Words First
In discussing music with many friends over many years, I’ve learned that the way I listen is a bit different than the way many other people listen. I’m a music first person. If the melody, rhythm, tone, instrumentation, and harmonies don’t interest me, I’m unlikely to listen long enough to even hear the lyrics at all. If those qualities are highly engaging, then it may takes a hundred listens before I move on to the words.
When at a gig or otherwise listening to a song for the very first time, I am often amazed that someone might ask me the question, “What do you think of these lyrics?” Lyrics? Already? Are you serious? I have to get to the point where I’m really into the song first – well before I have anything at all to say about the lyrics. What’s weird, though, is that I really prefer music that is vocal. I love the complexity and variations (flavors, if you will) the human voice offers. I love the sounds of words. I love pronunciation. I love the rhythm and cadence of rhyme. I love the choices people make about how they use their voice – whether those choices are deliberate or not. I hear personality in a voice. Right now I’m thinking of Chan Marshall of Cat Power, Ella Fitzgerald, Billy Bragg, Chris Cornell of Soundgarden and Audioslave, John Darnielle of The Mountain Goats… All voices used well but in extremely different ways.
And speaking of The Mountain Goats, their latest video is what had me thinking about this the most. Having only heard a pre-released song from the upcoming album a time or two, I saw the accompanying video. It forced me to experience the music much differently from the way I normally experience music. Words are the centerpiece of the video. Instead of words just being additions to the overall soundscape, I am forced to recognize the picture that is being described by them. I can’t even say if it’s a good or bad thing. It’s just as different as can be. Take a look:
Comment by Elizabeth
February 2, 2008 @ 12:31 pm
That’s so interesting, because I can totally see that in you.
I can generally like a song if the lyrics don’t thrill me, but I’ll rarely get into a song just for the lyrics. In fact, there are some pretty awful lyrics that go to songs I absolutely love. Odd.