Would you listen to a song with dismal, meaningless lyrics? Also state why, and perhaps favourite lyric writer.

I vote yes, lyrics to me need to be something I can relate to. Linkin Park have some pretty infectious beats, as well as Muse, but the lyrics are too whiney for my liking.

Elliott Smith's lyrics really touch me. I also like the guy that did Dark Side of the Moon (Roger Waters?)

I'd say they do. It doesn't make the song worse if they are not included, but they make songs better by being included.

Yep. Touching songs which are sung with emotion and matchingly emotional lyrics are just... beautiful... *starts crying*
But I also like random songs with really dumb lyrics. Those are great too, especially the ones that put a smile on my face.

Well Yes and No. Yes I care for music, It makes music better. No offence but i hate rap. There is no need for it, all it is, is seeing how many times someone can say "fuck" in one line. It's only for insulting people. I'm against rap/hip hop. I like rock, and all. Though if there are lyrics, I don't care for the voice, I care if the lyrics fit the melody, and if they mean somthing, or strikes me in some way. Or songs that have a good melody, with touching lyrics. Though I don't like people who modify their voice on the album. Cuz then when they tour they suck. (A.F.I got bood off stage in england. They used NASSA) Anotherthing, Rap has no voice, it's talking!

Lyrics can make or break a song for me. I absolutely hate band with obnoxious vocalists (Lit, Blink 182, etc) but I also don't like music that completely relies on the lyrics. I'm really into soundtracks, and a lot of them have lyrics as well. Same with trance. I like to listen to rap but only in certain situations (like when I'm working out, the beat keeps me motivated), and obviously the lyrics complement the beats.

Lyrics enhance the tone of a song. A completely happy song can have sorrowful lyrics that make you think of it differently, evoking different states of mind. Lyrics come and go but the most timeless ones in my opinion come from Enya. Her lyrics take me to another realm, almost.

Most people know that "Only Time" is a nice song. But how many people listen to the lyrics? It's poetry! "Wild Child" has my favorite lyrics of all her songs. :)

The thing about lyrics is that they make music 3-dimensional. Not only does the key (major/minor) express a mood, as well as the instrument-choice evoking certain thoughts, but the lyrics allow it to do all this AND tell a story or set a mental scene or express deep thoughts in a more effective way.

They always do matter to me. Even if a song's lyrics are completely shallow and meaningless, I'll still accept it's musical surface value in general. :) But lyrics do enhance a song.

They always do matter to me. Even if a song's lyrics are completely shallow and meaningless, I'll still accept it's musical surface value in general. :) But lyrics do enhance a song.

Yeah, I kind of agree with you there =) . . as for me, most of the songs I listen to aren't in English, so of course I don't know what they're singing. Well, I have an idea, since I can look up the translation, but still, although lyrics are important, I can still get by with just the music.

By listening to these foreign sounds, I start to notice the sound quality (vowels, tones, dipthongs, pitch) of the words, instead of the actual words. In some cases I find them more interesting than what the words are actually talking about.

Not a lot for me, I enjoy the music more than the lyrics.. sure they make the song as a whole better but a good music doesn't require good lyric to back it up.

I agree with kou on this one all(almost all)music sounds good but also u need the lyrics so u can sit there and sing w? the song*or do i only do that?*

i like a song to have great lyrics, it enhances the mood and soul of the song. But the main part (aswell as the music obviously) is the vocal line. A good vocal line will cover for average lyrics in a song, But brilliant lyrics cant cover for a poor vocal line (probably the main reason rap doesnt appeal to me at all).

i choose songs according to lyrics, to may they are most important part,

of course except when its instrimental

Lyrics can make or break a song for me. I absolutely hate band with obnoxious vocalists (Lit, Blink 182, etc)

Hey man, thats gone to far! blink 182 is the immature band out there, and rox any other rock band to the ground. They kick major ass! I can't believe you said that! AHHHHHHHHHHHG! :angry: EVIL! :devil: AHHH I SHALL PRETEND TO KILL YOU! :death: errr -.-. hehehe

i say yes. i like lyrics that i can relate to and when it's an artist lyric, it means im similar to my idol! =)

I like songs that are meaningful as well as those that I can relate to.
Maybe someone should start a thread about song meanings. It would make a good discussion. But some songs are already self-explanatory...