It is easy to suggest that great music needs both, so let's skip that obvious position.
Take a stand; either great music needs lyrics or it does not.
Arguments that are well written and supported with external substantiation are encouraged.
Sources to consider:
Rolling Stone Magazine's top 500 songs in history all have lyrics, so if lyrics are not essential why does this list, compliled by "experts," not have at least a few songs without lyrics?
http://www.rollingstone.com/news/coverstory/500songs
Underlying topic: If you love music, then you love poetry.
Even one of the greatest song writers in history promotes the connection (see excerpt from the New York Times).
New York Times
September 14, 2006
Who’s This Guy Dylan Who’s Borrowing Lines From Henry
Timrod?
By MOTOKO RICH
Perhaps you’ve never heard of Henry Timrod, sometimes known as the poet laureate of the Confederacy. But maybe you’ve heard his words, if you’re one of the 320,000 people so far who have bought Bob Dylan’s latest album, “Modern Times,” which made its debut last week at No. 1 on the Billboard album chart. It seems that many of the lyrics on that album, Mr. Dylan’s first No. 1 album in 30 years, bear some strong echoes to the poems of Timrod, a Charleston native who wrote poems about the Civil War and died in 1867 at the age of 39.
“More frailer than the flowers, these precious hours,” the 65-year-old Mr. Dylan sings in “When the Deal Goes Down,” one of the songs on “Modern Times.” Compare that to these lines from Timrod’s “Rhapsody of a Southern Winter Night”:
A round of precious hours
Oh! here, where in that summer noon I basked
And strove, with logic frailer than the flowers.
“No doubt about it, there has been some borrowing going on,” said Walter Brian Cisco, who wrote a 2004 biography of Timrod, when shown Mr. Dylan’s lyrics. Mr. Cisco said he could find at least six other phrases from Timrod’s poetry that appeared in Mr. Dylan’s songs.
Take a stand; either great music needs lyrics or it does not.
Arguments that are well written and supported with external substantiation are encouraged.
Sources to consider:
Rolling Stone Magazine's top 500 songs in history all have lyrics, so if lyrics are not essential why does this list, compliled by "experts," not have at least a few songs without lyrics?
http://www.rollingstone.com/news/coverstory/500songs
Underlying topic: If you love music, then you love poetry.
Even one of the greatest song writers in history promotes the connection (see excerpt from the New York Times).
New York Times
September 14, 2006
Who’s This Guy Dylan Who’s Borrowing Lines From Henry
Timrod?
By MOTOKO RICH
Perhaps you’ve never heard of Henry Timrod, sometimes known as the poet laureate of the Confederacy. But maybe you’ve heard his words, if you’re one of the 320,000 people so far who have bought Bob Dylan’s latest album, “Modern Times,” which made its debut last week at No. 1 on the Billboard album chart. It seems that many of the lyrics on that album, Mr. Dylan’s first No. 1 album in 30 years, bear some strong echoes to the poems of Timrod, a Charleston native who wrote poems about the Civil War and died in 1867 at the age of 39.
“More frailer than the flowers, these precious hours,” the 65-year-old Mr. Dylan sings in “When the Deal Goes Down,” one of the songs on “Modern Times.” Compare that to these lines from Timrod’s “Rhapsody of a Southern Winter Night”:
A round of precious hours
Oh! here, where in that summer noon I basked
And strove, with logic frailer than the flowers.
“No doubt about it, there has been some borrowing going on,” said Walter Brian Cisco, who wrote a 2004 biography of Timrod, when shown Mr. Dylan’s lyrics. Mr. Cisco said he could find at least six other phrases from Timrod’s poetry that appeared in Mr. Dylan’s songs.
52 comments:
Posters Beware...
oh, life it seems
a struggle between
what we see and what we do
well I'm not going to change my ways
just to please you or appease you
History shows that lyrics do contribute to make top notch timeless songs. Lyrics allow you to sing along and provide meaning to each piece. Lots of songs with lyrics truly are great as the Rolling Stone list provides. But what about those without lyrics? Classics from Beethoven's 5th Symphony to millions of jazz collections are all without lyrics, but are irrefutably great musical pieces. New artist Rodrigo y Gabriela is proof that amazing music can be created without lyrics. Mastering their own compositions as well as covers, the pair has brought a unique sound to the musical history books. Their song Buster Voodoo demonstrates that reliance on pure instrumental elements like guitar or piano can result in a pure sound that describes emotions and tells a story just as the words of a song can. Different genres and different generations bring different sounds. Ultimately, lyric without music is basic poetry, but music without lyrics is still music.
Music artists and bands try to communicate with the audience by portraying a certain emotion through the songs; however, lyrics are not necessary to do so. Music is an art. Like other arts, it may require interpretation. Monet and Van Gough did not use words in their paintings, yet they still conveyed truth, meaning in their pieces. Van Gough’s most popular “Starry Night” depicts a scene of comfort and peace through visual imagery. A truly talented artist (or band, for this matter) can master the composition of a story through imagery without lyrics. A combination of sounds and instruments with the absence of lyrics can be just as powerful as a lyrical sonata. While most expressive poetry relies on metaphorical comparisons, rather than literal exposition, the interpretation is what gives meaning.
