Blog Post // 2022-04-22

The Weight of Lyrics

During my journey I have come across a lot of people who say lyrics are an afterthought. They focus on the music and sometimes look at the lyrics. I think that is just fine, but I want to ponder the topic.

I feel like when I was really young I knew every lyric because, to me, it was giving me a glimpse of the people who wrote the music - the people plastered all over my bedroom wall; the people that I looked up to with a very keen interest. It was also giving me material to sing. Let's face it, you can't sing a song if you don't know the lyrics. Well, I mean, you can make noises that sound somewhat right; you can get away with saying a few words wrong. The next phase I went through, I knew the lyrics enough to get by singing parts, but I didn't delve into them or think about them. It was just surface value. Then I came full circle, and I am back to appreciating lyrics more than ever.

I think some lyrics have a shock factor. They say something really horrifying or triggering. An example I can think of, instantly, off the top of my head is Infant Annihilator's Soil the Stillborn. I think this song is speaking to a deep evil, paedophilia and how perpetrator can get away with it, and systems that protect the one that does wrong, which is a valid and sincere topic. But for me, this is presented too vulgar in a song. I don't want to feel discomfort when I am listening to music. It certainly makes me wonder about the people who wrote this song, and makes me think they are deeply touched, maybe scarred by the subject. This is a confusing way to present it. Too vile and disturbing for me! I also know that some people have a weird sense of humour about upsetting things. I have watched movies depicting violence before, and as a person got their head cutoff I could hear laughs throughout a theatre. I seemed to be the only one that found it unnerving. Maybe some people like an unsettling feeling? Maybe they like it in music? Maybe this is why they don't pay attention to some lyrics?

Some lyrics are deep and are tackling an important issue. I appreciate bands that have used their platform this way. Whether it is fighting for the rights of themselves or others, taking care of the planet, rape, abuse, depression, suicide. Being honest and putting your soul out there isn't for the faint of heart. I appreciate it greatly and I think music is an awesome way to open people up, to express the feeling behind it all. They can stir up motivation, make you look into things more, or make you think about something you may not have otherwise. Gojira is a great example that comes to mind that is based off genuine conviction and care for the environment.

Some lyrics reveal an inner thought that wouldn't otherwise be out in the open. Maybe the author themselves hadn't really thought about the subject, but add it to music and thoughts keep flowing. Maybe it feels more comfortable to say something hard when it is within music. I feel like music brings out the deeper things, brings to light those things hidden, heals broken things, or even just admits they are broken. There are some subjects that people avoid talking about, but go to some lyrics and they are sitting out, raw and in the open. There is such truth behind it.

Some lyrics have great storytelling ability and can take you on a journey. I can't help but think of Iron Maiden, here. They can take you to many different places, and are presented like a narrator would present any great story. Many of their songs are based on historical events. 

Some lyrics are catchy or poetic. Some lyrics are genius when it comes to their eloquent presentation, the way they can make you think about something ordinary in a new light, or see the beauty or pain in something you only looked at on the surface. The descriptions and use of words can calm an anxious mind, make you feel good, or make you feel strong emotions.

Some lyrics are twisted, and a turnoff. There are some things that are quite scary, and I don't want to know about them in great detail. There are some subjects that are so disgusting, and I cant identify with them. The same can go for books, movies, or even poetry. Some of it makes me cringe because there is so much hate, violence, or gore in it. Obviously, not something I get. Are you surprised I don't like horror? (unless it has a fantasy edge to it, because then I know no werewolf has really eaten anyone, nor has an evil elf taken over. Sorry to any believers, you can go on believing.) Is there any topic that would be a no for you, if you paid attention to the lyrics?

Some lyrics are intentionally cheezy and funny. Some bands, for that matter, are based off of a funny concept. Slugdge comes to mind. I can't even look at some of their artwork without noting the hilarity in it. Basing all the themes in the songs off of a slug lord. And humour can be used to be just humorous, or it can be used to present serious things in more approachable ways. I have never liked comedians that have a main act that involves singing (and I am into comedy lots), but when bands use the comedic aspect tastefully, I can quite enjoy it. The thing is, they have to have good music behind it, to back it up, or I am not interested.

Some lyrics are cathartic and healing. I can be a pretty straightforward person. Depending on the magnitude of the problem between me and someone else, an honest confrontation can sometimes be all I need to move on. In reality there are some situations where you cannot confront someone or something, but music can. Music can get the pain out. And sometimes, such as in the example of Harakiri for the Sky, maybe you needed to get something out about yourself, confront your own depression or pain.

Some lyrics seem to make no sense, or at least not that often. Take Melvins for example. What are they saying?? But it's catchy and sounds good, right? I suppose that kind of speaks to the grungy genres.

Lyrics can be interpreted in many different ways, depending on the person or situation they are in. They can evoke diverse reactions.

I think some lyrics are stuck within a genre, unable to venture out into uncharted territory. As I have been checking out music, it has become clear that certain genres seem to stick to certain themes. It is almost like there is a dividing line you must not step over - or else..! Or are the people drawn to the genre because of the style of lyrics they write? Either way, I would love to see bands step out of what is expected in regard to genres. Write a death metal song about your love for roses. Write a black metal song about your dream coming true. Write a progressive song about your rude attitude.

Can some lyrical themes be too upbeat or downtrodden for you? Can it be too corny, or horny, for that matter?

Maybe you only pay attention to the lyrics of your favourite bands, or certain genes?  

Maybe a song can still be liked with terrible lyrics but great music, but not the other way around? That is certainly the case for me. If the music sucks, it can't be revived by the lyrics.

Can you listen to music in a language you don't speak? Do you look the lyrics up? I often look up the lyrics once before listening in this situation, but don't go back. I just want the idea behind it, since I won't be able to pick out any words.

Some lyrics only appeal to a small group of people, while others can be understood by most. Some bands have chosen very specific topics, and for the people having similar experiences, or open-minded folks, they can speak to them. Some bands cover such a vast array of topics that you never know what you are going to get when they release new music.

Some bands write concept albums, so it is necessary to listen to each song to get the feeling and storyline. They stay on topic. Sometimes it is an exploration of something they only went into knowing a little bit about, and other times it might be a topic they have thought about, and maybe experienced a lot of. Sometimes it is completely fictional in nature, and sometimes it is based on some event, person, or experience. I personally have become more interested in concept albums over the last few years. I think they would be hard to write, as someone who is creative in many directions, and not just one. My mind is full of ideas on many different topics. 

Try listening to an album, or even a song, that you never paid attention to the lyrics for, and pay attention to every detail. I promise you, it will open up something new. And maybe I will listen to an entire album and not even glance at the lyrics, once in a while, to switch it up. 

They say music is a language in itself, and I agree. I feel like I speak music, which means I can feel the song - but I do enjoy the art in the lyrics as well!