Importance of Music Lyrics
After a hiatus, I’m back like Eminem in 2000! This time I want to talk about something that’s been a constant in my life —music. Whether it is dealing with work stress and uncertainty, dating dilemmas, or diving into side projects, music has always been there for me. It is like the opening line of Prince and The Revolution’s “Let’s Go Crazy”, which instantly lifts my spirits whenever I am feeling nervous or anxious.
As you might have guessed, I am a huge music enthusiast. I have spent over 7,829 hours listening to music on Spotify in the past five years alone!
In this article, I want to highlight two compelling reasons why we should pay more attention to song lyrics:
Firstly, lyrics offer a unique window into the lives and experiences of people around the world. Often, mainstream news outlets provide limited coverage of international events. I discovered this firsthand when I stumbled upon the artiste Dave and his track “Question Time” on Soundcloud. This seven-minute record delves deep into issues affecting the British public. Through Dave’s lyrics, I learned about some of these struggles including a tragic housing complex fire, inadequate compensation for NHS workers, and lack of accountability from the UK government. Dave’s lyrical storytelling brought awareness to problems international fans might have otherwise missed.
Secondly, song lyrics can be a source of inspiration. Just like the Prince song that boosts my mood, a single line from a song can be more energizing than a can of Red Bull. Take J. Cole’s “Let Nas Down” (link song) as an example. J. Cole’s journey from Fayetteville, North Carolina, to New York City, where he pursued his dreams of becoming a successful musician, was heavily influenced by his idol, Nas. Cole’s emotional connection to Nas’ music was so strong he even taped Nas’ verses on his wall as a teenager. When Nas initially dismissed Cole’s music, it crushed him. However, Cole used that setback as fuel to create the critically acclaimed “Cole World” album in 2011.
In just four minutes and thirty-eight seconds, Cole’s song encapsulates a journey that could easily be the plot of a compelling movie. But why spend hours, and money, in a theatre when you can experience it through music? There are countless hidden stories and emotions in great song lyrics. Other notable mentions in this category include Cadet’s “Closure”, Rapman’s “Shiro Story” trilogy, and Dave’s “How I Met My Ex”.
As Max Kinder put it in 2014: Music deals with broader emotions when it lacks language. It’s the lyrics and how they are delivered that tap into the complexity of human feelings. Music lyrics provide fine emotional details and enhance instrumental pieces. If you’re doubtful, try listening to a piece of music without any words, and even the most insightful musician or music student will fail to give a precise intended meaning.
In conclusion, music lyrics are a powerful tool for understanding the world and finding inspiration. They provide a unique lens through which we can explore different perspectives and stories, and they have the potential to move us in profound ways. So, the next time you listen to a song, pay close attention to the lyrics, they might just change your perspective or provide the motivation you need.
Happy listening!