Today’s music features insipid lyrics that are merely the reworking of former songs (Taylor Swift’s ‘You Belong with Me’ = Saving Jane’s ‘Girl Next Door’). Love songs, for example, all sound the same to me. So don’t tell me that your heart “flutters” whenever you see your beloved. I don’t care. I’ve heard it before.
In contrast, those songs with a “sick beat” are always enjoyable. Daft Punk’s ‘Aerodynamic’ has no lyrics but I love jamming to it in my car. My favorite song is ‘La Garota de Ipanema,’ and though half of the words are in Portuguese and are therefore unintelligible to me, the collaboration of the instruments makes it a beautiful song.
Powerful melodies can influence people’s moods and give them the ability to transcend their problems. Just listen to your favorite song when you have a bad day. You won’t be listening to someone changing pitch; you’ll be listening to the sounds that soothe you.
While it is plain to see that many great songs do have lyrics, it is not a requirement to being considered a "great" song. The Ventures, Joe Satriani, and songs such as Peaches en Regalia by Frank Zappa have all been considered great at one point, and neither have any lyrics. I believe that the greatest part of music is the melody, as without some form of melody a song cannot even be classified as music. Yet greatness is a matter of preference, and will vary for each individual. If greatness is measured in sales however, many instrumental bands have achieved this success, proving that just because many "great" songs have lyrics, one does not need to hear words to reap the full meaning of the song, which is also a matter of taste.
Music; truly one of the most pleasurable inventions created by nature and mankind alike. A slight breeze through a tree full of lush green leaves on a warm spring evening can be considered music to some, and yet there are no words to it: utter simplicity. However, music created by man is often celebrated with the use of lyrics that reinforce themes presented in the song by the artist in order to inspire emotion in the listener. It is impossible to tell whether or not lyrics can be beneficial to a purely instrumental song, or whether silence can be beneficial to a purely lyrical song; as Jon Christie said before, it is a matter of taste and what appeals to the person purchasing the song.
Personally I would rather listen to a song with lyrics describing an event, a thought, or a feeling rather than listening to strictly instrumental music. It isn't that instrumental music isn't inspiring and beautiful, lyrical music is just more appealing to me. In lyrical music human emotion is so much more prevalent; artists such as R.E.M., the Beatles and Elton John portray emotion and theme so well in their music through their lyrics that the songs become enchanting. For me listening to music isn’t about analyzing melody and lyrics in search for deeper meaning, but more about simply enjoying the music.
It would be ridiculous to say that lyrics are unnecessary in great music; the most popular songs in the world have always had lyrics and for the most part always will. But that being said it is undeniably true that an amazing song can be written and performed without any lyrics whatsoever. A song is made up of the culmination of multiple tones, chords, and other musical aspects, and even though lyrics may over shadow the most important parts of a song, in the end vocals are just another part of the music that makes the next top 40 hit. Vocals (contrary to popular belief) are a member of the melody section in a band. The voice can hit numerous notes in the same range as a musical instrument and it is used with other melodic instruments such as guitar or piano to give the song its “catchy” identity. Lyrics are used to convey a message to a particular audience, but overtime (like Oriana said) lyrics have become recycled and dry. Their message has become overused and the voice that is trying to smelt these words into our consciousness get drowned out by the general beat of the song. In my experiences as a musician and as an avid music lover I have always experienced the same “problem”, I can remember the music to a song, but never the lyrics and I believe that is because there are only a few great songs out there that have the lyrical strength to stay with you, but it is the music that conveys the message louder than any melodramatic singer could. Explosions in the Sky, Ratatat, and The Crystal Method have always been exemplars when I consider pure instrumental music. Although I may believe that music speaks louder than words, lyrics are still extremely important, if you want to experience the astounding magnitude of great lyrics just listen to rap’s greats.
Music and lyrics always seem to work in tandem. One is not complete without the other. And I do agree. To an extent.
It seems that music and lyrics go together so often because musicians fear just another "same old, same old" when it comes to melody. Take the fact that M.I.A.'s "Paper Planes" has the same riff found in The Clash's "Straight to Hell." But the songs aren't about the same thing due to lyrics. Sure. That's logical.
But that is exactly why, in my eyes, those who make non-lyrical music have more leeway in creativity. They create new sounds because they don't have to worry about putting words to them. And that's brilliant. Like Daft Punk, musicians such as MSTRKRFT and Explosions in the Sky and Brian Eno also have distinct sounds and notably abstain from lyric usage.
In an age where almost everything has been created or thought up, it's difficult to try to be creative. Artists are even borrowing ideas from music not a decade old (a la Taylor Swift). Music and lyrics no longer need to coincide in order to create "good music"; I think we've come to a point in time when music transcends lyrics.
Great music is interpreted differently. While some just want a good beat, others would rather be moved by music. Personally, I don’t mind either. I can not say that all great music has no lyrics, as there are great songs that are enhanced by lyrics. However, has anyone ever heard of a great song with no music? Either we call it poetry, or we call it rap, but even rap has some beat.
