Music is more important, but if the lyrics are great, it's even better. But most of the time people who makes awesome music write great lyrics too. It depends of the genre. I prefer lyrics from rock artits than metal artists......well im just saying things that you know too well so i'll shud up.
But what about a guy like Bob Dylan? His songs are great because of his lyrics, NOT the music. So It's obvious that lyrics can make or break an artist.
Originally posted by eggTweedyegg: Well if Bob Dylan writes great lyrics and that his music is just "good", then an artist who makes great music and great lyrics is better.
The question is silly because the lyrics are so heavily embedded in the experience of the song that to separate and judge them in a vacuum does a disservice to their true role. In addition, the fact that the song's mood and affect hinge upon a combination of these elements means that lyrics which would seem trivial or uninspired in one context may fit perfectly in another. Would you really want a literary deconstructionist narrative lyric on your dance track? (Actually in posing this question I almost want to say: yes! that would be refreshing!). But you get my point...
Originally posted by CouldBAnyone: The question is silly because the lyrics are so heavily embedded in the experience of the song that to separate and judge them in a vacuum does a disservice to their true role.
Well, really, this question is reserved only for those elite music listeners that are able to put aside their over-analytical mindset for just a moment and get in touch with their true self. Obviously CBA, you're not an elite music listener.
Originally posted by CouldBAnyone: The question is silly because the lyrics are so heavily embedded in the experience of the song that to separate and judge them in a vacuum does a disservice to their true role. In addition, the fact that the song's mood and affect hinge upon a combination of these elements means that lyrics which would seem trivial or uninspired in one context may fit perfectly in another. Would you really want a literary deconstructionist narrative lyric on your dance track? (Actually in posing this question I almost want to say: yes! that would be refreshing!). But you get my point...
What (s)he said. But with that said, I value the songwriting more. If the voice is bad, and the guitar playing is bad and the drumming is bad and the production is bad, the song can be amazing as long as the lyrics are great. If the inverse is true, your only hope is to bury the crappy lyrics into the mix so I can't hear them, or I'll notice and I won't be pleased.
Originally posted by CouldBAnyone: The question is silly because the lyrics are so heavily embedded in the experience of the song that to separate and judge them in a vacuum does a disservice to their true role.
I don't think so. For most of my favorite records, you could place random words in instead of the real lyrics, and it would make no difference at all for me.
Posts: 3912 | Location: NE Indiana | Registered: 14 April 2005
Originally posted by CouldBAnyone: The question is silly because the lyrics are so heavily embedded in the experience of the song that to separate and judge them in a vacuum does a disservice to their true role.
I don't think so. For most of my favorite records, you could place random words in instead of the real lyrics, and it would make no difference at all for me.
I kind of agree. I was going to say that music is more important to me, but instrumentals tend to bore me. I need something anchoring the song together and giving it more form, and vocals tend to do that. If the lyrics are brilliant, that's just a plus.
However, if the lyrics are obnoxiously bad (Rilo Kiley's latest, I'm looking at you here, with crushed disappointment in my eyes) then it tends to detract from the song.
------ And you're lying if you sing along
Posts: 2161 | Location: ATL-abouts. | Registered: 24 October 2006
Originally posted by Chamberk: However, if the lyrics are obnoxiously bad (Rilo Kiley's latest, I'm looking at you here, with crushed disappointment in my eyes) then it tends to detract from the song.
Agree. It's what, imo, kept David Bowie from actually ascending into heaven as a god. He has had some of the stupidest lyrics in popular music!
--------------- I wonder if you're mythologizing me, like I do you
Posts: 1428 | Location: State of Disarray | Registered: 10 January 2007
There's certainly songs I like that don't have terrific lyrics, but I can't think of too many albums I enjoy that have consistently lousy, or worse yet, meaningless lyrics.
I'll always take guys like Dylan, Lou Reed, or Joe Strummer over the Beach Boys, because their songs say something interesting. For me it's easier to connect to that than just a pretty melody.
If interesting music is your only concern, you're better off listening to classical or jazz, imho.
----- Stay gold, Ponyboy. Stay gold.
Posts: 5235 | Location: Michigan | Registered: 19 June 2005
I really appreciate good lyrics, and I think we have all established that truely bad lyrics can ruin a song completely. However, I think a band can get away with meaningless weak lyrics if their music has a stong emotional pull or just plain rocks out. Look at Smashing Pumpkins and Bush. Their lyrics were nonsense, but I think they made up for it in their feeling and music(rock). Also, I have favorite artists that don't even have a vocal part (Mogwai, Explosions in the Sky). I really think Music is about the... music, lyrics are just a bonus and embellishment to the artform.
And if this discussion is going to be moved from Indie Rock, I think it would be cool to put in the Classical section.
---------------------------- It's okay, I'm a saint, I forgave your mistakes.
i'm a dancer-type of guy so i'm definitely more about beat & music but really bad lyrics will ruin it just as great lyrics don't necessarilly need great music
Mix a little folly with your plans: It is sweet to be silly at the right moment.
So, Brainofp. Everytime I read your name I start to think "If you're Brains of P, then your Brains of Me, and if your down with..." and then I get all confused.
---------------------------- It's okay, I'm a saint, I forgave your mistakes.
