does lyrics need to make sense

[spektor]

do lyrics always need to make sense if the choras does i mean the choras makes more sense then the verse what do you think

[Chaellus]

to me yes but then ive seen some people that dont care....

[Kyle S]

dont think so as long as they convey a feeling.

i think the sounds of syllables are more important than the words themselves.

its late and im aware that i cant think.

[Karloff70]

There's at least two ways a lyric can 'make sense', I reckon. There's the overall context, which may or may not work in one direction/story, and there's the line for line separate sense, where a line can jump out an conjure up images all by itself, regardless of the whole. Nice to get some sort of combination of both, but depending on the song one of the two can be enough and sometimes better/more magical and elusive than both. having strong one linres in there is definitely very important and not to get to 'stright down the line' with the overall context so it becomes onedimensional........my 2cents

[filin]

I prefer for lyrics to make no sense at all than be of the "baby wo wo moonlight sexy baby" or "my niggas be ****in dem bitches in my bling hummer" variety.

[Karloff70]

Originally Posted by filin

I prefer for lyrics to make no sense at all than be of the "baby wo wo moonlight sexy baby" or "my niggas be ****in dem bitches in my bling hummer" variety.

lol....yeah, but "no matter, just don't bite it" was a good lyric.....

[Beermaster]

I guess it does depend on what type of music you're dealing with.

Good lyrics are always going to make the song better. Lyrics are an art unto themselves and I think more musicians need to find themselves lyrics writers ( there is so much trite-written at the last minute- by the musicain/writer lyrics that let the song down ! )

[bassie12]

Originally Posted by spektor

do lyrics always need to make sense if the choras does i mean the choras makes more sense then the verse what do you think

Apparently, they doesn't.

[alexp]

Skinny Puppy are one of the most emotional bands ever in electronic music (to me anyways), and its the delivery of the words, that put them over the top....


For instance one of their most amazing tracks goes a little something like this...


binge cringe on the fringe sloppy mincing eyedropping biopsy cyclops overlooks
optic options rotten showstopper skinpopper babbler dabbler
self confessed criminal tore pen in vain instant still spellbound game
stock talk back rock re encounter incident subsistance inexistant
non committed unwitted oblivious habitual resistor buff the stuff roughed
up edge fluent nudge pre-collect ignition motivation inexistant wasted
views thats all they see blue hot blood guild optic nerve with the right attitude
you will succeed blue self abusive recluse too late for me make
shifting peace settling crazy things keep your eyes open soft spoken
changes nothing a view so cruel dogs body comatose torchlight roast
disinterest disinfect retold impressed by possession insiders know
refresh detained contest off and pure sure tonight it feeds itself
freeze in time or shadows climb distracting override instincts
evolve and try over and over wasted truth why call at all blue hot lines
eventual decline with the right attitude you will succed blue resent
that discontent sidestep define the state of things so far crazy
things a view so cruel


And then you look at it within the context of the song...


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=khdSfwAa_NU


And its just fantastic.....



alexP

[mark.james]

Originally Posted by Beermaster

I guess it does depend on what type of music you're dealing with.

Good lyrics are always going to make the song better. Lyrics are an art unto themselves and I think more musicians need to find themselves lyrics writers ( there is so much trite-written at the last minute- by the musicain/writer lyrics that let the song down ! )

I totally agree... but to an extreme. I only listen to music with lyrics I find intelligent or catchy. I actually think the lyrics are more important than the music..

Mark

[Toad]

Originally Posted by bassie12

Apparently, they doesn't.

[organsymphony]

Originally Posted by alexp

Skinny Puppy are one of the most emotional bands ever in electronic music (to me anyways), and its the delivery of the words, that put them over the top....


For instance one of their most amazing tracks goes a little something like this...


binge cringe on the fringe sloppy mincing eyedropping biopsy cyclops overlooks
optic options rotten showstopper skinpopper babbler dabbler
self confessed criminal tore pen in vain instant still spellbound game
stock talk back rock re encounter incident subsistance inexistant
non committed unwitted oblivious habitual resistor buff the stuff roughed
up edge fluent nudge pre-collect ignition motivation inexistant wasted
views thats all they see blue hot blood guild optic nerve with the right attitude
you will succeed blue self abusive recluse too late for me make
shifting peace settling crazy things keep your eyes open soft spoken
changes nothing a view so cruel dogs body comatose torchlight roast
disinterest disinfect retold impressed by possession insiders know
refresh detained contest off and pure sure tonight it feeds itself
freeze in time or shadows climb distracting override instincts
evolve and try over and over wasted truth why call at all blue hot lines
eventual decline with the right attitude you will succed blue resent
that discontent sidestep define the state of things so far crazy
things a view so cruel


And then you look at it within the context of the song...


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=khdSfwAa_NU


And its just fantastic.....



alexP

skinny puppy are amazing... i love their lyrics, and all the music.

your right about them being really emotional as well.


One of their tracks that really moves me is The Mourn, especially the Aint it Dead Yet Live version

[filin]

**** yes skinny puppy lyrics are the best. The way they mold themselves through the rhythm is mindblowing.

[Stevil]

SP lyrics are a great example of lyrics that have a topic & subject matter but dont come right out & state the obvious. it's more about presenting imagery, a perspective or viewpoint & allowing the listener to dig in deeper for meaning if they choose to.