Great music is something that will be remembered long after the composer has died, very similar to art. (No one cared about Da Vinci’s work until he was dead). Likewise, everyone knows who Beethoven is, even though he died about 180 years ago. Did he have lyrics to his music? No. Why then do people care? Because “he is a classic” they say. He had the ability to make music sound like poetry, flowing and rhythmic, and engage people.
I completely agree with Amy that it is becoming increasingly difficult for artists to create original music. Every lyric we hear reminds us of something else; music is being repeated. (Apparently Jessica Simpson stole the intro to her song “A Public Affair” from another artist). It’s for this reason artists feel that creating lyrics allows their song to be “unique.”
We, as music aficionados, can attest this is not the case. If the music itself is able to captivate an audience, than it should be left alone. Adding lyrics increases the chances of making something successful into a failure.
BRENDON VERHAVE:
Great lyrics, or lyrics in general, are certainty unnecessary to produce great music. Some of my favorite musicians, whether it is Steve Vai or Paul Gilbert, speak not through words but through their extremely creative use of their instruments, which become tools to project these musicians' souls. The reason behind the appearance of lyrics in all of the songs on the Rolling Stone Top 500 list is a result of vast appeal, and not necessarily a song's true musical genius. The vast majority of music that reaches our ears is due not to true musical quality, but to a desire to make money. Unfortunate as it is, music is not usually produced and sold to expand an artist's message, but to make a profit. In response to the statement that, "if you like music you like poetry," I must strongly disagree. While a correlation may exist between these two forms of artistry, great music, as I pointed out, does not need lyrics, and without lyrics cannot be considered poetry. Poetry also lacks the direct voice of a poem's author, while songs that contain lyrics are sung in ways in which are appealing to one's sense of hearing, leaving no interpretation to be made. The ties between poetry and music are interesting, but by no means can they be considered law.
Rolling Stone’s List of the 500 greatest songs in history contains only songs with lyrics because the experts who made it were not limited to choosing between lyrics and no lyrics. Although you, Dr. Kowgios, already stated this as obvious, the greatest of the great music has both phenomenal instrumentals and lyrics which is why those 500 songs made the list. However, for songs to be just great, not breathtaking, lyrics are not necessary- they are solely a plus.
Like Leslie pointed out, I don’t think that anybody could argue that Beethoven or Bach weren’t brilliant composers who created some of the greatest songs of all time, but in reality, most musicians are not capable of composing the kinds of melodies that they did. It is far easier to write a song with lyrics, just like it is easier to make a movie with sound, which is why most songs are written with words. While yes, it is true that there are some phenomenal silent movies and instrumental bands, lyrics-with Oriana’s exception of recycled lyrics-add a novel dimension to music, which enable the listener to better relate to the message the song attempts to portray.
This being said, melodies are what really set the mood of the song. In great song mashes, for example, the melody from one song has the same effect on the listener, despite the fact that the lyrics are different. However, the lyrics have an entirely different effect when the melody is changed. Thus, while lyrics are certainly an important component in music, they are by no means a necessity.
Music can be composed of only lyrics, only instruments, or both lyrics and instruments. Each of these types of music are great in their own aspects, but, undoubtedly, music composed of only lyrics or lyrics and instruments are of greater value than music which only contains instruments and no lyrics. The existence of lyrics in music gives the listener more insight into the nature of existence. The existence of lyrics in music gives the listener more insight into the thoughts of the composer. The existence of lyrics in music gives the listener more insight into the art of language. Without lyrics, music is just an arrangement of instruments which can only evoke emotions, not creative thought. An argument which can prove this view that lyrics are essential to great music can be found in the existence of only a few songs without lyrics in the list of the top 500 songs in history compiled by Rolling Stone Magazine, which is considered by many to be a source of expertise on this subject.
How do we know which music out of our multitude of songs is truly great? Are the greatest songs performed by the most famous artists, the ones with the most radio-play time, or the ones with the catchiest sounds? Music is tricky - the range of listeners’ perceptions creates a huge grey area in separating the great from the good. I believe there’s no set of criteria that can really be used to compare every type of song to each other. Rolling Stone apparently believes it has the authority to assess the greatness of songs, (with Like a Rolling Stone as its top pick - coincidence?) but picked 500 songs that included lyrics. While lyrics are often important in defining a song’s meaning and adding to the overall flow of the piece, they’re not ultimately a necessary item in great music. Some good music with lyrics is probably considered great by many people because the presence of words makes the music easier to “understand” and therefore helps it become popular. However, I agree entirely with Leslie’s mention of Beethoven as an example of undeniably great music without lyrics. Some great songs are formed around the foundation of their lyrics, but the composition of a song relies on the agreement of many parts – sometimes vocals are among them.
I honestly don't know how I feel about the music vs. lyrics argument. I'm no music guru though, I sort of just listen to a seriously wide and strange variety of music and I have to admit that sometimes I don't even listen to the lyrics.
