Why is it that so many of you are so indifferent to poetry yet LOVE lyrics?

Question

That's like saying you think a girl is cute but that her twin sister is ugly. Or like saying you think a girl is cute, but only if there is music playing in the backround as she walks in the door. lol

Point well taken by all of you, I especially like your answer Iheartsnickers (and your name lol). I guess what really frustrates me is that time and time again, people pay NO ATTENTION to poetry and yet they belt their favorite songs at the top of their lungs. Does that mean that the words don't mean a thing to them? That it music is just a phonetic experience for them. That seems to be the case, which is so unfortunate because the lyrics to a song are and always should be one of the most hauntingly powerful elements.

VERY well said enigmagirl. Hmmmm, mostly girls here, I wonder what's up with that?

Netty, that's funny you should say that cuz I usually refer to them as fraternal twins, but for the sake of this question I went with identical. Some really good points here though guys.

Answer 1

I personally love poetry AND lyrics. I suspect, though, that if the words to some of the most beautiful poems were put to music and played on the radio, more people would have a new found appreciation for them. Also, many people are too busy (or lazy) to read, AND much poetry is quite difficult to understand for many people.

Answer 2

Poetry is BEAUTIFUL. It means something very special when someone writes you poetry. Poetry and lyrics are the same thing, but maybe when you put poetry to music and add a wonderful voice you can feel the power of the words & are touched more deeply. Some people don't hear poetry as we do...and song helps to illustrate the emotion for them

Answer 3

wait a second! haven't you ever found yourself humming a tune that you didn't really like the lyrics to?

adding music to the words is like taking something two-dimensional (I love poetry, don't get me wrong) and making it 3D.

poetry is about you and the words, about how words alone convery meaning. music has a whole other dimension--that can take the meaning of the words and twist it completely--make it darker, lighter, insincere, etc.

believe me, I would never say/recite Shaggy's "how could I forget that I had given her an extra key..." if it weren't for that damned tune.

anyway, I just don't think they can be compared to twins--unless they're fraternal twins... a boy and a girl at that...

I mean, would you call a laundry list like "you know dasher and dancer and prancer and vixen..." poetry?

just my two cents ;-)

I do share your frustration for those who dismiss poets tho'!

Answer 4

I think that much good poetry is somewhat inaccessible to people, while lyrics are more straightforward and easier to get into. Since lyrics are more formulaic than much poetry, people can use their knowledge of the formulas of popular music to understand the lyrics while the poetry eludes them.

Just a theory.

Answer 5

because they dont know that lyrics come from poetry or sometimes they both are same thing but mostli i think people dont give a chance to poetry ..on the other hand lyrics are everywhere.. i mean in music so they have to give it a chance...ahh .well thts what i think

Answer 6

I am quite the opposite....I love poetry, but cannot stand most lyrics today. Keep your rappers and pop artists; give me Yeats or cummings any ole day.

Answer 7

Its too deep for casual moments. poetry is sort of an acquired taste. I think it comes with age and maturity and maybe even like wisdom. when I'm 58 I'll like poetry

Answer 8

I like poetry, it's music to my hears!

Answer 9

Poetry doesn't get good til you add the music. (Like Kool Aid powder, no good til you add water.)

Answer 10

they're the same...!
it's just that people are more prone to listening to songs than reading poems...honestly, which would you rather do..?