So you just listen to the music, or do you listen to the words?
By dismalgrin
@dismalgrin (2604)
United States
February 27, 2009 7:22pm CST
When I was growing up my dad was really picky about what kind of music we were allowed to listen too. At first it was only classical music, then it was only classical music in which the biographies of the composers stated they were christians. Then we were allowed to listen to church hymns that chiors had sung onto tape (hehe, you know, before cd's) then we were finally allowed to listen to contemporary christian artist after my brothers and I rebeled and listened to country music. Oh horrors! Haha. But, even then we had to listen to the words and tell my dad what they meant to us. And if you couldn't understand the words he said it was useless music. I can't tell you how many times we would look in that little papers inside the cassette box pouring over lyrics or if that wasn't available looking it up online! None of us really listens to christian music anymore. Not really consider ourselves christians really. But, the practice has stuck with me! I can't listen to songs just to enjoy the music. I have to like the words too, and it doesn't matter how popular the song is... if I don't like the words I don't like the song. I drive people crazy with this all the time. Two songs that I can't stand happen to have Kid Rock in them. Don't get me wrong, I usually like his stuff. But, these two songs just rub me wrong with the words. I can't even really put my finger on it why the words bother me... they just don't sound like they fit my life.
So, does anyone else have my little problem?
2 people like this
20 responses
@cristine3276 (893)
• Philippines
28 Feb 09
Words in a song matter greatly to me.I approve songs with great message to humanity. No matter how good is the melody of a song but if its words are unpleasant i sti;; will not appreciate a certain song. For me the words of a song can make or unmake a certain song.
@athinapie (1150)
• Philippines
28 Feb 09
Hello there. My dad is like that too. Like when it comes to rap music, sometimes the words tend to be so called gibberish that you don't understand what they are saying but you follow them anyway because they sound so catchy. He says it's rubbish music. It really depends on what type of music you are really in to. Since our dads are of the older generation, they don't get to appreciate the stuff or music that we like.
@dismalgrin (2604)
• United States
28 Feb 09
LoL, my dad listens to all kinds of crazy music now. He kind of was weird when I was growing up, but totally let go when I became an adult.
@reckon21 (3479)
• Philippines
28 Feb 09
I'm not choosy with music. In fact I listen to all
kind of stuff. Even if i don't know anything about the
lyrics as long that I like the sound of it. I will still
be listening.
@gunagohan (3414)
• India
28 Feb 09
i concentrate more on the lyrics and get the actual meaning of the song and the main theme which is behind the song...
music adds life to the lyrics....no song is lively without a music composed to it...
i like to hear the songs which has good music track and i will listen to the lyrics of that good tracked music..
thanx..happy mylotting...
@jedross (3)
• Philippines
28 Feb 09
actually i listen to both the music and the words. for me, the music is the first factor that can caught our attention. it is the driving force that can bring us to continually listen on it. from the melody, the tone, how does it fit to the lyrics and so on. and after i am satisfied on the music, i then now focus my attention to the words. because for me the essence of a song is by expressing yourself through words. the words that is very meaning full and that many people can appreciate. and when your words and your music match up, that song would be a great one.^^
@tcsmith817 (2)
• United States
28 Feb 09
Me personally i listent to all types of music. Its all about the words to me. Alot of people dont take the time listen and see what theyre talking about. So my family was never picky about the the type music i listen probably because i have a very mix raced family good for me
@anetteh (3590)
• Sweden
28 Feb 09
God morning dismalgrin, I have not have anyone telling me what kind of music I should listen to. I have had that choose my self. And Yes, I do listen to the words if the song is a new one for me. I think a song is like a book, it has some kind of meaning. It is some way of making people listen to what someone has to say. And then, I can just listen to music while I am working online, than I am to busy to listen to the song, but it is nice to have something behind.
My favorite song is : Love Hurts, it has a great tone of music and the lyrics are saying so much.
Have a sunny day and welcome to mylot.
@sureshgandhi (285)
• India
28 Feb 09
mostly I'll listen to words and in some songs music will be too dominating in that case no other go...
@chameleon7 (295)
• China
28 Feb 09
I think I am kind of a late boomer when it comes to listening to music. I did not start really listen to music until I was at senior high. but from then on, I made a U-turn, I started listening to a lot of different style of music, almost everything buy classical. I am a music buff. to me, melody, beat come before lyrics. I don't really care about the lyrics good or not, I like them as long as the melody and beat are attractive to me. of course, a good lyrics is a plus. I would start pay attention to the lyrics for those songs I like after a while. It's music itself gets to priority, not the words.