What does really appeal to me about a lot of the music that does happen to contain lyrics would be the voice of the person(s) singing. Fleet Foxes, for example, is a really mellow group who sings about nature. Yup, nature. But really, their lead singer has the voice of an angel, so it's awesome. With regards to lyrics, I would have to say Dear and the Headlights rocks some nice verses (check out "Paper Bag"- cliche but still quite good), but then again I'm no music connoisseur.
And as for the beat, the thing that drives those lyrics or allows a song to succeed without them, well I think i might have to say that's slightly more important than lyrics. I realize I sound hypocritical, but I think that any opinion on music depends entirely on one's mood.
So until I go to sleep tonight, I'm all about the background music.
"Great music," as is great literature, great poetry, or great anything, for example, is in the eye of the beholder. While yes, this is a cliche, it holds true. The Rolling Stone Magazine's top 500 songs made that list due to their popularity with the majority. I personally, as would many other people, disagree with some of the choices in that article. Some of my personal - eye of the beholder - favorite music is Dream Theater, God is an Astronaut, and Explosions in the Sky, all bands that utilize instrumental, not vocal, talent in order to portray their message and their view on topics. What constitutes great music is not set in stone, it's set in personal taste, therefore it is impossible to say that there is a standard for great music, a standard that necessitates lyrics.
Consequently, you do not have to love poetry if you love music. Again, there is music that becomes great without lyrics, obviously neglecting the poetic, in the literal, verbal sense, aspect of music.
Lyrics are merely words that make a song sound better than it already is; the idea of music without lyrics being inferior to music with lyrics is absurd. Take a song like AC/DC's "Back in Black,” it is instantly recognizable when you hear those first few, hard strums on the guitar. To me, the greatest parts of a song are in the beginning and the end, and most of all the bridge. The bridge of a song is the part that takes place between the last chorus and the chorus before that. It is the point in where you can really get into the song and appreciate its full value, not because there are no lyrics, but because this is normally where the best musical parts are. While I do appreciate the value of lyrics in a song, I do not believe that no song is great with only music itself, otherwise, there would be no need for music, and people could just recite words without it.
Like Dan said, the rolling stone top 500 songs are based majorly on popularity as well as the opinions of those making the list. Everyone has different tastes in music and no one approach, lyrics or not, can be considered a definitive answer to what “good music” really is. That being said however I do have my own opinion on the subject. Personally I believe music can be enjoyable, even without lyrics. While one of my favorite bands The Who does rely majorly on lyrics to convey their themes, I also like the melodies and rhythms presented in music such as crystal castles or the radio dept. With bands that do not use lyrics however I don’t believe they can communicate the same themes a group like The Who or Dream Theater could considering there is nothing to describe them other than the tones of the music, that, while enjoyable to listen to, cannot express the inner struggle of a kid attempting to find his place in life and the world (Quadrophenia) unless one has prior knowledge of the song. Perhaps the composer is attempting to convey something as that but no one would ever know as there is no tangible way to interpret the music itself without lyrics. Therefore I do believe music can be expressive without lyrics however I do think it is much more difficult, nearly impossible even, to convey the same expressive themes brought across in lyrics.
To me, a song with lyrics is more appealing than a song without lyrics. Although I can still enjoy both, for someone who knows little about guitars or pianos or drums, it is difficult for me to appreciate a good lyric-less song.
The Rocket Summer, a band who has songs both with and without lyrics, had plans of releasing its next single ‘Christmas Present’. However, the band’s record label demanded that lyrics be added to the song before it was released, claiming that a song without lyrics would not sell. The band added lyrics, but the version of the song without lyrics, which was released on their album, was more popular. I like ‘Christmas Present’ without lyrics, and agree that lyrics are awkward and unfitting in that song. However, the number one song on Rolling Stone’s Top 500 Greatest Songs of All Time, ‘Like a Rolling Stone’ by Bob Dylan, would not have been as popular without its catchy lyrics. In addition to this, lyrics can make songs relatable and allow people to identify with the writer of the song.
Lyrics are the most popular and easiest approach to convey the theme of a song. Furthermore, songs without lyrics are more open to interpretation, whereas songs with lyrics typically have an apparent theme shown through words. I admit, though, that the majority of song lyrics to which I am exposed are cliché, overly dramatic, or unoriginal, which leads me to conclude that a popular song worth of ranking on the Top 500 must include engaging melodies as well as lyrics.
Music has the ability to take someone into a different place, a place where all of their problems, anxieties, and concerns seem to magically fade away.
Although “great music” is merely a perspective, like Dan asserted, I feel that truly “great” music does not necessarily need lyrics. Take for instance, Radiohead’s 15 Steps, which is a mainly instrumental song with minimal lyrics (some of which are unclear to the listener). However, it is the eccentric instruments behind the music which attract the interest of the audience. Or even The Dave Mathews Band, U2, or Coldplay, which use lyrics yet emphasize instrumental genius in parts of their songs. These are just a few of the many bands which undeniably portray the beauty of the music behind the lyrics.
