Have we lost the lyrics?

Toaster Mantis wrote: the_binkster wrote: I never listen to the lyrics: I listen to the vocals. There is a massive distinction. How the voice works as an instrument with all the others is far more important. I find listening too hard to the lyrics detracts from the subtleties of the music. That sounds... difficult, to make a grand understatement. Unless, of course, you're listening to something that's either in a language you don't understand or a vocal style that makes it difficult to hear the words anyway. Care to elaborate?

I guess it is how I wish to listen to music. I appreciate the music far more than I do any lyrical content, therefore, whenever I listen to ANY music, I concentrate far more on musical structure and content than any message contained within the lyrics.

The voice is the fundamental instrument and, when employed well within a composition, it transcends the words used to facillitate its use. Well-written lyrics, in my opinion, do far more than convey a message, the lyrics should provide some rhythmic support to melodic lines enhancing the application of the voice.

When I concentrate on the lyrics I feel I miss something in the music, so I never truly "listen" to them I "hear" them. I've always enjoyed a well crafted composition more than a piece of well crafted poetry (oversimplification).


Edited by the_binkster - November 19 2008 at 17:08

Bland opening statement: It depends on the genre/band/album/song
Controversial clarification: But I think a lot of people by saying, 'the voice is just another instrument', are missing the point of some albums in which the music is aimed at evoking and expressing the lyrics (or indeed the reverse... the lyrics emphasising the feel of the music), or the lyrics at adding another dimension or context to the music (and vice versa).

Sometimes, actually, the lyrics are really good regardless of the music, and may convey a well-expressed message, commentary on life, philosophical point... etc.

Anyway, to say the least, music is not necessarily more important than lyrics.

So, just to give a few examples:

• Man Erg (Van Der Graaf Generator, Pawn Hearts)... if you take the basic song, sans lyrical content, it's a jumble of ideas, all of which are rather awesome, tunefully implemented, and neatly put together. However, the concept (that of the uncertain balance between conscious and subconscious thought... the uncertainty of human nature itself) is provided by the lyrics, and it provides a meaning, a reasonable intent, for the musical ideas expressed. Take a look at Certif1ed's review of In The Court Of The Crimson king for another, much better expressed, example.
  

• You And I (Yes, Close To The Edge)... here, the case is the music modifying the lyrics. Apart from a number of rather neat lines, and a generally human feel, just listen to the last verse... the range of And you and I... (climb clear cross the shapes of the morning etc.) gives an initial impression of cohesion, of unity, of togetherness, but the verse title (apocalypse) and that final fading chord completely change the idea of (And you and I climb over valleys of endless seas)... between them, they take the togetherness which we'd defaultively expect of 'you and I' and remould it into an implication that 'you and I' are in fact doing this separately... that we aren't communicating properly.

• Cheap Day Return (Jethro Tull, Aqualung)... here, I'd say that the music is supplementing the feel of the lyrics (or vice versa... it doesn't really matter...) - the disillusion and the panic of the lyrics. About Pilgrims (Van Der Graaf Generator, Still Life), I'd say the reverse, that the lyrics are, stunningly, emphasising the developing feel of the music (and attaching the search theme which is a key to that album.

• Peter (Gnidrolog, In Spite Of Harry's Toenail... IIRC) is an example of social commentary through lyrics. Echoes (Pink Floyd, Meddle) is a didactic piece about (though quite obscurely... analysed it in the review... I suppose Pigs On The Wing would be a more obvious song) the value of cooperation. Slender Threads (Peter Hammill, Chameleon In The Shadow Of The Night) is a rather philosophical piece, while the autobiographical German Overalls from the same album is equally impressive.

So... just a few examples... of course it varies piece by piece, but I think the people who think that you should ignore lyrics/dissociate them from the music will end up really missing out on a couple of pieces.

the_binkster wrote: I never listen to the lyrics: I listen to the vocals. There is a massive distinction. How the voice works as an instrument with all the others is far more important. I find listening too hard to the lyrics detracts from the subtleties of the music.

That sounds... difficult, to make a grand understatement. Unless, of course, you're listening to something that's either in a language you don't understand or a vocal style that makes it difficult to hear the words anyway. Care to elaborate?

I never listen to the lyrics: I listen to the vocals. There is a massive distinction. How the voice works as an instrument with all the others is far more important. I find listening too hard to the lyrics detracts from the subtleties of the music.

Tapfret wrote: cacho wrote: ^"Then there are those vocalists that are outstanding but ruin the musical experience with their concepts." I suppose you're talking about Jon Anderson? I actually had a particular guy of Scandinavian lineage in mind, I was going to refrain from naming names and let others decide who is guilty in this case, as there are many.  Your answer is certainly viable on some level.

I hope you do not mean King Diamond.

I'm one of those that even if I understand what's being sung, I really like having a hard copy of the lyrics to read along with to fully appreciate the song. 

Still, I can appreciate songs even if they are in a different language.  PFM comes to mind.  But if you don't understand then the vocalist basically becomes just another instrument and that can work, too.

And of course, I am also a fan of strictly instrumental prog as well.

A-wop-bop-a-loo-lop a-lop bam boo


Edited by Slartibartfast - November 19 2008 at 06:22

I find lyrics an indispensable part of the package. Not only does the human voice add warmth to music, the words give the sounds meaning. They connect us to each other. They're a way of commonising our experiences.

I don't really listen to lyrics, the sonics just have to fit in with the music, and I actually avoid them on purpose. I see (or hear) the voice as just another instrument.

I find that most prog lyrics are pretty terrible. perhaps only Pink floyd and King crimson are exceptions

Lyrics, believe it or not, used to matter a lot.  The writer was getting across a point.  What do the following have in common, given a song title of The Great Deceiver: