Music vs Lyrics

[elipie]

Dec 1, 2011 23:26:43 GMT -5 xitsmymindx said:

Something I am SO guilty of: if a show or movie stars a singer, I will often vid to one of their songs. The exception being Charmed/Alyssa Milano. But she hasn't sung in forever and it was all early 90s pop that is NOT good for vidding xD

I think you're me. There are definitely some guaranteed lulz when you do that!

[legoline]

Dec 1, 2011 13:13:58 GMT -5 dragonchic said:

People vid shows to their own theme songs?? Granted anime often has epic theme music but I'd steal it for another fandom.

Which reminds me of another thing--the "opening credits in the style of" vids. I must admit that I really, really love some of them. Like Merlin in the style of The Tudors or my absolute favourite, Doctor Who in the style of Buffy (that one just mirrors the editing of Buffy SO well.) Granted, those songs have no lyrics...whoops. The theme that has probably been done to death is "Friends" but I do love these fake opening credits for Robin Hood. Honestly, I think with those opening credits the show would have made more sense, too

[dragonchic]

Oh I love those Merlin credits! ;D The Tudors has such an epic opening, blending the two was an awesome idea.

[badfishmuser]

I know I'm resurrecting an old topic, but I wanted to weigh in if no one minds. I'm not a vidder, just a vid fan, beta and constructive critic (when asked). When I first see a vid, I'm not paying attention to the lyrics straight away, but I will look them up afterward. Like some have said, I also have trouble understanding vocals in songs. Which is probably why I'm so hard on talky face, it distracting me from discerning the vocals.
To me, a song's instrumental parts form a visual image and movement of its own, along with what's on the video, while the vocals tell the story part, if that makes any sense. Both parts are equally important to me, but I don't prefer a certain style (okay, I reeaaaally don't like country; bluegrass is okay though) when it comes to vidding. I have found that I tend to avoid completely instrumental vids. I guess the vocals are important to me in establishing story.

JMHO, YMMV

:-)

[obsessive24]

That's interesting, badfishmuser - let me make sure I understand what you're saying. So for you vocals are important because they tell the story, even though you can't discern lyrics upon the first view?

Or do you mean "lyrics" when you say "vocals" and are saying that since you can't discern lyrics upon the first view, you can't make out the story upon the first view?

I mean, I think I fully understood what you're saying until the last bit about instrumental vids, and then you lost me. Because if vocals (lyrics?) are important to you in establishing story, but you have trouble understanding them without looking them up, then how are you comprehending the story prior to looking up the lyrics?

I guess what I'm getting at is that there must be something else too (at least in well-constructed vids) that helps you to understand the story upon the first viewing, not just the lyrics. And if that's the case, I'm not sure why instrumental vids would categorically not work for you?

[badfishmuser]

Hi obsessive24! Yes, sorry if I wasn't clear. I'm often not when I try to communicate and I apologize. I had brain surgery three years past and often have a hard time getting my thoughts across. Therefore, I hope you don't mind a longer reply to explain myself better.

Yes, of course, it is more than lyrics that establish a story for me (and yes, vocals mean lyrics, I couldn't think of the word first time around.) All vids to me have a visual story, since I am now (again, since the surgery) a more visual and audial (instrumental) person. It's been quite an epiphany, since I've been watching vids for eight years now. It is a strange paradox that 'only instrumental' vids don't appeal to me in this sense, but honestly, they just don't. I don't know why. I enjoy instrumental music and listen to it often, but I don't want to watch vids to it.

I only look at the lyrics later because I want to see the vid..... 'fresh' I guess (I use words weirdly sometimes, sorry), without any previous bias to the song or anything, just to see how the music moves to the visuals. I saw the 'Marble House' Doctor/Martha vid this way (sorry, can't recall the vidder, wish I could, since I no longer have the link) and it was spectacular on its own without even knowing the lyrics yet. I watched it over and over, trying to discern the lyrics on my own, in the context of the vid itself. When I later looked them up, I saw how perfect the lyrics fit the context and was even more amazed.

That example, I think, is the only way to explain it. When I alpha/beta a vid, it's kind of the opposite. I look at the lyrics first to comprehend the story, then watch the visual and feel the music to see if it fits the musicality and context.

Does any of this make any sense? :-)

[obsessive24]

It's very interesting to hear that your brain surgery has made you a more visual/audial person. It would be fascinating to know more about that, if you wouldn't mind sharing of course.

I too tend to dislike instrumental vids in general, but not because they are instrumental. My dislike simply stems from the fact that instrumental vids are harder to structure, and I haven't seen many that pull it off well, IMO. So I was just curious whether instrumental vids don't appeal to you categorically, or whether it's more a matter of perhaps not having been exposed to good instrumental vids.

Marble House is by hollywoodgrrl. You can find it here. It's one of my favourite vids as well. I love that the lyrical structure gives it so many layers, not least because of the various POV assignment.