• Matt
  • Matt
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  • From: N. Ireland
  • Registered: 2007-04-07
  • Posts: 311

Topic: Music or Lyrics?

Hey guys,

This is a question which I though could be a fun topic. A couple of the other threads got me thnking this way, sorry if it's been done before I don't think it has.

Basically when your listening to a song do you find you pay more attention to the lyircs, to the music or just the song as a whole? I think personally I prefer the music, I find I really love songs that have killer guitar riffs and solos, and any song really where there are "proper" musicians who really know how to play wether its guitars piano drums or bass. Basically i just find that the actual music means more. The odd time I might think "oh thats a nice line" for lyrics but I'd never read the liner notes or anything. I think thats probably why i don't like rap and most pop music.

What does everyone else think? Or am i just weird? lol.

Discuss,
Matt

  • From: Harrison, Arkansas
  • Registered: 2006-04-21
  • Posts: 3,155

Re: Music or Lyrics?

Music, the lyrics don't matter if the music doesn't pack a punch. I've always subscribed to the theory that lyrics can only help a song and never hurt it.

"And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make"

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  • eva
  • eva
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  • From: germany
  • Registered: 2007-03-15
  • Posts: 1,885

Re: Music or Lyrics?

Interesting Topic! I also have to say that the music is what gets me first, but I listen to the lyrics from the "first listen" on ... sometimes I don´t understand everything and I have to listen a few times more. If I think about it, I really can´t see a song completely without the lyrics (well, "Palm Trees, Helicopters and Gasoline" would be an exeption wink) ... just think that a song is not complete without knowing what it´s about.


BluesMan wrote:

Now, I catch myself singing outloud in the car either joining him on lead or chiming in on backing vocals. Of course, I'm not sayig I can sing like Ryan can. Let's just say it's good that we still have winter here and my windows are still up. No sense upsetting other drivers on the road.

Roy

Roy, me too! You should see me in my car when "Burning Hell" starts ... the people who drive behind me have a lot of fun, I´m sure lol .
I´m playing Slideguitar on the steering wheel and sing out loud (even the guitar solo! wink) ... one good thing about winter!

  • From: Harrison, Arkansas
  • Registered: 2006-04-21
  • Posts: 3,155

Re: Music or Lyrics?

eva wrote:

Interesting Topic! I also have to say that the music is what gets me first, but I listen to the lyrics from the "first listen" on ... sometimes I don´t understand everything and I have to listen a few times more. If I think about it, I really can´t see a song completely without the lyrics (well, "Palm Trees, Helicopters and Gasoline" would be an exeption wink) ... just think that a song is not complete without knowing what it´s about.


BluesMan wrote:

Now, I catch myself singing outloud in the car either joining him on lead or chiming in on backing vocals. Of course, I'm not sayig I can sing like Ryan can. Let's just say it's good that we still have winter here and my windows are still up. No sense upsetting other drivers on the road.

Roy

Roy, me too! You should see me in my car when "Burning Hell" starts ... the people who drive behind me have a lot of fun, I´m sure lol .
I´m playing Slideguitar on the steering wheel and sing out loud (even the guitar solo! wink) ... one good thing about winter!

Thank the good Lord I don't live in Germany then. wink

"And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make"

My ReverbNation page for Dees & Friends - check us out!
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  • From: new york
  • Registered: 2006-11-11
  • Posts: 583

Re: Music or Lyrics?

i am a music guy . i can care less about the vocals i like the instrument playing vocals are ok but a good long killer jam i will take anytime over a song that is based on it's vocals ................joe

  • Lee
  • Lee
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Re: Music or Lyrics?

Music, almost entirely. I would go so far as to say I prefer instrumentals over songs with lyrics. I listen to other types of music, namely jazz fusion, that are almost exclusively instrumental.

  • From: new york
  • Registered: 2006-11-11
  • Posts: 583

Re: Music or Lyrics?

lee , i record this band randy coven twice back in the 80's great jazz fusion band you would love them this guy kicks **** let me know if you want a copy . i also did a great show of billy cobham in the 80's which is another killer show and john scofield off the hook . i love the instrumental stuff myself . you might want to take a listen to a band called particle they are all instrumental and really kick **** .joe


Lee wrote:

Music, almost entirely. I would go so far as to say I prefer instrumentals over songs with lyrics. I listen to other types of music, namely jazz fusion, that are almost exclusively instrumental.

  • gary
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  • From: Palatine Illinois by Chicago
  • Registered: 2006-08-25
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Re: Music or Lyrics?

joebeacon wrote:

lee , i record this band randy coven twice back in the 80's great jazz fusion band you would love them this guy kicks **** let me know if you want a copy . i also did a great show of billy cobham in the 80's which is another killer show and john scofield off the hook . i love the instrumental stuff myself . you might want to take a listen to a band called particle they are all instrumental and really kick **** .joe


Lee wrote:

Music, almost entirely. I would go so far as to say I prefer instrumentals over songs with lyrics. I listen to other types of music, namely jazz fusion, that are almost exclusively instrumental.

