Music vs lyrics - Progressive Rock Music Forum

Originally posted by Dellinger

that's why sometimes Yes's lyrics don't make sense, because Anderson sometimes chooses the words for how they sound together, more than by their meaning.

Interesting. I see that could very well be the case.

In any event, most people seem to want to believe that music is more important than lyrics. And I think they should. Vocals are an interesting instrument because everyone expects two roles: lyrics and music. Music is the larger part of every song ever made and I believe we're all so drawn to it because its interpretations are limitless. The purpose is to express the emotions of the performer/composer, but the emotion we infer as the audience doesn't always match that of said performer/composer. That's the beauty of it. From any single piece of music performed, we can infer a plethora of emotions. And what is tenfold as interesting upon that is the fact that we link emotions with experiences. Any one emotion can be linked to an impressive number of past experiences. Finally, consider this: all of us lead different lives and have been through different experiences. You can relive a number of past experiences, even subconsciously, through said emotions. Lyrics can bring songs together and bring a number of interpretations, but nowhere near the value that music brings. Don't forget, vocals are half lyrics, half music.

TL;DR: Music wins.

Originally posted by Dellinger

Indeed, in principle, I find music more important to lyrics... if I wanted just "lyrics" I would be reading a book. However, good lyrics certainly add to the experience. Bad lyrics can make it a bit uncomfortable. But there are certain lyrics that would utterly ruin a song to me, if they talk about really nasty things as if they were the right thing to do.

Good points.

Lyrics? I've been listened to prog for more than 25 years and didn't understand a word. Now I understand but that doesn't make a huge diference .

Cocteau Twins produced some of the most dreamy, moving (kinda proggish?) music, and Elisabeth Fraser never sang a word of English...or any language for that matter. It was all tongue-speak - some fascinating and beautiful non-language she made up.

^ What are you talking about, dude? Melodies are a part of music.

"Composing itself, in a way, is a simplifying process, just trying to pick some (strands?) out [of] the clamour in the head." - Robert Wyatt.

Actually, yes. Sorry, should've recognized that.

Originally posted by Terra Australis

I like good lyrics but you can have beautiful music with rubbish lyrics.

E.g. I love the genesis song Aisle Of Plenty and was amazed water hearing it to discover Peter Gabriel was singing a shopping list. It sounds like a love song.

Actually, almost all of "Aisle of Plenty" has to do with shopping and supermarkets. The lyrics:

"I don't belong here," said old Tessa out loud.

"Easy, love, there's the Safe Way Home."

- thankful for her Fine Fair discount,

Tess Co-operates

Still alone in o-hell-o

- see the deadly nightshade grow

You'll find Safeway, Home Store, Fine Fare, Tesco and Co-op - all names of supermarket chains at the time Gabriel wrote the song. Even Tessa (Tess) was the name of the wife of the man who founded Tesco.

Please pay a visit to my blog...The Dark Elf File...a slighty skewed journal of music reviews, literary comment, fan-fiction and interminable essays.

music

All Hail Geddy Lee!

I am glad that English is my first language, I have the unfair privilege of most works being in my language... unless they're older than c. 1900. I love lyrics and music equally to actually answer the question however.

Edited by mostever - August 19 2012 at 21:19

^ haven't seen that in awhile, very funny