Melodists? - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Jinn · 12-11-2005, 01:47 PM

I feel like I'm always outnumbered by the people who really appreciate the lyrics of the song -- are there any of you out there, like me, who are melodists?

I really don't pay attention to lyrics at all, and I could likely not sing any entire song, no matter how many times I'd heard it. I like music because of the melody that it creates, and the melding of the voices to the tracks. My brain hears the tones and resonance of the voices and how the relate to the background music, not the words.

To me, paying complete attention to the lyrics and none of the background music is just listening to a poem with accompanying sound. To me, music is a melody with accompanying voice. I like techno for its pure sounds and beats, but I tend to like vocal techno more.. a voice that melds with the music is very effective, even if I can't understand what they're saying. Likewise, the intellectual in me hates the lyrics that rap songs have, but I like them because of the hard beats and effective transitions. Country songs I like not for the (oftentimes sad) stories they tell, but the way their voice becomes another instrument.

As I write this song, I'm listening to a song that's mostly synthesized piano, with a singer named Laava singing beautifully over the tracks. One of the sections with absolutely no lyrical quality (la, la la la lalalala la) is one of the most powerful parts of the song to me, simply because of the modulation of her voice and how it matches the background music perfectly, at 1/2 an octave or so..

Is there anyone else out there in this same boat? You listen to music for the music, not the lyrics? I'm tired of feeling like the only one who really doesn't pay attention to the lyrics..

Jinn · 12-11-2005, 01:58 PM

And as soon as I posted that, a perfect example came on:

Lasgo - Something - Radio Mix...

"I don't wanna say I'm sorry.. cause I know there's nothing wrong."
"Don't be afraid, there's no need to worry..."
"Cause my feelings for you are still stroonng, hold me your arms.."
"Hold me in your arms, and never let me go.."

Yet there is two overlapping tracks, one of thumping base and one of high notes of a synthesized instrument. Her voice comes in as the two beats cross over.. and matches the tone of the synth instrument. It gives me chills just listening to the three instruments (her voice, too)..

Anyone?!?!

vanblah · 12-11-2005, 03:30 PM

Most of the time the lyrics really don't matter. A strong recognizable melody is usually indespensible though.

There are a few exceptions ... Tom Waits, Peter Gabriel, Paul Simon and Bob Dylan to name a few.

Some writers are better at melding lyric/phrasing and melody than others. Tom Waits would have to be my favorite at making musical poetry.

There doesn't have to be understandable words in a song for it to be amazing. Scat, jazz-singing and just singing vowels (or la la la) can be incredibly powerful and moving.

The voice <b>IS</b> another instrument. Even in spoken word, rap and other non-melodic songs the voice is an instrument just like a guitar or piano or drums.

Locobot · 12-15-2005, 04:02 PM

I'm definitely with you. 99% of pop lyrics are pure shit, the vocals however, are often wonderful. Rap music is perhaps a slight exception since so much focus is put on what the MC is saying. But still it's probably 90% pure shit. It's amazing how many of the pop (and I mean "pop" in the most generic multi-genre sense) songs I love have nonesensical lyrics-"lalala" etc.

I learned this after years of listening to White Stripes, they finally had a hit with a song with the chorus "ahhh-hah-hah-hah-hah" (rep.)

Willravel · 12-15-2005, 04:11 PM

I'm completly with you. I really wish most singers would just sit down, be quiet, and enjoy the music. If someone is singing, I prefer they use their voice as an instrument, they way it is meant to be used in music. I've maybe heard a dozen songs in my life (in english) that the words really worked and complimented the song, instead of distracting from the piece. I'd prefer to listen to Lasgo without what's-her-face.

If I want to hear poetry, I'll listen to or read poetry. BTW, rap isn't music. Ther is no melody to the sound coming from a rappers gold filled mouth. The music that the rapper is interrupting is music, but never the rapper. I'm talking to you, Cash Money Millionairs, I'm talking to you.

optik_nerve · 12-16-2005, 09:25 AM

Yea, I understand. I create music without lyrics and vocals. I do everything on my own and I could put lyrics and vocals but the music speaks for itself.

It can tell you what I feel. I don't need to do that for you.

If you'd like to hear some PM me.

