Do you listen to the lyrics?

Isbjørn · 05-03-2014, 02:16 AM

I can get past Venom's lyrics in the knowledge that they're just for shock value. Can't listen to early Norwegian black metal, though. I never know whether those guys are serious or not.

Cicatrice · 05-03-2014, 07:18 AM

Depends on the type of music. If its black metal where I have to "work" to understand the lyrics, I don't. And don't really care too. Its more about the vocal approach than it is the actual lyrical content.

Now, if its folk or something with obvious and clear vocals, I generally do give the lyrics some attention.

So generally it just depends. Lyrics don't make or break music for them though, unless they are ATROCIOUS.

DNYL · 05-03-2014, 07:27 PM

For me lyrics for a song are everything, without them I dont really like a song, maybe if it has 9/10 instrumental but that's it. I like lyrics to be quiet meaningful to.

GuD · 05-24-2014, 08:49 PM

I mostly pay attention to the vocal melody but even then, lyrics are usually hard for me to comprehend. Unless I know them beforehand.

Isbjørn · 05-25-2014, 05:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WhateverDude

I mostly pay attention to the vocal melody but even then, lyrics are usually hard for me to comprehend. Unless I know them beforehand.

Same. Even if the vocalist sings in a clear voice, I'll only understand about half of it unless I read the lyrics.

Mr. Charlie · 05-24-2014, 09:07 PM

I generally just feel for the mood and vibe of a song or album on first listen. But sometimes the lyrics call out and I listen to them intently - Bob Dylan's stuff usually has that effect on me.

RL Clown · 05-28-2014, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Briks

When you hear a new album for the first time, do you pay attention to the lyrics, or do you just focus on the music? Do you read the lyrics while listening, or do you just try to make them out with your ears?

I try very hard to listen to the lyrics. There are some moments throughout the song where I will miss two or three words (but everyone has gone through this type of experience). I think that lyrics and tunes have the same degree of importance. If I have some free time, I will read the lyrics on the internet.

Arya Stark · 05-28-2014, 03:08 PM

The first time around, I just feel out the music. It takes a few of listens for me to really take it in.
After maybe two listens, I really start taking in the lyrics, and get a whole new feel for the album. I love it

Liberian Girl · 06-01-2014, 11:36 AM

I don't usually pay attention too much to the lyrics, but I make an exception with Dream Theater because their lyrics are worth reading! At least for me.

Zyrada · 06-01-2014, 11:52 AM

If the lyrics jump out at me, I'll go out of my way to find out what they are. Otherwise, I let my ear hear what it wants. In some ways, I operate kind of in between, where I'll pick up on specific words and how the vocalist enunciates them without necessarily picking up on some larger meaning or context within the song. If the lyrics are especially bad, though, that can be a dealbreaker for me. I remember about six or seven years ago, I heard Interpol for the first time. The specific song was Obstacle 1, and something about the lyrics bugged the hell out of me to the point where I completely lost interest in hearing any of their other stuff.

View Poll Results: Do you care about lyrics
Yes	20	68.97%
No	9	31.03%
Voters: 29. You may not vote on this poll

05-03-2014, 02:16 AM	#1 (permalink)
Isbjørn cooler commie than elph Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: In a hole, help Posts: 2,811	I can get past Venom's lyrics in the knowledge that they're just for shock value. Can't listen to early Norwegian black metal, though. I never know whether those guys are serious or not. __________________ fast(ml) Hear me play the guitar Look, mom! I got a journal

05-24-2014, 08:49 PM	#4 (permalink)
GuD Dude... What? Join Date: Oct 2013 Posts: 1,322	I mostly pay attention to the vocal melody but even then, lyrics are usually hard for me to comprehend. Unless I know them beforehand. Last edited by GuD; 05-24-2014 at 10:52 PM.

05-03-2014, 07:18 AM	#2 (permalink)
Cicatrice Writing my own disaster Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: I'm waiting for the sun to shine Posts: 173	Depends on the type of music. If its black metal where I have to "work" to understand the lyrics, I don't. And don't really care too. Its more about the vocal approach than it is the actual lyrical content. Now, if its folk or something with obvious and clear vocals, I generally do give the lyrics some attention. So generally it just depends. Lyrics don't make or break music for them though, unless they are ATROCIOUS.

05-03-2014, 07:27 PM	#3 (permalink)
DNYL Groupie Join Date: May 2014 Location: London Posts: 18	For me lyrics for a song are everything, without them I dont really like a song, maybe if it has 9/10 instrumental but that's it. I like lyrics to be quiet meaningful to.

05-24-2014, 09:07 PM	#6 (permalink)
Mr. Charlie Shoo Thoughts Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: These Mountains Posts: 2,308	I generally just feel for the mood and vibe of a song or album on first listen. But sometimes the lyrics call out and I listen to them intently - Bob Dylan's stuff usually has that effect on me.

06-01-2014, 11:36 AM	#9 (permalink)
Liberian Girl Groupie Join Date: May 2014 Location: Argentina Posts: 14	I don't usually pay attention too much to the lyrics, but I make an exception with Dream Theater because their lyrics are worth reading! At least for me.

06-01-2014, 11:52 AM	#10 (permalink)
Zyrada Avant-Gardener Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Inside your navel gazing back at you Posts: 163	If the lyrics jump out at me, I'll go out of my way to find out what they are. Otherwise, I let my ear hear what it wants. In some ways, I operate kind of in between, where I'll pick up on specific words and how the vocalist enunciates them without necessarily picking up on some larger meaning or context within the song. If the lyrics are especially bad, though, that can be a dealbreaker for me. I remember about six or seven years ago, I heard Interpol for the first time. The specific song was Obstacle 1, and something about the lyrics bugged the hell out of me to the point where I completely lost interest in hearing any of their other stuff.