Would you listen to music in a language you didn't understand?

Keigh · 06-10-2010, 09:13 AM

Music is music to me. Im not into lyrics that much anyway. There's no denying a great song with good lyrics but a language barrier has never stopped me from enjoying good music, no matter where it comes from. Sometimes you can feel a song's intent through the performance even if you can't understand the words. One of my favorites is Youssou N'dor from Senegal who has worked with Peter Gabriel. He sings in his native language, mbalax and french. Also Israeli pop singer, Noa who sings in her native language, yemenite hebrew as well as arabic, french, spanish, italian, thai and english.

21stCenturyAndroidMan · 06-11-2010, 01:44 AM

Sigur Ros, can't understand a word but I love them.

austinmiller · 06-11-2010, 02:21 AM

If we are only talking about the music here, I admit I would like to listen to the music from any part of the world. But when it comes to the lyrics, I would certainly not waste my time to listen a song in any weird unknown language.

Zaqarbal · 06-12-2010, 02:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tea Supremacist

It's one thing hearing a song you understand and thinking 'yeah, those are great lyrics' but I wouldn't go out of my way to translate what I don't understand.

Actually you don't have to translate anything. Translations are already made. They are on the Internet, available for anyone who wants to have a look.

To bother to consult them or not, depends on several things (music genre, personal tastes, band or singer's features, etc.). Sometimes the strong point of a band or a singer are lyrics. Sometimes just the sound. Sometimes both things. But if I find out that certain artist I like stands out for his lyrics, I personally don't mind taking two minutes to read a translation. Unfortunately I don't have those paranormal abilities to grasp the "essences" of a song that some people seem to own.

*EDIT. To clarify my own ideas I've decided to put an example from a specially talented singer-songwriter. That is, one of those cases in which knowing the lyrics could be interesting for a music lover. Extract from Ne me quite pas (Jacques Brel):

"Moi je t'offrirai
Des perles de pluie
Venues de pays
Où il ne pleut pas"

OK, so, listeners who don't speak French can be divided in three groups:

A. Those who don't care if the guy says "I'll offer you pearls of rain that come from countries where rain never falls" (which is what he really sings) or "I hate this f***ing Parisian weather".
B. Those who are confident that their paranormal capacities work propely, in order to get the meaning mentally.
C. Those who decide to consult a translation on the Internet.

Nadia · 06-17-2010, 02:51 PM

I listen to Iranian music, and I can only understand a little of it, but I really like it. Although lyrics are important, it won't put me off if I don't understand them.

Hank The Drifter · 06-17-2010, 02:58 PM

Alright, I'm very strange when it comes to this.

I listen to a lot of metal where I've got absolutely no idea what is being said and most of the time don't care because lets face it [most] metal isn't known for its strong lyrics. With that being said, if I'm listening to something with clean vocals I want to be able to understand what the person is saying. Sadly, I'm normally turned off by really strange [strange to my ears anyway, lol] foreign accents.

Overall though, yes and no. It really just depends. I'm one of those people that when I'm alone listening to things I like to mouth the words and such so I like understanding them.

chiara73d · 06-17-2010, 04:24 PM

Yeah, I love Vocaloid! It's in Japanese.

Jumby · 06-18-2010, 04:47 AM

I like Sigor Ros very much - and I don't think anyone understands their lyrics...

TheFolkslave · 06-18-2010, 07:28 AM

Lyrics aren't always that important for me anyway so it doesn't matter if I understand them or not. It's more about the tone of the voice and how it fits with the music. Also Im really into instrumental music so no lyrics there either.
Besides Sigur Rós which everyone seems to love (rightfully so since they are just amazing.) I love this german band called Empyrium. Their last album was completely in german. I understand some german but not that much and I still enjoy this album immensly.

thomasglickman · 06-18-2010, 10:32 AM

I really don't mind listening to music I don't understand as long as the beat and blend are great.

06-11-2010, 02:21 AM	#103 (permalink)
austinmiller Groupie Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 3	If we are only talking about the music here, I admit I would like to listen to the music from any part of the world. But when it comes to the lyrics, I would certainly not waste my time to listen a song in any weird unknown language. Last edited by austinmiller; 06-11-2010 at 05:59 AM.

06-17-2010, 02:58 PM	#106 (permalink)
Hank The Drifter Take it easy, but take it Join Date: May 2010 Location: Georgia Posts: 213	Alright, I'm very strange when it comes to this. I listen to a lot of metal where I've got absolutely no idea what is being said and most of the time don't care because lets face it [most] metal isn't known for its strong lyrics. With that being said, if I'm listening to something with clean vocals I want to be able to understand what the person is saying. Sadly, I'm normally turned off by really strange [strange to my ears anyway, lol] foreign accents. Overall though, yes and no. It really just depends. I'm one of those people that when I'm alone listening to things I like to mouth the words and such so I like understanding them. __________________ “If a song can't be written in 20 minutes, it ain't worth writing.” - Hank Williams

06-18-2010, 07:28 AM	#109 (permalink)
TheFolkslave Music Addict Join Date: May 2010 Location: Finland Posts: 458	Lyrics aren't always that important for me anyway so it doesn't matter if I understand them or not. It's more about the tone of the voice and how it fits with the music. Also Im really into instrumental music so no lyrics there either. Besides Sigur Rós which everyone seems to love (rightfully so since they are just amazing.) I love this german band called Empyrium. Their last album was completely in german. I understand some german but not that much and I still enjoy this album immensly. __________________ My Last.Fm Well I come from the old time baby, where all the kids are crazy.

06-18-2010, 10:32 AM	#110 (permalink)
thomasglickman Groupie Join Date: May 2010 Location: Chicago, Illinois Posts: 11	I really don't mind listening to music I don't understand as long as the beat and blend are great. __________________ Link Removed No Advertising Please

06-10-2010, 09:13 AM	#101 (permalink)
Keigh Music Addict Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Philadelphia Posts: 83	Music is music to me. Im not into lyrics that much anyway. There's no denying a great song with good lyrics but a language barrier has never stopped me from enjoying good music, no matter where it comes from. Sometimes you can feel a song's intent through the performance even if you can't understand the words. One of my favorites is Youssou N'dor from Senegal who has worked with Peter Gabriel. He sings in his native language, mbalax and french. Also Israeli pop singer, Noa who sings in her native language, yemenite hebrew as well as arabic, french, spanish, italian, thai and english.

06-11-2010, 01:44 AM	#102 (permalink)
21stCenturyAndroidMan Music Addict Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Australia Posts: 53	Sigur Ros, can't understand a word but I love them.

06-17-2010, 02:51 PM	#105 (permalink)
Nadia Groupie Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: nowhere near you Posts: 45	I listen to Iranian music, and I can only understand a little of it, but I really like it. Although lyrics are important, it won't put me off if I don't understand them.

06-17-2010, 04:24 PM	#107 (permalink)
chiara73d Groupie Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 6	Yeah, I love Vocaloid! It's in Japanese.

06-18-2010, 04:47 AM	#108 (permalink)
Jumby Groupie Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 3	I like Sigor Ros very much - and I don't think anyone understands their lyrics...