The importance, or not, of a story in a song

Trollheart · 12-23-2016, 12:09 PM

Just wondered how everyone feels? Assuming the song has a lyric, is it important to you that it tells some sort of story or gives you an insight into the writer, or are you happy if it's vacuous and fluffy, obvious rhymes strung together with no real intention to impart any sort of message or tell a story?

Obviously, coming from a prog rock background, I like to hear good ideas expressed in lyrics, but that's just me. I know some here aren't even bothered about lyrics, and then again there are the non-English artistes, so I would just be interested to see how people view lyrics, if at all?

**Frownland** · 12-23-2016, 12:09 PM

It's great but in no way a requirement.

Trollheart · 12-23-2016, 12:12 PM

How the hell did you get a post in before I even posted the thread???

Your mod powers are truly awesome!

Key · 12-23-2016, 12:13 PM

I'm unsure what the question is asking. Are you wondering if it's better to have a story in a song or...

The Batlord · 12-23-2016, 12:14 PM

Trollheart · 12-23-2016, 12:16 PM

I'm not sure how clearer I can make it.
When you listen to a song, is it important to you that the lyric of said song tells a story, ie are you happy if it's a "rock all night" or "dance with me" or "this sucks" kind of idea, or do you prefer (not saying it has to, just is it your preference) for it to tell a story, make a point, or give you some insight into the writer of the song?

I really thought the question was clear. I hope it is now.

Ol’ Qwerty Bastard · 12-23-2016, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kiiii

I'm unsure what the question is asking. Are you wondering if it's better to have a story in a song or...

you should try looking at the poll m8

The Batlord · 12-23-2016, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trollheart

I'm not sure how clearer I can make it.
When you listen to a song, is it important to you that the lyric of said song tells a story, ie are you happy if it's a "rock all night" or "dance with me" or "this sucks" kind of idea, or do you prefer (not saying it has to, just is it your preference) for it to tell a story, make a point, or give you some insight into the writer of the song?

I really thought the question was clear. I hope it is now.

Ki's stupid. End story.

Paedantic Basterd · 12-23-2016, 12:19 PM

Lyrics are not critical to my enjoyment of music, however, if they are great and they tell a great story, it elevates what's already been written.

I'm pretty much only drawn to lyrics that have some sort of dark content that's paired with wry self-awareness or a colourful story. See: Colin Meloy, Colleen Green, Jarvis Cocker, Kevin Barnes, so on.

EDIT: Oh, I see, this isn't about lyrics so much as it's actually about the content of them. Yes. I prefer musicians that tell stories in their writing to those who write nearly-meaningless, half-expressed ideas.

Key · 12-23-2016, 12:20 PM

I didn't see the poll. My bad.

View Poll Results: How important are lyrics to you in a song?
Very: they should tell some sort of story	0	0%
I like to hear lyrics that make sense but they don't have to tell a story or be too deep	2	15.38%
It doesn't bother me; I'm more interested in the music and how the song makes me feel	9	69.23%
I prefer to listen to music without lyrics, or I ignore them	0	0%
I really don't care either way	2	15.38%
Voters: 13. You may not vote on this poll

12-23-2016, 12:09 PM	#1 (permalink)
Trollheart Born to be mild Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: 404 Not Found Posts: 26,970	The importance, or not, of a story in a song Just wondered how everyone feels? Assuming the song has a lyric, is it important to you that it tells some sort of story or gives you an insight into the writer, or are you happy if it's vacuous and fluffy, obvious rhymes strung together with no real intention to impart any sort of message or tell a story? Obviously, coming from a prog rock background, I like to hear good ideas expressed in lyrics, but that's just me. I know some here aren't even bothered about lyrics, and then again there are the non-English artistes, so I would just be interested to see how people view lyrics, if at all? __________________ Trollheart: Signature-free since April 2018

12-23-2016, 12:09 PM	#2 (permalink)
Frownland SOPHIE FOREVER Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: East of the Southern North American West Posts: 35,548	It's great but in no way a requirement. __________________ Studies show that when a given norm is changed in the face of the unchanging, the remaining contradictions will parallel the truth. d e a f b o x

12-23-2016, 12:12 PM	#3 (permalink)
Trollheart Born to be mild Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: 404 Not Found Posts: 26,970	How the hell did you get a post in before I even posted the thread??? Your mod powers are truly awesome! __________________ Trollheart: Signature-free since April 2018

12-23-2016, 12:16 PM	#6 (permalink)
Trollheart Born to be mild Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: 404 Not Found Posts: 26,970	I'm not sure how clearer I can make it. When you listen to a song, is it important to you that the lyric of said song tells a story, ie are you happy if it's a "rock all night" or "dance with me" or "this sucks" kind of idea, or do you prefer (not saying it has to, just is it your preference) for it to tell a story, make a point, or give you some insight into the writer of the song? I really thought the question was clear. I hope it is now. __________________ Trollheart: Signature-free since April 2018

12-23-2016, 12:13 PM	#4 (permalink)
Key . Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 13,153	I'm unsure what the question is asking. Are you wondering if it's better to have a story in a song or...

12-23-2016, 12:19 PM	#9 (permalink)
Paedantic Basterd Music Addict Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 5,184	Lyrics are not critical to my enjoyment of music, however, if they are great and they tell a great story, it elevates what's already been written. I'm pretty much only drawn to lyrics that have some sort of dark content that's paired with wry self-awareness or a colourful story. See: Colin Meloy, Colleen Green, Jarvis Cocker, Kevin Barnes, so on. EDIT: Oh, I see, this isn't about lyrics so much as it's actually about the content of them. Yes. I prefer musicians that tell stories in their writing to those who write nearly-meaningless, half-expressed ideas.

12-23-2016, 12:20 PM	#10 (permalink)
Key . Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 13,153	I didn't see the poll. My bad.