How Important Are The Lyrics To You and How Important Is The Music When Listening To a Song?

[sage2021]

MY PET PEEVE: I need to listen to the lyrics in a song. I can't stand to listen to someone singing and I can't understand a word of the song.

[NathanDavis]

I would say 50/50... I really like both, and depending on the mood or the song, I would like either just a bit more, or a lot more sometimes...

as for "understanding the lyrics" hmmm, no... I don't necessarily need that, I've been listening to all kinds of music, and in different languages as well but I only speak TWO languages, so I don't always understand all of the lyrics, but music is a lot more than that... and that, still gets me

this next one is a a great example, I don't really need to speak the language to know that this is absolute fire...

https://www.youtube.com/embed/mi106DZJhuQ

[exitseven]

I always pay attention to lyrics. I think some writing is really storytelling. I listened to this tune today in my car. i could not help but sing but it tells a story.

https://www.youtube.com/embed/hickVDiW8k0

you couldn't write a song like this today.

[sage2021]

@exitseven

I have always been a big fan of Jim Croche. I had one of his vinyl record albums and loved listening to it.

My favorite song of his is "Time In A Bottle."

I was so heartbroken 💔 when I found out that he had died in a plane crash.😞

[exitseven]

A friend told me he died. I couk

[exitseven]

Could not believe it

[FreyaRed]

Rhythm is more important than context. Classic music or electronic music comes often without any lyrics. Even some Opera barely understandable because of voice modulation or it's sung in old language used 200-300 years ago that is difficult to understand today.

[loveyouoak]

It's extremely important.

[Lliam]

The music is more important to be than the lyrics. The vocals are another instrument and the lyrics are designed to fit the music.

There are always lyrical hooks, usually in the chorus. People remember those even if they don't know all of the lyrics.

In many cases, when I look up the lyrics to a song, I am surprised when they are lyrical but not particularly poignant.
Then again, some lyrics are excellent.

[Tarifa]

That's why I like the inclusion of lyrics on LPs. There was enough room for that.

When the music industry switched to CDs, it became rarer, or was just in small print.

Now most listen to music online, so it's a thing that is getting forgotten. Unless you make the conscious effort to look it up.

[AviatorTom]

The music is more important to me. I rarely pay attention to the lyrics, if I can even understand them.

There are songs from 20 years ago that I've always liked, and I've only recently learned what the lyrics are saying.

[TrueConfection]

Very, very important! However, you wouldn’t be able to stand me. I love singing to every song. 🎶 I’ve been told I’m tone deaf and have been asked more than once not to sing. 😱

[MrChinaski]

Probably not your cup of tea then?

https://www.youtube.com/embed/268C3N2dDYk

[Xawyx-2]

As long as I like the melody, lyrics aren't that important.

[Paige2006]

Very important!

[fish5505_87]

Really depends on the song.