when listening to music, do you pay attention to the lyrics or just vibe?

[Nocturnalrisen]

as someone whose most prominent hobby is maladaptive daydreaming, lyrics are very important to create the scenes in my head. even the non-english songs, if there are english subtitles you bet I'll be replaying the video over and over until i memorize it all.
and if i'm feeling truly insane, then i'll even memorize the non-native (is that a word?) lyrics.

 

[zombie100379]

lyrics are hugely important - but you also need great music to get you to pay attention to those lyrics

 

[Fietto!]

All Vibes.
I even make up the images in my mind whenever I do hear the words out.. So as long as the tune’s rather simple, whether it’d be a rap about Sega Saturns or 80s earworms, then I’ll listen carefully.

 

[Mahopon]

Both. Often I just vibing and if I like the song I listen to the lyrics carefully.

 

[ArchienineZXAdventArchienineZXAdvent's icon]

Most of what i hear is instrumental so i guess just chill.

 

[diet_orange]

I like good lyrics, but man, give me a wall of sound any day

 

[SamanthaSamantha's icon]

Since I only listen to music while working, it's paramount that the lyrics don't distact me, that's why I only pick English songs to listen to... most of the actual words just sort of float around me.

 

[soulsas]

Portuguese is a difficult language. Here in Brazil, we have English classes in schools, but they’re very technical with almost no conversation practice—that’s only recently changed in the school curriculum. So, back in the 90s, it was really common for us to listen to English songs, guess at the meanings, mumble along with the words, and just enjoy the sound. Nowadays, I see people on TikTok outside of Brazil doing the same thing with our funk music, and I find it bizarre and funny... if only you guys knew what lies beyond the dance moves lol.

 

[Moreno909]

I like good lyrics, but man, give me a wall of sound any day

I love Ministry

 

[Heidegger of Shinra]

as someone whose most prominent hobby is maladaptive daydreaming, lyrics are very important to create the scenes in my head. even the non-english songs, if there are english subtitles you bet I'll be replaying the video over and over until i memorize it all.
and if i'm feeling truly insane, then i'll even memorize the non-native (is that a word?) lyrics.

From a songwriter's perspective, you're pretty much the ideal listener. This is what our vanity is secretly hoping for.

 

[Mr. SyS]

Depends on the language, really.

 

[ct9983]

I have OCD so my brain is always trying to understand lyrics. but I had a phase back around 2008 where I listened to a lot of Japanese metal and visual kei bands (thanks Dir en grey!) and I just vibed to that.
Also the Korn songs where there's no lyrics and he's just growling. total vibe

 

[Eduardo2010]

maladaptive daydreaming

Is this even a real thing??

 

[KamakoKamako's icon]

I often turn most of my attention towards the vocals when first listening to a song. For me, the lyrics aren't quite as important as how they are delivered.
The lyrics in this song are superb imo, but the delivery is what keeps me coming back. [Timestamped]

 

[shaggi shaggi]

Both are important, but for me, it's the lyrics that make me listen to music. I can't stand even the best music if the lyrics are stupid.