You: Music or Lyrics?
I read an article this morning about how non-musicians hear songs. The article talked about how musicians focus on structure and organization and words and blah blah, when non-musicians might not notice such nuances. It was a fascinating read, to say the least.
So I wanted to ask, when you hear a song, which grabs you more – the music or the lyrics?
Interesting question… and the other article was interesting too.
For me, I listen to both the first time… I can’t separate them out until I’ve started to feel the song fully. Then I start listening to the harmonies and chording. That being said, I know the words to most songs by the 3rd or 4th time through (when most people I know are still stuck on the melody) and am occasionally shocked that some people don’t listen to the lyrics at all.
My husband listens for hooks… he skips through a song the first time or so through to see what it’s going to do. Drives me batty! I want to feel the progression, the build up and where it takes me, rather than jumping around to see where it will eventually get to. Of course, he also reads the last page of a book first… the pessimist!
I’m looking forward to hearing the results of your poll! I didn’t vote b/c I don’t listen to one or the other.
OH I should’ve put none or both as an option.
1. Can you send me the link to that article? (if it’s online anyway) I’d love to read it.
2. That’s a tricky question you’ve got there. Initially, it is music…lots of dissonance used, the way the guitar is played (hammer ons, overall tone, etc…), etc, etc, but I can also fall in love with a song for its words, and despite its lackluster melody.
dang. I forgot.
http://www.servethesong.net/muse/nonmusicians-hear-music/
Hey – Thanks for linking to my article : )
I have to say I have always been drawn to the music and feel of the song first, and the lyrics second. Actually, I probably don’t even know what many of favorite songs are even about!
It’s always cool to go back and re-discover a favorite song’s lyrics.
Cheers
Thank YOU for a great article. I’ve always been fascinated (and frustrated) when a friend says “I don’t know why, I just like the song.” I can always give a million reasons for my musical taste. It’s crazy for me to think that others aren’t as aware.
But, honestly, I think there’s is the purest ear…
it’s definitely the feel of the song first for me…
I am the epitome of “not a musician” and my first instinct was that I go for the words. I have a knack for recalling lyrics from songs and putting them into what ever current situation I find myself in. But then I realized that there are certain songs that I absolutely love from my youth, but I couldn’t tell you what they are about, such as Boston’s “More than a Feeling”. So I guess it’s both!
Glad I could be so definitive!
hm. both. but maybe the musical elements a little more. i listen A LOT to how the person is singing–their tone, intonation, technique, whether or not they seem to have any tension, etc. i also listen to the chord progressions, and whether or not I, IV, V, and vi get a little bench time to let the rest of the team work. (if you’re in C: I, IV, V, and vi would be C, F, G, and Am…just in case someone didn’t know what in the world I meant).
sometimes studying music makes it difficult to worship, mostly if i’m the one listening rather than leading. i feel like i am constantly analyzing. so it takes a lot of effort to JUST listen. no analyzing. just enjoying.
PS: The music-student type intimidates me. I never feel adequate for those who study my craft, since I can barely read music and only in the past few months learned the I, IV, vi stuff.
i’m always scared of doing that to people. and as much as i analyze (and analyze and analyze…), i’m not all snooty about it. so no worries on this end.
Hi Mandy!!
You know it depends on my mood. Sometimes I look for music to drone the noise of words in my life.
Of course a rapid beat, maybe a jazz sax or a piano will catch me.
But then there are the poetic lyrics.
I guess I am standing in the middle of the seesaw.
Both catch me.
I go for both, but the lyrics probably matter a little bit more to me. When explaining why I like a particular song, artists, or entire genre, I usually use the lyrics. But there are times where good lyrics can not save the bad music behind them.
If I am looking for a song that will change, or reinforce, a mood I focus on the music. I have been listening to a lot of Latin music even though I don’t understand the words. Classical music, fusion Jazz, where there are no lyrics, is another example. The energy, raw emotions, of the Punk and Heavy Metal genres, where I can’t even hear the words.
I also enjoy interesting stories, or opinions about life. The songs of story tellers like Natalie Merchant, Bruce Springsteen and Green Day.
Overall I don’t favour music or lyrics. It all depends on my mood.
very interesting to read… I wouldn’t have pegged you as a punk listener, though. But you are an eclectic music fan… And I can tell that you like story songs.
I just voted and now the numbers are dead split 50% 50%.
I never thought so many of you would say “both” in the comments. This is fascinating indeed.
For me the lyrics are what grab my attention. I like the story. Don’t get me wrong, I have to like the music as well. For instance I”m not big on heavy metal or rock and stuff like that but if I like the lyrics then I’m more than willing to listen to it.
Lyrics, baby!
But if a song has good lyrics and bad music — no good. If a song has good music and bad lyrics — again, no good.
And then there’s Nirvana. Doesn’t really matter, cuz you can’t understand what they’re saying anyway. I love Seal because he never prints his lyrics. He actually likes people to come up with what they think they say. I think that’s pretty cool. What does, “I’ve been kissed by a rose on the grave” mean anyway?
