Are Lyrics Still Important?

By Elana Harte

Short answer?

Yes.

Long answer? Also yes — but with nuance.

Before we get philosophical, let’s define the thing we’re talking about. Lyrics are the words that make up a song — the verses, the choruses, the lines we sing in the shower and shout in arenas. The person who writes them is a lyricist. In opera, they’re called a librettist. In rap and grime, the words are often spoken rhythmically rather than sung.

They can be literal. They can be abstract. They can be crystal clear. They can be almost unintelligible.

Sometimes they’re poetry. Sometimes they’re pure rhythm. Sometimes they’re just syllables that feel good in the mouth.

So — are they still important?

Absolutely.

But only as important as the song demands.

Intention Determines Importance

There are plenty of almost-great songs whose lyrics never quite matched the melody — where the words and music felt slightly at odds.

There are also undeniable hits where the lyric isn’t the star at all. In those cases, the vocal exists primarily to support the emotional tone of the music.

So what’s the difference?

Intention.

If you’re writing a narrative-driven country song that hinges on detail, setting, and emotional storytelling — then yes, the lyrics must carry weight. They are the vehicle.

If you’re writing a high-energy anthem meant for thousands of people to shout in unison? The lyric still matters — but its purpose shifts. Now it’s about rhythm, memorability, communal release.

Different goal. Different function. Same importance.

Lyrics Can Be Anything — As Long As They Do Something

Lyrics can be:

· Profound

· Silly

· Devastating

· Tongue-in-cheek

· Placeholder lines that accidentally become permanent

But they must do something.

They must move the song forward. Or hold it still intentionally. Or deepen the emotional landscape. Or heighten the energy.

They can whisper or scream — but they cannot be neutral.

A lyric that does nothing weakens the entire structure.

Prosody: Where It All Comes Together

If there’s one “rule” in songwriting, it’s this: everything should work together.

Songwriting legend Pat Pattison puts it beautifully in his discussion of prosody. He argues that while there are tools rather than rules in songwriting, prosody is the exception. Prosody means that all elements of the song — melody, harmony, rhythm, lyric — align to support the central emotion and message.

In other words:

The music should feel like the words. The words should sound like the feeling. Everything should point in the same direction.

That’s where songs elevate from good to unforgettable.

Lyrics don’t exist in isolation. They work with melody to make a point — whether that point is heartbreak, defiance, joy, sarcasm, or pure adrenaline.

They can be simple and repetitive. They can be intricate and layered.

But they must serve the purpose of the song.

When Lyrics Hit

Consider how direct and unapologetic Lily Allen is in “Fuck You.” The lyric lands immediately — no ambiguity. The hook and message are crystal clear.

Or take Chappell Roan’s “Super Graphic Ultra Modern Girl.” The boldness of the lyric is inseparable from the musical energy. The words and melody amplify each other.

Strong hooks. Strong intent. Strong alignment.

And then there’s the fascinating case of the Backstreet Boys’ “I Want It That Way.” Andreas Carlsson has shared that the lyrics were somewhat abstract and loosely formed — and yet the song became a global phenomenon. Why?

Because they worked.

The syllables felt right. The melody carried them. And over time, listeners assigned their own meaning.

Sometimes the emotional truth of a lyric matters more than its literal logic.

What Lyrics Should (and Shouldn’t) Do

Lyrics are critical not just for what they say — but for what they avoid.

They shouldn’t distract from the core emotion. They shouldn’t contradict the melody (unless that tension is intentional). They shouldn’t exist without purpose.

Every word should earn its place.

Just like melody. Just like harmony. Just like rhythm.

Nothing accidental. Even the accidents should feel intentional.

So — Are Lyrics Still Important?

Yes.

Not because they have to be poetic. Not because they have to be complex. Not because they have to “mean” something profound.

They’re important because they shape experience.

They guide feeling. They anchor memory. They give listeners language for emotions they couldn’t articulate themselves.

And when they align with the music?

That’s when a song stops being sound —

and becomes impact.

Elana Harte is a member of the Sling Sisters and is a Canadian songwriter and recording artist whose musical career is rooted in storytelling, collaboration, and a deep sense of place

Website - elanaharte.com