I get asked this question all the time, and I ask it to others as well... and get mixed answers. For me...its music. If I can't stand to listen to it, I'm not going to pay attention to the words. But with different genres, lyrics are more imporant than other genres....but the same can be said for the music as well.

 

When I first really got into music, music was the most important to me, and I guess it still is, but not as much.

My favorite kind of music is my favorite because of the music, but the lyrics are very entertaining as well, imo, and add more to the music.

 

music is definately what makes the tune .. the words are just poetry .. imagine trying to put words to " dueling banjo`s " or " music box dancer "

 

I know people who love a song, but don't know the lyrics. I don't know anyone who knows the lyrics, but not the tune/music. Music makes the song, good lyrics are a bonus!

 

What comes first for me is the music, but if I disagree with the lyrics, I usually don't listen to that song, but still love the music. If the lyrics are awesome, then it just makes the song even better. Hope I'm not too confusing!

 

Well...
"Name that Tune" wasn't popular because people remember lyrics.

 

I'd have to say on the most part Music that's why I listen to anycountry & drives people nuts , I like it its my car, but with some styles however I do like to listen for the lyrics , especially the stuff my son would like to here MM / 50 cent no thanks to foul of a mouth and he don't need, I think if he heres it enough it may be applied somewhere, so he can just sit back and listen to say Amy Grant with me , but I do like Rock & Roll as well classical.

 

Music first i suppose, but if it doesnt have both then I wont really be into it

 

Both. But,

"It's the singer, not the song, that makes the music move along"

and

"I listened and I heard music in a word, and words when you played your guitar"

and

""Listening to you, I get the music..."

 

Every now and then a song comes on with nice lyrics, and you find yourself singing along to them.

but it's usually the Music that usually catches your ears and lift up your spirit!.

 

It can be either. Depends. Some songs are musicly driven, and others lyricly driven. The melody of a song is what you remember, hence the "name that tune" factor. Sometimes it's the lyrics that make a song meaningfull to you. Many times to me, as a musician I apreciate the talent of the instrument playing. If I HAD to give an answer I'd go with the music, because people can listen a lot longer to my guitar only than they could to me singing only. Music is wonderfull and a big part of my life. Good post!

Here's my current lineup.....

 

Would "The End" by the Doors, or Big love by Fleetwood Mac be as good without the words? Unlikely, imo. It depends what a song is about as to whether the lyrics are more important than the song. If a song was written to rely on the music as it's appeal, obviously, the music is more important than the words.

 

Jgsmuzzy.. you being from england brings up a group that has a good argument for the words being most important " the beattles " most of their songs wouldnt be any good without lyrics..

 

I think this one may depend on if the singer sucks....there is some metal I listen to purely for musical reasons...I just tune out the screams...

 

that is very true, although "Yesterday" and "Hey Jude" are good tunes

 

Well, the Beatles... their lyrics weren't mind blowing on their most famous tunes (she loves you, yea, yea, yea?). More than the lyrics, it was their singing ability that made them sound good. I see their voices as part of the music.

 

yes but we must remember " they all lived in a yellow submarine ,a yellow submarine , a yellow submarine

 

there are some songs where the music is not really all that bad, but the lyrics are waht totally makes the song good.....not to mention acapella music...which I tend to think is the best music ever....as long as its done well....good baraber shop quartets in my area make serious bank at gigs.


But I disagree about the beatles....much of thier older stuff was all about the music....it was so dang catchy, they could get away with saying the same 2 or 3 phrases over and over again...it goes for thier older stuff too.....ever here "Come Together"? That song makes no sense at all... Maybe negitive sense!

 

Id say music first, then lyrics shortly after. The only downside is that you hear a song you like and then find out that the lyrics are retarded

 

I hate that!!!