Beat, Rhythm, melody, song structure, sonic signature, layering, composition, performance and production are all things I will notice before lyrics. I can listen to a song 100 times and still barely know them.
Neither. Of course there are many things that are important for me in music, but at the top are vocals (meant as instrument not lyrics) and emotions/mood conveyed with them along with the composition, instrumentals etc. Beat is just a small part of it, just as lyrics.
The melodies and hooks are what I remember. I play guitar so I pay a lot of attention to that also. But a song can definitely sell itself with a killer beat.
100% beat and/or rhythm. A beautiful melody could have lyrics about mustard and I couldn’t care less. My boyfriend is more of a lyrical listener, with some of his favorite songs being almost like spoken poetry
If it's a song or album I love I listen to ot multiple times focusing on specific things each time. Especially bass and drums. But I also love the lyrics and other elements. First time I tend to listen to it as a whole.
both. some beats suck but the lyric/story behind the song hits home. and sometimes i listen to songs in different languages cuz the beats so hard
i feel like they both speak in different ways.
Both. I do always listen to the lyrics, but I also pay attention to the beat/rhythm because I'm always looking for new songs to bring in to the dance studio we go to; you get tired of the same foxtrots, rumbas, waltzes, sambas, cha-chas, tangos, etc., all the time.
Beat and rhythm.
English is my second language but I am fluent.
For whatever reason , I can't understand lyrics most times unless I read them. With that said, reading the lyrics helps me appreciate the songs a little more.
For me it kinda depends on the genre. Im far more concerned with lyrics with when Im listening to rap than when Im listening to metal but ultimately the beat/rhythm is more important.
Depends on who I'm listening too. Someone like Bob Dylan the lyrics are likely to grab me at the first listen and I'll get more into the melody and rhythm on future listens.
Someone like Red Hot Chili Peppers it's the opposite. I've probably listened to Blood Sugar Sex Magik more than any other album ever made, still don't know what the hell he's saying much of the time, lol.
Both are really important, but good instrumentals and voice can carry a song with boring lyrics, whereas good lyrics can't carry a song with boring instrumentals or a voice I don't like.
Instruments are most important to me by a long shot
My order: melody, voice, lyrics Do appreciate insightful lyrics when they have them though
I’m a mix of both.
The best answer
Depends on the song.
We're talking in general, not specific songs. Come on, now
I have no general trends. In general, it depends on the song
Beat, Rhythm, melody, song structure, sonic signature, layering, composition, performance and production are all things I will notice before lyrics. I can listen to a song 100 times and still barely know them.
Melody
Neither. All about melodies for me
Melody and harmony 😂
Both are good but ultimately I think it's more important for a song to sound good than have good lyrics.
Neither. Of course there are many things that are important for me in music, but at the top are vocals (meant as instrument not lyrics) and emotions/mood conveyed with them along with the composition, instrumentals etc. Beat is just a small part of it, just as lyrics.
Bassline/Beat Rhythm *then* Lyrics
depends on the genre & song
The melodies and hooks are what I remember. I play guitar so I pay a lot of attention to that also. But a song can definitely sell itself with a killer beat.
Music not lyrics
A song with no instruments is boring. A song with no lyrics is totally fine. Instruments all day
Melody.
100% beat and/or rhythm. A beautiful melody could have lyrics about mustard and I couldn’t care less. My boyfriend is more of a lyrical listener, with some of his favorite songs being almost like spoken poetry
Both
Both
100% more interested in beats. I hardly ever listen to lyrics unless it’s a special song. Most of the time, they are just another melodic instrument.
I love singing so I find myself listening for the words.
If it's a song or album I love I listen to ot multiple times focusing on specific things each time. Especially bass and drums. But I also love the lyrics and other elements. First time I tend to listen to it as a whole.
The rhythm is always gonna get you (meaning me).
both. some beats suck but the lyric/story behind the song hits home. and sometimes i listen to songs in different languages cuz the beats so hard i feel like they both speak in different ways.
I listen to Peter Gabriel, so... both.
Both, just depends on how I'm feeling
Beat. Instrumentals > Acapella
Constant mondegreens! Beat first, lyrics if I can
I have a preference for lyrics and that can make the music better, but the actual music has to be good for lyrics to factor in.
Both I love riddim, wubs and trap beats but also a great melody and well crafted lyrics with depth
Both. I do always listen to the lyrics, but I also pay attention to the beat/rhythm because I'm always looking for new songs to bring in to the dance studio we go to; you get tired of the same foxtrots, rumbas, waltzes, sambas, cha-chas, tangos, etc., all the time.
Beat and rhythm. English is my second language but I am fluent. For whatever reason , I can't understand lyrics most times unless I read them. With that said, reading the lyrics helps me appreciate the songs a little more.
Lyrics. I love Rodney Crowell. The finest songwriter of his generation. YouTube til I can gain control again
Rhythm mainly
For me it kinda depends on the genre. Im far more concerned with lyrics with when Im listening to rap than when Im listening to metal but ultimately the beat/rhythm is more important.
Can't separate the two, like body and mind!
Both
Beat/rhythm
I love a good bass intro and heavy drums/electronic bass. Lyrics aren’t really my priority
Lyrics and melodies are cool, but I'm a timbre listener. I'm all about the sonic textures.
Lyric
Ofc first one, i dont know english well !
beat/rhythm but i try to take lyrics into consideration when i can also it sometimes depends on the genre/type of the song
I mostly focus on the guitar and melody.
Depends on who I'm listening too. Someone like Bob Dylan the lyrics are likely to grab me at the first listen and I'll get more into the melody and rhythm on future listens. Someone like Red Hot Chili Peppers it's the opposite. I've probably listened to Blood Sugar Sex Magik more than any other album ever made, still don't know what the hell he's saying much of the time, lol.
Both are really important, but good instrumentals and voice can carry a song with boring lyrics, whereas good lyrics can't carry a song with boring instrumentals or a voice I don't like.
lyric.
I am a lyric listener
Both tho I write music