12-11-2005, 01:47 PM	#1 (permalink)
Jinn Lover - Protector - Teacher Location: Seattle, WA	Melodists? I feel like I'm always outnumbered by the people who really appreciate the lyrics of the song -- are there any of you out there, like me, who are melodists? I really don't pay attention to lyrics at all, and I could likely not sing any entire song, no matter how many times I'd heard it. I like music because of the melody that it creates, and the melding of the voices to the tracks. My brain hears the tones and resonance of the voices and how the relate to the background music, not the words. To me, paying complete attention to the lyrics and none of the background music is just listening to a poem with accompanying sound. To me, music is a melody with accompanying voice. I like techno for its pure sounds and beats, but I tend to like vocal techno more.. a voice that melds with the music is very effective, even if I can't understand what they're saying. Likewise, the intellectual in me hates the lyrics that rap songs have, but I like them because of the hard beats and effective transitions. Country songs I like not for the (oftentimes sad) stories they tell, but the way their voice becomes another instrument. As I write this song, I'm listening to a song that's mostly synthesized piano, with a singer named Laava singing beautifully over the tracks. One of the sections with absolutely no lyrical quality (la, la la la lalalala la) is one of the most powerful parts of the song to me, simply because of the modulation of her voice and how it matches the background music perfectly, at 1/2 an octave or so.. Is there anyone else out there in this same boat? You listen to music for the music, not the lyrics? I'm tired of feeling like the only one who really doesn't pay attention to the lyrics.. __________________ "I'm typing on a computer of science, which is being sent by science wires to a little science server where you can access it. I'm not typing on a computer of philosophy or religion or whatever other thing you think can be used to understand the universe because they're a poor substitute in the role of understanding the universe which exists independent from ourselves." - Willravel

12-11-2005, 01:58 PM	#2 (permalink)
Jinn Lover - Protector - Teacher Location: Seattle, WA	And as soon as I posted that, a perfect example came on: Lasgo - Something - Radio Mix... "I don't wanna say I'm sorry.. cause I know there's nothing wrong." "Don't be afraid, there's no need to worry..." "Cause my feelings for you are still stroonng, hold me your arms.." "Hold me in your arms, and never let me go.." Yet there is two overlapping tracks, one of thumping base and one of high notes of a synthesized instrument. Her voice comes in as the two beats cross over.. and matches the tone of the synth instrument. It gives me chills just listening to the three instruments (her voice, too).. Anyone?!?! __________________ "I'm typing on a computer of science, which is being sent by science wires to a little science server where you can access it. I'm not typing on a computer of philosophy or religion or whatever other thing you think can be used to understand the universe because they're a poor substitute in the role of understanding the universe which exists independent from ourselves." - Willravel

12-11-2005, 03:30 PM	#3 (permalink)
vanblah Junkie	Most of the time the lyrics really don't matter. A strong recognizable melody is usually indespensible though. There are a few exceptions ... Tom Waits, Peter Gabriel, Paul Simon and Bob Dylan to name a few. Some writers are better at melding lyric/phrasing and melody than others. Tom Waits would have to be my favorite at making musical poetry. There doesn't have to be understandable words in a song for it to be amazing. Scat, jazz-singing and just singing vowels (or la la la) can be incredibly powerful and moving. The voice <b>IS</b> another instrument. Even in spoken word, rap and other non-melodic songs the voice is an instrument just like a guitar or piano or drums. Last edited by vanblah; 12-11-2005 at 08:20 PM..

12-16-2005, 09:25 AM	#6 (permalink)
optik_nerve Psycho Location: Florida	Yea, I understand. I create music without lyrics and vocals. I do everything on my own and I could put lyrics and vocals but the music speaks for itself. It can tell you what I feel. I don't need to do that for you. If you'd like to hear some PM me. Last edited by optik_nerve; 12-16-2005 at 09:27 AM..

12-15-2005, 04:02 PM	#4 (permalink)
Locobot is awesome!	I'm definitely with you. 99% of pop lyrics are pure shit, the vocals however, are often wonderful. Rap music is perhaps a slight exception since so much focus is put on what the MC is saying. But still it's probably 90% pure shit. It's amazing how many of the pop (and I mean "pop" in the most generic multi-genre sense) songs I love have nonesensical lyrics-"lalala" etc. I learned this after years of listening to White Stripes, they finally had a hit with a song with the chorus "ahhh-hah-hah-hah-hah" (rep.)

12-15-2005, 04:11 PM	#5 (permalink)
Willravel ... a sort of licensed troubleshooter.	I'm completly with you. I really wish most singers would just sit down, be quiet, and enjoy the music. If someone is singing, I prefer they use their voice as an instrument, they way it is meant to be used in music. I've maybe heard a dozen songs in my life (in english) that the words really worked and complimented the song, instead of distracting from the piece. I'd prefer to listen to Lasgo without what's-her-face. If I want to hear poetry, I'll listen to or read poetry. BTW, rap isn't music. Ther is no melody to the sound coming from a rappers gold filled mouth. The music that the rapper is interrupting is music, but never the rapper. I'm talking to you, Cash Money Millionairs, I'm talking to you.