Type in 4 chord songs on you tube and a mass of videos about hit "catchy" songs all using the same chords will pop up. So many, so much alike. Words can really mean something. Too many songs are sold by the catch.

Yes...I agree with you. There are lots of songs that just have a catchy tune and the lyrics could be just about anything....they don’t seem to register! I am a singer, but admit to not knowing the lyrics to many well known songs...apart from the more familiar choruses. I know the words to songs by favourite artists and of course, to songs that I have learned to sing in order to perform them.

To this very day I have people argue with me on Janis Joplin singing "Me And Bobby McGee." Janis belts the song out and gets to her high points of the chorus saying at least twice "Bobby Motherfuckin' McGee." People hear me and listen to the song too, then go "no, she didn't say that." The problem is that nobody can tell me what she did say when they deny it. They don't know what she said but it just could not have been "MF ing McGee." There were two professional musicians in a family I married into and they agreed with me. In fact, it was Pat O'Neal who pointed this out and she sang everything Joplin ever did and much of it better than Joplin. If Pat walked into a local club and they had a band someone would have her up on stage singing "Bobby McGee" before the night was over. The crowds just went wild!

I never heard those lyrics - though I've heard the song. Musicians often have so much to say!

It took me a few years to work out all the lyrics of this song mostly because I loved the melody and the chord progression so much I focused on that and Klaus Meine's accent made it hard to figure out some of what he was saying but once I worked it all out, I could relate completely since it's about a guy who fucked up his relationship and just wants another chance to put it right.

I'm posting the original video rather than the lyric breakdown. See if you can understand everything or was it just me?

It's an awesome song either way.

Sounds like you were destined to be a Cocteau Twins fan.

Now this song, I had no clue what the lyrics were. I just like the beat. Now I see the words and this song is very confusing. Haha

I wouldn't say I don't listen to the words but with any song it's the melody that hooks me, if that doesn't then the words are irrelevant. Once the melody has me then the words come next

Try listening to Third Eye Blind's "Semi-Charmed Life". Sounds great and a fun beat.

Then look up the lyrics. You have to do it in this order or your mind will not be the same after.

Afterwards: [google.com]

I just keep saying "watermelon". the words are secondary to me. try focusing on the lyrics to this one ...

I have done the same thing all my life. I am a closet dancer so I always gravitated to the rhythm rather that the words. Now I have decided that I am a singer (closet of course) so lyrics have a whole new meaning and the older favorites have a renewed life and appreciation.?