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Lyrics or Melody?


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Old 12-11-2010, 16:02
da3bool
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I've always wondered what do people focus on when they hear a song for the first time.

I heard that females tend to first listen to the lyrics more than the melody while the men don't care as much about the lyrics, it's all about the melody.

I personally judge a song if i like the melody. The lyrics comes later when i get hooked to the song.

State your gender please

Male
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Old 12-11-2010, 16:14
Red+Blooded
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Lyrics, i think a good set of verus's and a chorus. Melody is also important, but if the lyrics are crap i tend to not like the song. That's why i don't like Dance Music.
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Old 12-11-2010, 16:31
miles19740
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I've always wondered what do people focus on when they hear a song for the first time.

I heard that females tend to first listen to the lyrics more than the melody while the men don't care as much about the lyrics, it's all about the melody.

I personally judge a song if i like the melody. The lyrics comes later when i get hooked to the song.

State your gender please

Male
Melody, keyboard riffs, orchestration, instrumentation, rhythm and bass...the most important elements.

Words for me are just a vehicle to allow me to access a song.

Male
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Old 12-11-2010, 16:32
miles19740
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Lyrics, i think a good set of verus's and a chorus. Melody is also important, but if the lyrics are crap i tend to not like the song. That's why i don't like Dance Music.
My love of dance music highlights our differences. Love catchy melodies, additive riffs, pulsating rhythms and thumping drums.
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Old 12-11-2010, 16:33
Red+Blooded
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Melody, keyboard riffs, orchestration, instrumentation, rhythm and bass...the most important elements.

Words for me are just a vehicle to allow me to access a song.

Male
i have the same name as you, LOOL.
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Old 12-11-2010, 16:38
Eraserhead
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I generally notice the music first and pick up on the lyrics on subsequent listens.

I have to say that I have the misfortune to listen to contemporary pop music on a rubbish Sussex radio station on my journey to work (car sharing) and the thing which really grates is that most pop music seems to focus solely on the singer's voice and there's often barely any music behind it - usually little more than just a basic rhythm. It feels like really lazy songwriting, with the vocal dominating the song and the music mixed so low that it's barely noticable.

Doesn't anyone in pop write proper music any more?
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Old 12-11-2010, 17:15
miles19740
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I generally notice the music first and pick up on the lyrics on subsequent listens.

I have to say that I have the misfortune to listen to contemporary pop music on a rubbish Sussex radio station on my journey to work (car sharing) and the thing which really grates is that most pop music seems to focus solely on the singer's voice and there's often barely any music behind it - usually little more than just a basic rhythm. It feels like really lazy songwriting, with the vocal dominating the song and the music mixed so low that it's barely noticable.

Doesn't anyone in pop write proper music any more?
Yes...certainly with the likes of Leona. My big bug bear is all this vocal gymnastic stuff they insist on doing. They think they are so talented to. Can't stand it. All the X Factor lot are the worst for it.
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Old 12-11-2010, 18:22
Neighbours_Fan
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It's the melody I notice first, then the lyrics.
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Old 12-11-2010, 18:33
Carmen Queasy
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There's no definitive answer for me. I like different songs for various reasons.

However, a song with great lyrics and shit music is not appealing, neither are songs with great music but pathetic, thoughtless lyrics. There's some exceptions, though.
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Old 12-11-2010, 18:42
Rooftopcowboy
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I'm going to say melody...I don't care too much about lyrics unless they are really really dumb
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Old 12-11-2010, 19:05
LoveBug.
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Mostly the lyrics for me.
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Old 12-11-2010, 19:20
kutox
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Melody for me, every time. I couldn't care less for lyrics if the melodies and chord progressions don't draw me in - it's what allows me to connect with a song (and the actual music itself of course).

But it does annoy me if a song I love musically has rubbish lyrics. Doesn't work the other way round for me though. I could hear the best and most inspiring lyrics ever but if a song is musically uninteresting for me, I'm rarely bothered about the song.
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Old 12-11-2010, 19:24
Menk
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Melody and chord progression.
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Old 12-11-2010, 19:41
Neighbours_Fan
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It's the melody I notice first, then the lyrics.
I'm a girl, btw
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Old 12-11-2010, 19:58
tranquilized07
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well im a female ; )
a good melody will make me stop and listen, but good lyrics do well also,im a lyricist and find it easy to write the lyrics then get a melody in my head afterwards.
funny cos i think katy perry song Firework is a good song but i think the lyrics are slighty cheesy.
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Old 12-11-2010, 20:22
kutox
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Melody for me, every time. I couldn't care less for lyrics if the melodies and chord progressions don't draw me in - it's what allows me to connect with a song (and the actual music itself of course).

But it does annoy me if a song I love musically has rubbish lyrics. Doesn't work the other way round for me though. I could hear the best and most inspiring lyrics ever but if a song is musically uninteresting for me, I'm rarely bothered about the song.
Oh, didn't realise that was my 6,000th post
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Old 12-11-2010, 21:28
cnbcwatcher
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Both, most of the time it's the melody and/or the beat and then the lyrics, but at the moment I'm focusing on the lyrics more when I listen to music (see my thread on angry songs for the reason why!)
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Old 12-11-2010, 23:38
Nickelback
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For me the voice always comes first then the melody
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Old 12-11-2010, 23:42
ags_rule
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Melody all the time. Some of my favourite bands have incredibly OTT lyrics and topics, but the melodies are superb.

Having said that, my favourite songs have a great mix of both.
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Old 12-11-2010, 23:50
Jeromeboi22
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Melody.
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Old 13-11-2010, 03:14
Wizardj
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Melody usually
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Old 13-11-2010, 03:51
da3bool
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So i guess Melody wins lol
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Old 13-11-2010, 07:23
mushymanrob
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melody.... its the tune that sticks in my head... if the lyrics are any good that a bonus but off hand i cannot think of 1 track i like for the lyrics alone.
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Old 13-11-2010, 07:34
Airam
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Meaningful ( i.e. which appeal to me) lyrics and plenty of them. I hate repetitive ones. Traditional songs - verses, bridge and chorus

Hate R&B stuff, rap, electronic and dance, Rock where I can't clearly hear the lyrics and high pitched vocals.

Am pretty much at odds with recent chart stuff.

Female.
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Old 13-11-2010, 14:00
miles19740
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I would say there is a gender difference to. Most females seem to prefer lyrics over everything else whilst males prefer the music / instrumental side.
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