Poll: Music Lyrics

I say it depends on the song.

I'd say people should use so many advanced words that it is practically another language.

nsanelilmunky wrote:

^^^I was trying to think that way, but I also can't think of any good examples with simple lyrics since the ones that come to mind are pop songs that just repeat a word or phrase for 3-4 minutes (Umbrella, Single Ladies, and Womaniser mainly).

Though, you saying both still is a vote against the authors

Hmm...I don't think "simple" necessarily means mindless repetition of two or three lines of lyrics. That's a different matter entirely. LOL

Likewise, I've heard songs with "advanced vocabulary" that just sound cheesy. I know that there are times when a message calls for "bombastic" language, especially in music or creative writing, but more often than not you're better off using a simpler word. Some folks like using advanced language because they feel it makes them sound intelligent to others, but when my intern used the word "utilize" instead of "use" when she asked to borrow the stapler, I almost threw the damn thing at her.

Wait, what where we talking about?

It depends on the song; but most people would favor the simple lyrics, because most people listen to simple music with little to no depth and wish to just be entertained and distracted by that music without the need to think or ponder anything. It explains the existence of pop music near entirely, and how the music industry is being driven more and more by younger people who do not have the mental capacity to consider larger issues. The youth are sold a product and told it's great, perpetuating a consistent lowering of expectations demanded by the music consuming community.

It depends on the song and band. Example, A perfect circle or Tool I could go either way on and really either of those could pull it off but if it were Pucifer I just dont think it would work and the frontman in all those bands is the same person.

I think advanced vocabulary ought not be discouraged in lyric writing, esp. if you consider lyrics on a par with poetry, and therefore an art form. But putting the art argument aside, considering what I've just learned about grammar education having been dropped from schools, I think music might be one of the last places where kids can learn more advanced words, and learn how to better express their own thoughts.

There are kids out there who might never otherwise learn some of the words to a song like "A Winter's Tale."

Dude, I learned so many new vocab words from AFI lyrics

Simple lyrics combined with meaning are probably best in my opinion.

I love lyrics that are actually about the writer's personal experiences or the things they have seen around them.

helen damnation wrote:

Simple lyrics combined with meaning are probably best in my opinion.

I love lyrics that are actually about the writer's personal experiences or the things they have seen around them.

This is completely true; if the lyrics are simple in their usage, it doesn't mean they have to be simple in their meaning. Frequently used words and phrases can create moving and poetic songs, look at just about ever Elton John song, he never needed to sing 7 syllable words for you to know their brilliance and feel the power in them. Simple lyrics can also be absolute garbage like Katy Perry and her Dr Seus songs.

I'm certainly not opposed to simple lyrics, as long as there is something meaningful being said. But I think people should consider language to be a set of tools: use the ones appropriate for the job of expressing your thoughts, be they simple or complex. We've got all these words for a reason: to express every nuance of what we're thinking.