Languages
Printed From: Progarchives.com
Category: Progressive Music Lounges
Forum Name: Prog Polls
Forum Description: Create polls on topics related to progressive music
URL: http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=43258
Printed Date: August 15 2025 at 17:03
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 11.01 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Languages
Posted By: jikai55
Subject: Languages
Date Posted: November 05 2007 at 21:58
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I seem to enjoy music more when the lyrics are in English...I will vote for the first option. ------------- 
I like cheese and I like metal! --Mikael Åkerfeldt |
Replies:
Posted By: rileydog22
Date Posted: November 05 2007 at 21:59
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I prefer music in Kobaian.
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Posted By: Leningrad
Date Posted: November 05 2007 at 22:07
| It doesn't bother me if it's not in English. I don't have to understand the lyrics to like the song. |
Posted By: Shakespeare
Date Posted: November 05 2007 at 22:11
Do suah ..um... Right. Whatever the Kobaian word for RIGHT is. |
rileydog22 wrote:Posted By: ProgBagel
Date Posted: November 05 2007 at 22:13
| I just like to know what they're saying...it conveys meaning for me. |
Posted By: Shakespeare
Date Posted: November 05 2007 at 22:14
No kidding. |
Posted By: markosherrera
Date Posted: November 05 2007 at 22:27
| Music is an Universal language,but I PREFER if I understand |
Posted By: Camel_APPeal
Date Posted: November 05 2007 at 22:40
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Understanding what the song is about adds to the enjoyment of a song.
A song being in a language you understand, but still you don't have a clue what the song is about sometimes can be a little bit frustrating :S
There are some songs you wish you couldn't understand the lyrics when the music is strong but the lyrics bring 'em down.
Anyway, I don't pay much attention to the lyrics on my first listen, so I voted Music In Any Language! ------------- 
"After all, it's music what we're talking about here, so there's no best or worst; just what you like and what you don't" |
Posted By: sean
Date Posted: November 05 2007 at 22:57
| a lot of times i prefer music in languages i don't understand. i just like the sound. but i would vote for music in any language because language doesn't play a part in whether or not i like a song. for instance, i love bands like korpiklaani and a lot of other folk stuff but i can't stand 50 cent or fall out boy. on the other hand i like bands like ELP and Yes but strongly dislike rammstein. |
Posted By: reality
Date Posted: November 06 2007 at 01:23
| I listen to a lot of traditional music from many countries, so I am used to the different language thing. Sometimes it intensifies the music (if it represents the culture) other times it is annoying (like when a foreign singer tries to be American or an American tries to be Romanian for that matter. Any time were their actions are one culture while their language is a conflicting sound). |
Posted By: Raff
Date Posted: November 06 2007 at 01:39
Music in ANY language, of course, and lots of instrumental music as well  ! Lyrics, even if I do like good ones, are not that important. Personally, the way they are sung is much more interesting to me than meaning.
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Posted By: jimmy_row
Date Posted: November 06 2007 at 01:48
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The language doesn't really matter to me because quality music can fill in the missing spot for lyrics and good vocals are always pleasant regardless of whether or not I can understand them, although it adds to my appreciation if a native speaker tells me that the lyrics are good (eg. Le Orme).
I actually prefer the sound of Spanish and Italian over English, they're very beautiful languages, but I have a harder time with Skandanavian languages and Chinese (perhaps they don't lend as well in a rock context). ------------- Signature Writers Guild on strike |
Posted By: NotAProghead
Date Posted: November 06 2007 at 02:39
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Music in any language, if it's native for the performer.
On the other hand, if I don't like lyrics of some bands singing in my native language (Russian), no matter how good or bad is their music - they don't exist for me. ------------- Who are you and who am I to say we know the reason why... (D. Gilmour) |
Posted By: fuxi
Date Posted: November 06 2007 at 03:37
| Let's be honest: music in a language you understand speaks to you in a more direct way. Fortunately, if you grew up in Flanders or the Netherlands, you grew up surrounded not only by Dutch and English, but also by French and German: when I was a kid, there were lots of English, French and German series on the TV - all subtitled. When you heard music by Udo Lindenberg or Serge Gainsbourg, you did not understand all they were singing, far from it, but at least you got SOMETHING out of it, they didn't sound alien. (Of course it helped that you also studied those languages at school.) As for Spanish and Italian, I guess the hit singles charts teach millions of people simple phrases like "ti amo". But personally I find it frustrating I just don't understand all that PFM are singing about. But maybe it doesn't matter. Maybe it's all about seasoned witches? |
Posted By: andu
Date Posted: November 06 2007 at 03:48
I recently realized I only follow the singing, not really caring for the lyrics. It surprised me too, but I like the idea. 