While I myself am bias because I am a “band geek” who has a strong fascination for music, I am an avid believer that music without lyrics is just as powerful, if not more powerful, than music with lyrics. I feel that having a deep appreciation for instrumental brilliance incorporated within any song allows individuals to be creative and find their own meaning behind any song. Instrumental music is profound and like poems, can be interpreted in a variety of ways. This in itself is ingenious.
would you like to play
with the thought of a friend
in a distant passing stage
while you lie around
with your hands up and out
so resigned you will fall down
Music, altogether can be interpreted in many ways. Though I personally favor songs that include of catchy lyrics, overall I believe that “great music” does not require words to make it that enjoyable.
Our generation has been exposed to an era of musicians that have been to claimed to struggle with creating “original work”, often mimicking melodies from past hits but manage to change up the lyrics just enough to make it their own. Along with this however there has also been a great deal of lyric free music that we also gravitate to as well, techno for example. The beat, the melody and the overall tone of a song are what really differentiates one from another.
As many students have already mentioned, there have been many successful artists that over time have composed classics that will forever be remembered. Though most appeared to have included lyrics, we must take a look at who’s choosing these hits to make the Top 500.
While lyrics are important in defining a song’s interpretation, there is so much more that can make a song. It can also all depend on the specific song, while recent creations consistently played on radio stations such as Z100 or K104 are said to have less “deeper meaning” than other compositions, their beat is what continues to keep up the popularity among people are age.
All in all, you can easily have good music without lyrics however those songs unfortunately don’t tend to get the level of popularity they should nowadays. Music is completely unrestricted, composed in many forms, with each song significant in their own way.
As I sit at my desk, listening to the pure, unadulterated beauty of Ludwig van Beethoven’s “Moonlight Sonata,” I cannot help but notice the inaccuracies and flawed arguments of lyric-supporting comments. To first understand such a complicated topic, a history lesson is in order. According to the Online Etymology Dictionary, the earliest usage of the word “lyrics” in reference to the “words of a popular song” was in 1876, a full sixty-five years before singer-songwriter Bob Dylan was born and ninety-one before the first issue of Rolling Stone was published. Referring to Tchaikovsky or Bach as something less than “great music” because their music lacks lyrics is nonsense and reveals a shortcoming of the listener in his inability to feel emotions past a description in words. Just as an emotional intelligence test uses facial expressions, patterns, and other non-verbal communication to evaluate a person’s EQ, music without lyrics has a similar foundation. A person who cannot understand the intricacies and splendor of music without verbal cues may be frustrated or bored with this type of music; fortunately, those of us with a greater emotional understanding appreciate such beauty and also recognize that people dependent on lyrics lack the “essential part” of intelligence to see (or hear) what everyone else does.
“Great music,” or at least my personal opinion of good music because we’ve already established that taste in music is very subjective, is not so much dependent on lyrics, but the beat, rhythm and instrumental parts.
Music is not really my forte but I do tend to listen to a strange and wide ranging combination of artists. While a lot of my favorite songs have really well crafted lyrics, I don’t feel that the words of a song solely make it a hit. Most lyrics are misheard or misunderstood anyway. I’ve come across plenty of songs where I’ve looked up the lyrics only to discover part of the lyrics are completely different from what I thought.
As for the statement about music lovers and poetry, I have to disagree. Yes, there definitely is a connection between lyrics and poetry, but poetry lacks all of the things I love about music, including the melodies and instrumental expression. Those who love music do not necessarily have to love poetry too.
It looks like this blog is trying to hint that poetry shouldn’t be feared and hated because it is found in something we (as in teenagers) enjoy every day; music. Recognizing that I’m not the biggest music fan posting on this blog, when I would quiz Jon Christie on one of the thousand songs he has on his iPod he could always name the title within 5 seconds of the song being played, I have some different views. For me, music is something that sounds good, something to reflect the mood I’m in. Like it does to everyone else, music arouses emotions in me, making it something addicting and great. However, I’m not the type of person who can name any band names, or who knows Bob Marley’s 4th album (did he even make 4 albums?). That being said I think that lyrics are an added bonus to music. A “robot techno song” (coined by Conor Kerwin) can get me just as pumped as the angry lyrics of the rapper the Game. I judge music based on its beat and feeling, not a song’s lyrics, or lack thereof them.
So I noticed that not one person on this blog has mentioned classical music, a genre that most often lacks lyrics (except operas, etc). Personally, I'm a fan of Clair de Lune and Beethoven’s 5th, and while I don't listen to Bach or Chopin every day, their concertos and symphonies are a part of the music I grew up on and listen to today. The sound of a violin can bring tears to peoples' eyes, and orchestras can convey terror, happiness or sorrow simply with instruments. Lyrics add to these effects and help to convey emotions but they are not essential. Also, like in literature, it seems that lyrics follow the same vein and artists often 'borrow' from each other. This occurs in poetry as well and just because one person put a thought to words does not mean it is suddenly a great statement to be imitated, admired and revered. Essentially, great music does not need lyrics. It has the capability to stand alone and make a powerful statement using no words at all.
Music is a form of art which expresses ideas in the form of rhythm and harmony. It is something that people choose to engage in for enjoyment or activity. There are many different types of music, each with their own sound and meaning.
