Recently I have been thinking a lot about lyrics, and why they mean so much to me, yet so little to some people. I should probably point out that I don't think this makes me a "better" music listener than anyone else- I just think everyone enjoys music differently, and I am very interested to know what all you people think.
So, my question would be this- what makes a good lyric? To me, good music (whether it has lyrics or not) has to move me in some way; make me feel something from the writer- whether it is joy, sadness, pain, anger, indignation, love, awe, happiness, escapism, or any other of the infinite number of emotions humans have the capacity to feel. And I think the same applies to lyrics. If you're not trying to say something, or even just express some sort of emotion, I don't want to hear it. Harsh? Probably. But I can't help it- if I can't see a bit of your soul, then I'm not interested in your lyrics. How sadistic.
Anyway. What do you think? How much do you care about lyrics? And what makes lyrics good? And what are your favourites? Let's get a real discussion on the go. This would make me happy.
Posts
To me lyrics are VERY important. I think I annoyed the snot out of a lot of the worship leaders who mentored me when I first started singing in church by analysing and tearing apart the lyrics of lots of songs and asking 'why> what does that mean> that makes no sense'
ReplyDeleteSimilarly the music I like has to have meaning, because I use music to bring me up or gain some understanding if I'm down or searching for an answer to something.
It's why I love artists such as Ben Folds, Alexi Murdoch, Sarah McLachlan, The Perishers, Belle and Sebastian, Nada Surf, The Moldy Peaches and even Oasis (at least in their older stuff).
Honesty without cheese :-)
ReplyDeleteI'm much more drawn to sounds before lyrics, hence my love of Sigur Ros, Bjork and other purveyors of made up languages.
ReplyDeleteBut as you note, it's got to tell convey emotion. However, sometimes that emotion can be mindless and shallow and I still love it if it sounds good and has a great melody.
Diane on the other hand, is the almost the opposite :) This makes for a great marriage!
Like David, I'm often drawn to music before lyrics (I remember several occasions where my non-musical flatmate would pick up on a lyric that I hadn't noticed despite listening to the song in question for years).
ReplyDeleteBoth are important to me, but I'm more likely to enjoy a great instrumental (or a great tune with throw-away lyrics - for example Yes, or Phish - obscure ideas or even nursery-rhyme lyrics, but the most wonderful music) than great lyrics with a crap tune. Obviously, great lyrics backed up by great music is the best (Ben Folds was mentioned before - he has some great lyrics, but many of his songs would be nothing with the catchy melodies and energetic musicianship he also brings to it), and preferably the music reflects and interacts with the lyrics.
Great instrumentals can sometimes convey a theme or emotion much more effectively than words can. Or they can take an idea presented in a couple verses of lyrics to new heights in the solo or instrumental to follow (have a listen to something like Pink Floyd's Sorrow or High Hopes)
I think I've learned to appreciate good lyrics much more since I started songwriting myself, but I think my best ones are the ones where the lyrics and music develop simultaneously. And like koalainscotland, I've started to pick apart some of the confusing/obscure/just wrong lyrics we sing in church (see also http://dldown.blogspot.com/search/label/Odd%20things%20we%20sing )- good lyrics are especially important when you are writing for others to sing.
Jo
Thanks for all commenting guys, really good stuff- I think when I was talking about a piece of music having to say something to me, I meant musically as well- just as you said, Jo, great instrumentals can often convey emotions just as well as lyrics. But I can definitely think of some examples of songs which I actually don't enjoy listening to, simply because I disagree with the lyrics, or think they suck. I also think "randomness" is a valid emotion to express through lyrics- lyrics don't have to be "understood" to be powerful. But that is, of course, just my opinion. Keep the thoughts coming!!
ReplyDeleteSometimes I take issue slightly with songs that are written to be deliberately obscure. I'm happy with simple lyrics, deep and meaningful lyrics, nonsense lyrics, even those songs where the lyrics are a nonsensical stream but which flow together to create some kind of impression or artistic effect (like some of Brian Eno's stuff for example); but I dislike songs which kind of name-drop ideas or subjects in order to sound deep, but really aren't. I can't think of a good example right now...
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