------------- "PA's own GI Joe!" 
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Posted By: Yorkie X
Date Posted: November 06 2007 at 03:52
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The lyrics I prefer in English but I don't mind listening to languages I don't know if they sound musical and work well |
Posted By: Norbert
Date Posted: November 06 2007 at 08:32
| Good music in any language. |
Posted By: markosherrera
Date Posted: November 06 2007 at 08:32
| Well iF I cant understand the lyrics ,I listen the vocals or voice like an other musical instrument |
Posted By: sircosick
Date Posted: November 06 2007 at 08:47
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Good question,
I use to like instrumental stuff because lyrics I understand I usually dislike..... I don't prefer lyrics over music. So, curiously I'm gonna pick the third option. ------------- The best you can is good enough... |
Posted By: aapatsos
Date Posted: November 06 2007 at 09:21
| I prefer in English but generally don't mind provided the music is good |
Posted By: Fassbinder
Date Posted: November 06 2007 at 09:42
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Like Ghost Rider and NotAProghead said -- I like music in any language as long it is performed well. I tend to see a voice as an additional instrument. Lyrics may be important, but I care for an overall sound much more than for meaning (I know it might lead to the situation when I'll find myself enjoying an utter rubbish sung well, but in a language I don't understand, accompanied by some great music...) Unpleasant singing may spoil even the strong musical piece. Also I find that I prefer instrumental passages in compositions to lyrical ones, and as much time they last the better.
Sometimes I'd simply prefer not to understand the lyrics, however... it happens mostly when the lyrics in my native language.
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Posted By: paloz
Date Posted: November 06 2007 at 10:52
| If music is good, any language (even the ones who don't exist - Magma, Sigur Ròs' ( ) ) is good to me. |
Posted By: rushfan4
Date Posted: November 06 2007 at 11:02
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For me, my preference is in English which is the only language I understand. Although with my brief foray into the RPI that was streaming on the website, the music was pretty good, but it didn't really grab a hold of me as music with good lyrics that I understand does. Interestingly enough, I was listening to Amputecture this morning for the first time and although I wasn't paying much attention to the lyrics, the ones that were sung in English seemed to be kind of dumb to be honest. Then there was a really beautiful ballad with some beautiful singing in Spanish. I was disappointed because I had no idea what was being sung but on first impression it was the best song on the album.------------- 
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Posted By: Philip
Date Posted: November 06 2007 at 12:51
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It's better in a language that I minimally understand. First option. Thanks to the great concepts of prog music that make me develop my english and to fully enjoy the music.
Magma is different, i don't understand, but that's their style and i think we don't need to understand their language, Kobaïan.
I think we should try to make the first Kobaïan dictionary. It would be nice to see in a bookshop: Dictionaries - Kobaïan -English
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Posted By: puma
Date Posted: November 06 2007 at 14:35
| I rarely listen to the lyrics anyway, I listen to the instruments, to me the vocals are an afterthought. Which is why I'm terrible at writing vocal lines in my own music... |
Posted By: andrea
Date Posted: November 06 2007 at 14:59
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Just a quote from an article about prog and foreign languages...
"Not to be defeatist, but it's a foregone conclusion that progressive rock, or this neo-progressive music, has largely become the domain of hardcore fans and independent labels that exist independently of the majors, and elude coverage in the popular press. A bid to sing in English can't do much to change the situation. I think what they need (and what fans want) is a return to using their mother language, to strengthen the connection to their own culture. Many of these bands probably envy the Anglo/American groups, whose native language is English, and don't realize that we envy their vastly rich cultural heritage"
here you can find the complete text...
http://www.e-prog.net/genre/language_culture.htm - http://www.e-prog.net/genre/language_culture.htm
Personally I prefer listen to lyrics in "native language" (with the translation in the booklet)
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Posted By: NotAProghead
Date Posted: November 06 2007 at 16:53
The same with me. If I understand some words or phrases, it helps to draw some picture in my head. The picture can be wrong, but it makes listening much more interesting. ------------- Who are you and who am I to say we know the reason why... (D. Gilmour) |
Posted By: el böthy
Date Posted: November 06 2007 at 18:06
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In any language, its great to understand it, of course... but sometimes its fun not to do so too. Like Kobaian... its damn funny, specially cause sometimes it sounds like german mixed with spanish and some english too, so you can make up what they are saying... "Marvin es mujer... Marvin es mujer" jejeje, thats funny ------------- "You want me to play what, Robert?" 
