REVIEWS & discussion of lyrics

There have been a number of threads about lyrics, and the concensus seems to be similar to my own position: I like good lyrics and lyrical concepts, but the music generally comes first. To me, lyrics are mostly important for the musical sound they make and I often do not pay enough attention to their meaning, though I wish I did, especially where a songwriter clearly has something to say.

This poll is specifically about reviews on PA, because it occurs to me that very few reviews pay much attention to the meanings of songs, my own included. This is quite opposite to those I read in the mainstream press where they go to great lengths to understand the hidden messages in lyrics, paying much less attention to the music. I am, of course, talking in sweeping generalisations here, so, yes it is not always so.

I took a look at some reviews of Pink Floyd's The Wall, one of the ultimate concept albums which can only really be appreciated by understanding the concept and how each little piece fits in. Many of our reviews, even some which give an otherwise excellent analysis of the musical elements, fail to even mention the meanings behind the songs and merely gloss over the overall concept. Yet songs like Vera Lynn are meaningless unless placed in their proper context in the story.

So, the question is this: when writing reviews, should we pay more attention to the meanings of lyrics and lyrical concepts than we do at present?

1. More = I would generally like MORE discussion of lyrics and concepts
2. Less = I would generally like LESS discussion of lyrics and concepts
3. Don't Care = it doesn't bother me
4. Other

It depends I think. Concepts should be explained WHEN possible, but lyrics are not necessary to be explained methinks. Simply because there are people who don't pay too much attention to them and more to the music.

Got to agree with you Peter. As a non-musician (at least, not skilled, I do f*ck about with midi and make my own kind of experimental electronic music), I tend to just put my feelings about an album into words and this can be done by simply quoting lyrics, desribing segments of songs, or simply writing a story that does not even mention the songs at all!

I think lyrics are an integral part of music. they convey the writer's thoughts and to me that merits plenty of discussion. i think that reviewers on progarchives focus too much on just the music.

I can't deny I've always been very interested in lyrics. Though English is not my mother language, I've studied it in depth and even taught it at school for a number of years - and the curriculum I taught included literature as well. I also love poetry, and I'm naturally attracted to language in all its forms. Besides, many prog bands and artists have very interesting, even profound lyrics, with references to literature, current affairs and other stimulating topics.

certainly, lyrics are to be discussed if they are profound, important and meaningful

I go for a good balance (objective/subjective, emotion/technical information, length/attention, lyrics/music, etc.) and like to add a personal flavor like creating a pleasant symphonic rock atmosphere, some humor and of course the amount of Mellotron waves ... !