How important to you are lyrics in the music you listen to? The main focus? Irrelevant? Somewhere in between? For me it depends on the band or artist. With some music, the vocals are just another sound in the melody (or cacophony). And with other music, the lyrics absolutely kill me (in a good way).
Lyrics in music can be equated to poetry if you want to generalize. Rhyming sentences that tell a story, describe emotions, or whatever. However, like poetry, the "rules" of writing lyrics are only followed by some. If you want to have a top 40 hit, make your lyrics rhyme and have a catchy beat that's in tune with the music. If not, do what you want I guess.
Let's take a look at some bands and their different styles or lyricism:
Band/Artist: Devin Townsend
Song:
The Death of Music (6:00 onward)
Don't die on meDon't go awayWhen I need you hereIn my needA very simple passage, but Mr. Townsend sings these words with such passion and created such epic music around them that it feels like a divine aria, if you're into that sort of thing. And the words themselves are so succinct, but so genuine. This is what every person wishes of their loved one. This selection can make me cry every time.
Band/Artist: The Paper Chase
Song:
I am Going to Spend the Rest of My Life LyingYou better mind your p's and q's and You better thank your lucky stars, this the bigger fish ain't made a meal out of you. I'm drinking wine I didn't squeeze out of you cause I'm a swinging axe. I'm a baseball bat. I'm a cudgel sort, and I'm a quick reply, a fast retort.The Paper Chase have absolutely brilliant lyrics. Their songs are full of metaphors, catchphrases and all sorts of spot-on rhyming. If I found out that they all had PhDs in romantic poetry and political science I wouldn't be surprised at all. These guys are dark band and spend a lot of the time singing about revenge and spite. But instead of going "You broke my heart so fuck you!" they use imaginative and haunting words to tell their stories.
Band/Artist: Andrew W.K.
Song:
Totally Stupid (3:38 onward)
When we find ourselves in trouble We can find ourselves a way You can find a place to stay And the place is always safe If you have a heart that's in pain Don't be afraid You're not to blame There's a better world inside of us Where we always thought it was You don't need to hide You can open up your eyesNow Andrew W.K. might be known for partying "hard" as it were, but the man (in my eyes) is a god-damned genius. He exudes positivity and joy. These lyrics also showcase a talent of treading the line between the blunt and the poetic, lyrics-wise. The sentences are very straightforward
, but what he's actually telling you is introspective and warm. Every time I hear "You don't need to hide" I want to hug the whole world.
Band/Artist: Jesu
Song:
Sun Day (4:32 onward)
You're my heart. You're my heart. You're my heart. You're my heart.What is this? The dumbest, most unorginal lyrics ever? Maybe to you. But maybe you're like me, and you hear the strain in Justin Broadrick's voice, trying to tell whoever he's telling how much they mean to him. Without them, his heart, he will die. This is what I hear.
Band/Artist: Neurosis
Song:
Burn (3:01 onward)
this world of cold stone gives nothing in return
to those who sleep while the restless burn
there are the few driven to flame
most are content to drown in the wake of dreams
the trail lies overgrown
across the years fade out of light
ever growing dim to an age in the dark
grasp from your soul a don't let it steal your eyesNeurosis is a depressing and intense band to say the least. Their songs are rife with imaginative lyrics that can be interpreted in all sorts of ways. What these words mean to you could, and probably will, mean something completely different to me. Their lyrics are dark and surrealist paintings, allowing you to create your own story around them.
Band/Artist: Zimmer's Hole (with special guest Nathan Explosion of Dethklok)
Song:
The Vowel SongA, E, I, O, U, and sometimes Y are you wasting my air? Why are you still here? Why must I tolerate, no debate, eliminate! A, E, I, O, U... SUCK... SUCK! Best lyrics in the world.
-James
Now playing:
Cult of Luna - Back to Chapel Town
, but what he's actually telling you is introspective and warm. Every time I hear "You don't need to hide" I want to hug the whole world.
This is Tom Scharpling, the host of "The Best Show on WFMU". The Best Show is a call-in/music/talk program. Tom often has wonderful guests ranging from Paul F. Tompkins to Aimee Mann. Tom also has a comedy partner named Jon Wurster. Almost every week, Jon calls into the show as a character and sets up some elaborate, crazy premise that winds up with him threatening Tom's life somehow. The show is hilarious, features great music and you never feel the length of it. Please check it out sometime. You can download it as a podcast, listen online at wfmu.org, or check it out live every tuesday night at 8 pm. 
Music:
Scott Gairdner is hilarious Los Angeles comedy dude involved in sketch comedy and internet videos. He also takes "Family Circus" comics, then adds "unseen" panels where he shows up and tells everyone in the Circ-verse to stop being dumb.
I feel really stoked to live in a world where this kind of stuff is so easy to produce and distribute. Especially THIS kind of stuff. As a long-time fan of comic stuff, my gateway drug was newspaper comics. Newspaper comics are mostly atrocious. SURE there are a few select exceptions, but I believe newspaper comics were invented for those rare weirdos that will sit and read an entire 'paper from cover to cover and need a little dose of entertainment. Guh. Anyways, I'm a big fan of this and hope more people find cool ways to make fun of the funnies.
-Dash
Rosemary Focaccia Bread (toasted)
Wolves! AWOOOOOO!!