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Posted By: moreitsythanyou
Date Posted: November 06 2007 at 18:07
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As long as the vocals are good, language doesn't matter. In fact, I appreciate the diversity.
-------------  <font color=white>butts, lol[/COLOR] |
Posted By: Dean
Date Posted: November 06 2007 at 18:33
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All I can say is: The Cocteau Twins ... Liz Fraser sings in English yet no one can understand what she is singing - all the listener picks up on is the pure emotion of her voice. Bliss. ------------- What? |
Posted By: andu
Date Posted: November 06 2007 at 18:41
Yeah, well, after heavy listening to Thom Yorke, you need this philosophy or else you perish ------------- "PA's own GI Joe!"
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Posted By: andu
Date Posted: November 06 2007 at 18:44
True - btw, you can check out the sample at this band: http://www.progarchives.com/artist.asp?id=2344 - http://www.progarchives.com/artist.asp?id=2344 , the guy sings in Romanian and I don't understand what he says, still he is one of my favourite vocalists and the album is in my personal top ten! ------------- "PA's own GI Joe!"
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Posted By: ghost_of_morphy
Date Posted: November 06 2007 at 21:15
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Since I prefer PFM in the original Italian, I had to vote in any language. I do wish that Magma had recorded their best albums in a known language, though. |
Posted By: Lonely Progger
Date Posted: November 07 2007 at 04:27
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Music in any language,it can be nice to listen to a song in spanish because your just listening to the notes and let's say the simple emotions happy,sad,angry,desperate, but i do thing some languages are more musical than others. French isn't a very nice singing language i think. ------------- Lost in the south of france: " Le rock progressif ? C'est quoi cette connerie? " |
Posted By: zbida
Date Posted: November 07 2007 at 04:45
Right. A perfect candidate for last option of the poll.
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Posted By: A B Negative
Date Posted: November 07 2007 at 05:24
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Some languages are better suited to certain styles of music. I prefer Peter Gabriel's fourth solo album sung in German, and the sound of Kobaiian suits Magma's music perfectly (plus I've got an idea that I'd find Magma's lyrics infuriatingly cheesy if they were in English). ------------- "The disgusting stink of a too-loud electric guitar.... Now, that's my idea of a good time." |
Posted By: Spacemac
Date Posted: November 07 2007 at 09:02
| Music in any language |
Posted By: FunnyWays
Date Posted: November 07 2007 at 17:18
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The question is prefer so I'd have to say its better to understand but listen to stuff I don't understand it and some is great. ------------- 
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Posted By: darksideof
Date Posted: November 08 2007 at 11:10
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IF I would voted option 1 "Music in a language you understand" I would never got into Prog at all because English is my second language and Spanish my first. I had no idea what the lyrics were about when I started listening to prog at age 14 , 23 years ago. However I understand what you mean that you want to listen music in the language that you understand. Because of I have no idea when Roger water meant when he sang" All we are just a brick in the wall" I was so curious enough to learn English.I wanted to know and be able to undestand. ------------- http://darksideofcollages.blogspot.com/ http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/ https://www.facebook.com/pages/Darksideof-Collages/ |
Posted By: Man With Hat
Date Posted: November 08 2007 at 22:58
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I like when they are in english only so I can follow the lyrics (especially if its an emotional song...adds a special quality).
That said, it really doesn't matter to me. I like music sung in any language, and other some are really beautiful on their own, so its all good. ------------- Dig me...But don't...Bury me I'm running still, I shall until, one day, I hope that I'll arrive Warning: Listening to jazz excessively can cause a laxative effect. |
Posted By: Guzzman
Date Posted: November 09 2007 at 10:46
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For years I prefered English lyrics, but now it's music in (almost) all languages for me. Sometimes I wish I knew the language to really understand the songs, but more often I enjoy the voice as another instrument. ------------- "We've got to get in to get out" |