does lyrics need to make sense

[alexp]

Mum really is fantastic.

Have you heard of Mew? Their something else as well. Check them out, especially the track Snow Brigade.


alexP

[cogtomley]

interesting to consider instances where I or someone else a friend or coworker or whoever,and I'm thinking specifically of radio top 40 but can extend to electronic or any genre: when there's a song that everyone knows and it's over or heavily played and when you are around someone singing along,and they could be doing just fine, better if they are; and they are not aware that the lyrics are completely wrong. I was working somewhere with a girl who liked top 40 radio in the office constantly and it was the late 90's and this Macy Greyy song was constant. My coworker had the words "wear goggles when you are not here" I bought it but then after a hundred times somebody chuckled and pointed it out. More recently I was listening to the justin timberlake song my love and I asked hey what's he say there, my friend started singing along pretty well but utter nonsense. Now if they had chosen to record lyrics. That would later be perceived in the first place would it make a difference. I mention this as my opinion balanced with my belief that even if it's not linear. Or applears to be nonsense, the sense of the whole should be there. Maybe on the other hand thru like images the lyrics and songs meaning reveal themselves just by virtue of being in context and structured however loosely.

[Reptil]

it should fit the song. but there are no rules in creative expression.

[Chris Williams]

Captain Beefheart anyone?

He does some amazing things with his lyrics and most don't seem to make sense but the way he paints pictures and emotions are amazing.

[Neutrikconnector]

It depends on the song.

Look at Abandon Ship by Hardkiss with Kool Keith. It doesn't really make sense. There's a story there, but it's not really clear. Sorta like Lewis Carrols The Jaberwock.

Then there's stuff like The Salmon Dance, by the Chemical Brothers, which is really just a sort of silly song. I like it, it's a cool song, but why? Why a song about salmon? Why not?

And as mentioned previously, look at Sigur Ros. I don't understand a word they're saying, I couldn't tell you the difference, if it was made up, Icelandic, or Norwegian, but it definitely takes me somewhere musically.


I think it really depends on the song, and where it needs to go.


And often times, in my own humble opinion, lyrics in electronic music aren't that important, in some of the genres. A lot of times it a repeated or series of repeated samples, that are more or less another instrument, however if they weren't there the song would lose something.