Printable Version of Topic

Posted by: The Uncreator Apr 19 2009, 10:32 PM

So what stlye of lyrics do you prefer and how important are they to you in music?

For me they are one of the most important aspects in music, Although I listen to alot of stuff with less than deep or thoughtful lyrics, I nonetheless view an excellent lyricist just as good as an excellent guitarist. Intelligent, creative, and throughtful writing makes the song alot more relatable, and just improves overall I think.

And my favorite styles of lyrics would be Fantasy, Horror, Sci-Fi, Concept Stories and Spiritual/ Philosophical/ and Contemplative.


So what are yours?

Posted by: Marek Rojewski Apr 19 2009, 10:47 PM

Very good question. For me lyrics are very, very important. I do like some songs that have not so great lyrics, but the most beloved songs, the ones that are complete, need lyrics to complement them. (of course if it is not an instrumental piece).

Style of the lyrics? Well I love Blind Guardian style lyrics:P They have fantasy theme often, but they are different than most other power metal fantasy based lyrics (that are often crap...). I can say that "World and current event related, politics" based lyrics are least interesting for me. Fantasy and emotions are my favorite, especially mix of both:)

Posted by: sigma7 Apr 19 2009, 10:55 PM

i rated lyrics as one of the most important things. I cant listen to songs that are antireligious and criticize my faith.

Posted by: Trond Vold Apr 19 2009, 11:01 PM

I hardly pay attention to lyrics at all and aslong as the singer performs them well then he could be singing about kittens with pink bowties for all i care

But offcourse, sometimes the lyrics really stand out and can make a good song fantastic. But i dont really have a preference about what lyrical content i prefer.

Posted by: Eat-Sleep-andJam Apr 19 2009, 11:02 PM

Nice Topic.


For me,
If I cant get lost in, or connect with what the artist is trying to say.
I dont like the song.

I voted for Personal Endeavors just because I connect with lyrics with alot of feeling.

Chris Cornell, RHCP, Slipknot are some bands whos lyrics I really enjoy.

I didnt vote for them being THE most important, but def. there up there when it comes to me.

Posted by: fkalich Apr 19 2009, 11:23 PM

I like lyrics that, you know, are high quality, that touch a person, you know, right here. Here is an example of what I consider very meaningful lyrics, lyrics that stay with you, make you think about life, love, why we are here....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nBh5ZtATqOY

Posted by: Ivan Milenkovic Apr 20 2009, 12:11 AM

I voted
Doesn't really bother me, As long as the singers performance is good

as this may seem acquard as a choise it makes perfect sense to me.

PS it is not entirely true tho (lyrics are very important)

Posted by: Fullmetal_Tmd Apr 20 2009, 02:53 AM

I voted for the first option, seeing as I'm a total nerd that way haha. I like it when my music has a story, or has something to do with Sci-fi.

As much as lyrics are important, though, they're not necessary. To me, instrumentation is the best way to convey emotion. I would much rather listen to a good instrumental band than to a good band with a vocalist, no matter how good the lyrics are. I don't know why, I'm just weird like that.

Posted by: Rated Htr Apr 20 2009, 02:54 AM

To me, they are the most important thing in music, if not the second most important thing in music, next to the feeling you give by playing the instruments. The important thing in music for me is sending the message I want to, to show how I feel, besides my playing, the best way to use it is in lyrics, that's why I usually don't like pop or techno, disco, house and all that, has no feeling to me whatsoever...

Posted by: JVM Apr 20 2009, 06:20 AM

I find a lot of songs to have lyrics that seem like filler, like they had to write something in. I don't like that. I like a song that makes you think and consider the lyrics, even if they don't make apparent sense sometimes, but I prefer them to really say something. Or at least really convey something. If it comes across to me as completely random, unless the music is great I am usually uninterested in the song. Sometimes a good vocal melody could have been a better option for a song, IMO.

By the way, I voted 'One of the most important aspects, But not always a necessity' 'Spiritual/ Philosophical/ Contemplative' 'World and current event related, politics' 'Fantasy, Horror, Sci-Fi, Concept stories' and 'Personal endevors and experiences'. I'm not a religious person so that doesn't do anything for me.

Posted by: Marcus Lavendell Apr 20 2009, 07:51 AM

QUOTE (Trond Vold @ Apr 20 2009, 12:01 AM)

I hardly pay attention to lyrics at all and aslong as the singer performs them well then he could be singing about kittens with pink bowties for all i care

But offcourse, sometimes the lyrics really stand out and can make a good song fantastic. But i dont really have a preference about what lyrical content i prefer.

Posted by: superize Apr 20 2009, 09:09 AM

I have never really cared what the singer sings as long as he is doing it good

Posted by: Kapto Apr 20 2009, 09:55 AM

Same here. I don't care about lyrics. There are some exceptions tough. Still millions of people that can't speak a word of English and love The Beatles, ABBA,Rolling Stones, and a long etc... why??? "Music=Universal languaje"

Posted by: Fsgdjv Apr 20 2009, 01:02 PM

I think the lyrics are as important as anything else in a song. They need to be right, and I think the lack of lyrics can also be seen as a "right" choice for some songs.

And I prefer contemplative and philosophical lyrics.

Posted by: Fran Apr 20 2009, 02:03 PM

For me music goes first, I mean I really like songs with bad lyrics, but a song with good lyrics and bad music won't cut it for me.

And, of course, the best case scenario is awesome music + great lyrics, those would be the kind of songs that get locked in my brain forever , "Fantasy, Horror, Sci-Fi, Concept stories" & "Personal endevors and experiences" are the options I chose.

Posted by: Sensible Jones Apr 20 2009, 04:24 PM

Well, for me, a good lyric is one that is well written, tells a story and paints a picture through the words chosen. if a Song can stimulate your imagination by the words used it's a great song.
Some of my favourite Lyricists include:-
Bob Dylan, Brice Springsteen, Paul Simon and Don McClean. These guys can paint pictures with words!
There are many others in many other genres that I could mention but I thought this would be a good way of explaining my viewpoint!!

Posted by: The Uncreator Apr 20 2009, 04:41 PM

Great to see a wide variety of answers here, I wasn't expecting it at all

Posted by: ErikEklund Apr 20 2009, 04:48 PM

I dont think lyrics is so important, I mostly listen to instrumental music, the guitar is a singer too

Posted by: DaniHel Apr 20 2009, 09:21 PM

I don´t reallt care about what the lyrics are, as long as the singer delivers. But i prefer spiritual/filosofical lyrics, ´cause i like to think

Posted by: Sergei Polusmiak Apr 20 2009, 11:17 PM

I think vocals are very important in MY OWN MUSIC. i dont care if other bands have bad ones