I was listening to Bob Marley's Redemption Song yesterday. There's nothing extraordinary about the orchestration of this song, yet it is an amazing tune. It's just some dude and his guitar, and the person isn't even a really great singer. But the song still manages to be very powerful because the lyrics elevate it to the point of greatness. Obviously, I'm not one to say that lyrics have no bearing on the overall quality of the song, but let me elaborate.
It recently occurred to me that when I hear most Wu-Tang songs for the first time, I frequently have no idea what the fuck they are saying. If the music is drawing me in, I'm in. I can absolutely enjoy a song with really bad or unintelligible lyrics. However, if the music is ok/decent and the lyrics are making me laugh because they are so horrible, then it may bring the rating of the song down from "average" to "bad."
Also, the tone and theme of the song in relation to the lyrics can be pretty important. For example, Journey's Any Way You Want It doesn't contain any lyrics that are remotely interesting. But, I think the song has a good arrangment and it makes for as good of a party track as you can think of, so it gets a thumbs up from me. But when an artist comes out with some thing that has an introspective theme and delivery coupled with some really dumb words over it, the end result may be something that I can't begin to take seriously.
Additionally, lyrics do not have to be delivered with a good voice. If a song has a deep, personal or thought-provoking theme, its meaning may be amplified by someone who doesn't have much of a voice. In a way, it can seem even more personaly when you're hearing the artist struggle to hit the notes he is looking for. It just seems like it can be a more raw display of emotion.
So in conclusion....
Can a song with average music and superb lyrics be a really great song?...yes
Can shitty lyrics and fantastic music make a really great song?...yes
Does a singer have to be good in order for his lyrics to carry meaning?...no
Lyrics, to me, are just as much a part fo the sogn sas anything else. They can be the strongest element of the song or they cna be the weakest. But this doesn't mean I can't overlook subpar lyrics as much as I can overlook a hilariously awful chorus or something. But lyrics can add as much to a song as a really awesome chorus can.
Joined: Tue Nov 30, 2004 4:02 am Posts: 44183 Location: New York Gender: Male
warehouse wrote:
conoalias wrote:
warehouse wrote:
great lyrics cant make up for shitty music though
i disagree.
give me an example that isnt bob dylan or leonard cohen
I was going to say Ani Difranco but her music is usally pretty good, and often great
_________________ "Better the occasional faults of a Government that lives in a spirit of charity than the consistent omissions of a Government frozen in the ice of its own indifference."--FDR
Not to go on with rap music (we'll see if cono agrees with me here) but Immortal Technique's Revolutionary Vol. 1 is an album I've been critical of due to its thin and less-than-professional production. But I'll be damned if I can't listen to that entire record in awe of how unbelievably talented he is as a technical lyricist with a great flow.
Joined: Sun Dec 05, 2004 5:47 am Posts: 27904 Location: Philadelphia Gender: Male
Where does lyrical delivery fit into the equation here? I mean, if great lyrics aren't sung in a pleasing manner, and the music is good, is it still a good song?
_________________ It's always the fallen ones who think they're always gonna save me.
Joined: Tue Nov 30, 2004 4:02 am Posts: 44183 Location: New York Gender: Male
dirtyfrank0705 wrote:
Where does lyrical delivery fit into the equation here? I mean, if great lyrics aren't sung in a pleasing manner, and the music is good, is it still a good song?
probably, but not a great song.
It's hard to tell without examples--this is all a bit abstract
_________________ "Better the occasional faults of a Government that lives in a spirit of charity than the consistent omissions of a Government frozen in the ice of its own indifference."--FDR
Not to go on with rap music (we'll see if cono agrees with me here) but Immortal Technique's Revolutionary Vol. 1 is an album I've been critical of due to its thin and less-than-professional production. But I'll be damned if I can't listen to that entire record in awe of how unbelievably talented he is as a technical lyricist with a great flow.
i honestly don't know the album all that well. but take Sage Francis for instance, though his 'music' isn't bad, i personally could never listen to it if it weren't for the vocal and lyric delivery.
A bad singer can still be part of a phenomenal song.
Sometimes it doesn't even matter if they can sing well or not. Dylan has a distinct voice that seperates him from other musicians. I can see how peope would find his voice annoying, but to me the sound of the words (Great words) coming out of his mouth is magnificent. Same goes with Lou Reed. I could listen to that guy all day.
Last edited by I Hail Randy Moss on Wed Apr 11, 2007 9:15 pm, edited 1 time in total.
is there a difference between appreciating lyrics and appreciating lyrical delivery?
Yes. I love when people who don't know Dylan well, say they can't understand a word he's saying. Are you kidding? He is the most articulate, fluent singer I've ever heard.
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