The controversial 'lyrics or music' debate...

[Blisterfinger]

[Apologies if this has already been posted]
It's been a huge debate for generations; which holds more significance, the lyrics or the music? (On a personal level and in the industry). Personally, I would generally give preference to the music, believing that suitable harmonic progressions, bass lines, instrumental and compositional techniques can say far more than words. 'A picture is worth a thousand words' after all, and as music is art I believe it fits into this proverb. Perhaps I'm being narrow-minded in separating the two here but what do you think? I'm interested to hear people's opinions!

[boynamedsuse]

I have no idea what the lyrics are for a lot of music I like--even stuff I've heard for years.

[hachi kid]

listen to this...all instrumental, and it's more moving than any lyric
End Of The Beginning by Jason Becker on Perspective | Grooveshark - Listen to Free Music Online - Internet Radio - Free MP3 Streaming


lyrics are just poems set to music

[Rune Bivrin]

I tend to listen to the lyrics a lot. I don't mind nonsense lyrics much, but I detest trite lyrics. When a song leaves me with the impression that the lyrics are just words stacked according to formula in order to rhyme I lose interest. Same thing if the words sound like they're designed to be 'clever'.
Having said that, I find it very hard to enjoy music where the words are clearly more important than the harmonies. That turns it into poetry with a background. And I can't stand most poetry. Pretentious dreck, most of it.

Rush, Al Stewart, early Elvis Costello and quite a few country inflected singers are my cup of tea. I like it when it feels like the words voice my emotions.

[CapnSev]

Bad lyrics can completely destroy a song for me, even if the music behind it is great. YMMV.

[Peace Cee]

Lyrics can be an icing on the cake, or they can make a song. For example, Steely Dan is great because one can take a ride on the lyrical train while listening, or one can choose walk down Player Prowess Ave. On the other hand, I have AC/DC songs imprinted into my psyche, but embarrassingly, I don't always know/care about what they are discussing. Double that on some of my favorite Bad Brains songs because I don't know what the heck is going on...but THEY ROCK!!
Hip Hop on the other hand has to have some sort of sophistication lyrically for me to engage. Unfortunately, commercial rap (wrongly labeled as hip hop) has the "It doesn't matter what you say as long as the beat is tight" ethos
Boy did I get off track!!

[Rockmusician]

Many lyrics do not make sense so for me it is definitely the music. But the lyrics have to fit the them of the song. Sometimes when I hear a song and pay attention to the lyrics, I just shake head in amazement at how bad they are.

[Blisterfinger]

Originally Posted by hachi kid

listen to this...all instrumental, and it's more moving than any lyric
End Of The Beginning by Jason Becker on Perspective | Grooveshark - Listen to Free Music Online - Internet Radio - Free MP3 Streaming


lyrics are just poems set to music

I love that tune!
Maybe I'm being too specific: Lyrics/words help give a tune meaning; imagine that Jason Becker tune without its title, Ok, it makes no difference to sonic experience but doesn't music mean something more than just the physics of the sound wave travelling to our ear drum and causing vibrations etc..?
I've always thought that they help smooth out the rougher edges of a tune. I never pay much attention to them but I've always thought that the point - that lyrics are there like wrapping paper over a present, they complete the piece but it's not what you're going to focus on...?

[tangentmusic]

For me, it's gotta have both. Good, interesting, thought provoking lyrical content and strong musicianship.
The genre matters a little. Prog bands like Yes, early Genesis, King Crimson & Rush have an abundance of both. Heavy bands like Sabbath had some great dark lyrics & music. It also depends on one's mood and frame of mind at the moment. Sometimes I can get a kick out of humorous lyrics and simple music.

[Against Will]

As Pop music has demonstrated, good music can save terrible lyrics. How many times have you had an incredibly stupid song lodge itself in your brain? Vice versa is a lot harder, so I think I would have to choose the former, but lyrics are where the spit and bile and nasty things that I love so much about music, usually reside. There's nothing quite like lyrics that live in their music like they were born, fully formed, into the world. Case in point:

YouTube - Patti Smith Gloria

[zachoff]

The only band I've disliked solely because of the lyrics is No Use for a Name. There are a ton of bands I dislike because of the vocalist and there are even more bands I dislike because of the music.