So saying that each song has its own sound and meaning implies that songs can be different and still be considered music. There does not necessarily need to be lyrics for a song to be music. While most "great songs" use lyrics to portray their meanings and ideas, they are in no way crucial. Poetry, which uses lyrics with no music, can be just as or even more powerful than a song with music and lyrics combined.
Personally, I enjoy music with lyrics. However, that does not mean that I am against non-lyrical compositions. I feel that they can have just as large an impact as having lyrics does. It is not solely about what the music “says” but rather how it speaks and connects to the listener.
In my opinion "great music" doesn't need lyrics. In class one day we discussed that the only time someone is completely content is when they are completely conscious. When we talked about this I was immediately able to relate to the topic because many of the times I am at a completely conscious state of mind is when I am playing classical music on a piano. When I play pieces of music that have lyrics I enjoy playing them, but the lyrics always cause me to drift off into an unconscious world. I find it hard to be completely content listening to music with lyrics. Lyrics cause me to think and try and relate my life to the song. I think that the rhythm of music can express much more than lyrics can. I disagree with the statement people who like lyrics like poetry. I think people that like music like poetry. Like a good piece of music, poetry contains different beats and rhythms which keep a reader/listener interested in the work.
I have to agree with Marissa in that music lovers don’t necessarily have to love poetry. I love music but I don’t really like poetry. I usually become very frustrated when I read poetry because I know there is a deeper meaning behind all of the metaphors and I never seem to understand them. In songs, it is easier to understand the lyrics because they are more straightforward. However, I don’t completely agree that lyrics make great music. The beat and rhythm of a song are what makes a good song great.
I don’t agree with the statement “if you love music, then you love poetry”. Writers use words to give their thoughts meaning and power. Musicians use different combinations of instruments to give their emotions power as well. Music is able to make songs powerful without words. I think this is the biggest achievement and is what makes “great music”. If a song is able to portray the same powerful emotion as a writer without words, it should be seen as “great music”.
Thus, I believe that great music doesn’t need lyrics to be great. But, lyrics definitely add to a song’s prominence.
Like what everyone else has said, What defines "Great Music"? Many People today, especially teenage girls, find great music to have lyrics and have a catchy up beat tempo. I know for a fact that everyone from four year old girls to seventeen year old boys love the song Party in the U.S.A. by Miley Cyrus. Can that be considered "Great Music"? Well my point is that great music is what people personally believe in. It is not a necessity that music have lyrics to be great, but it does add to the appeal of a certain band, group, composer, or singer.
Lyrical appeal is everything music stands for today in the Music Industry. How a song is written, how it sounds, and who it appeals to is taken into thought when written by an artist. Money, is the driving force of the music industry. Everyone is driven by greed and materialism. The pure enjoyment of music isn't good enough anymore. How people define ones success is based on their dollar amount. Songs to me seem hollow and unmeaningful. What people see as great music i do not. But this is just all my opinion.
One band that I know that has had great success by using songs with lyrics and songs without is Led Zeppelin. I am pretty sure everyone has heard the song Moby Dick by them. It is a ten minute song of just instrumentals that will most likely blow your mind. But not all people like or listen to Led Zeppelin, and that ok. Music once again is based all on opinion. It is about preference and emotion. It can liberate one's soul and relieve both stress and hate.I guess it is sort of like poetry. Poetry and music are most comparably based around emotion and context.
Like Kenny, as I’m writing this I’m listening to classical music; my playlist of choice starts with Bach’s “Air on a G string." As someone who enjoys art in all forms, I've always believed that a picture is worth a thousand words. Similarly, a purely instrumental song—if composed correctly—can say more than any song with lyrics can. I beg to differ with Yasmin's assertion that only music with lyrics can invoke creativity. I think almost the opposite. I usually end my days with “lyric-less” music for the simple reason that it allows me to incorporate my own thoughts into the song.
The songs that evoke the strongest emotions in me are those without lyrics. This isn’t to downplay Rolling Stone’s Top 500 list; I would just rather listen to Debussy’s “Doctor Gradus Ad Parnassum” than Bob Dylan’s “Like a Rolling Stone”; I would choose Explosions in the Sky’s “What Do You Go Home To” over Elvis Presley’s “Hound Dog.” Of course I do listen to and enjoy music with lyrics, I honestly just do not find words necessary to make the best songs. I define something as “great” by how memorable it is. For me, what is most attractive about music is not the words so much as the beat, the tone, the chords. As Zac said, these are the things that we remember more so than every single word to a song, and these are the things that make music great.
if green should turn to grey
would our hearts still bloody beat
if the mountains crumbled away, rivers dried,
would it stop the stepping feet
Although most of today’s greatest hits do have lyrics, it should not be a requirement for composing “great” music. Listening to the beat of a song is what sets the tone and conveys the mood which is also an essential part of any piece of music. I think that “great” music is no more than ones interpretation; if you play an instrument you are more likely to listen to a song for its beat and use of instruments, if you haven’t played an instrument you may be more likely to focus on the lyrics and pay little attention to the beat in the background. Overall I think lyrics and a beat go hand in hand, and together they fit together like a puzzle to create good, meaningful music.
