I'm not sure what I value most. I love melody and good instrumentation, not really shred metal type stuff though i used to when i was a couple years younger

music is such a beautiful and intricate thing... it's funny how the image of the ARTIST plays such a huge role in the perception of the song

Has to be catchy and sound good.

People who say they value the lyrics most are lying. One of my favorite songs is My Heart Is The Worst Kind of Weapon, there are two versions below. Both sound completely different but are the same song. I hate one, and love the other.

I hate this song.


I love this song.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YV_i1LitYcY

I value lyrics most. Among other things, obviously.

A song could have the best lyrics ever but be raped or have shit beat and it would completely destroy it. Beat is what makes or breaks a song not lyrics

music, subjective, etc. I'm tired of this argument.
If all it takes is a catchy beat, then the artist has hooked you regardless of the song's intention. I cringe when I hear some of the lyrics in modern pop music. It's in essence, brainwashing.

Lyrics are the first thing I look at in a song. Absolutely. That's not to say I don't value melody or instrumental precision. A large part of what I listen to is entirely instrumental, and there are quite a few instrumental songs that speak volumes and stir up emotion. But lyrics alone are poetry, not filler.

Lyrics

People listen to songs in a language they don't understand or where the lyrics can't be understood half the time 'cos it sounds good and they like it. People listen to dance/trance/dubstep songs which have few or no lyrics.

Examples of non English artists friends or myself listen to off top of my head;
t.A.T.u
Ivri Lider
Hitomi
Girls Generation
Yelle
Sigur Rós
TIK
Rita

Lyrics aren't what the majority of people judge a song by. Look at the most popular songs, they are hardly works of lyrical genius, yet they are incredibly popular because they have a good beat, sound good and are catchy. Few that come to mind;

Friday - Rebecca Black
Super Bass - Nicki Minaj
Pumped Up Kicks - Foster The People
Cheers - Rihanna
Last Friday Night - Katy Perry
Fly - Nicki Minaj + Rihanna
Most of Lady Gagas songs
Blue - Eiffel 65
Smooth Criminal - Alien Antfarm

etc etc etc

There are of course examples of popular songs/artists with great lyrics, however like I said earlier if the beat wasn't good, the song wouldn't be good.

Eh dunno how to say it, but when I say beat I also mean the singers voice, like how it sounds.

...Friday? Dammit I didn't know I was getting trolled. Aside from that, there's only two other songs on that list I recognize, and one is a cover.
As for music that isn't in English, I'll translate it. At least vaguely enough to grasp the meaning of the song.

"Lyrics aren't what the majority of people judge a song by"
Not arguing that. Can't say I see eye to eye with the majority of people when it comes to music, really. Does it mean they're right?

Friday is/was super popular, despite the people QQ'n about it, all that did was lead more people to it lol. Wasn't it most viewed clip on youtube of all time? Was also shown on tv several times and launched her into fame.

Thread title is "What Do You Value Most In A Song?", nobody would still listen to a song if the beat was bad. Don't know what to use for examples, maybe didgeridoo or car horn as only instrument or something? Stupid examples I know but yeh lol

Lol just thought of this one, it is another perfect example of how beat makes or breaks a 'song'. The lyrics are of course silly ones but it is still quite popular on the net. I heard a song with great lyrics covered by someone who butchered it by changing how it was sung, I'll try find that video I think it was on one of those tv shows like x factor or something

The good bit is 0-1:15
The bad bit is 1:15 onwards

If the song was just 1:15 onwards nobody would listen to it 'cos saying it is horrible is being generous.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hMtZfW2z9dw

This post was edited by JukeBOXX on Oct 25 2011 01:28pm

I'm not saying beat is irrelevant. Those examples aren't what I would consider good beats, by any means. A lot of people dig simplistic, overly present, repetitive intervals that overpower every other aspect of a song. I for one don't. I'm simply saying that personally, I value the message above all.

That Bed Intruder ending is obviously a farce, and a take on Elton John. I don't follow the example.

"Nobody would still listen to a song if [they didn't like the beat]"
Would people listen to a song if they didn't like the lyrics? That's like saying "oh, hey, your religion is complete bullshit but you preach it with such conviction. Where do I sign up?"
Oh wait. That happens.


And hey, didjs make for a great factor in a beat!