When you listen to a song, do you pay attention to the lyrics?

Question

When you listen to a song, do you pay attention to the lyrics?

NamerOfStars · Accepted Answer

Of course. That's why I'm familiar with such glorious lines as "It doesn't matter where our lives will lead us/I will always stand beside you, both in spirit and in penis" from Ninja Sex Party's "Next to you".

In the video game Kingdom Come: Deliverance, there's a song that plays during a particular cutscene, that struck with its jaunty, celebratory air- but it's in Czech (the game takes place in Bohemia). I wondered what the words meant, so I looked it up, only to discover it's called "Pestilence and famine"- an odd title for a happy song, so I started piecing the lyrics together, and found it's singing about misery and suffering descending upon the land. I was baffled- until it reaches the point where the lyrics say (roughly) "But fuck it, let's have another beer". THEN it made sense.

exitseven · Accepted Answer

Yes, I listen to lyrics all the time. i heard this gem while i worked out this morning.

https://www.youtube.com/embed/UYWt4vpXGOk

The last time I saw her face, her eyes were bathed in sadness and she walked alone.

The last time she kissed my cheek, her lips were like the wilted leaves, upon the autumn covered hill.

resting on the frozen ground, the seeds of love lie cold and still

Beneath the battered marking stone.

It lies forgotten.

Gordon Lightfoot

jennifer_bloom · Accepted Answer

Yeah - if the song sounds amazing but the lyrics are bad, I will avoid the song because I believe what you listen to shapes your mental health, for better or for worse. And if the song doesn’t sound that good but the lyrics are excellent I will enjoy the song and listen to it.

Apulu_Imback · Accepted Answer

Yes, lyrics is what I give my most attention to. If lyrics are non-sensical with good music, I won't like it. Lyrics matters a lot to me as a song writer (not official of course lol).

JustinTheGreat · Answer

Usually how a song sounds is what first catches my attention and then I pay attention to the lyrics after

MikeInHawaii · Answer

Often too much. In Folsom Prison Blues, I wonder:

Why, if you shot a man in Reno, just to watch him die, are you in prison in California and not Nevada?

If Folsom Prison is just outside Sacramento, would a passing train’s next stop likely be San Antonio, Texas?

And, listening to any Taylor Swift song drives me up the wall:

“I knew you were trouble when you walked in…” has me wondering “Okay, if he’s that obviously a jerk, why did you fuck him?”

“A notch on your belt is all I’ll ever be” and I’m thinking “He treated you the same way he treated every other woman who was dumb enough to fuck him. This surprise you because?….”

“The same old lines” or is it “lies” and I remember the quote “Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me!”

MTC29 · Answer

Some songs, like those from Gordon Lightfoot mentioned by @exitseven are well worth listening to.

I will never forget Bob Dylan's classic lyric, "You don't need a weatherman to know which way the windblows."

Those few words had a deep impact on my outlook on life.

Lliam · Answer

Honestly, I initially listen to the overall song and arrangement. The vocals are part of the arrangement. And there are hooks in the lyrics that stand out.

If I really like a song, I'll pay more attention to the lyrics.

If I read the lyrics, I'm often surprised to learn what the song is really about. Or I find out that, even though the hooks are inspiring, the rest of the lyrics are odd.

FunkyMonkee · Answer

Hardly ever. I was in a band for 25 years and we played a lot of the same songs all that time and, to this day, I couldn't tell you half the lyrics from the songs!! The only ones I paid attention to were the ones I used as cues for the changes in the songs. My cue to start playing in "Flowers Of April" was Bob singing, "They didn't hold no gun on me to make me write this god damn song". He sang several lines before that but, I have no idea what most of them were.

Kori1236 · Answer

When I’m hearing it for the first time yes, and in general yes. But if I’ve got music playing while driving it’s just on to pass time. I’ll sing along, and know the lyrics but I don’t pay them attention or think about any deeper meaning they may have

mooky06 · Answer

Yes i do actually. I add songs to my music list based on the lyrics and the genre of the music itself

Blackcosmo · Answer

If I'm listening to a song for the first time I pay attention to the sound then the lyrics the second time. I always memorize the lyrics of my favourite song.

hIopinionated_ · Answer

I could love a song without knowing some lyrics; however, once I know them and make connections, I’ll completely fall in love with the song all over again

Greedier · Answer

I wasn't used to, but now I am. Loads of songs have metaphorical meanings and some of them are really poetic. So it's actually more interesting than I thought to pay attention to the lyrics.

jshm2 · Answer

Sure! I mean just put this song on headphones and follow the lyrics.

wheresmrcunnunglis · Answer

On the third listen I do. The first couple of listens I just vibe to the beat and impression it gives off.

