No, don't post any.

This is a topic about lyrics, and how you treat them in songs. After reading that Linkin Park thread, it seems a lot of you find lyrical content to be an important aspect of a song.

To me they are an afterthought, when I actually concentrate on the vocals, it is usually in the melody, mood and variation in the actual voice, not the words that are spoken. My favourite singer is easily Mike Patton, thats equally because of his uber-flexible voice which can pull off almost any singing style, the huge array of music he makes and the innovation in his music.

When I listen to some bands the vocalists bore me because they sound the same on every track, same voice, different words. I spend most my time listening to the actual music in the track.

Post your thoughts, please.

Eh, lyrics are just an optional thing for me. I'll rather listen to the other parts, and not the lyrics... if the other parts are good, and the lyrics also are... then it's great! But I'm not interested in hearing anyone sing about anything, just the music. Geez.

Or on the other hand, I don't care about that even. If something sounds good to me, then it sounds, and hallelujah that's it!

The way the words are sung is more important than the lyrics themselves. Sometimes the lyrics solely can carry a song, but more often it's the tone, passion, and intensity of the singer that makes me want to listen to a song.

Muse - Micro Cuts is a perfect example. I have no idea what the hell that song is about or even what the lyrics are, yet the way he sings it, while novel and arguably annoying, is brimming with feeling. And I likes it.

well, I'll take a different standpoint. Lyrics, to me, are very important, because they tell the story of that song. Yes, the music is important also, but the lyrics themselves can be clever, humorours, passionate, sad... anything. It's a good way to get behind the "what" of a song and to the "why"

Some good examples of great lyricists: (look them up in Google if you don't have them and want to see the lyrics)

Dave Matthews Band - Particularily "The Space Between" which in one line sums up the joys and woes of relationships ( "The space between the tears we cry is the laugh that keeps us coming back for more" )

Relient K (mostly funny lyrics (check out "Mood Rings" "Chap Stick, Chapped Lips, and things like Chemistry" "in love with the 80's" or "Gibberish" what doesn't have actual words except in the chorus), but some that are very emotional and passionate, see "getting into you" or "i am understood")

Pete Yorn - havent' heard much from him (just cause I haven't really looked), but what I have heard I've liked. Very emotional... you may want to cry. (see "Lose You")

Good Charlotte - Seriously. Don't laugh. Somehow the music and actual sound of the vocals doesn't always live up to the emotion in the lyrics, but lyrically they're very powerful. (See "Mountain" "Predictable" from their new stuff, and "Emotionless" "Hold On" "Say Anything") (Also for funny lyrics, check out "Bloody Valentine, and "Girls and Boys")

Anyway, I'm not saying the music isn't important, but to me, what makes a good song great is the lyrics.

I don't get the whole idea of telling the story of the song or allowing you to get behind the song, when I write I do the lyrics and vocals last, as an afterthought, usually made up on the spot and sung or shouted crudely.

Definitely care more about the melody than the lyrics. To me, lyrics should be smart, but shouldnt be the focus. It should be the overall musical vibe you take away from the song.

Like the song I'm listening to now: Ben Folds - Get Your Hands Off of My Woman, Mother****er

not lyrically smart, but an awesome/fun song.

Or U2. Bono writes stream of consciousness style, so it's usually luck when he comes up with really cutting lyrics.

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Exactly. Meat Loaf is the perfect example; read the lyrics and they're sort of so-so and kind of cheesy. But actually hearing him sing Bat out of Hell or I'd Do Anything For Love (But I won't Do That)? It's amazing. Completely different than just reading the lyrics.

I can't imagine what he was like live... I'd give several vital internal organs to go see him live.

I think lyrics and vocals very important. Music can only give a song mood or atmosphere, it takes lyrics to give it meaning.

And I'm disturbed that Maynard James Keenan didn't make your list of great lyricists, Sarn.

They are almost onm the same level to me, but Lyrics is a little more important to me. However, a great song, to me, is one where it passes a great emotion to you, regaurdless if it through the music or lyrics.

Lyrics are an extremely important part of a song, unless a group just didn't have a singer, that is :P. The point of a singer is (usually, since the early orgins of R&B), to express a point, idea, story,emotion,etc. They act as an extension of the emotion the rest of the band is trying to give off. This is why I'm fascinated by songs which form a sort of harmony, or I could stretch that and say a synergy, between the singer and the other bandmates. An example being Led Zepplin's Dazed and Confused, not a great example but most of you have heard it, that Plant sings about being "Dazed and Confused", and the instruments go along with it as well, having a "dazed" feel, or going in to Page's unpredictable "out there" solo.

But if you want to think about it in more practical, in terms of actual content thereof, such as imagery presented or poetry in lyrics, it matters as well. Sometimes one overtakes the other ( paying more attention to lyrics rather than sound, I feel very much that way with Tool), but that can be a good thing.

Sometimes what puzzles me is the disconnection between a singer, and his/her lyrics. A great example is Mick Jagger. Though not the case with a lot of Stones songs, a lot of Stones songs are extremely deep, very poetic pieces of work. An example being "Sympathy For Devil", I believe is an extremely profound piece of writing, though the way he sings it is melodic and fits, I feel as a listener that there is a disconnection between what he's saying, and how he is singing it, like he's reciting it at a fast pace without seemingly expressing what he's saying. In contrast to that is The Doors "The End", or most great soul singers, I feel they mean and are expressing every word to what they say.

Personally, I believe some lyricists worth noting that are great( more current) are:
Jim Morrison - No introductions needed

Maynard Keenan ( If you can understand what he's saying, it can be thought of as the deepest lyrics in mainstream music today, in my opinion)

John Lennon/ George Harrison - Not only great songwriters writing wise, but had that synergy with songs that I expressed before.

Lyrics are important to me.. almost more than the music is... which is probably why Relient K is one of my favorite bands. They do have a bunch of fun songs.. but like especially with their new cd, there are many songs that are very serious and meaningful in the lyrics, and I like that.

See, as lyricists (or as people) I can't stand Jim Morrisson or Maynard James Keenan. They're not that great to me.

I do think lyrics are very important. They help set the tone of the song.
Would you listen to Bob Dylan if he sang about mundane stuff in a mundane way? I don't think I would. How about
Johnny Cash?

Danger, High Voltage! would suck if the lyrics were serious. Having the ridiculous lyrics sets the tone for the song.

If the Ramones had deep lyrics, the impact of their songs would be totally different. I'd probably still like them, but not in the same way.


I looked up the lyrics to the song. I don't understand what they mean myself, but the words are still arranged and used in a way that makes them important. They make it sound like something bad's happening, and that's what's important.

Micro Cuts is a perfect example for the way I listen to music.

I have no idea what he is singing but the melody of his vocals adds to the song, the actual music is extremely interesting. The riff at the end of the song is still my favourite part though. :p

Cedric Bixler is another favourite vocalist of mine (at the drive in & the mars volta) and I can make almost zero sense of most of his lyrics, I just like the way he sounds alongside the music.