One of the biggest reasons so many people love this band is because they have great music, and great lyrics. In these forums, I always see people post lyrics as to why they love certain songs. Do some people actually prefer good lyrics to good music?
For me personally, the music counts as 90% while the lyrics, only about 10%. I love Gord's lyrics, but one of my favorite songs is I'll Believe In You, and this doesn't really have awesome lyrics like most of the other stuff.
Then take a song like Titanic Terrarium or Throwing Off Glass. The lyrics are just awesome, but the music not so hot, so I really don't like these songs that much.
And think about this one, If Nautical Disaster didn't have really great lyrics, would you still love it?
I have to agree. If the music isn't that good, it could have the best lyrics in the world and it would still be hard to listen to. I know that many people won't agree with me (see Coconut Cream Appreciation thread) when I say that it sometimes works the other way. I love the music to Coconut Cream but have such a hard time with the lyrics that I usually skip the song when I listen to TATH. That usually isn't the case though.
You could have the best lyrics or a poem in the world...but if it's backdrop is crapped-out music, I won't listen to it. It's as simple as that.
Kari
Music......that is what attracted me to this band way back in the day...the unique sound of their songs musically. The great lyrics are an added bonus. Sure Gord Downie has a great and unique voice, but I still maintain that if the Hip ever had to replace him (blasphemy...I know) I would still be a huge fan.
I don't own own a Gord Downie solo album, did not go to any of his solo shows and don't intend to. I need the complete package.
I think the lyrics are more important.
I read a book called "Unsuspected Eloquence" by James Anderson Winn awhile back. This totally explained the history of poems and songs and how their evolution run hand-in-hand. Neither one came first; the first poems were songs and the first songs were poems.
I think alot of music out there is good but not very many lyrics are. This is why I hold more importance on the lyrics; many songs which make top-ten lists and race up the charts have good music but mediocre words. To listen to a band, I have to like the music. If I like the music, the lyrics don't matter.
The Tragically Hip have happened upon an almost exact balance of music that rocks and lyrics that are different/complex/unusual/creative. I think any band can have good music but not very many can write good words.
I just hold more importance on lyrics because there's not very many good songs out there lyrics-wise.
lord brazle Wrote:I think the lyrics are more important.
If I like the music, the lyrics don't matter.
Ok, so which one is it?? :wink: 8)
Personally I think lyrics are what make the song, but I can see it both ways...
:lol: Ha ha ha ha Touche...
I think the lyrics are more important.
Good music is all over the place whereas
Good lyrics are hard to find BUT
I don't look for good lyrics when buying music
If a song hits me, it hits me regardless of lyrics
Did I clear that up or should I try again? :wink:
It differs with each person, I know my old man talks about this great song he heard and he means the guitar riff or an interesting drum beat, while my brother will say he heard a great song and mean an interesting lyric. With me its 50/50
I could never get into the hip without the gord downie lyrics, while I have heard some bands out there that have good music but crappy lyrics and I still like it (Foo fighters, Vines)
I think with the hip, the lyrics make the music that much more intelligent, and thus draw a more intelligent crowd.
Gord's slo stuff is great because the lyrics are still there and the music is just different. It doesn't measure up to the whole package musically, but lyrically it does. But even with the lrics of his solo stuff they are different as well, I think sometimes more playful, sometimes more vulnerable.
50/50....that's what I am trying to say
Stickboy
lord brazle Wrote:Did I clear that up or should I try again? :wink:
:lol: :thumb:
I listen to Jazz quite often, and I think it is some of the most powerfull music out there.
And half of it does not have lyrics.
My listening consists of NPR radio about 4 hours a week, and I have no clue who I am listening to, but 99% of the stuff grabs me.
I love all kinds of music, and for different reasons. However, one of the common threads through my ecclectic collection is powerful, well thought out lyrics. I love words. I love writing. I love emotion. Generally, I'm all about the lyrics. But, I do agree. If even the perfect words are set to subpar music, the effect isn't the same. Thank the stars for the hip...the perfect combination and balance of both. :thumb:
-Jenna
when it comes to the hip, i came for the music, but stayed for the lyrics
I believe that a great song comes from an outstanding vocal melody (which combines both sounds of words and the music behind them). Thats why a great songwriter can make a great song from 3 chords. So my answer is somewhere in between. Considering were talking about songs (not instrumentals) I think Gord has a tough job.
Music is key, However with the Hip, Gord's lyrics and especially his live rants make the hip unique and attractive to their followers. Just my two cents
I voted music, but the fact is, neither is more important.
Songwriting is about emotion. Lyrics and music are two different ways to get at emotion. Some songs are good with simple/repetitive lyrics while others are good with really complex lyrics.
In the same way, some songs lend themselves to a simple musical arrangement, while others lend themselves to something complex.
To me, it's sort of like asking, "what makes more beautiful pictures, colour or shapes"?
Just my take.
Steve