I am mostly a music guy,lyrics are usually an afterthought.I do enjoy the vocals its a big part of the songfor me its just that I dont analize the lyrics that much.There have been some songs that I have liked that eventually the lyrics became very important to.Miss you Hate you,Lie #1 for example.
     And Joebeacon and Lee I would check out the band Plankton for instruemental guitar.
     sound bites at http://www.grooveyardrecords.com

Your rock candy baby
Your hard sweet and sticky

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  • Lee
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Re: Music or Lyrics?

joebeacon wrote:

lee , i record this band randy coven twice back in the 80's great jazz fusion band you would love them this guy kicks **** let me know if you want a copy . i also did a great show of billy cobham in the 80's which is another killer show and john scofield off the hook . i love the instrumental stuff myself . you might want to take a listen to a band called particle they are all instrumental and really kick **** .joe

Thanks for the offer Joe. I'll let you know. I must admit I have not heard of Coven, but Scofield is one of my all-time favorites. Love that guy! Cobham is great. I have heard of Particle, but haven't heard their stuff. So much music, so little time.......

10 Reply by bigjeffjones (edited by bigjeffjones 2008-02-28 21:27:11)

  • From: Edgewater, FL
  • Registered: 2007-12-08
  • Posts: 5,046

Re: Music or Lyrics?

Good topic...Equally important to me.  It's the whole enchilada.  A good verse without music is poetry.

There can be good music without lyrics.  From the classics to the most avant garde jazz fusion we have compositions that will live forever.  We have poetry that is immortal, as well.

But where the walls come down, the edges melt and the people are moved, that is where genius lies.  That is art.

Where every ethnic background sits, with mouth open, and blood pounding, and says, "My soul is moved." is where the love is.  There...is hope, which springs eternal.

I have to play. 

I "retired*" from music & ignored that divine spark for years to raise a family.  Now it is "The Inner Mounting Flame."  My kids have it, too.


I didn't intend to wax so lyrical, but that's my truth, and I am FREE.  That's why I am the funky dr. of Love.

playon
singon

editz:  *Slunk away, drooling and babbling, to sit in the corner & suck my thumb at first.

Rock On & Keep the FAITH
             It is
Blues From the Bottoms

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  • From: Crystal Lake, Il.
  • Registered: 2006-04-22
  • Posts: 5,120

Re: Music or Lyrics?

I have to agree with Jeff...it's the whole enchilada.
There are some great instrumental songs that I love, but when I read this I immediately thought of a post I saw here recently, talking about Joe playing "Reconsider Baby". It's a great example for this topic.
That song would be great without any lyrics, but when I saw Joe throw his head back and sing that first line..."so looooooong, how I hate to see you go"...man, that just sent a shiver up my back that I'll never forget. That song (and many others) would not be the same without the lyrics.

"Rock ON & Keep the Faith"
  • suhl
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Re: Music or Lyrics?

this just depends.  for me it is both.  obviously when im listening to blues it is going to be the music usually.  when im listening to folk it is going to be lyrics.  i prefer both myself.  i dig long instrumental jams and i dig simple folk songs with poetic lyrics.  thankfully you don't have to pick one or the other and i am not one who just likes one type of music.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=fCdNsm7gvu8

If wine and pills were hundred dollar bills
I might keep you satisfied

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  • Matt
  • Matt
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Re: Music or Lyrics?

Great replies! Very interresting to read as it allows a bit more insight into how others percieve music. I was thinking a it more about it and I think that even though i don't really pay as much attention to the lyrics i still enjoy the fact that the singer is using his voice as an instrument. What the actual lyrics are isn't really as important, aslong as its not somthing deeply disturbing lol.

Matt

  • From: new york
  • Registered: 2006-11-11
  • Posts: 583

Re: Music or Lyrics?

i have to say now that i think about it . i really don't care to much for the lyrics but in joes case he puts alot into his singing and is very in tone with the music and for some reason his vocals stand out compared to other bands i see . so if i am listening to joe then yes i do like the lyrics everyone else stick to just the playing ........joe

15 Reply by gsj

  • gsj
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  • From: North Essex, England
  • Registered: 2006-09-21
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Re: Music or Lyrics?

Melody or hook or riff.....I'll never know. I try not to look at it too closely in case it loses it's magic....it's too fragile. It's music.....I just accept it for what it is.

never give up, never slow down
never grow old, never ever die young
  • Registered: 2006-09-13
  • Posts: 441

Re: Music or Lyrics?

I'm a music girl.  Lyrics are nice, but for me the music comes first.  I started playing guitar because I remember that hearing the music wasn't enough--that I needed to experience it.

"There is nothing to it.  You only have to hit the right notes at the right time and the instrument plays itself."---Johann Sebastian Bach
  • From: Harrison, Arkansas
  • Registered: 2006-04-21
  • Posts: 3,155

Re: Music or Lyrics?

Frankly I think that's why a lot of music to me today is rather boring, because I'll see an interview by these artists and they don't say anything about the "music." They're all about talking about the lyrics, wanting to tell a story. Well, a story is fine if the tune is good.

"And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make"

My ReverbNation page for Dees & Friends - check us out!
www.reverbnation.com/deesfriends
  • From: Deep in the forest
  • Registered: 2007-02-11
  • Posts: 5,296

Re: Music or Lyrics?

I waited to read this thread thinking I was going to be an outcast..Nice to see your replies. It's the music for me too. Don't get me wrong, I love words and good stories, but the vocals have to be another "instrument" in the sound. I've been turned off to some great players because of their voices. Just can't get past a "bad" voice. I loved Zappa for his skill as a musician/composer. The lyrics were secondary. The more I listen to Joe and other players recommended here, the more I have learned how much tone matters to my ears. In general, when it comes to guitar, my motto is Plug it in and wail away!   Cathy (GW)