What makes a song good for you?

Verbatim · January 10, 2015, 10:52:05 AM

This is the most basic thread I've ever made.

When it comes to music, what do you look for? Lyrics? A good beat? The message? Do you listen to songs just for their catchy hooks? Does it have to reflect how you're feeling at the time, or do you only like to listen to happy/sad songs? Do you just not care, as long as it sounds good in some nebulous way to you?

What DON'T you like? For me, it's... boring/unoriginal/uninspiring lyrics, beats, melodies... I think if the lyrics are bad, that takes a huge hit from the song's quality for me. It can be really catchy, but if the lyrics are vapid, then the message is vapid, so the song is vapid.

I'm compiling a top 10 list for my site, and I compiled the top 10, but I'm having trouble writing precisely what it is I like about what I'm hearing, beyond just superficial terms. I thought this would be easy, but I guess I need some inspiration.

Mega Sceptile · January 10, 2015, 10:55:05 AM

I enjoy songs with nice flow in the melody, and a real harmony going on between the individual instruments. I also prefer singers who don't sound like they're dying when they sing.

Doctor Doom · January 10, 2015, 10:57:52 AM

Hard to say. Sometimes I'll like one song and hate another song that sounds similar. Usually there's no real deciding factor - I just know that I like/dislike a song, even if it's something I usually don't listen to/love listening to.

Elegiac · January 10, 2015, 10:57:58 AM

A good beat, nice guitars/bass and an intelligent/beautiful message in the lyrics.

clum clum · January 10, 2015, 10:59:16 AM

I'm honestly not sure what I look for in a song. If it sounds good to me, I like it.

Verbatim · January 10, 2015, 11:00:42 AM

Quote from: Nogitsune on January 10, 2015, 10:57:58 AM

A good beat, nice guitars/bass and an intelligent/beautiful message in the lyrics.

You say guitars and bass, which adds another interesting angle to the question. Does what you're hearing have to be "real"? Do you tend to prefer music that isn't electronic? Do you think that electronic music is incapable of producing real emotion or whatever?

'cause i vehemently disagree with you if that's the case, but i mean, that IS how a LOT of people feel, and it astounds me

Elegiac · January 10, 2015, 11:02:16 AM

Quote from: Verbatim on January 10, 2015, 11:00:42 AM

Quote from: Nogitsune on January 10, 2015, 10:57:58 AM
A good beat, nice guitars/bass and an intelligent/beautiful message in the lyrics.
You say guitars and bass, which adds another interesting angle to the question. Does what you're hearing have to be "real"? Do you tend to prefer music that isn't electronic? Do you think that electronic music is incapable of producing real emotion or whatever?

'cause i vehemently disagree with you if that's the case, but i mean, that IS how a LOT of people feel, and it astounds me

I like electronic music but band jams tend to produce more interesting/original music.

Ásgeirr · January 10, 2015, 11:04:55 AM

Good drums and a solid bass line on top of it.
A focus on just either one does it too.

This is like a tl;dr

Mr. Psychologist · January 10, 2015, 11:06:37 AM

I think it's probably the melody for me, the lyrics are still important enough but I'd say the *sound* of a song takes precedence over the words. Not that they don't matter, but it's just not the primary concern <.<
The more technical/complex aspects don't really appeal to me, I know some people love to listen to things that to the layman just sound like a pack of Noise Marines trying to kill a guardsman but... eh...

-Unrelated chip in-

Quote from: Verbatim on January 10, 2015, 11:00:42 AM

Quote from: Nogitsune on January 10, 2015, 10:57:58 AM
A good beat, nice guitars/bass and an intelligent/beautiful message in the lyrics.
You say guitars and bass, which adds another interesting angle to the question. Does what you're hearing have to be "real"? Do you tend to prefer music that isn't electronic? Do you think that electronic music is incapable of producing real emotion or whatever?

'cause i vehemently disagree with you if that's the case, but i mean, that IS how a LOT of people feel, and it astounds me

Synthesised music is perfectly capable of producing emotions, however it's a bit hit and miss because it tends to rely more on the skills of the composer/writer to overcome the robotic barrier as it were >.>

My pet hatred is of fanatical music purists who dismiss things they don't like because it's not 'real' enough for them.

Loaf · January 10, 2015, 11:09:33 AM

ITT people quantifying their taste and not just saying they're willing to explore limitless possibilities.

rC · January 10, 2015, 11:10:14 AM

Quote from: Loaf on January 10, 2015, 11:09:33 AM

ITT people quantifying their taste and not just saying they're willing to explore limitless possibilities.