I also agree with Marissa and Christie in that people who love song lyrics don't necessarily love poetry. Personally I am not a huge fan of poetry, since I tend to not understand the meaning and truth behind the poems. I tend to read about the flowers or appealing scenery and just see the obvious, what the author clearly says. No until we go over it and I am told that the color of the flowers symbolize a season or a certain age or phase in a persons life do I take the chance to step back and see the poem for what it really is and begin to notice the meaning behind it. On the same note I feel like many people say they love a song, yet they have never truly listened to the lyrics. Knowing the words of a song and being able to sing along with it as it plays isn't the same thing as truly understanding and listening to a song. Sometimes I will listen to a song I have heard several times and I will hear something new, something I have never noticed before.
Many songs classified as 'good' in our society share the trend of having lyrics. Personally, I believe that the combination of poetry and music, was brilliant. Neither one needs the other, however, each amplifies the other. Often times it is the lyrics that makes the song memorable and other times it is the beat. the music is the steady force behind the adornment of the lyrics. As many people have previously said, "beauty is in the eye of the beholder". and in this case, there is no truer statement. Many people like the simplicity of songs without lyrics while others feel bored when listening to songs without lyrics.
In terms of poetry, it is essentially the same as lyrics. Song lyrics are just a modern version of poetry. The music behind the lyrical poetry makes the poem/lyrics more powerful and memorable. The music behind the lyrics scientifically appeal to the auditory part of the brain, making the brain more engaged. this consequently makes poetry with music more appealing. This brings me back to my original point that both music and poetry are great separately, however, together they are brilliant.
music, with or without lyrics, cannot escape the format of poetry. i am sorry to report to those bloggers that defend the position of "i love music but not poetry," but you are wrong. you MUST love poetry if you claim to love music. here's why:
i will ignore the lyrical argument here since lyrics are by their definition poetic in nature. regardless of whether or not you consider them worthy of the adjective "poetic" is irrelevant, they have the elements of poetry in them, and are thus poetry. even rap, which is more of a spoken word put to a beat, still has a refrain which is often sung. this combination of prose and poetry is known as a "prose poem."
but even music without lyrics is poetry. "Kenny Feldman," if that is your real name, take your Beethoven and Bach, does their music not have some sort of refrain, invoke emotion, and conjure images into your head, just as lyrics and poetry do? does lyric-less music not also follow a similar format of lyric music? are the pictures brought to your mind not worth thousands of words?
if any of your answers to the above is no, then clearly you are not listening to the music, but merely hearing it. go back. concentrate. let the music fill you. it speaks to you in more ways than a Cyrus or Shakur (who actually wrote a song in iambic pentameter) or even a Jagger.
in conclusion, regardless of what you think, all music is poetry. lyrics make no difference. the fact that all of you take this blog at face value is sickening. open your mind. stop answering questions and start asking.
sincerely yours,
The Devil's Advocate
Lyrics may define the traditional view of a "great song", but rhythm and beat are far more important in evoking emotion than words alone. While most great songs contain lyrics, most famous musicians are characterized by their ability to create intriguing and captivating rhythms using instruments. Guitarists like Jimi Hendrix and Jimmy Page, often in long guitar solos void of any lyrics or words, are known for manipulating cords and tones to create unique sound that define the song. The first thing I notice when listening to a song is the beat and rhythm, and without this, a song can not be characterized as "Great". In "Let it be" by The Beatles, the first chords and piano keys create a emotional tone, and while the lyrics are meaningful, the song would be nothing without the guitar and drum portion towards the middle of the song. Dub music, which is a genre of reggae music, is based on instrumentals, drums, and bass, and often contain no lyrics whatsoever. Dub may not be at the forefront of the popular musical world, but its interesting combination of musical elements make it "great" music in the eyes of any music enthusiast. The most obvious example of great music that often contains no lyrics is the classical genre. While most people will agree that the works of Bach and Beethoven are masterpieces, they often chose not to listen to them because they do not understand their meaning. So while classical is not the most popular genre of music in today's modern world, it evokes emotions and feelings that today's music, usually based on repeating beats and melodies could not possibly achieve. Despite the popular interest in catchy songs that instill the listener with superfluous choruses, "Great" music does not necessarily need lyrics to achieve the goal of conveying a theme or idea to the listener.
Lyrics play a powerful role in music. It's an obvious assumption, but like some of the bloggers before me state, it's hard to listen to the current mainstream without feeling like it's been done before. A lot of the music today is a carbon-copy of a hit post-hype, and are barely scraping by with originality. There are alot a lot of bands out there that force a sound that doesn't truly portray the band's image. In the movie "Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist" a character makes a very important point when he says "Bands today have it all wrong. Everybody sings about sex or pain. But the Beatles had the right idea. "I Want To Hold Your Hand."" Nick's friend recognizes how difficult it is to find a band with such originality these days, not just in a movie but in reality. Many lyrics are sung for the wrong reasons; without integrity or ownership. In order to fix this, we have to do what the Beatles did, and tap into what matters most to us; to the littlest sensations as feeling appreciated by the somebody holding your hand. Maybe then, the lyrics can truly make a song.
