about - i would put the Shins in that group along with New Pornographers and a host of others.

Lyrics/vocals are generally more important to me. I barely listen to any instrumental music.

And like Todd said...



i.e.
Outkast - 'Roses'

I would agree. I forgot about the New Pornographers. I really like the songs but have no clue what the hell that Carl Newman is singing about.

I'm more in this camp.

The primary interest for me is the music.

Obviously great lyrics on great music elevates a song above those with poor lyrics but I see good lyrics as being very much a bonus item.

This is true with me, but it has been an evolution. For the longest time, Bob Dylan just SPOKE to me, but I was an introspective, even kinda guarded, pothead (Or as introspective and guarded as someone as naturally gregarious as me can be...let's just say a lot of times i lived in my own skull, and thought dudes like Bobby D and John R. Cash did too) Then I started to loosen up, and maybe get a little too loose, and only car about the JAIL factor..hence the love for The Stones, The Dolls, Strokes, etc...

If lyrics are too fey or puscafied for my tastes, it can turn me off, or if they are just plain bad, I don't respond well. BUT, if the music is too slow, plodding, or fey I don't really respond either.

So, I gues, Both? As an example, take Okkervil River, my favorite songs are For Real, Black and No Key, No Plan, which I think have BRILLIANT lyrics and are have enough drive to hold my interest.

I a music person first, then vocals second, then lyrics third.

me too, and give me a good ol' fashioned guitar solo thrown in there to boot.

I just look for a hot chick on the album cover.

too many variables to classify myself.
though, i pay a lot of attention to lyrics.

energy, groove and mood always account for a lot.

I'm a music and overall sound guy first and foremost, but lyrics are an important part of the sound package. The New Pornographers are the best example of this. I think "Letter From An Occupant" is one of the best songs there is because of the way it's put together as a sonic package and Neko's vocals are the main ingredient in that, even though I have no goddamn clue what she's singing about (and, really, does anyone?).

All that said, once I start noticing lyrics I can become a bigger fan of a band based on how they put words together. "Waste of Paint" by Bright Eyes was a big one, and The New Bomb Turks had quite a few truly smart, funny and biting lyrics for a punk rock n roll band that added a lot to an already great sound.