I mean….. I’ve got a bad habit of not paying attention to what lyrics mean and being surprised later….
Here’s an example:
Here’s an example:
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Do you care about song lyrics?
- Thread starter Swerve
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Supadope
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- Nov 30, 2015
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I put "somewhat important." Lyrics can be very powerful or just plain dumb.
I don’t really care about lyrics for the most part. I care about the feeling being conveyed, and I don’t need words for that. I do appreciate good lyrics, but there are a lot of recordings where the vocalist does not even attempt to make the lyrics intelligible. I can’t parse the lyrics for half the songs out there even if I try hard.
Gordon Downie (Tragically Hip) is my favorite lyricist. I will actually sit and read his lyrics, as I find them exceptionally beautiful. I don’t know anything about poetry, but he used words in a way that I think of as poetic.
Gordon Downie (Tragically Hip) is my favorite lyricist. I will actually sit and read his lyrics, as I find them exceptionally beautiful. I don’t know anything about poetry, but he used words in a way that I think of as poetic.
I believe they are important. However, those who are purely instrumentalists, they usually don’t have to think about lyrics. That was the case with me before I started singing. After I began singing, I started to notice lyrics and can even hear them on the radio (I really wasn’t able to from focusing on the harmony, melody, and bass lines too much).
Now, if my band mates want to do a song that has raunchy lyrics that are against what I would want to perform, then I’ll refuse and fight to the death.
Other times, poor singing, pronunciation, or diction can bother me but I can also ignore it as a bassist. But as a singer and listener…..well, listen to this and tell me the one thing that’s wrong with what the singer’s singing. I cringe each time my son says he wants to listen to this version of “Just the Two of Us”:
I play in church. Lyrics are everything.
I also listen to French vocal jazz. I don't speak French so the voice is just another interesting instrument. Lyrics don't matter.
I also listen to French vocal jazz. I don't speak French so the voice is just another interesting instrument. Lyrics don't matter.
I was surprised the Police got away with the song "Don't Stand So Close To Me" and Winger with the song "Seventeen"
Any & all answers in the poll fit or don’t fit depending on the music genre.
Lyrics mean nothing in Classical, Jazz, Electronica, Fusion, and probably several more I know nothing about.
Lyrics are somewhat important in pop, country, rock (some types), reggae, bluegrass, folk, and many others.
Lyrics are so important in some genres that the genre wouldn’t exist without them; Rap, Opera, and others.
To answer the title question, “Do you care about song lyrics?” I’d have to say; yes, no, sometimes, maybe a little, a lot, & not sure. For the type of music I listen to most, “somewhat” fits as the best answer. For my second favorite type of music, “aren’t important at all” is the best answer.
It’s a broad question, a little like asking if someone likes colors without any further context regarding what the color is related to….
Lyrics mean nothing in Classical, Jazz, Electronica, Fusion, and probably several more I know nothing about.
Lyrics are somewhat important in pop, country, rock (some types), reggae, bluegrass, folk, and many others.
Lyrics are so important in some genres that the genre wouldn’t exist without them; Rap, Opera, and others.
To answer the title question, “Do you care about song lyrics?” I’d have to say; yes, no, sometimes, maybe a little, a lot, & not sure. For the type of music I listen to most, “somewhat” fits as the best answer. For my second favorite type of music, “aren’t important at all” is the best answer.
It’s a broad question, a little like asking if someone likes colors without any further context regarding what the color is related to….
I like Weird Al Yankovic's lyrics 
I absolutely place a high value on lyrics as a singer, and as a listener who understood words long before I had a clue about creating music. All of my favorite music is lyric driven - John Hiatt, Warren Zevon, stuff like that. And even songs with simplistic lyrics or doggerel are worth learning well, IMO. It drives me crazy when someone I am playing with butchers lyrics out of a lack of concern. Some even have the gall to say things like "nobody cares but other musicians, anyway". Guess what, knucklehead? You're in a friggin' BAND with other musicians! Show some respect to the music and your bandmates. And you think the audience doesn't notice? Guess again! When you pen a hit tune feel free to abuse it in any way you see fit. Until then, do your best to do the songs justice, or don't play them. Rant over.
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Passinwind
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- Dec 3, 2003
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My wife and musical partner for almost 40 years is an excellent songwriter and lyricist but long before I knew her I was listening to Joni Mitchell so yes, I care about words. To me, words are what makes a song more than just music. I love a lot of instrumental music too but when words are present they contribute meaning and should be given their due. I take most of my cues on stage from the singer and I have a rule of thumb that never lets me down. If you want to get the tempo of a song right on stage, sing the chorus in your head. I've been playing recently with a drummer who says he listens to the overall effect rather than the singer yet he regularly plays several songs way too fast. The words tell you how it should go.
Many musical virtuosi will not discredit lyrics. Certain pretentious musicians dismiss the importance of lyrics altogether because of 2 reasons:
1. Writing lyrics isn't their forte;
2. The lyric-listening masses are less knowledgeable about music than themselves.
1. Writing lyrics isn't their forte;
2. The lyric-listening masses are less knowledgeable about music than themselves.
The more trite and insipid, the better. (JK)
Lyrics are an important consideration, but most of the time everything else is a more important consideration.
I really like Djavan, and I don’t speak Portuguese. I’m told by my Brazilian friends that some of his lyrics are pretty dopey. I’m glad that doesn’t interfere with my enjoyment. It probably wouldn’t anyway, since I also like this:
Lyrics are an important consideration, but most of the time everything else is a more important consideration.
I really like Djavan, and I don’t speak Portuguese. I’m told by my Brazilian friends that some of his lyrics are pretty dopey. I’m glad that doesn’t interfere with my enjoyment. It probably wouldn’t anyway, since I also like this:
