Do words or lyrics, if you will, in music really matter? The argument is still on, those negating the importance of words, holding onto the examples of songs old and new (remember that big “Da, Da, Da,” hit by Trio?) that made it big with some, well, to say the least, meager lyrics.
Ok, that does happen within some dance-oriented genres, or elsewhere, but what would singer-songwriters, or hip-hop artists do without good lyrics/words?
“Well I've been out walking
I don't do that much talking these days
These days
These days I seem to think a lot
About the things that I forgot to do
For you
And all the times I had the chance to” (Jackson Browne, “These Days,” 1973)
So wrote Jackson Browne back quite a few decades ago, and his lyrics for the song that was recorded so many times and still leave an effect on the listeners, and prove one more thing - lyrics do matter in most cases make or break a song.
Or as Browne, in a way, proved the point a year later:
“Now the words had all been spoken
And somehow the feeling still wasn't right
And still we continued on through the night
Tracing our steps from the beginning
Until they vanished into the air” (Jackson Browne, “Late For The Sky,” 1974)
Songs with vocals and lousy lyrics do make it, but, more often than not, ” vanish in the air.”
The Record Company - Talk to Me
The Record Company had their ups and downs since the band’s inception back in 2011, but they seem to hold their ground firm with this soulful rocker, and the lyrics are no slouch either.
Onipa - Danger
Well, not that many listeners will know what afro-futurists Onipa are singing here (most of the time), but with such infectious rhythms and inventive arrangement they bring here, maybe it doesn’t matter… or should it?
Tennis Courts - Jamie’s Party
Tennis Courts like their tennis with a melodic power pop background, as this Brooklyn four-peace easily slides through this guitar-driven, summer-tailored, tune.
Devon Gilfillian - All I Really Want To Do
A good soul ballad depends as much on the vocalist (and Gillfilian definitely fits the bill), but also a great arrangement, that here covers both soul old and new.
Rachel Kilgour - Dad Worked Hard
Making a very personal song and lyrics work very much depends on how the singer-songwriter (in this case) can relate it to as many listeners as possible, and Kilgour seems to hit that mark here.
The Footlight District - Electric Cherry Horse
Taking cues from good old hard rock in its prime form is not going to be a problem with listeners if you know how to do it right, and this Chicago band knows how to pick their hard rock and blues influences and fit them all neatly in.
Pearl Earl - Meet Your Maker
There’s a lot of sixties West Coast sound here, so it is no wonder these girls come from L.A., but they also seem to touch base with San Francisco and London in the sixties too.
Hania Rani (with Patric Watson) - Dancing With Ghosts
Polish composer, experimental multi-instrumentalist, and vocalist, with the help of Patric Watson, show how to create a real atmosphere here and shows that she really hit the mark with her song title here.
Martin Frawley - This Is Gonna Change Your Mind
Frawley gives a prime example here of how hard it is to make a sophisticated pop song that has both an intricate melody and lyrics to match, particularly when it works so well, as this one does.
Jacob Miller - Lister
Miller doesn’t seem to have that many Spotify listeners (of course, depending on the standards considered), but judging by this slow-burner he definitely deserves flocks, particularly from singer-songwriter fans.
John Philbrick - Angles
It is easy to hear as Philbrick is billed as a guitarist, as he quite obviously knows that instrument out, but, he also seems to know quite well how to put it to the right use, without too much abuse.
Pale Hound - My Evil
Pale Hound is one El Kempner (they/them), who knows how to combine hot and cold touches, or to be more precise how to inject some guitar rifts and other arrangement details into a very good ballad.
Maddie Zahm - Where Do The All Good Kids Go?
Another ballad that fits Zahm’s intricate voice like a glove, which shows why she became such a big TikTok hit, the added grand arrangement touches just underline the point.
E.G. Phillips - It Ain’t Good To Be In Love With You
This San Francisco singer-songwriter resorts to some nifty jazz touches here and uses them to his full advantage. This is one of those late-night playlists, for sure.
Ghost Hounds - Last Train To Nowhere
Paraphrasing The Monkees, well maybe not, but late great Mike Nesmiths, roots/Americana oeuvre for sure, as well as some other greats of that sound and they do it so well.
Allison Russell - Stay Right Here
Russell’s voice can tell you immediately why she has four Grammy nominations, and here she is given material to show why. Maybe she will win it at some point, and deservedly at that.
Blanco White - Tarifa
Blanco White is Londoner Josh Edwards, who made a name for himself with his first album, with the title track from his upcoming second indicating that such success is not just incidental.
Caitlin Krisko & The Broadcast - Operator
You really have to have a voice like Krisko to carry through a soulful rocker like this one, where The Broadcast provides such tight, faultless backing.
Zilched - Loveless
Zilched is one Chloe Drallos who likes her dream pop with some subtle rhythms in there, not exactly a combination that always works, but Drallos makes sure it does here.
Laura Misch - Hide To Seek
Excellent arrangement, great sample choice, and equally great vocals give an excellent introduction to this London multidisciplinary artist and producer and her upcoming debut album.