DizzyDesii · Answer

I mostly catch the beat for the first few months lol. By time i realize the lyrics im like omg what was i singing 😭

sirderpsalot123 · Answer

Never really thought about this but not really. I usually put music on for background noise, for example when I'm playing a video game that's grindy and games where you have to gather a bunch of different materials and can be boring at times.

TallAnon · Answer

Depends on the song, my mood and the language.
For example: Yoasobi - Racing into the night
Most people have no idea about the lyrics until they look into it. It's still a very catchy song. Have a listen and then check the lyrics.

Rania05 · Answer

Very much so, a song without lyrics that does makes sense is like spaghetti without sauce ☺️

Sour-rose · Answer

Usually, or if it vibes too hard for me, I don't.

MrsTurkleton · Answer

It’s depends what is on my mind at the time

dustybiker · Answer

If I connect with one, yes. Otherwise, not so much.

Phoenix98 · Answer

When I’m listening to music that has singing in it yes lyrics will make or break a song for me. So I do pay close attention.

menina · Answer

It depends on the song and most of the times on my mood but sometimes I do.

ArrowheadSW · Answer

Depends on the song. Often, I do not pay that much attention to the lyrics.

Chazmatazz269 · Answer

Yes. Unless it’s an instrumental, i am more about the lyrics than the music.

Bklynbadboy12 · Answer

Yes I love music I sing along sometimes dance to if I'm in my zone 😉 What about you?

LiamSawyer · Answer

Sometimes especially if they're easily distinguished but not always.

loveslongnails · Answer

Usually, yes. Many songs have silly, juvenile lyrics though, but I'll listen if I like the music.

GoodGuyBreakingBad · Answer

Yes, I like to listen to the lyrics of a song I'm listening to

Cubus · Answer

If I don't want to then no. English is not my first language, so I can "turn off" the lyrics and just focus on the music itself.

TacosRAwesome · Answer

I try not to because that's when I start hating a song.

Twalli · Answer

Not as much as my sister. The music I listen to has a lot more to do with the instruments than the words.

EnglishEuropean · Answer

Yes, if I can hear them.

Iron_Man · Answer

Most of the time I’m not paying attention Unless the main highlight part comes up

pizzalovershouse · Answer

Some times an wonder how those words sound wrong but yet it works for song when it's a hit

TheAfrikan · Answer

If I enjoy that song and it is the first time I am watching it, 99% am to tap on subtitles so that I can the story Behind that song.

Jupiter1 · Answer

Yes, I wanna makes sure I get it right as I sing along with the song.

Jamie05rhs · Answer

Never. Lol. I couldn't care less.

NathanDavis · Answer

absolutely, yes... always

IJhonnyI · Answer

Yes that is one of my main concerns

Nikki1989 · Answer

Only with some bands. 🎶

RavVid · Answer

Hell yeah. Like good lyrics

tanvishah123 · Answer

Yes totally i pay attention to lyrics

Ms_Facesitter · Answer

I usually do, I try to guess the lyrics

Vendela · Answer

Not the first time listening to it usually.

Dnice1 · Answer

Yup, they really get to me sometimes

Likes2drive · Answer

Sometimes but not usually

Wise4myage · Answer

Sure, if I really like the song.

zagor · Answer

Yes. Unless it's an instrumental.

Anonymous · Answer

Yep cuz I'm always singing.

Msputiton · Answer

Very much so

Literalbillionaire17 · Answer

Yes.

kao118 · Answer

Yes I do

anylolone · Answer

It's vital.

maximumpower · Answer

Always.

Smartman5 · Answer

Yeah always

Anonymous · Answer

Yop!

When you listen to a song, do you pay attention to the lyrics?

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