On the other hand bands like Clutch & Sisters of Mercy have lyrics that dont really make sence to me but I like em. They also crank out imagery but there doesnt seem to be any real obscured message @ the root of most of it.

[jude]

Originally Posted by Beermaster

I guess it does depend on what type of music you're dealing with.

Good lyrics are always going to make the song better. Lyrics are an art unto themselves and I think more musicians need to find themselves lyrics writers ( there is so much trite-written at the last minute- by the musicain/writer lyrics that let the song down ! )

i see your comment and raise you Underworld
the lyrics in king of snake for example make very little sence, but damn they just work! without the vocals the track would be so much less than it is

[Johnny Wrong]

Have you ever heard 'I am the Walrus' by the Beatles?

[jude]

very true johnny!

[Dirty Halo]

There's the Sigor Ros school... I haven't a clue if the vocals make sense or not, but they convey a feeling, which is powerful enough for me.

Some of my favorite music features vocals/lyrics that simply paint with words.

-andrews


P.S. Don't know about you guys, sometimes I have written lyrics before the music, sometimes the other way around. For the later, I often sort of psuedo-sing while I'm developing a melody, half words, half gibberish, anything to just to work out the vocal part... sometimes my mind just stumbles over the coolest imagery when I'm not "trying."

[Beermaster]

Originally Posted by jude

i see your comment and raise you Underworld
the lyrics in king of snake for example make very little sence, but damn they just work! without the vocals the track would be so much less than it is

Ha ha ! Yeah there are some classic songs that make now sense. I mean 'Whiter Shade Of Pale' A classic song. BUT ! - Would it be even better if the the words did make sense and told a story ?

[Mantik]

Offcourse they do make sense and a part of your listeners will realy listen carefully what they are saying. this even goes for songnames.

but the masses, if you want to reach the masses the content of what the voice is saying is something where no-one cares about as long it isnt the main-context of the song. i think it is because our modern media. switch on the tv: 80% of every word there is pure nonsense of commercials or stupid tv shows. the people out there learned not to take this for worth one coin anymore. you are overdosed with voices from everywhere that no-one realy cares about. and a lot of the voice start to lie even while breathing (commercials. politicians) - so its no wonder a lot of people dont care about realy creative and meaningfull lyrics anymore. this is sad but everyone gets what he deserves.
anyway - some of your listeners will amazingly listen carefiully - this are the ones which collect music with love and are maybe a fan of your sound. take care about them!

[msl]

Originally Posted by jude

i see your comment and raise you Underworld

You beat me to it!
Anybody remember the Cocteau Twins?

Blue Bell Knoll


If we're talking electronic music for me its more about the feeling being there. It doesn't have to be a full story. Just a few words that work well and are memorable. Thats not to say I don't love Talking Heads or Bowie for the exact opposite reason! Goes back to a time when you actually had lyric sheets in the lp!

[crufty]

I got the poison.
I got the remedy.
I got the pulsating rhythmical remedy.
I got the poison.
I got the remedy.
I got the pulsating rhythmical remedy.
I got the poison.
I got the remedy.
I got the pulsating rhythmical remedy.
I got the poison.
I got the remedy.
I got the poison. I got the poison. I got the poison.
Yeah... Yeah... Yeah...
Yeah... (Boom...) Yeah... (Bah...)

[allcentury]

does lyrics need to make sense

i hope that was a grammatical pun... tutt

[Stevil]

There's the Sigor Ros school...

Anybody remember the Cocteau Twins?

[b808]

No. It doesn't need to make sense.

These guys make a living not making sense.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Vk6r...eature=related

[alexp]

Originally Posted by Dirty Halo

There's the Sigor Ros school... I haven't a clue if the vocals make sense or not, but they convey a feeling, which is powerful enough for me.

Some of my favorite music features vocals/lyrics that simply paint with words.

-andrews


P.S. Don't know about you guys, sometimes I have written lyrics before the music, sometimes the other way around. For the later, I often sort of psuedo-sing while I'm developing a melody, half words, half gibberish, anything to just to work out the vocal part... sometimes my mind just stumbles over the coolest imagery when I'm not "trying."

I believe Sigur Ros is Icelandic interspersed with some of his made up language. Just saw them in Toronto a couple weeks ago. Absolutely amazing.

[alexp]

Originally Posted by b808

No. It doesn't need to make sense.

These guys make a living not making sense.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Vk6r...eature=related

That track is so cheesy, but so damn catchy at the same time.

Im going to have this song in my head for a month!

alexP

[crufty]

How much is the fish?

[hobson]

"i have always thought, in the back of my mind, ...cheese and onions... - The Rutles

[Dirty Halo]

Originally Posted by alexp

I believe Sigur Ros is Icelandic interspersed with some of his made up language. Just saw them in Toronto a couple weeks ago. Absolutely amazing.

Yeah, that's what I heard too. And for those of us who don't speak Icelandic, it's ALL "made up." But seriously, I can't understand a word and don't feel the need to, I just like the emotion.

Sometimes I wish I had a go-to made up language for vocals that didn't sound hokey. Sigor Ros sounds great and I couldn't tell you what was "real" and what wasn't

Mum is another good example.

-andrews