Interesting (or not) aside: I’ve heard that the lyrics to the song “Inagaddadavida” by Iron Butterfly were written when the author was extremely wasted. He was saying, “In the Garden of Eden”, which is what it always sounded like to me anyway.
I am a wealth of useless information.
In the Garden of Eden?
wow
Well, interesting. I wouldn’t call myself a non-musician, but if I’m listening to music (as opposed to performing or practicing it), I focus more words. I’m a word person in every area, though, so that make sense. But I’m a music person, too. Hmmm. This is really curious. !
Honestly, it’s not a fair question. It’s impossible to answer that with an A or B response, since each song provides the listener with a different experience, drawing them to one, the other, or both. Also, not all music has instrumentation while others are a cappella.
I LOVE that you posted this, though, because it really opens up a cool dialogue into what people tend to look for in music and their own ways of being pulled in to the universe a song or piece can create. Well done!
Thanks for stopping by, twitter-friend!
I agree, it’s a tough question. But I don’t think it’s unfair.
Yes, each song is different, but each listener is the same… And, most pop songs are both music and lyrics. So I’m wondering if people have a functioning preference. I think there are personalities (usually swinging to the extreme of analytical or emotive) who would over-all tend to prefer one.
That was my mentality in asking.
Because I write my own tunes I find that I try to consume both, but there are times when I notice one more than the other. It depends on if I’m in my right or left brain, really. Sorry, that was kinda geeky
Oh don’t apologize for geeky around here! I married one! All geeks are welcome.
For some songs, it’s definitely all about the lyrics!
Music for me. Even if I’ve written it myself. How weird is that.
Wondering if gender is another factor in this…? I saw a few tweets, and from my very-uncomprehensive review, more guys are going for music over lyrics.
Not that the comments here so far would really back that up…
Thanks for this Mandy (& Serve The Song) – great discussion.
Honestly, I didn’t click the button. I like both – equally. Each are important in their own way. Now, I do think the music is more important than the lyrics in instrumental tunes. It seems that there, the instruments rule. Oh, and when singing acapella, lyrics pretty much take center stage.
Complicated!
I definitely listen to the lyrics over the music…but I believe the music can either add to or detract from the words. Especially when it comes to christian worship songs, the lyrics are more important, but I certainly like some arrangements over others.
Both.
I won’t listen to a song (again) if it’s got lame lyrics.
And that lame old addage about people only listening to the music doesn’t fly with me. If a song has crap lyrics it doesn’t matter how “good” the music is…it makes the song lame.
But as a musician, I’m definitely drawn to the music as well.
music.
Great question. I would honestly say the music first, and then the lyrics. Sometimes I think, “Those are the lyrics, yuck.”
Hey Mandy! My first time here. So as I promised on my tweet:… I vote for music. My emotions, when I play or write a song, come out in the dynamics of the music. I love the crecendos & decrecendos of a song which just gives me the major chillz.
The lyrics though complete the whole song. It is the vessel that gives the listener the complete emotional thought or story the songwriter is trying to convey.
Have you seen the movie “Music & Lyrics”? There is a cool scene (I cannot quote the actors’ dialogue right now) where Drew Barrymore & Hugh Grant discuss the significance of the melody…& of it’s lyrics. Cool flick! (FYI: for the record, I do like chick-flicks as well as dude-flicks)
Thx for this post! Be Blessed!
Welcome, Ron!
Totally LOVED Music and Lyrics as well… Great job of explaining why you like the music first… I’m the same. For a lot of the same reasons. I LOVE where music takes me.
Schweet! Keep up the good work!
the lyrics grab me and keep me if they are good. if the lyrics are offensive, it doesn’t matter how cool the music is, i’m turned off.
content first, then music for me. most of the time.
Music, then following closely in second is the lyrics. It’s got to groove before I can listen to what it’s got to say. If I like what it says but don’t like the groove, I won’t listen at all.
both
the music gets me into the lyrics, but the lyrics will keep me on a so-so musical song (but not a bad/boring one). I voted for “music.”
The music pulls me in, but the lyrics keep me.
Both.
Both.
Both.
Dang.
I wonder how the poll would’ve worked if I asked for both.
I never guessed so many would want that!
that is fascinating. Usually if I am captured by the music, then I will listen to the lyrics. Obviously I am a lyric gal, but honestly the music has to grab me first.
Yup, BOTH.
Good question,but I couldn’t vote; there wasn’t a field for “both” or “I just like it”. This question reminds me of an art class I had to take in college ages ago. The professor wanted me to look at some pictures in an exhibit, choose one, then tell her why I liked it. That was okay, but her requirement was for me to explain in relation to the details of the art work. I didn’t do very well; I just said “because it appeals to me”. She wasn’t pleased.
Sometimes a song gets stuck in my head because of the lyrics and sometimes it’s the music.
Does this mean you’ll give me grace for all those questions you ask me about the songs that I don’t know!!!????????? Am I given freedom here some now!??? LOL!!
All I am normally thinking about are the lyrics (in a non-musician way), and what I could choreograph to that song
Um… Yes?
do i have to pick just one?!