Lyrics vs. The Music

[~Mr. Indecisive~]

I have heard people argue about this, so I figured why not post it here, and get discussion going on it. Which is more important to you? I am still undecided at this point.

[Powerslave]

music, every time.

i like a song with good lyrics, but i see at is follows:

a song that has good lyrics but is bad musically = a poor song
a song that has bad lyrics but is good musically = a good song

[Spindrift]

The music. Terrible lyrics you can somewhat ignore, but awful music can just kill the entire song.

[The_virus]

I think it's no contest. Good lyrics alone are called poetry, so any music fan would naturally like music first. Otherwise they could just read the lyrics and not have to listen to anything.

[~Mr. Indecisive~]

While I agree with what has been said, I just don't think I could put up with bad lyrics either.

[AllThingsEqual]

If we are talking about listening to music then I would naturally pick music. If we were talking about good poetry, then I would naturally pick lyrics. They are completely different things.

[Cure4commoncold]

Music definitely, I'll agree that if lyrics are bad but the music is good I can deal. What's really great is when you get a song where both are great I don't find that very often anymore though. Also I find myself looking at the singers voice more than what they're saying.

[blitz]

It's clearly music, in my opinion. I listen to a lot of drum and bass, and sometimes there aren't even lyrics in the music, but I still enjoy it.

[Spiner202]

Also I find myself looking at the singers voice more than what they're saying.

This. I care more about what the singer sounds like, then the lyrics. By far, the music is more important. A lot of bands I like have bad lyrics but are great musically, so it doesn't bother me.

[coheed]

I currently find myself loving a band with miserable lyrics.

[Suburban Reject]

Being a rap fan, I can listen to almost anything with a good beat--it will sit in my Ipod.

However, I have too many songs, so if I'm gonna bump to ya, your lyrics better be on point.

Basically, lyrics and meaning turn a decent beat to straight fire.

However, with Indian music, it's all singing quality and music. Bollywood isn't known for meaningful sh*t, and spirituals are in Sanskrit, which I don't know.

[Kid_A]

I think it's no contest. Good lyrics alone are called poetry, so any music fan would naturally like music first. Otherwise they could just read the lyrics and not have to listen to anything.

Why else would people listen to Bob Dylan? OHH SNAP.

But seriously folks. Music first, lyrics second. Especially where a lot of songs have bridges that are instrumental, so they've gotta be good to keep listener interest. Not to mention the billions of songs that're purely instrumental.

[HeritageSoftail]

Music first- For me it's all about the music, and for me it's gotta be the guitars- rhythm and leads.
I listen to lyrics but I never pay as much attention to them, however it does depend on the song and how many times I've listened to it...the more times I've listened to it the more chance I will start to listen to the lyrics

[Civil Disobedient]

It's funny how everyone picks music, but then some of you would criticize Metal or Screamo because you can't hear the lyrics.

[HeritageSoftail]

it is strange- down to personal taste i think and perhaps the genre.. ?

[Flip-Hkd]

This. I care more about what the singer sounds like, then the lyrics. By far, the music is more important. A lot of bands I like have bad lyrics but are great musically, so it doesn't bother me.


Aka Alexi Laiho. I can HEAR words, but no comprehension. But it is still good.

And going off what CD said there is a line between lyrics, and vocals. [best way I could describe it] which in my opinion lyrics are the actual words and vocals being the action of saying the lyrics.

So you can have good vox and bad lyrics. Anyone get what I am saying lol

[Suburban Reject]

There's certain places where rap as an art form is more than just poetry, and why lyrics are important to me.

For example, a line like this can't be put in actual poetry; it sounds better with a beat and music:

"I'm all about the bills like Thurman Thomas" - Lil Wayne

I'm sure it rhymed with something, but as a stand-alone metaphor, that's insane. I need the wordplay with my music.

[Flip-Hkd]

Yeah I was talking along the lines of metal for the most part.

With rap the question is a different story. It's almost as if bad lyrics make the music bad at times.

[Fallen Angel]

It all really depends on the setting, and the Genre of music.

Hip Hop:
If Im in a club, or at a pretty decent party, I want to listen to some Lil' Wayne, 50 Cent, Akon, any of those guys with mediocre lyrics, but a good flow/beat

But If Im sitting at home by myself, or with a few friends, just chillin', I have to throw on some Atmosphere, Immortal Technique, Sage Francis, Brother Ali, ect. so I can Vibe to the lyrics.

Punk Rock:
Needs good music, I dont give a damn about the lyrics

Hard Rock:
Needs good Music, but also needs good Lyrics. Something like, Nonpoint, Metallica, SOAD, And stuff like that.

Alternative:
Like, Dashboard Confessional, John Mayer and sh*t, I need great lyrics, with Good music

So yeah, it really depends on the genre, and the circumstances. Its also Personal preference, Ive heard people hate on Atmosphere cause they didnt like the beats, but they love Wayne cause of his 'amazing' lyrics, Stuff like that confuses me.

[Doctor Gonzo]

Vocals, lyrics, and music are all equally important to me. I won't listen to anything lacking in those catagories. If I can't relate to the lyrics, then the song is not for me and I shouldn't be listening to it.

This is why I do not listen to most rap out put, because I do not relate to it and those rappers do not care about me or want me as a fan.

So be it, I've made my peace with that. I only listen to Lil' Wyte as far as that goes.

Anyway, I don't listen to music where I feel like the lyrics/vocals are lacking but the music is good. I don't listen to most of the current Godsmack material, even though the first album is one of my favorite of all-time. Like "Shinedown" and "Voodoo Two" and this crap, I mean, it's not the most terrible stuff I've ever heard, but I have no use for it. It's just incoherent babbling. "I F*cking Hate You" is embarrassing to listen to.

All That Remains first two albums are two of my favorite lyrically and musically, but they are also very unique. I look for that a lot, the uniqueness of a band. If something sounds mundane and played out, I don't care how good the solo is or how deep the grunts are or how melodic it is, if the band is just going through the motions and are trying to take advantage of a cookie cutter mold to get ahead, I'm not happy.

I like unique bands like White Zombie, System, Cradle of Filth, SOiL, Relative Ash, Disturbed, Arsis, Clutch, Pink Floyd, Ministry, Rage, WASP, Grip Inc., One Minute Silence, Coal Chamber, Static-X, early Manson/Spooky Kids, Killwhitneydead, Born of Osiris, Disarmonia Mundi, etc.

All have great vocals, great lyrics, and unique approaches and that is what matters.

[im just 2 good]

Usually music is more important than lyrics, but REALLY good lyrics can make a song great ("Breaking the Law", anyone?). It also depends on who's singing the lyrics. Iron Maiden would not be the same with anyone else singing, even though the have good lyrics, imo.

But most of the greatest bands of all time have great lyrics and music. Metallica, Maiden, and AC/DC just to name a few.

[Demikain]

Music, of course. I'm not all that bothered by lyrics to be honest. If they're good, then that's brilliant but I care more about how the singer is singing and what it sounds like than what the words actually are.

A question to anyone who puts lyrics equal to or more important than music: don't you like any music that isn't sung in English? Or music without lyrics at all? I think the importance of lyrics has been grossly exaggerated, unless you're listening to hip-hop or something, but personally I don't listen to hip-hop for the lyrics either.