Would you listen to music in a language you didn't understand?

clutnuckle · 06-09-2010, 06:07 PM

In a lot of music, even if I can't understand what they're saying sometimes (Let's use "Sometimes" by MBV as an example), you might know what they're talking about just based on how their voice sounds. It's easy to tell what "Sometimes" is about thematically, really. The emotion is easily connected to you. If I can take something out of the way they speak, what they're saying doesn't matter as much as it would before.

austinmiller · 06-11-2010, 01:21 AM

If we are only talking about the music here, I admit I would like to listen to the music from any part of the world. But when it comes to the lyrics, I would certainly not waste my time to listen a song in any weird unknown language.

Nadia · 06-17-2010, 01:51 PM

I listen to Iranian music, and I can only understand a little of it, but I really like it. Although lyrics are important, it won't put me off if I don't understand them.

Hank The Drifter · 06-17-2010, 01:58 PM

Alright, I'm very strange when it comes to this.

I listen to a lot of metal where I've got absolutely no idea what is being said and most of the time don't care because lets face it [most] metal isn't known for its strong lyrics. With that being said, if I'm listening to something with clean vocals I want to be able to understand what the person is saying. Sadly, I'm normally turned off by really strange [strange to my ears anyway, lol] foreign accents.

Overall though, yes and no. It really just depends. I'm one of those people that when I'm alone listening to things I like to mouth the words and such so I like understanding them.

chiara73d · 06-17-2010, 03:24 PM

Yeah, I love Vocaloid! It's in Japanese.

Jumby · 06-18-2010, 03:47 AM

I like Sigor Ros very much - and I don't think anyone understands their lyrics...

TheFolkslave · 06-18-2010, 06:28 AM

Lyrics aren't always that important for me anyway so it doesn't matter if I understand them or not. It's more about the tone of the voice and how it fits with the music. Also Im really into instrumental music so no lyrics there either.
Besides Sigur Rós which everyone seems to love (rightfully so since they are just amazing.) I love this german band called Empyrium. Their last album was completely in german. I understand some german but not that much and I still enjoy this album immensly.

thomasglickman · 06-18-2010, 09:32 AM

I really don't mind listening to music I don't understand as long as the beat and blend are great.

musicm · 08-03-2011, 01:43 PM

The non-english songs I listen to are mostly japanese or spanish.
Miyavi is my favorite japanese artist. From Spain I like Mago De Oz.

BloodFoxTK · 08-03-2011, 02:03 PM

yes. easy.

some of my favourite bands are japanese.
one being: "High and Mighty Color".

06-11-2010, 01:21 AM	#2 (permalink)
austinmiller Groupie Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 3	If we are only talking about the music here, I admit I would like to listen to the music from any part of the world. But when it comes to the lyrics, I would certainly not waste my time to listen a song in any weird unknown language. Last edited by austinmiller; 06-11-2010 at 04:59 AM.

06-17-2010, 01:58 PM	#4 (permalink)
Hank The Drifter Take it easy, but take it Join Date: May 2010 Location: Georgia Posts: 213	Alright, I'm very strange when it comes to this. I listen to a lot of metal where I've got absolutely no idea what is being said and most of the time don't care because lets face it [most] metal isn't known for its strong lyrics. With that being said, if I'm listening to something with clean vocals I want to be able to understand what the person is saying. Sadly, I'm normally turned off by really strange [strange to my ears anyway, lol] foreign accents. Overall though, yes and no. It really just depends. I'm one of those people that when I'm alone listening to things I like to mouth the words and such so I like understanding them. __________________ “If a song can't be written in 20 minutes, it ain't worth writing.” - Hank Williams

06-18-2010, 06:28 AM	#7 (permalink)
TheFolkslave Music Addict Join Date: May 2010 Location: Finland Posts: 458	Lyrics aren't always that important for me anyway so it doesn't matter if I understand them or not. It's more about the tone of the voice and how it fits with the music. Also Im really into instrumental music so no lyrics there either. Besides Sigur Rós which everyone seems to love (rightfully so since they are just amazing.) I love this german band called Empyrium. Their last album was completely in german. I understand some german but not that much and I still enjoy this album immensly. __________________ My Last.Fm Well I come from the old time baby, where all the kids are crazy.

06-18-2010, 09:32 AM	#8 (permalink)
thomasglickman Groupie Join Date: May 2010 Location: Chicago, Illinois Posts: 11	I really don't mind listening to music I don't understand as long as the beat and blend are great. __________________ Link Removed No Advertising Please

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06-09-2010, 06:07 PM	#1 (permalink)
clutnuckle Music Addict Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: -_-_-_-_~__~-~_-`_`-~_-`-~-~ Posts: 1,276	In a lot of music, even if I can't understand what they're saying sometimes (Let's use "Sometimes" by MBV as an example), you might know what they're talking about just based on how their voice sounds. It's easy to tell what "Sometimes" is about thematically, really. The emotion is easily connected to you. If I can take something out of the way they speak, what they're saying doesn't matter as much as it would before.

06-17-2010, 01:51 PM	#3 (permalink)
Nadia Groupie Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: nowhere near you Posts: 45	I listen to Iranian music, and I can only understand a little of it, but I really like it. Although lyrics are important, it won't put me off if I don't understand them.

06-17-2010, 03:24 PM	#5 (permalink)
chiara73d Groupie Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 6	Yeah, I love Vocaloid! It's in Japanese.

06-18-2010, 03:47 AM	#6 (permalink)
Jumby Groupie Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 3	I like Sigor Ros very much - and I don't think anyone understands their lyrics...

08-03-2011, 01:43 PM	#9 (permalink)
musicm Groupie Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Norway Posts: 30	The non-english songs I listen to are mostly japanese or spanish. Miyavi is my favorite japanese artist. From Spain I like Mago De Oz.

08-03-2011, 02:03 PM	#10 (permalink)
BloodFoxTK the only fox you need! Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: South Island, Mobius Posts: 250	yes. easy. some of my favourite bands are japanese. one being: "High and Mighty Color".