Re: Music vs. Lyrics

["Scott Schrade" <schrade@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

> What in general (and specifically with The Who) is more important, the Music 
> or the Lyrics?


Damn good question.  The music's gotta be the most important.  The music hits
you first.  That's what grabs you.  Appreciation - or at the least, acceptance - 
of the lyrics comes later.

I can listen to a good-sounding song with sucky lyrics (as in my KISS example).
But I can't think of one example of a song I don't really care for sound-wise, yet 
has decent lyrics, that I actually listen to *because of* the lyrics.  The music has
to excite me first before digestion & contemplation of the lyrics takes place.

And obviously, good, well-structured, intelligent, fresh lyrics are a big-time plus
to any kick-ass song.  The icing on the cake, so to speak.

KISS, & other bands of their ilk,  have many songs with *well-crafted* lyrics.
Neat phrases, well-thought out rhymes, fresh word choice, etc.  But what about
subject matter?  

Sure rock & roll has a lot to do with sex, but rock songs about love or love gone
bad are a dime a dozen.  That's not to say they aren't essential to rock; obviously,
they are.

But what of songs with lyrics that break the bonds of the old tired cliche's; songs
that deal with a deeper subject matter than just - "I'm horny, she's hot?"  What
of songs with lyrics which lead to self-contemplation?  Or songs which paint a 
vivid picture, with strong, fresh images?  Character vignettes which practically 
create video images  in the mind, or generate moods & emotions?

That's where The Who pulls ahead of most bands.  Could the Rolling Stones or 
Led Zeppelin have composed something as rich & complex as QUADROPHENIA?  
Or do bands like the Stones & Zeppelin fulfill a different need?

I like plenty of bands with so-so lyrics.  But sometimes you splurge, & reach for
the good stuff.  That's a thirst only The Who can quench.  


- SCHRADE in Akron

So long as the mother, Ignorance, lives, it is not safe for Science, the offspring, 
to divulge the hidden causes of things.
   - Johannes Kepler, 1634