Do people actually listen to lyrics?

[Kuciwalker]

I just bought Genesis's Invisible Touch after hearing the title track on the radio. After listening to it, I look it up on Wikipedia and read:

The lyrics on this album are among Genesis' rare attempts at social and political commentary, with "Domino" evoking nightmarish nuclear war scenarios and "Land of Confusion" commenting satirically on the political turmoil of the Reagan/Thatcher/Gorbachev era.

Even if it the politics had been contemporary, I wouldn't have heard any of that... do other people actually pay attention to stuff like that?

[Barnabas]

One of the most shocking things for a non native english speaker, if when you realize for the first time, that the majority of the lyrics in english pop/rock songs, make no sense.

I often have problems of people who dont know english, asking me to translate a song for them, and I would do my best effort just to get as retribution expressions of disbelief.

English speakers have a higher tolerance for lyrics which dont tell a story than spanish speakers.

[Dauphin]

Re: Do people actually listen to lyrics?

Originally posted by Kuciwalker
I just bought Genesis's Invisible Touch after hearing the title track on the radio. After listening to it, I look it up on Wikipedia and read:

The lyrics on this album are among Genesis' rare attempts at social and political commentary, with "Domino" evoking nightmarish nuclear war scenarios and "Land of Confusion" commenting satirically on the political turmoil of the Reagan/Thatcher/Gorbachev era.

Even if it the politics had been contemporary, I wouldn't have heard any of that... do other people actually pay attention to stuff like that?

Land of Confusion, yes, it's blatantly obvious from listening to the lyrics "Men of power losing control by the hour" (and the music video re-emphasises the point should you ever get to see it)

[Provost Harrison]

I hate it when bands just sing about vacuous sh*t and don't really have a mind for social commentary.

[Dauphin]

Girls Aloud still look good on MTV though, so they are forgiven.

[Drake Tungsten]

I also don't pay much attention to lyrics, which is probably why I don't "get" Dylan.

I hate it when bands just sing about vacuous sh*t and don't really have a mind for social commentary.

I agree, which is why I'm grateful that the Spice Girls are reuniting to spread their spunky feminist message around the world once more.

[Kuciwalker]

Re: Re: Do people actually listen to lyrics?

Originally posted by Dauphin
Land of Confusion, yes, it's blatantly obvious from listening to the lyrics "Men of power losing control by the hour" (and the music video re-emphasises the point should you ever get to see it)

But, I never did hear those words. The only time I actually hear the words in music is when I'm concentrating on the radio so that I can google a song when I get home.

[Barnabas]

I have a question

Do native english speakers also have problems understanding rap songs in which they talk very fast?

like this

[Provost Harrison]

Well it's not just the speed, it is also the fact that they seem to be speaking total and utter gibberish for the most part...

[Drake Tungsten]

An Englishman whinging about Americans speaking utter gibberish? Finally, the tables have turned...

Unlike PH, I can understand all of Bombs Over Baghdad. Great song with a great name.

[Cort Haus]

Originally posted by Provost Harrison
I hate it when bands just sing about vacuous sh*t and don't really have a mind for social commentary.

social commentary

Vocal is just another instrument IMO. If they say something interesting, then fine, but good music > good lyrics any time.

[b etor]

Originally posted by Barnabas
I have a question

Do native english speakers also have problems understanding rap songs in which they talk very fast?

like this

i have no problem understanding that.

[Rufus T. Firefly]

I do. I always have. But I'm drawn to singers and bands who have interesting lyrics to begin with; it's not like I just listen to whatever some idiot is spewing because he put a good bassline behind it.

[CrONoS]

Yeah I listen to the lyrics, if the lyrics are actually good. The song will get way better.

[LordShiva]

Originally posted by Cort Haus


social commentary

Vocal is just another instrument IMO. If they say something interesting, then fine, but good music > good lyrics any time.

QFT