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rivercitymusic · Post by **rivercitymusic** » Sat Nov 22, 2008 9:43 am

Well it's good to hear different perspectives. Helps to see where others are speaking from.Lots of self fullfilling prophecies out there though and that can be ones greatest hurdle in life. I'm gonna keep holding up the theory that "a great song is a great song" no matter what and that lyrics are the roots of all songs.Doc

momof4 · Post by **momof4** » Sat Nov 22, 2008 10:12 am

just to chime in on the "has to have great lyrics" opinion...i'm all about lyric writing and the need for great lyrics, but i have to disagree that a song can't be a hit without stellar lyrics. or at least that the public won't like a song that has mediocre lyrics, much as i wince to say that since i'm probably too opinionated in my critiques of my own and other writers' lyric writing. i know there have been several songs i've liked and enjoyed singing whose lyrics, in my opinion, weren't that incredible. i.e. Tim McGraw's "Last Dollar" or whatever it's called, where the lyrics are "123 like a bird i sing, 'cause you've given me a beautiful set of wings". i haven't looked up the lyrics to read them, but from listening to the song on the radio, i was like, "WHAT is this song about?!", but i didn't care b/c i had a fun time singing it and it got stuck in my head. (argh!) anyhoo, just to add to the discussion...

momof4 · Post by **momof4** » Sat Nov 22, 2008 10:14 am

oh, and i agree with Squids about the radio playlists...i worked in marketing and worked with a lot of Clear Channel stations, and it's all about what the big dogs decide the public will hear. it's all corporate. yuck!

claire · Post by **claire** » Sat Nov 22, 2008 11:15 am

Yep - lyrics may be king for songwriters but sound is king for listeners. Otherwise songs like "Achy Breaky Heart" wouldn't have been monster hits. Back in the day (I'm about to give away my age...) songs like "Who Put the Bop" and "One Eyed One Horned Flying Purple People Eater" and "Itsy Bitsy Teeny Weeny Little Polka Dot Bikini" wouldn't have been hits if lyric were the deciding factor. People want to sing along and dance along. They may love the lyrics but it's the melody that grabs them first, much as I wish it were the lyrics. Doo lang doo lang.

rivercitymusic · Post by **rivercitymusic** » Sat Nov 22, 2008 12:50 pm

There is no song without lyrics. It's an instrumental. This acknowledgement ends the dispute.Unless there is another definition of an instrumental that i'm not aware of, or another definition of a song that i'm not aware of.Songs are sung, music is played.No lyrics, no song.Don't mean to be difficult here but it seems we are not all adhering to basic words and their meanings or definition?Doc

squids · Post by **squids** » Sat Nov 22, 2008 12:57 pm

Achy breaky heart. Oh, boy. There're days ya jes gotta wonder, ya know? It's foot tappin' happiness alright. I can't help but wince when I hear the lyrics.

matthoggard · Post by **matthoggard** » Sat Nov 22, 2008 2:10 pm

I miss the mullet!

claire · Post by **claire** » Sat Nov 22, 2008 3:26 pm

No lyrics, no song.You're right

squids · Post by **squids** » Sat Nov 22, 2008 3:40 pm

I know, right? hahahaha, good one!

rivercitymusic · Post by **rivercitymusic** » Sat Nov 22, 2008 4:19 pm

Just as long as i'm right.Doc

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