View Poll Results: Are you a lyrics or music person?
The lyrics are more important to me
6
10.91%
I don't really listen to lyrics much, just the sound
36
65.45%
I don't care either way as long as the song is good
14
25.45%
Multiple Choice Poll. Voters: 55. You may not vote on this poll
Are you more of a music or lyrics person?
08-23-07, 06:07 PM
#26
DVD Talk Platinum Edition
Originally Posted by wishbon3
Music for the most part, although powerful lyrics can enhance the listen for me, even superceding the music at times. It really depends on what the music and/or lyrics bring to the song.
08-23-07, 06:08 PM
#27
DVD Talk Legend
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I'm more about the sound than the lyrical content. As a longtime fan of death/black metal lyrics aren't easily discernible, so I have to go on the music. I do listen ot many other artists that I can clearly understand, but I always listen to the music first, lyrics second.
08-23-07, 07:22 PM
#29
Member
I am definitely more into music than lyrics. The fact that I play several instruments probably plays a large part in this; a lot of times I'll have the music from a song going through my head and it will take me a long time to even think of the name of the song.
Of course I not only listen to rock but also classical and jazz, which are often, but not always, instrumental. I also listen to music from other countries and in those cases I often have no idea what is being said so the vocals are merely part of the soundscape. Certain types of metal, as others have noted, almost require you to not pay attention to the lyrics.
I'm not saying that the lyrics aren't important. They can certainly add a lot to a song. It's just that if the music doesn't do it for me the lyrics won't be a difference maker. I'm a huge fan of someone like Sam Phillips; I guess I like my singer-songwriters to be on the somewhat quirky side.
Of course I not only listen to rock but also classical and jazz, which are often, but not always, instrumental. I also listen to music from other countries and in those cases I often have no idea what is being said so the vocals are merely part of the soundscape. Certain types of metal, as others have noted, almost require you to not pay attention to the lyrics.
I'm not saying that the lyrics aren't important. They can certainly add a lot to a song. It's just that if the music doesn't do it for me the lyrics won't be a difference maker. I'm a huge fan of someone like Sam Phillips; I guess I like my singer-songwriters to be on the somewhat quirky side.
08-23-07, 08:20 PM
#30
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Both - Not every line in a song has to kill but I want to hear some good stuff and I need the sound to compliment the lyrics.
08-23-07, 08:40 PM
#31
Guest
I can go for songs with good lyrics but so-so music or so-so lyrics with good music.
Rancid right now is band I'm listening to the most, and their lyrics range from funny bad to pretty good, but they just have a hook and the feel of the music is good. And Tim Armstrong sucks as a singer, guitar player, and acts like a jackass on stage. And their gimmick is lame. But I still like listening to them and their bass player is great.
Rancid right now is band I'm listening to the most, and their lyrics range from funny bad to pretty good, but they just have a hook and the feel of the music is good. And Tim Armstrong sucks as a singer, guitar player, and acts like a jackass on stage. And their gimmick is lame. But I still like listening to them and their bass player is great.
08-24-07, 01:33 AM
#32
DVD Talk Limited Edition
I like some songs for the music, some for the lyrics, some for both.
To some extent I can ignore bad or stupid lyrics if it sounds good. If the music doesn't either sound good or cause an emotional reaction that fits the song, I'm not going to like the song.
To some extent I can ignore bad or stupid lyrics if it sounds good. If the music doesn't either sound good or cause an emotional reaction that fits the song, I'm not going to like the song.
Last edited by Ginwen; 08-24-07 at 01:38 AM.
