What do you listen for first in music, the music or lyrics?

markjazzbassist · #1 10-05-2006, 12:02 AM

When you first hear new music and are deciding whether you like it or not, are you listening primarily to the music or lyrics?

im a music guy. i know very little lyrics, i just like songs that groove.

im guessing that since were all musicians, that most of the answers will be for music. although, my older brother's a guitar player (a pretty dang good one too) and he listens for lyrics/vocals.

olaff421 · #2 10-05-2006, 03:37 AM

When I listen to a new song I listen to the music as a whole, including the vocals. The VOCALS not the lyrics. Until I really get to know the song I pretty much think of the vocals as a separate instrument. Yeah the lyrics will stand out sometimes, but I don't really pay attantion to em unless they really catch my attention.

That's one of the reasons I have such a hard time listening to a lot of newer heavier stuff. The high pitched front of the thoat screaming just grates on me. There are some I can sort of get into, but the music has to be really good.

The BurgerMeister · #3 10-05-2006, 03:50 AM

i only pay attention to the lyrics if the music's there, y'know? i'll hear the music first, then i'll listen closer, then i'll grab the lyrics (slowly).

depends alot on what type of music i'm hearing, and how it's mixed/produced though. some music is very easy to digest, some you've got to chew on for a while.

olaff421 · #4 10-05-2006, 04:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jetpackbassist

i only pay attention to the lyrics if the music's there, y'know? i'll hear the music first, then i'll listen closer, then i'll grab the lyrics (slowly).

depends alot on what type of music i'm hearing, and how it's mixed/produced though. some music is very easy to digest, some you've got to chew on for a while.

Exactly!

velvetkevorkian · #5 10-05-2006, 10:13 AM

The music, a lot of music I listen to has indecipherable vocal styles, or is in another language. Or both.

Pruitt · #6 10-05-2006, 10:42 AM

Melody first, than than the accompanying music, especially the rhythm section. Lyrics would definitely be last.

Chunk-O-Funk · #7 10-05-2006, 05:44 PM

Music first.

I play mostly covers and I have to tell ya I don't know the lyrics to most of the tunes.

TL5 · #8 10-05-2006, 06:11 PM

I can't vote, because I don't listen for one over the other. One or the other will catch my attention.
Example, there are songs where I couldn't tell you what the lyrics are, but I love the music, production, or overall feel of the song.

There are other songs where the music really doesn't do a whole lot for me, but the lyric moves me in some way. Folk songs, country, or some ballads would fit this catergory.

It really depends on the song.
That said, the songs I buy/download for keeps are typically those that move me, at least at some level, both musically and lyrically. However, there are exceptions.

Jazzin' · #9 10-05-2006, 06:13 PM

I don't even listen to the lyrics when I am listening to a tune with vocals.

excane · #10 10-05-2006, 06:29 PM

That's deep.

CHILDISHGAMBINO · #11 10-05-2006, 06:36 PM

The music first, vocals second, lyrical content last. I can think of a couple of bands that I really like that have really stupid lyrics but good vocals. Torche for example great music good vocals bad lyrics(for the most part).

steve66 · #12 10-05-2006, 06:42 PM

I listen to music from the bottom up. I study the bass drum pattern and then the bass guitar. Then I listen to the top end, focusing on the whole band playing the chorus/bridge of the song. Until then, I listen to the vocals. Everything falls in to place (usually).

Bruce Lindfield · #13 10-06-2006, 02:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by markjazzbassist

When you first hear new music and are deciding whether you like it or not, are you listening primarily to the music or lyrics?

im a music guy. i know very little lyrics, i just like songs that groove.

im guessing that since were all musicians, that most of the answers will be for music. although, my older brother's a guitar player (a pretty dang good one too) and he listens for lyrics/vocals.

Considering that I only really listen to Jazz and Classical - it's a long time since I bought an album that had any lyrics!!

Depth_Charge · #14 10-06-2006, 05:02 AM

I almost always judge what I like by the music, not the lyrics.

McHack · #15 10-06-2006, 06:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by markjazzbassist

im a music guy. i know very little lyrics, i just like songs that groove.

+1000

blmeier7 · #16 10-06-2006, 04:53 PM

There are songs that I have listened to literally 100's of times and I couldn't begin to tell you what the lyrics are or what the song is about. My wife gets frustrated with me, but then again she isn't a musician. Interesting poll.