Even though I have in the past fallen in love with songs just because I loved the beat, I do think a great song means that it has great lyrics, (and an even better song has both). Although it depends on what taste of music a person likes, great music to me has meaningful lyrics, not just a few beats and random words thrown in. In recent years this kind of music has become huge because people aren’t looking at lyrics they’re just looking to what sounds good. Even though I’m not fond of rap, there are rappers that I do admire, especially Jay Z. His lyrics have meaning and tell a story…plus the beat is also great. For example his song “History,” Jay Z explains a story behind the music. It isn’t just lyrics thrown together, they actually have meaning and it’s catchy…a main reason that Jay Z has stayed popular for so long. Here is one verse:
“In search of victory, she keeps saluting me
If only we can be together momentarily
We can make love, and make history
Why won't you visit me, until she visit me
I'll be stuck with her sister, her name is defeat
She gives me agony, so much agony
She brings me so much pain, so much misery
Like missing your last shot, and falling to your knees
As the crowd screams, for the other team
I practiced so hard for this moment victory don't leave
I know what this means, I'm stuck in this routine
Whole new different day, the same old thing
All I got is dreams, nobody else can see
Nobody else believes, nobody else but me
Where are you victory, I need you desperately
Not just for the moment, to make history”
The question of whether great music can exist without lyrics honestly depends on the person listening to it and what they believe is "great." A person who considers himself or herself a singer often naturally gravitates toward music with lyrics, while a guitarist would not necessarily need them. Ten different people could listen to the same song and all interpret it differently; some based on lyrics and others based purely on melody.
Personally, I love music both ways. Right now, I’m on a major “Across the Universe” kick, and I feel that songs like “If I Fell,” “Hey Jude” and “I’ve Just Seen a Face” would lose their integrity without their lyrics. But I also love musicals, and one can tell a lot from an overture even without lyrics. And then one has to take into account that Beethoven and Bach have been popular for centuries with no lyrics at all. So “great” music, to me, is not lyric dependant at all; but that truly depends on who is listening.
for all you middle-of-the-roaders out there: the assignment was to pick a side, not dance in the middle. stop blowing hot air and take a stand.
so repost, or enjoy your 0 on the assignment.
To me, great music is great music: regardless of the presence of lyrics. A jazz improvisation can be just as enjoyable as a rap song or anything else. So to please "Devil's Advocate", I will say that good music does not need lyrics. However, this does not mean that I don't prefer music with or without lyrics. For example, I often listen to a Brazilian folk guitar player named Seu Jorge. While I can't understand Portuguese, his great voice combined with rhythmic guitar playing is just as enjoyable for me as the lyrically complex work of the Wu-Tang Clan, Jay-Z, or any other hip hop/rap artist. And while an instrumental may be great, so are lyrics without music or beat. A freestyle of a skillful rapper is both lyrically and rhythmically complex, and holds the right to just as much respect as Thelonious Monk or Charles Mingus. Music does not need lyrics to be great, but great music can have lyrics.
wow. "Danny Schepps," i am so honored to be the reason for you doing the assignment correctly. Dr. K. instructing you to do so just wasn't enough, but with my extra push you were able to do it. bravo.
while we're on the subject of doing things just to please me, how about a cup of tea and a biscuit? thanks.
When I listen to music, I appreciate all aspects of it. I play guitar, so I specifically listen for guitar in most songs that I hear, but thats just me. I feel that every person has their own ear for music, meaning that they listen to it for different reasons. Someone who sings would have far more appreciation for lyrics, because they actively sing lyrics themselves. Other people even if they dont sing or play an instrument just have specific preferences, some liking lyrics and some liking instrumentals. So when answering the question, should songs have lyrics, I would say that it completely depends on the writer and the listener of the songs. Thats why there are so many different genres of music, so each listener and each player can choose what they want. So i say no, songs dont need lyrics, because there are definitely people out there that are perfectly content with music with emphasis on instruments rather than voices.
We have no single recognized definition for the word "music." Yet, I think we can all agree that music is a form of expression and communication. Without words or lyrics, cheerfulness can still be conveyed in an upbeat song, a smile, or the phrase "I'm happy." Meanwhile, melancholy can be conveyed in a slow song, a frown, or the phrase "I'm sad." Thus, music is simply another form of communication. It just so happens that lyrics in music primarily serve to help clarify the message of each song.
Each musical genre conveys its message differently.
Rap music, some would say, is no more than poetry to a beat. Without the lyrics, the remaining beat is hard to take meaning from. However, by using poetry, rap is very effective in directly communicating its message to the listener. It is like a story that is told in third person.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, music without any lyrics resembles a first-person narrative as the author must imply its meaning. If you listened to the band Explosions in the Sky, you would be able to see that detailed expression is not something that, when shown in a song, requires lyrics.
The most popular artists are those that have made themselves easy to connect to. However, the ever-expanding assortment of music is a beautiful display of diversity. What pleases goose may not please the gander. This is why so many people in the world will say that lyrics are not an essential part of good music.
After all, is "good" music not that which is most relatable?
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