I'm doing an English paper on Cause and Effect, and my topic is "Music lyrics can change lives."
I want you to take a small survey and this is very important, so please be very elaborate! :)


When listening to a song, you prefer lyrics over the music tunes.
Yes, No or Both and explain why.

Both, the lyrics can change lives, let you see life in a new way, give you reason to live. Bit at the same time the tune can help you as well, like drive you to keep living and inspire you to reach higher in life and set goals. And when life throws everything at you and you cant take any more, music can inspire you to take the drugs from your blood and the booze from your mouth, smash them to the floor and say "round two bitch", regardless of whether it was the lyrics or the tune.

Both for me, in a way. Music is one of those odd things, where you can learn valuable life lessons and enjoy it at the same time. Lyrics often are uplifting (unless you're from YMCMB) but the song itself isn't just lyrics (unless it is. But usually isn't), usually there is a pleasurable or catchy melody behind it. So sometimes without meaning to, bands/groups/soloists make life lessons that stay with you. Mostly lyrics, but when I think about it, the tunes are also an equal part of it.

No. I don't tend to listen to lyrics. Vocals are another instrument to me, and certainly not required to make music enjoyable. If I want to connect with people over shared experiences, I'll talk to people. I don't do it through music.

I actually have a bit of a hearing problem. It's not something bad, it's just that I can hear, but I can't understand/process what I just heard. This is a big problem especially when it comes to listening to new music for me, or even just watching tv or listening to people.

Anyways, to catch my attention esp. when I listen to new music, it has to have a catchy tune. I listen to almost any kind of music, as long as from the first beat, I am drawn to it. Usually when my friends play music, when I hear something I like, I have to ask them the title so I can search and read the lyrics online.

So yes, the tunes are very important for me, but it doesn't mean I prefer it over the lyrics, or the other way around.

Something catchy could have horrible lyrics, which is one of the main reasons why I drop some songs even if they're really catchy, and beautiful lyrics may be something I don't even want to sing to because of the horrible tune. If the other isn't good, not good enough. That's how I hear/see it. Because of that, I'll say both.

As for 'music changes lives', I do believe it does. Some people can't realize some things until they hear about it from a song. I've had a few of those moments. Music changing lives is more of a self-realization kind of thing, I guess. It's not really something you use to connect with other people, but it's something you use to change or know more about yourself.

No, in fact i feel like the actual music speaks much louder than the words. sure, its great if i like the lyrics and if the words really fit. but over all, i listen to the music much more.

No - see to me a song has to be catchy enough for me to begin to listen to the lyrics - sorta like the same thing that its hard to listen to a boring teacher give a lecture - if i do appreciate the musicality of the song I will listen to the lyrics but only then - good luck with your paper Yamie!

Thank you so much for the relies!! This will definitely help on my research!! :)

I do listen to both lyrics and tunes, but I focus alot more on the tunes, the way the music is structured, how the music is written. If you write the song right, you can bring out all kinds of emotions and in a way "change lives". Plus, if the song is catchy or not, you listen more/less of the song.

Definately both.
When Im listening to a new album I want to read along with lyrics to really get an insight to what the lyricist is trying to portray.
Of course this is only with a range of artist. If Im listening to new Metal/Grind album Im not going to care much for the lyrics as long as they aren't ridiculous, as the genre is more about the instrumentation (In my opinion).
Listening to a new Emo/Indie/Melodic Hardcore record is best done witht he lyrics in front of you. A briliant example being Touche Amore's new album. I preordered the LP and when it arrived put it straight on the turntable, pulled out the lyrics insert and listened to it front to back twice over. That album and that band wouldn't be the same without Jeremys brilliant songwriting ability.
I think popular music is more about the 'catchy tune' of the song, thats what gets it radio play. Lyrics in Pop music today (and I guess throughout the age of Pop music) is full of cringe worthy, generic verses and stupid 'catchy' choruses. All Pop music isnt like this but Id say at least 95% of it is. Look at songs like 'Starships' by Nicki Minaj. Read the lyrics HERE and you'll understand what I mean.
Some songs just wouldn't be the same without their 'catchy tune'.
I guess with most of the music I listen to the lyrics are just as important as the song itself. Its the perfect combination of the two that makes a good songs.
To answer your question;
Lyrics are just as important as the instrumentation in a song. Without half decent lyrics a song lacks not only talent, but heart.
Many of the bands I have listened to have really shaped my outlook on life and molded me into a person I wasn't before (In a positive way I believe). So I will say that music, that being the music along with its lyrics, have changed my life.

I prefer the lyrics. When conveying something, i prefer much to have the lyrics. sure, the tune can convey something, but there are those, who can't fully understand the real meaning of the song.