What do you look for in Music?

[DanielRB]

For me, one of the most important aspects of music is having thoughtful lyrics. IMO, a lot of music uses lyrics that, when separated from the music sound trite and insipid. I'd much rather listen to music where the words can stand on their own.

I've found that certain artists have really tried to combine excellence in musical composition and performance with intelligent lyrics. One of my favorite "lyrically deep" albums is da's "Darn Floor-Big Bite.". The title track is taken from Koko the gorilla (who knows sign language). She once experienced an earthquake, and tried to describe it in her limited vocabulary, so she signed "Darn floor--big bite!". Other songs on the album follow this same pattern:

Darn Floor - Big Bite

from the album "Darn Floor - Big Bite"

Words and Music by Terry Taylor, Tim Chandler, and Greg Flesch
©1987 Broken Songs (ASCAP)
1: You touch my hair and cheek sometimes
Feel in yourself this flesh and blood
My poor flesh and blood, my poor flesh and blood

I think I met an angel once
But I cannot really know for sure
Do I know you now? Do I know you now?

2: Illuminate my muddled heart
Sweep the shadows from my mind
So I might imagine what you are like
And understand the great design

Darn floor - big bite
You are earth, water and light
3: Darn floor - big bite
Can I ever hope to get it right, can't get it right

I believe I've had a vision or two
Could have been a dream
I guess it could have been a dream
Could have been a dream
I saw the wide world crack where you touched down
And bodies wash up on a mythical shore
Will you save me now? Will you save me now?
In not-quite earth, in not-quite heaven
I'll imitate love like lovers do
In not-quite art, in not-quite living
I'll pray that writing it down is part of loving you

4: Darn floor - big bite
You are twilight, dark and bright
Darn floor - big bite
You are beautiful, terrible terrible sight!
Repeat 1
Darn floor - big bite
You are love, fire and light
Repeat 3, 4
No I can't get it, no I can't get it right
Repeat 2

 

[Mela Monkey]

For worship music.. I pay more attention to the lyrics - but for rock and whatever else, I pay more attention to the sound. :]

 

[NiobiumTragedy]

Has to be both well written lyrically and well produced musically. If either of those aren't up to par, it can ruin the whole song.

Nothing is worse than getting a song that sounds amazing but has lyrics like a 5th grader wrote it.

 

[Singermom]

I have no hard'n'fast rule; it hits me on a song-by-song basis. For instance, the songs "No Time" by the Monkees and "Come Together" by the Beatles have (on purpose) nonsense lyrics, but they are fun musically. Joe Cocker's "You Are So Beautiful" has deep, meaningful words and a nice tune, but I can't stand that song.

...and don't even GET me started on "Achy Breaky Heart"!



I like to lose myself in a song. Brooks & Dunn's "Believe" and Simon & Garfunkel's "The Boxer" I will sometimes stop what I'm doing and just sink into it (especially if I'm wearing headphones).

I go by whatever song grabs me and makes me smile...or cry...

 

[theseagullwithoneleg]

for music, i like listening to the music. even if the lyrics suck. i think the music draws me before the lyrics do. but if they are both good well thats an added bonus.

 

[christianvolume]

Honesty!

I want to feel the song is a sincere attempt to portray something more than a radio single to sell songs.

Some of my recent favorites.

the Glorious Unseen - Tonight the Stars Speak

How He Loves - John Mark McMillan (Live in HD @ University of Mo

I have also been checking out a lot of local music lately.

 

[hamashiachagape]

I look for music that has words that are Biblical in it. I think thats quintessential to listen to.

I also like to play piano, and sing when I get the opportunity. Singing, I like to do rock songs. Piano, I play classical music.

 

[holyrokker]

Lyrics need to make me think.

Music needs to be complex.
YouTube - Neal Morse - Sola Scriptura and Beyond DVD Trailer

 

[red_panda]

...and don't even GET me started on "Achy Breaky Heart"!

I remember that "Achy Breaky Heart" song. It's probably been 17 or 18 years since I last heard it and it still haunts me. "Don't tear my heart, my achy breaky heart..."

One song I like right now is "The Real Sin Savior", by Apologetix. It actually has some good lyrics, despite being a parody of a mainstream, secular rap song.

Another good song is "Change", by Tracy Chapman.

Lyrics aren't always the most important thing for me though. I also listen to some songs that are sung in different languages just because I really like the music.

 

[theseagullwithoneleg]

i like songs that "haunt" you
they hang around and make you soar with them.

 

[holyrokker]

i like songs that "haunt" you
they hang around and make you soar with them.

Like this?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VDvjq9FAikM&p=318E8880D59DE043&playnext=1&index=22http://www.myspace.com/leperdied/videos/video/105355856

 

[djsciple]

I am most attracted to songs that use beats, bass lines and chords that spark emotion. I am inspired and humbled by artists that throw Christianity, Jesus, Yahweh, Jehovah, etc. our there relentlessly irregardless of what others might say or be thinking. I enjoy hearing the artists voice, whether it be a female trance singer, a rappers lyrics, or a church choir. On a personal level though, I just love pitch bends ha ha.