July 17, 2008
Dear clusterflock,
Do lyrics trump music (nonverbal melody, rhythm, and all that jazz)? Or does music trump words?
In other words, if there is a disconnect, which way do you lean? Great tune/icky (even sporadically icky) lyrics — okay or not okay? Vicey-versey?
Or is it more complicated?
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10 Responses to “Dear clusterflock,”
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I don’t expect lyrics to be poetry, but I need there to be a certain proficiency in order to enjoy. Unless, of course, some of the enjoyment is based in cringe factor. Some of the pop music from the seventies is really enjoyable to me for all the wrong reasons.
Music definitely, hence the rise in instrumental versions of songs for the last 30 years. wiping the slate a little cleaner so to speak
It’s way more complicated, but in my own work I tend towards meaning rather than lyrics or music.
Of the music I love to listen to, it’s a sublime combination of the strangest and most wonderful words, the tonality of the singers voice (exemplified remarkably by Ben Chasny and Sir Richard Bishop I think). Musical difficulty, and the emotion behind it… it’s all too complicated, but I value lyrics highly.
If either aspect is terrible it will ruin the song. Generally I don’t listen to lyrics a whole lot, so mediocre and absolutely stunning lyrics are about the same to me.
The music is really what matters, but this includes vocals. The human voice is an amazing instrument, so when the vocals are used this way, to complement the rest of the music, I am generally impressed.
One element that really makes a difference to me more than anything, which can come from lyrics, vocals, or music, is passion. A passionate musician can make fairly crappy music sound amazing if you ask me. It’s all about the heart and soul.
great music + icky lyrics = ok
icky music + great lyrics = not ok
I like it when the lyrics are difficult to decipher, or extremely vague, since it does affect me a bit if the lyrics are stupid.
Jandek is right, way more complicated. But to work within the binary, for me, I once would say that it was the music but I find as I get older certain lyrical musicians move up and down the top ten list. I suspect this is because, say, Dylan’s ditties have such a different character than they did ten years ago.
Bad lyrics are easier to ignore than bad music.
Absolutely amazing lyrics can make up for a terrible tune—but even when they do, I’d rather read the song than listen to it.
I like both. Phenomenal music can overcome abhorrent lyrics. It’s much harder to say the opposite. By a similar token, I can enjoy French or Japanese rap, which is only musically mediocre (in my opinion) because the lyrics don’t detract from it any further.
I’d like to have amazing lyrics and awesome music though, if I could.
It takes me a long time to even “hear” the lyrics; for me initially the vocals are just another instrument creating the music.
That’s why I have little use for “clever” bands whose fans always try to convince me how great the songs are by reciting the lyrics… unless, of course, the music kicks ass.
I do appreciate good lyrics when I do discern them, but I won’t ultimately enjoy the song if the music isn’t doing it for me.
Cooper: “MUSIC! Good lyrics (great lyrics are virtually non-existent) are a plus for me, but the music is what matters. Melody, rhythm, overall sound. Over the past several years, in fact, I’ve become so tired of hearing good music ruined by irritating vocalists (think Santana) that I’ve begun to lean much more heavily toward instrumental music.” (Cooper Renner, who had a spot of trouble posting this comment today)