I listen to song lyrics a lot more than I did when I was younger.

[raccoon]

Nowadays, just about anything on the radio, I listen carefully to the lyrics.

But I can remember in the 1980’s, when MTV played music videos, my then-boyfriend and I were watching MTV, and suddenly he said, “That song’s not in English.” The music video playing was "99 Luftballons" which is in German. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQYQTFudrqc)

Anybody else experience this?

[closeupready]

1. When you are a teenager, lyrics don't have to make sense -

all that matters is that the song has a catchy melody and a voice - attached to a hot body - that can sing in tune. Producers take care of the rest.

When you're older, there needs to be more in order to catch your attention.

[Warpy]

2. I always listened to lyrics when I was a kid

which is one reason I hated the Beatles when they first came out. In fact, I preferred instrumental music that wasn't ruined by some pimply teenager wailing about not getting enough.

When Dylan came out, I was hooked. No, the man couldn't sing, his band was so-so in the beginning, but those lyrics were pure genius. At last! Music finally had some meaning beyond that thump thump thump to move your feet to.

Oh, I wasn't made of stone and I loved to dance to the mindless stuff. I just didn't listen to it at home.

[demosincebirth]

7. I could never understand Dylan. And you're right...he couldn't sing.

[tridim]

3. I still remember the first time I really listened to Dylan's lyrics.

It was a good day.

I also remember the first time I discovered rhythm's effect on the brain and body. Dancing only made sense to me after that day.

I REALLY remember "99 Luftballons" because I was going through major puberty at the time and I thought Nena (and her voice) was extremely hot. :)

[YOY]

4. There is an English version too you know.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=14IRDDnEPR4

[damntexdem]

5. I listen to them a lot less -- because I can't make them out anymore.

;-)

But when I do hear (or read) them, I pay much more attention to what they say and what they mean.

[JuniperLea]

6. I started playing guitar around age 8...

But had been listening to lyrics for several years. The first song to grab my attention lyrically was The Stones' "Satisfaction." Oh, I'd been listening to The Beatles, and loved the beat and melodies... but it was The Stones who grabbed me lyrically.

I had one grandfather who loved bluegrass and Johnny Cash, and another who loved jazz and the pop standards of his day... he was a huge Bing Crosby fan. Both of these men influenced me musically. One made sure I had access to guitars, banjos, mandolins and fiddles... and the other made sure I had radios, turn tables, and high fidelity speakers.

I got heavily into folk... probably because it was easy for a kid to play on guitar and never too ambitious to sing. Bob Dylan, Joan Baez... Peter, Paul, and Mary... Pete Seeger... Odetta... Lead Belly... Phil Ochs... Joni Mitchell... and who wouldn't love Woody Guthrie? There's a new kid out there I'm really apreciating... Jackie Greene! He's playing the same day that Joan Baez is playing at this year's Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival next month in San Francisco... I'm trying hard to convince myself it's ok to spend the money and go to this one! Holy cowbell!

All this before I hit puberty;) Then nothing but Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath would do. "Generals gathered in their massesssssss... just like witches at black massesssssss... hissssss.... hhahahaha!

I already knew much of the Zep lyrics... but loved the golden haired young bare chested buck who belted them out! And Jimmy Page's guitar mastery blew me away... like Grandpa, on something way psychedelic~ hahaha!