@Xxmookie621xX (269)
• United States
28 Feb 09
i love music, i listen to the lyrics and the beat, sometimes i end up like the lyrics more than to the actual beat of the song.
@saidadi06 (7)
• India
28 Feb 09
upto my knowledge i think most of them like listening to music.But very few of them show interest in listening to words.As an example i would say that the songs like simarik,blak eye peas bebo which most of them dont understand yet they listen to them with enthusiasm because irrespective of the words used in the song the music used in the song makes it very interesting and for this reason many of them like listening to music.Hence i would say that its really not so important that you have to understand the meaning of the words or you have to listen to the words.We listen to music only for our relaxation etc.Hence its not so important that you have to listen to the words.
@leoliu39 (540)
• China
28 Feb 09
so unfortunately, i don't have a dad like yours,so for me ,i don't care about lyrics.as i am listening a song, first i pay attention to the rythme and if i like it, then i'll go to find the what the song is saying,i.e. pay attention to lyrics.listening is relax, i thnik it should be, don't be so serious.
@mvdn2005 (3)
• China
28 Feb 09
The words give the song meaning. Different words means different song, even though they use same melody. Feeling could change a lot.
That's why we love a forgeign song very much But it may gone down badly in its local. Because we don't know that song really meaning.
@migsmartinez (1293)
• Philippines
28 Feb 09
Hey there! My parents were a bit more liberal about the kind of music we would listen to. When I was younger, my parents would play 80's music all the time and I kinda liked it. Later on when I was in High School, I started listening to all kinds of music from rap to rock. I enjoy all kinds of music as long as the tune is catchy and the lyrics are good. I really enjoy trying to get to the lyrics of the songs I listen to. I think I can enjoy the music even if I don't know the lyrics at first but then later on, I have to look for the lyrics to deepen my appreciation for the song.
@srganesh (6340)
• India
28 Feb 09
I concentrate on the words more than the music.What is there if there are not good worth words to accompany the music?Then it shall be just plain music without any words.I can enjoy the mood of the music.If there should be words,then they should be worth to listen.not just rhyming words to fill the music.
@CintaKurnia (39)
• Indonesia
28 Feb 09
Sometimes I just listen to music not words. Mean when my ear suitable with the music. I just listen the music and let it word. But if I don't like the music. I'll criticize it. So, it depend on their music.I think word will follow it music.
@BrianDaniel (256)
• United States
28 Feb 09
Lots of praise to your Dad for this great practice he instilled in you. What a great man to help you discern what you put into your heart and mind. I do this with my kids and I do it with myself too. My oldest is 16 now and we let him have some liberality with his music. I check out his music from time to time and he shares it with me from time to time. He carries on the practice of choosing songs with good lyrics and that blesses my heart.
What is really bizarre is when I'm in a store and they play music from back in the day and I'm just singing along. But then I realize what the lyrics are and I'm shocked. I can't believe the trash I listened to as a kid. No wonder I was so messed up.
This is an excellent topic. Thanks for posting it, and I hope you reconsider your faith in Christ. Have a great weekend. Brian
@gvannorman (438)
• United States
28 Feb 09
I used to just listen to the music. I have learned from my wife that the words to a song have meaning. After I started listening to them. I found that I can relate to alot of songs that I have heard. I have even caught myself tearing up to the words of some songs. So, songs have meanings, they are much more than music. Not all songs are like this, but some are.
So, just take the time and listen to a few.
@yahyah1980 (8)
• United States
28 Feb 09
I think that you dad was a very smart man! I think that that is a great idea. I have three kids of my own, and i will now adopt your fathers teachings. Christian music my sweet, is the best music around, not only is it inspirational, but it reminds us of the real meaning of life! Jesus (more specifically) is the only thing that matters! top and bottom line, and only what we do for christ will last! now that being said, personally if i had to choose one or the other, being the lyrics or the music? I would have to say the music always sparks my first attention. I then listen to the music with the hopes that it would somehow relate to my situation. I consider music to be a friend, sometimes she's a shoulder to lean on, other times she encourages me to feel the pain and then move on. Although i do listen to secular music,(much more often then I should) I consider christian music to be my first pick! you should as well! forgive me for moving away from the topic a bit, but never turn away from God. For without him we are all on our way to eternal damnation! If we could get a snippet of the true sense of that place called hell, and fear God, the two things alone would force us to live by his word, and keep his commandments, and render ourselves "holy" unto him. I wonder if for sure then would our names be written in the lamb book of life? I've got a pretty good guess. If only we believed.
