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I am somewhere between option no. 2 and 3. I enjoy immensely songs with interesting or crazy lyrics, but I also like some songs that have shitty or almost non-existent lyrics (e.g. Poker Face by Lady Gaga).

Edit: Sorry, in the second option "much" should be "music".  :Embarrass:

Voted Lyrics are about as important as music - a good song needs both to be good

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Vt-6VKG2ow

Depends on my mood and the kind of music.
Some music I love for the lyrics (The Smiths, Pulp, etc...), other music the lyrics I don't give a damn about (largely foreign language stuff). I've one friend even says meaningful lyrics detract from the song and take your attention away from the music.

Quote from: Tyr on December 20, 2009, 09:15:32 AM
Depends on my mood and the kind of music.
Some music I love for the lyrics (The Smiths, Pulp, etc...), other music the lyrics I don't give a damn about (largely foreign language stuff).

I agree.

None of your options really applies to me; the lyrics need to work with the quality of the song; I don't expect epic poetry from a four-chord wonder, and I expect some level of composition in a song where some work went into the music.  In fact, I can only think of one song with really obviously slapdash, repetitive music that works with actual storytelling: Hold At All Costs by Iced Earth.

Quote from: DontSayBanana on December 20, 2009, 09:30:21 AM
None of your options really applies to me; the lyrics need to work with the quality of the song; I don't expect epic poetry from a four-chord wonder, and I expect some level of composition in a song where some work went into the music.  In fact, I can only think of one song with really obviously slapdash, repetitive music that works with actual storytelling: Hold At All Costs by Iced Earth.

That's a misunderstanding. Thinking lyrics are important does not mean "every song should have epic poetry lyrics. It's like saying every song needs "symphonic orchestra" music.

Quote from: Martinus on December 20, 2009, 09:33:26 AM
That's a misunderstanding. Thinking lyrics are important does not mean "every song should have epic poetry lyrics. It's like saying every song needs "symphonic orchestra" music.

Point.  I think I misrepresented my position; I don't really listen for lyrics unless they're really jarringly awful for the song at hand.

Lyrics are mucho important in my mother tongue, meaning I couldn't tolerate it if they were complete and utter bs. That's less important in English. I do appreciate good lyrics there but I can live without them if the music makes up for that. In languages I don't speak at all the music is naturally the only thing to judge it by. For instance I like some songs by Ska-P, a Spanish band. I get maybe 3% of the lyrics, but the tunes are great.

I examined this very question during Friday night. The hard-rock band I went to see with a friend has simple but good music, while utterly horrendously teeny lyrics except for a few songs. About a liter of brown beer was enough to make me forget the latter and concentrate on the former, thus music is more important. :P

But seriously, lyrics are very important. The above example (drunk headbanging) is the only one where I can enjoy the music if I find the lyrics horrbile/ridicoulous be it in Hungarian or English.

Many types of music can stand very well on their own if the lyrics are crap. Others not so much. A lot of the music I listen to is of the former type, so I generally don't care so much. When the lyrics are brilliant it's a bonus.



Basically, the more crap the music is, the more important it is for the lyrics to be good.

Music first.  Lyrics are optional that may add to a song, but I don't really care if they are crap.  Bad lyrics won't kill a good song for me; good lyrics can't rescue a bad melody.

If I can understand the lyrics I zone out and pay attention to the song and listen, so I get the lyrics.  Because of that they need to be good.  If I want just music I play instrumental, classical or a foreign language because I can just listen to the sound.  But then I pay attention to that.

I have about 4-5 CDs that I can work to without getting distracted like a goldfish :(

Edit:  However I love my Arvo Part chant so I voted for the Jaron option.

My favorite 18th-19th century pieces have no lyrics whatsoever...  :huh:

If the music is really good, the lyrics aren't that important, though if they're really, really vile they can detract from a good tune.

On the other hand, if the lyrics are really good, then they can carry the song. 

Ideally, of course, you want good lyrics and good music together.

Music.

Also, :lol: @ Ska-P.

Between 1 and 2, voted 2 for the poll's sake. This is something that really varies from one music culture to another. For instance, Italian music has, on average, way more elaborate lyrics than most English language music, save for a few genres.

And :bleeding: @ Ska-P. I always get in trouble with my Italian friends whenever I diss them, because they're huge there.

 Lyrics matter enormously to me. Al Stewart and Randy Newman are among my favourite singer/songwriters, and what their songs are about are better than their sound.

Quote from: syk on December 20, 2009, 09:53:46 AMFor instance I like some songs by Ska-P, a Spanish band. I get maybe 3% of the lyrics, but the tunes are great.

You're better off that way.