Lyrics or no lyrics?

[Type 90]

I spend a lot of time listening to music, and I've noticed that I seem to gravitate towards songs with no lyrics (soundtracks mostly). Of course I still listen to a lot of music with singing, it's just that that the singing usually tends to be either intelligible, in a different language, or in a nonsense language of some kind.

I think it mostly has to do with my view that music should set a mood and/or setting rather than tell a story. I usually like my music to set a mood while I make the story. Maybe I feel more of a connection with music that doesn't tell me what it's about.

Of course there are lots of exceptions, and neither form is right or wrong, but which do you prefer, lyrics or no lyrics. Thanks in advance to any responses.

 

[BathorysGraveland]

Depends really. Lyrics for me aren't mandatory - it's a bonus. A lot of the bands I listen to have lyrics concerning pro-racism, rape, pedophilia, murder, gore, over-the-top violence and so on and so forth, so of course good lyrics aren't really a strong focus for me. However if a band has some great lyrics, then I'll read them and enjoy them, but it isn't necessary. A lot of the vocalists in the bands I listen to aren't always understandable anyway, so it isn't a huge issue.

 

[BathorysGraveland]

And I think a lot of death and trash metal songs need to die in a fire, lyrics or not, that's not music, it's randomly hitting 3-4 instruments while screaming through a puppy's anus.

I would call you out and explain your ignorance here, but I don't think I really have to. Anyone with an IQ of more than one digit can clearly understand that that statement is bullshit.

 

[unoleian]

I can go either way. If you examined my music collection, you'd come away with the prevailing opinion that I listen to mostly lyric-less tracks or tracks with heavily distorted/glitched lyrics used more for effect than anything else.

Though I do like a good song. Don't get me wrong. There are songs out there whose sole power lie in the words that go with the music, not so much the music itself. Or, the lyrics and the music are so inseparably entwined and powerful, to be without one or the other would do a massive disservice to both.

Music is cool like that.

 

[Twilight_guy]

I dunno, sounds to me like you're looking for background music, stuff that works with the mood but isn't the direct center of attention. I like foreground music, the stuff that tells a story and sets a mood for it too.

 

[Strazdas]

Lyrics all the way. i rarely listen to soundtracks. lyrics are the most important part of a song for me.

I'm going to assume you think i'm referring to all metal, which i'm not. Look at the words 'a lot' 'death' and 'trash', put them together with a couple of other words in a sentence to make 'a lot of death and trash metal', notice how it doesn't hold the same meaning as 'all metal' or even 'all death and trash metal'? great now please don't reply if you're not going to read the comment first. It's something that anyone with an IQ of more than one digit knows to do.

That you captain obvious. you have explained what we already know. And the guy still is correct, this statement is absolutely ignorant.

 

[Ddgafd]

No lyrics. Of course they never hurt and sometimes I actually like them. I guess I'm just used to listening to instrumentals(or whatever the right name for the lyric-less songs is).

 

[Bomberman4000]

I'm a singer, so about 90% of the time I'm listening to music with lyrics because one of the ways I learn to become a better singer is to practice using real songs. It's also helped me in the songwriting department. It's like anything else really, in order to make a splash you have to know what's out there so you don't just end up copying someone else.

However, when it comes to studying I have playlists of purely instrumental music that really help me focus. I can't stand complete silence, so usually if I'm doing something that requires me to focus I'll have some music playing underneath (usually Jazz or classical music, not really instrumentals of actual songs much) and that helps me immensely.

Sometimes though, you'll get to a song that has really interesting music, but the lyrics are just dumb as hell. Then I'll go find an instrumental version and replace it.

So basically, there's room for both. One's not innately better than the other.

 

[kortin]

Depends on the song really.

Some songs are great because of the lyrics. Other songs would probably be better without lyrics.

 

[staika]

Lyrics, I hate instrumental music. I usually listen to heavy types of metal such as metalcore and hardcore. I guess it's just personal preference

 

[SextusMaximus]

I prefer songs without lyrics, though it depends. If they're sacrificing instrumental values for the lyrics then I don't want to listen to that song.

And I think a lot of death and trash metal songs need to die in a fire, lyrics or not, that's not music, it's randomly hitting 3-4 instruments while screaming through a puppy's anus.

You have no concept of the skill required to play death metal tracks. I mmean seriously, like it or hate it - you have to respect the technical playing.

 

[kortin]

I prefer songs without lyrics, though it depends. If they're sacrificing instrumental values for the lyrics then I don't want to listen to that song.

And I think a lot of death and trash metal songs need to die in a fire, lyrics or not, that's not music, it's randomly hitting 3-4 instruments while screaming through a puppy's anus.

Its better than R&B and Rap and Hip Hop. :|

 

[Jazoni89]

Normally, I don't like instrumentals, unless it's really, really good, and it stands on it's own, like Animals as Leaders, or some of Unkle's tracks for example.

It just doesn't feel like a whole song if their isn't lyrics, or even a couple of samples at least.

I'm also not big on soundtracks either, I seriously don't know what people's fascination with them on here is about, maybe it's a Nerd thing, or something, I dunno. One thing's for certain though, I never really got the urge to listen to something I heard in a game, film ect, it's just background noise to me (unless you count the Shadow of the Colossus OST, which is brilliant).

 

[Suicidejim]

I can go either way. On the whole, I suppose I prefer instrumental stuff, or anything with vocals that are unintelligible, but if a song has really good lyrics to it, that can be even better. And sure, occasionally I'll sing along to one of the songs I have where the lyrics are just over-the-top hyper-violence/sexuality/whatever else, for a lark.

 

[Professor Idle]

I spend a lot of time listening to music, and I've noticed that I seem to gravitate towards songs with no lyrics (soundtracks mostly). Of course I still listen to a lot of music with singing, it's just that that the singing usually tends to be either intelligible, in a different language, or in a nonsense language of some kind.

Yay, someone else! I tend to listen to some good soundtracks and lyricless things, mainly cos a good song will compensate for not having lyrics by actually having to focus on sounding good. Admittedly in different moods I can't go without lyrics, but even then I like stuff where the lyrics aren't just some generic half assed 'love song' lyrics.

 

[teqrevisited]

It really depends on the track, but I have no preference anyway. Of what I do listen to I like both when they're present. I can't describe it properly, they just sound right. Same with instrumentals.

Being mainly a prog rock fan I've learned to just accept whatever comes. Usually they're that way for a reason.

 

[GameMaNiAC]

I love both. Sometimes instrumental songs can really feel much more powerful in emotion and expression than songs with lyrics, saying much more than a song with words. [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4iy4tStuK7s] But, depending on the theme of the lyrics, the songs with singing can also make a song more expressive. It really depends.

And I think a lot of death and trash metal songs need to die in a fire, lyrics or not, that's not music, it's randomly hitting 3-4 instruments while screaming through a puppy's anus.

It's 'thrash', not 'trash' metal. And really, if you didn't pay much attention, death metal and thrash metal songs actually can be very emotional. The screaming sometimes even adds up to the emotion. Sure, there are some who just bash on everything. But saying what you said (and I assume you don't have much experience with them, at least not the good ones, since you have this opinion) and claiming they should not exist makes you sound ignorant.