Lyrics? or Riffs?

[Robmeister]

I was running yesterday, listening to Disturbed and Metallica.....thoroughly enjoying their masterful craftmanship of their art and genre.

When suddenly it dawned on me that I'm REALLY not listening to the words....

Then when I started listening to what they were SAYING....I totally disagreed.....while still thoroughly relishing the power and energy of the music.

I love Metallica, Disturbed and other VERY heavy rock strictly for the riffs and the TONE or QUALITY of the singers voice as to how it complements the riffs........But I could care less about what the lyrics are.

Like that FREAKAZOID, Marylin Manson....his/her lyrics, image and message are repugnant...but some of the music and riffing is admittedly quite phat and intricate, man.

Now, when it comes to Christian music....then I relate to the lyrics AND the riffing.

[time2shine]

I'm a riff man too.  For some reason I'm a big fan of two separate, but complimenting riffs, 1 panned left, one right.  'Minus the Bear' does a lot of that.  love it.

[Brkeatr]

Riffs also....I hardly ever pay attention to the words unless it's a ballad or Christian music...

[buuckkweet]

Both are equally important to me.  For example, Rush's song Second Nature from Hold Your Fire is one heck of a piece of music, but the lyrics also send a powerful message.


A memo to a higher office
Open letter to the powers that be
To a god, a king, a head of state
A captain of industry
To the movers and the shakers...
Can't everybody see?

It ought to be second nature
I mean, the places where we live
Let's talk about this sensibly
We're not insensitive
I know progress has no patience
But something's got to give

I know you're different
You know I'm the same
We're both too busy
To be taking the blame
I'd like some changes
But you don't have the time
We can't go on thinking
It's a victimless crime
No one is blameless
But we're all without shame
We fight the fire while we're feeding the flames

Folks have got to make choices
And choices got to have voices
Folks are basically decent
Conventional wisdom would say
But we read about the exceptions
In the papers every day

It ought to be second nature
At least, that's what I feel
Now I lay me down in Dreamland
I know perfect's not for real
I thought we might get closer
But I'm ready to make a deal

Today is different, and tomorrow the same
It's hard to take the world the way that it came
Too many rapids keep us sweeping along
Too many captains keep on steering us wrong
It's hard to take the heat
It's hard to lay blame
To fight the fire while we're feeding the flames

[GASlick]

Riff guy here for the most part.

Riffs also....I hardly ever pay attention to the words unless it's a ballad or Christian music...

Agree.

[nomad]

I like some lyrics I here but I'm more into the music and the power of it, the adrenaline pump it gives you is great

[Jim80]

I love riffs also, esp Metellica's enter "Sandman" I have the opening riff and the part in the music video where the tractor trailer destoys the bed.

[IRONHORSE]

I think they're equally important, and I listen to some (Rush comes readily to mind) for the lyrics - and others (Slipknot and a ton of others) for the riffs.

[FR8TRAIN]

I thinks both are equally important. I really like syncopation in music and there is nothing that sounds hotter than lyrics that enhance the off beat of syncopated music. 

[herronm]

Lyrics come in last place when I listen to music.  The overall sound, instrumentation, the beat or groove are very important to me.  I listen closely to how the singer sounds (tone, voice quality, phrasing) and any kind of vocal harmony. 

Max

[champ007]

I guess since I do alot of singing I listen for the message or story of a song. I have a pretty good memory of songs word by word. Of course I grew up with bands worth listening to their message, Skynyrd and CCR are a couple.
Of course there are the "party" songs of the 80's that are just about having fun, but they still rock.
Pearl Jam's Jeremy and I'm Alive are some other examples.
Of course lets not forget Iron Maidens storytelling 

[hammerdrill376]

Pretty much listen to the music first...but am wary of lyrics on occassion. Anything about murder, mahem or destruction ususally gets ruled out........unless of course we're talking about AC/DC or Guns and Roses