“There is no such thing as a hit lyric..."

"...there are hit melodies, which if you’re lucky, you’ll get a great lyric that goes with it.

People don’t listen to records for the lyric. If they like the record enough, because they like the feel of it and they like the melody, then they’ll start to listen to the lyrics.”

***

This quote is from a record producer with over 500 production credits to his name (according to Discogs).

Is this a spicy take, or is there some truth to this statement?

 

"Sussudio"

 

Tell that to Bob Dylan.

His melodies are lame, his music is lower than basic (guitar and harmonica), yet he sold millions of records. I wonder why? Could it have been because of, I don't know, his lyrics?

 

Hammer would disagree. All music stops for the hit lyric "Can't touch this" which became a catchphrase in popular culture at the time.

 

.. try and tell that to any of the hit-making rappers out there.

 

I think there is some truth to that, but it completely ignores novelty hits or songs like “Thrift Shop” that sold largely because of their funny or quotable lyrics.

 

For pop hits yes. At least for me, I tend to listen to the music first including the vocal melody and the actual sound of the words fitting with the music... not so much what the words are, if that makes any sense. On repeated listens is when I'll put 2 and 2 together on the actual words.

 

A lot of hits are probably born from social compliance. get enough people repeating that a specific song is good and most people (everyday radio listeners) will actually "like" the song

 

Hit lyric.

 

Same for me as well

I think this is an interesting conversation. Years ago I heard/read someone refer to music as the "art of sound", and that remark has always stayed with me and feels especially appropriate when discussing lyrics in the pop/rock tradition. You could view lyrics as a way to carry the melody, and there are so many examples from history of nonsense lyrics but the song is considered great.

 

Come on, baby, light my fire.

See ya later, Alligator.

R-E-S-P-E-C-T

Like a rolling stone...

There are tons of hit lyrics that were sure-fire to be popular, IMHO.

 

Imagine? But I get his point.

 

It's both the lyrics and melody -- and the phrasing -- the way they fit together. And probably a bunch of intangibles.

 

Haaaaaaaaaaaaa...ever hear of a guy named-Smokey Robinson?

 

Counterpoint: those lyrics wouldn't be classic (or even popular at all) if the music was awful

 

Tell that to all the manufactured boy bands being pumped out by the industry!

Love, love, love....

 

I am sure that "God Save the Queen" wasn't a UK #1 due to the great riff alone.

 

I'm a huge Dylan fan, and my fandom has nothing to do with his lyrics.

 

Maybe not a hit lyric, I´ll give you that. A few, perhaps - novelty songs, and epic, sweeping lyrics that refuse to be overlooked. Also story songs like Bobbie Gentry´s "ODE TO BILLE JOE". I was first grabbed by the opening motif on the guitar, and then by the voice. (I first heard Tammy Wynette´s cover of the song, and I still love that one, as well.)

But in general, I do hear the melody, the arrangements and the rhythms first. Sometimes, when I am lucky, the lyrics are good. I love Janis Ian, Carly Simon and Joni Mitchell - first I did for the tunes, but I stayed for the wonderful lyrics, which made me love the songs - and the artists - even more.

 

And another big hit using the Na na na lyric.
Will Smith - Gettin' Jiggy Wit It (Official Video)

 

Was that your best shot? You beat me to the punch

 

That's the only KM record I have any liking for and it's not for the lyrics.

 

All them "talking blues" things the music is pretty much exactly the same for each one.

 

Really ?

 

You don't hear them anymore, but novelty songs were all about the lyrics.