Music vs Lyrics...

[Chrysalis]

While listening to some music today it occured to me that as much as I like lyrics the sound of the song and beat are also very big factors for me when buying music.
It got me to wondering how other people view songs and if they pay more attention to the lyrics or the music itself.

Are there any example of songs you prefer from a music point of view or alternatively from a lyric point of view?

[CovenantJr]

Music is of prime importance to me. If a song also has good lyrics, all the better, but it's the music that makes me listen. I can love the lyrics, but if the music doesn't appeal, I struggle to listen, whereas I can enjoy listening to good music with poor lyrics.

[Worm of Despite]

Both are very important to me. I don't look at them as separate. It's like going "which is more important to you in a peanut butter sandwich: the bread or the peanut butter?"

As a rule, all the bands/artists which I have in my CD collection have good lyricists: Roger Waters, John Lennon, Keith Reid, Brian Wilson, Pete Townshend, etc.

[matrixman]

Ditto what CovJr said. I listen for the music first, not the lyrics. If the lyrics also happen to be good, that's a bonus.

But's also true that a lot of the artists that I like tend to write (what I consider) both good lyrics and good music.

[[Syl]]

To me, a song is like a woman. The music is the physical attributes and the lyrics the mental. The music is what catches my interest, but the lyrics are what keeps me around. I can enjoy either separately, but I prefer to have both, and require both for it to be considered one of my favorites.

[Fist and Faith]

CJ said it perfectly for me.

Syl just made music a lot sexier for me (*pant*), but I really don't feel the same way. I can, and have, loved some songs for years without having any idea what some of the lyrics were, or finding out that I'd had them wrong all along. Yes, if the lyrics are profound, all the better, but it's not necessary for me.

But you're absolutely right where women are concerned, Syl!!

[Chrysalis]

To me, a song is like a woman. The music is the physical attributes and the lyrics the mental. The music is what catches my interest, but the lyrics are what keeps me around. I can enjoy either separately, but I prefer to have both, and require both for it to be considered one of my favorites.

That is a nice way of looking at it

And CovenantJr said it perfectly I think! There has to be good music even if the lyrics aren't all that-but having the best of both really make a great song

[theDespiser]

alot of the stuff i listen to has a message that i dont really agree with, or dont fully agree with, but the music is great...and sometime the lyrics evoke a certain feeling inside, or a certain emotion, but its not necessarily something i feel everyday, or on a regular basis...

key examples are when i listen to Black and Death Metal...Black Metal is usually very dark/evil/satanic/ or any variation of the 3, but the music differs depending on the band and their talent...but im not a satanist, and i dont really consider myself an 'evil' person, but everybody DOES have a dark side, so thats pretty much what i get out of it...'exploring my dark side' i guess would be a good way to put it..for lack of a better term...heheh...and the music definately takes me places...same with Death Metal...i dont go around cuttin people up and eating the pieces, or stuff like that, but...well, i guess thats the horror-movie part of me, cuz i really dont think i have a 'cannablistic' side...heheh...

but...lyrics arent really much of a factor in my music..sure i listen to some, but the music is the main thing...and image plays a SMALL part, too...at least sometimes, anyway...and when everything meshes together well, then...so much the better

[Rivenrock]

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