When you listen to an album?

Both - firstly the tune has to be at least slightly good if not fantastic and then I like to know what the story is about. Helps to stimulate more emotion, for example; how would Neil Young’s "Heart Of Gold" sound if the lyrics were unfathomable?

But I can make sweeping allowances, especially with foreign languages I don’t understand and by far prefer listening to opera sung in French, German or Italian, anything but English, but best when I relax in the armchair holding the libretto in one hand (to read the translation to the story as it‘s happening) and a glass of rouge in the other  

Debs

I tend to agree with n_n in that either the tune or the lyric must be much better than average in order to support the other part.

For my examples I will give:-

1) Tinariwen (or similar) - Can't understand the words but find the music most joyous and uplifting

2) HMHB - Lyrically near the top of the Premiership but musically just a better than most bunch of pub-rockers in the lower divisions and, before I Irk the Purists, I am a big fan and wouldn't change their blend of talents in any way.

Ron

This is a difficult question,like why do you like a particular food dish.

Is it a chemical change in the brian that goes in the good+ area?

So I tend to select /reject albums after a single hearing, something that can be more easily recognised these days with the likes of Spotify and we7.

I think for my self it must be an overall sound, like Ron I listen to traditional songs , in Gaelic and really enjoy them, even though I have absolutely no Gaelic.

On  the other hand I didn't listen to Dylan for the tunes.

I like Rons HMHB comments, spot on. 

> 2) HMHB - Lyrically near the top of the Premiership but musically just a better than most bunch of pub-rockers in the lower divisions and, before I Irk the Purists, I am a big fan and wouldn't change their blend of talents in any way.

 LyricallyAT  the top of the Premiership and a good few points clear with games in hand  
(they have arrived where the Tractor Boys should be in 2 years time). 

I know exactly what you mean though. 

Well the words usually come first with me, but the tune is important - I do listen to some instrumental music, but it has to be exceptionally Ozric (i.e. wonderful) to hold my attention. I really don't like groups who employ dancers, as this is a distraction to me; one of the reasons I shy away from live music is that many groups put the performance before the song. For me it is the song that comes first. I don't want the singer or guitarist drawing attention to themselves just sing or play the song [Sir Keith excepted, of course].

And when I see waving cigarette lighters or people swaying about on others' shoulders then I know it is time to run for the hills. It is a bit like having relatives around who insist on talking through the re-run of Supermarket Sweep, it is just not cricket. 

So words a smidgeon ahead of the tune, but the song comes first - no choreography please, we're British. 

All the best, Guy

...but the song remains the same!

Definitely tunes. Anyone who listens to a lot of vintage Yes doesn't give a toss about lyrics! Tunes can grab me and stop me in my tracks, but lyrics never have.

Music being the universal language . . . .   I would imagine most people first hear the tune, or rhythm of the song.  My crazy brain usually (but not always) listens with a rhythmical sense.  Next is the tune, followed by lyrics, a distant third.

I always feel guilty that I'm missing so much of the song by Not listening enough to the lyrics.  Indeed a great many songs . . .

One of the joys of rediscovering a great artist like Bob Dylan.  Almost forces you to switch-up your listening habits.  His music is poetry set to song.

Max

P.S.  Interesting topic Gale, thank you.