Equipemnt to Music to Lyrics

Some artists' lyrics are so good that they can stand on their own just fine even without music. Some are banal, even if the music is good. But I haven't made any moves from anything to anything else. I see no mutual exclusivity between gear, music, and lyrics. All part of the same package, to me. 

@larsman 

Some artists' lyrics are so good that they can stand on their own just fine even without music. 

Seems like the only way to validate this would be to read song lyrics off the page without having heard the song.  I suspect relatively very few lyrics could withstand such a test. By contrast, poetry provides its own rhythms and music. It requires nothing else. Song lyrics by definition are only half of a two-part "compound" genre.

I really appreciate good lyric writing but still, I can't imagine listening to songs and deriving most of my enjoyment from lyrics. It's the combination of lyrics and music that creates the magic. 

Equipment has never been my main focus, so there's nothing to "shift from" in that regard. 

As Sly sang, "Different strokes for different folks". 

Leonard Cohen, Joni Mitchell, John Prine are examples of music artists whose lyrics are poetry. The have great meaning just reading the lyrics sheet. 

@slaw

Do you read poetry?

Some Poets listen to music

When did everyone make the move from equipment to music to lyrics?

I guess I am not exactly sure what you are asking.  Are you asking why, if the lyrics are strong enough, do people care about the quality of the play back?  Or am I missing the boat again?

@immatthewj

I guess I am not exactly sure what you are asking.

Me neither. The fact that the question is phrased as if this is a common shift of focus is in itself perplexing.

@tomic601

Not sure what your point is. Care to elaborate?

Mine is that that simply because something is "poetic" or well written does not make it poetry. 

@stuartk,

I don't read poetry.

I read some Poetry…i suppose push came to shove I like Wendell Barry, Jim Harrison, Ted Kooser , even i suppose when feeling silly sonnet constraints…stuff like Sonnets of the Wingless Hours.

One of my dear friends, quite the Jazz and art connoisseur…prefers blackout…  

oh…. and of course…Leonard Cohen… in particular The Book of Longing… on copy thirty or so…. i give them away