Dustin · January 10, 2015, 11:14:08 AM

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Verbatim · January 10, 2015, 11:14:22 AM

Quote from: Loaf on January 10, 2015, 11:09:33 AM

ITT people quantifying their taste and not just saying they're willing to explore limitless possibilities.

i'm really really not though

after i get done listening to a bad song, i'm like

wow, that was four minutes i could've spent listening to a song that i DO like

so it kinda matters

rC · January 10, 2015, 11:15:18 AM

Quote from: Dustin xLilD on January 10, 2015, 11:14:08 AM

Quote from: RC on January 10, 2015, 11:10:14 AM
Quote from: Loaf on January 10, 2015, 11:09:33 AM
ITT people quantifying their taste and not just saying they're willing to explore limitless possibilities.
Shut up gayboy
Getting a boner from gay porn does not make you gay, especially when they look exactly like girls.

You're gay and fat Dustin, just get over it.

Loaf · January 10, 2015, 11:15:26 AM

Quote from: Verbatim on January 10, 2015, 11:14:22 AM

Quote from: Loaf on January 10, 2015, 11:09:33 AM
ITT people quantifying their taste and not just saying they're willing to explore limitless possibilities.
i'm really really not though

after i get done listening to a bad song, i'm like

wow, that was four minutes i could've spent listening to a song that i DO like

so it kinda matters

what makes one song bad may not make another song bad.

Dustin · January 10, 2015, 11:16:17 AM

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rC · January 10, 2015, 11:18:10 AM

Quote from: Dustin xLilD on January 10, 2015, 11:16:17 AM

Quote from: RC on January 10, 2015, 11:15:18 AM
Quote from: Dustin xLilD on January 10, 2015, 11:14:08 AM
Quote from: RC on January 10, 2015, 11:10:14 AM
Quote from: Loaf on January 10, 2015, 11:09:33 AM
ITT people quantifying their taste and not just saying they're willing to explore limitless possibilities.
Shut up gayboy
Getting a boner from gay porn does not make you gay, especially when they look exactly like girls.
You're gay and fat Dustin, just get over it.
Stop calling me fucking fat or I'm going to come to your house and kill you

LOL as if you have the stamina to walk up my driveway.

Mr. Psychologist · January 10, 2015, 11:18:15 AM

I just want to point something out, but I'd rather not see this thread get derailed.
Loaf, RC's running joke is homophobia and it certainly seems convincing to people who aren't used to it. Just letting you know that he's not a complete jackass <.<
RC, I'd drop the joke for now. Not completely but just for this sort of thing.

Loaf · January 10, 2015, 11:18:43 AM

alright

rC · January 10, 2015, 11:18:51 AM

Quote from: Mr Psychologist on January 10, 2015, 11:18:15 AM

I just want to point something out, but I'd rather not see this thread get derailed.
Loaf, RC's running joke is homophobia and it certainly seems convincing to people who aren't used to it. Just letting you know that he's not a complete jackass <.<
RC, I'd drop the joke for now. Not completely but just for this sort of thing.

okay but why

Mr. Psychologist · January 10, 2015, 11:23:37 AM

Quote from: RC on January 10, 2015, 11:18:51 AM

Quote from: Mr Psychologist on January 10, 2015, 11:18:15 AM
I just want to point something out, but I'd rather not see this thread get derailed.
Loaf, RC's running joke is homophobia and it certainly seems convincing to people who aren't used to it. Just letting you know that he's not a complete jackass <.<
RC, I'd drop the joke for now. Not completely but just for this sort of thing.
okay but why

I'll send you a PM <.<

Thread can go back on topic now.

Zizzy · January 10, 2015, 11:34:27 AM

Awesome riffs and solos. And often if something is very musically/technical impressive it can make it very pleasing to listen to.

Luke · January 10, 2015, 11:35:12 AM

Good lyrics, good beat, great guitar riffs and drums.

More Than Mortal · January 10, 2015, 11:35:23 AM

Something that has a proper degree of emotionally resonance.

YouTube

Exhibit A.

YouTube

Exhibit B.

YouTube

Exhibit C.

aMetroid · January 10, 2015, 11:36:43 AM

Depends on what I want to listen to at the time.

UnwornUniform · January 10, 2015, 11:42:17 AM

Lyrics that aren't stupid and make no sense or are well stupid. Like most popular artists these days sadly.
Within the 12-18 age demographic of course.

Naoto · January 10, 2015, 11:49:47 AM

A good beat and flow are usually more important to me than anything else.
As long as its not country or pop I can usually find something I enjoy in the genre.

Word Wizard · January 10, 2015, 11:51:00 AM

Basic easy to follow lyrics (preferably that repeat over and over)
Loud sporadic beat
Sexualization of women
Lil Jon music

challengerX · January 10, 2015, 11:54:49 AM

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Super Irish · January 10, 2015, 11:59:05 AM

In alternative rock a good beat is needed. If the beat is too upbeat/too slow for the general theme of the song it just sounds off.

I don't really care much about lyrics, just as long as it doesn't interfere with the music too much.