There have been some interesting side leaps in a couple of recent threads where the subject of lyrics came up so I felt it might be interesting to dredge up that old chestnut for a more in depth look. How important are they for you ? Does their meaning matter ? Any favourite lines ? Must they rhyme ? Do they have to scan ? What part do they play ? Are they poetry ?
Let the feasting begin......
It depends on whose perspective. The point of view of a listener will differ from that of a lyricist. And between listeners there will be differences as well, depending on why they are listening. Even a single listener will endow greater or lesser importance to the lyrics depending on what he or she is doing at the time.
When I am actively listening to music, I don't really care that much about them so long as they
sound right. I agree with Greg L; the performance is critical. In many cases the words are immaterial, so long as the vowels and consonants used fit well together and match the feel of the music.
There are times, though, when I am strongly drawn to the actual words used . . . when I hear new and unusual ways of expressing things, when I hear lyrical skill at work. Just as I appreciate a great vocal performance, I also appreciate great wordcraft . . . and if the two appear in the same song . . . even better!
When I write lyrics, though, there is a different force at work. For me, the music is only a support vehicle for the words, and I pay great attention to them, sculpting and shaping them until I am satisfied that it's the best I can do; that I haven't slipped into using stock phrases and cliches. Even so, my lyrics are rarely literal, and I am a big user of ambiguity, innuendo and metaphor. This is because I write for my own satisfaction, and I am not really interested in conveying any particular story or message to a listener; they can read what they like into them.
