music or lyrics?

[nnn69247]

This is an arguement I've been having with my band for a while and I want to see what you think.

What do you think is more important for a song to be good, the music or the lyrics?

[Twisted_rock]

the music has to sound good or no one will listen however if the lyrics suck the song has no lasting substance so il cop out and say both!

[ncgayguy]

Unless you're trying to be some symphony, the lyrics should be a major part of the song. I think people remember your lyrics more then the music... when you're singing in the shower... you're singing the lyrics... the music only compliments and shouldn't over power the lyrics but with crap lyrics you're either going to have a sucky song or just have a symphony of instruments. so to me lyrics are most important w/ music being a good compliment to the lyrics.

[Twisted_rock]

mm but in music the music hasto be good!!!!!!!!!!!

[ncgayguy]

I'm sticking to the music should only compliment the music. Yes it's important but it shouldn't overpower the lyrics where you can't hear the singing.

[Vision_Thing]

depends on what type of song. sometimes the music oughtta be better sometimes the lyrics. tho if the vocals are bad it dont matter wht the lyrics are...

[Joeykid]

it depends on the style of music firstly

writing lyrics is writing poems without the beats. people seem to think they either can or cant write lyrics...well its not 'writing a song' its usually poetry.

you sort then then you sort your music, its the way it goes. lyrics, then beats (unless you come up with some funky riff on the spurr of the moment)

to me the lyrics matter more but then knowone gets as far as the lyrics with a crap song, its off right away!

[will]

I have to say perhaps lyrics just in front of the music but just and no more. I can listen to some songs cause i can relate to the lyrics and i think thats what attrackts a lot of people to a song in the first place. They heard a few words that strike familiarity then pay more attention.

[Joeykid]

I have to say perhaps lyrics just in front of the music but just and no more. I can listen to some songs cause i can relate to the lyrics and i think thats what attrackts a lot of people to a song in the first place. They heard a few words that strike familiarity then pay more attention.

though i agree you gotta argue the point...think, you dont get as far as the lyrics if the opening riff or whatever is awful...

[Dreamtime]

the lyrics have to mean somethin, the music has to sound good, they both have to fit in with eachother. i can't choose

[talos]

just to play devils advocte is it not the music because although personally im not a fan classical music attracts millions of people and there is no lyrics or vocals!

i reckon you need both the best songs rely 50/50 although i agree with joeykid you ned good opening riff - smoke on water need i say more!

[Neil]

Wow, excellent question and one that will split musicians for years to come.

Let's take a little known "music movie" Eddie and The Cruisers. Michael Pare, playing the lead "Eddie" the lead vocalist and lead guitar for the group is actually pretty close to it when he tells Tom Beringer's character, Word Man (a nickname he gave him for writting songs) "words and music...they live together...can't have one without the other." Not a great movie, great viewpoint.

Another example is the Doors, good, bad or indifferent, let's use them as an example.

Someone walking down the street hears JUST the lyrics, "day divides the night, night divides the day...try to run try to hide break on through to the other side." They hear this from a song from over 25 years ago and Wham! It takes them back to that place where they first heard it or think about that time in their lives.

However, giving music it's fair shot, another person hears the opening bars of "Riders in the Storm" and again, Wham, same feeling, just sent through a different channel.

What about classical? For those who claim they TRULY love classical, hey to each their own, I ask them this. "Do you ever sit and listen to a piece and NEVER hear words?" I doubt it. In short, the lyrcis don't always have to come WITH the music, we can write them ourselves each and everytime. Someone mentioned poetry earlier. I think both are truly forms of poetry, each in their own fashion.

[kiss me im shitfaced]

i think the music is more important in rock music. riffs speak louder than words, its not only lyrics that u can relate to, u can also relate to the music if u know wut i mean. but obviously lyrics are important too, but id rather have a song with good riffs and bad lyrics than bad riffs and good lyrics. both are important but to me the music is more so

[allrock]

Well i think great lyrics make great music. Most of the songs i really love got really great lyrics and it when u sing along with that song, u feel that feeling in that. Crap lyrics can make good music, but i don't go for that most of the time or it won't be last too long in me. If both lyrics and music has to compliment each other then only we have great song.

[m/]

that's like saying
"what's more important...humming or quoting?"

all i can say is "depends"