Usually, I can't say I care very much. So many songs have nothing to say or at least nothing that hasn't been said a thousand times already. The themes of our lives have been pretty well covered by now.
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Do you care about song lyrics?
- Thread starter Swerve
- Start date
Elizabeth Fraser took that to a whole ‘nuther level, but created abstract swirls of emotion.
I follow the iambic pentameter more than the words.
As for the the words of most songs, Comedian Steve Allen used to dress up in a tux and while standing behind a podium, in a formal fashion, recited the lyrics of the pop songs hits of the day. It was hilarious.
I'm in a quandary as to the direction of the question.
If the original song lyrics aren't to my liking then I avoid the song
If the singer, me or another, gets words wrong then it's a non-issue - just play the music.
In some songs the lyrics, as written, are important to the message of the song. In such cases, changing or getting them wrong just doesn't work.
If the original song lyrics aren't to my liking then I avoid the song
If the singer, me or another, gets words wrong then it's a non-issue - just play the music.
In some songs the lyrics, as written, are important to the message of the song. In such cases, changing or getting them wrong just doesn't work.
i voted "all of the above" for the same reason @hrodbert696 voted "carrots" on the first page.
however, if i write the lyrics, they're priceless for their deep meaning and cleverness = very important!
but, i play in an instrumental band just so i won't be bothered by them.
however, if i write the lyrics, they're priceless for their deep meaning and cleverness = very important!
but, i play in an instrumental band just so i won't be bothered by them.
Well, if you think Jon Anderson's lyrics don't make sense, then you clearly have never had your liver rearranged to the solid mental grace.
I generally hear the music only. I can’t tell you the lyrics to 1/4th songs we play. Singers can worry about the lyrics.
As a listener, sometimes yes sometimes no. I do appreciate great lyrical writing, but it's not the most important thing in some styles of music, but it is really necessary for others.
As a musician
- Bass player and non-singer in a cover band, it is important to know the song format and some of the lyrics at key parts.
- Singer/songwriter, lyrics are really important
As a musician
- Bass player and non-singer in a cover band, it is important to know the song format and some of the lyrics at key parts.
- Singer/songwriter, lyrics are really important
In a band situation, the words are generally more important to me than what they mean. I have a very good memory for lyrics (ironic, because I’m a lousy singer), and it drives me nuts when our singer messes up the lyrics to a song we’re playing. It jumps out at me much more than a bum note.
As a listener, there are some songs I’ve heard for decades and never thought about what the lyrics mean. Depends on the artist, I guess. I’m more likely to pay attention to the words if it’s Dylan, or Steve Earle, or Richard Thompson, somebody I consider a great songwriter.
As a listener, there are some songs I’ve heard for decades and never thought about what the lyrics mean. Depends on the artist, I guess. I’m more likely to pay attention to the words if it’s Dylan, or Steve Earle, or Richard Thompson, somebody I consider a great songwriter.
So Anyway, not so important that I would correct someone if I heard an incorrect lyric.
But I do love songs that tell a story like You're Still On My Mind and City Of New Orleans.
And for that you probably need some lyrics.
But I do love songs that tell a story like You're Still On My Mind and City Of New Orleans.
And for that you probably need some lyrics.
Yes and no.
I take in a lot of world music where I have no freaking idea what the lyrics mean, but I still profoundly dig the music.
Come to think of it, half the time I can't tell what the words are when the song is supposedly in my native tongue, English. (Ahem: Robert Plant.)
OTOH when I can decipher them, I find that lyrics can convey a lot of wisdom and/or emotional heft. There's no doubt in my mind that writing lyrics is an art and a science in its own right.
So there you have it.
I take in a lot of world music where I have no freaking idea what the lyrics mean, but I still profoundly dig the music.
Come to think of it, half the time I can't tell what the words are when the song is supposedly in my native tongue, English. (Ahem: Robert Plant.)
OTOH when I can decipher them, I find that lyrics can convey a lot of wisdom and/or emotional heft. There's no doubt in my mind that writing lyrics is an art and a science in its own right.
So there you have it.
It depends on what the song is trying to convey.
If it's a song like Marvin Gaye's "What's Going On," then the lyrics need to be meaningful. If it's a song like KC and the Sunshine Band's "Get Down Tonight," then the groove is really all that matters.
If it's a song like Marvin Gaye's "What's Going On," then the lyrics need to be meaningful. If it's a song like KC and the Sunshine Band's "Get Down Tonight," then the groove is really all that matters.
I like lyrics from the Great American Songbook. I really hear melodically, lyrics or not. If the lyrics and melidy don't interest me, maybe the groove will, inside/outside playing is cool.
Many genres have nursery rhyme sing-song lyrical melody lines. Those don't interest me.
I don't remember lyrics, I don't know why that is. But I remember some from my younger days and can sing along. If I don't understand what the vocalists are singing I don't expend any effort trying to wrestle with it.
I read alot of literature, used college lit textbooks from my local university town Restore is a treasure trove of good reads. that is mentally stimulating and I enjoy that.
Many genres have nursery rhyme sing-song lyrical melody lines. Those don't interest me.
I don't remember lyrics, I don't know why that is. But I remember some from my younger days and can sing along. If I don't understand what the vocalists are singing I don't expend any effort trying to wrestle with it.
I read alot of literature, used college lit textbooks from my local university town Restore is a treasure trove of good reads. that is mentally stimulating and I enjoy that.
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Really just about zero for me. I'm routinely finding out lyrics of songs i've listened to for 45+ years....just not on my radar. Melody is key for me, but might as well be the adults from The Peanuts gang singing...
Uh, you never heard of Schubert lieder? Bach masses?
And amongst jazz musicians the characteristic statement about ballads is "learn the lyrics first".
I don't care at all. I don't want to sound snobbish, but I have a master's degree in literature, and when you've spent hours dissecting something like T.S. Eliot's Invalid Link Removedor Invalid Link Removed, you realize that most lyrics are crap. I guess it's like me getting all excited over a bass line that would probably make someone with a formal music background roll their eyes.
That said, David Berman's lyrics on the Purple Mountains album are truly a masterpiece.
That said, David Berman's lyrics on the Purple Mountains album are truly a masterpiece.
