Anyone else just bad at remembering lyrics to songs?

[Squarehard]

While I definitely enjoy music, I'm always terrible when it comes to trying to remember lyrics to songs.

Even for songs I've listened to over and over again, I just can't seem to remember the lyrics to the vast majority of them, but as far as the tune of the song, that's never an issue.

Yet, I know plenty of people that can just recite lyrics so easily.

Does anyone else have this problem with music, or am I on an island alone here?

 

[starpower]

I am in the exact same position, in fact I can't even hear lyrics most of the time and people always think I am crazy when I tell them this

 

[retroman]

Same here. The chorus usually isn't that much of a problem, but the rest of the song is often a blur to me. When listening to music I always pay more attention to the melody than to the lyrics.

 

[Fat4all]

i remember lyrics too well

when i sing a song in my head or to myself i end up having to finish it

 

[affeinvasion]

Most lyrics are such derivative trash that not having that floating around in your head could almost certainly be considered a postive.

 

[lunarworks]

Ya, I'm absolutely terrible at remembering lyrics, or even picking them up.

 

[Failburger]

Lyrics goes in one ear and out the other.

 

[julia crawford]

Who can say where the road goes, where the day flows, only time....

 

[Mona]

pour some shook up raman, when you need a cup

 

[Wingfan19]

Yeah, I'm terrible at it. I can not sing a complete song without messing up or forgetting lyrics. And I'm talking about songs I've listened to over 1000 times over many years. It amazes me how singers can pull that off, especially when they have a huge back log of songs.

 

[matrix-cat]

Song lyrics are like another language to me. If I really concentrate I can sometimes make them out, but if I'm just listening to a song normally it all just washes over me.

 

[Wubby]

Yes I'm absolutely horrible at it. I'm dreadful at karaoke because of it too. Even favorite songs I've listened to thousands of times. Except Ice Cube's Today was a good day for some reason.

 

[Doggg]

I'm terrible at it. I can usually remember the refrain, but that's it.

 

[Squarehard]

I'm terrible at it. I can usually remember the refrain, but that's it.

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Same, refrains are as far as I go, but that's usually because the refrains are the names of the songs or at least part of it, so it's sort of cheating. XD

 

[Nitori]

I'm awful at remembering song names.

 

[pechorin]

Same, but I think that's because I mostly put music on while I'm doing other stuff so I'm not 100% focused on the lyrics.

 

[Hoa]

Think of it like this, you can be amazed at the lyrics every time you listen to it assuming the lyrics are good.

But yea, unless I purposely focus on trying to remember the lyrics I usually suck at remembering them too. Once I do choose to practice or repeatedly recite them though it's hard to forget. I think most people who are good at remember lyrics probably rap/sing along to themselves quite a lot rather than just listen.

 

[MinerArcaniner]

If I don't focus hard on learning the lyrics, I won't.

It's always been like that for me.

 

[Kevers]

I have to listen to a song about a dozen times before I ever even pick up on the lyrics. I'll usually sing gibberish as long as it sounds similar until I actually learn the lyrics but I don't have a depository of lyrics saved in my head that I can blurt out at any given time.

 

[TwntyOneTwlv]

I'm pretty good at picking up on the lyrics. I'm not like, the best at it or anything, but they are definitely a big part of a song for me.

 

[Anonymous Tipster]

I'm the same— I can't remember lyrics for the life of me. I used to struggle even making them out, but now days most songs I can pick them up if I pay attention.

I have the same problem with exact quotes from movies or tv shows as well. I usually remember the scene and the gist of the quote, but can't place it exactly.

 

[NunezL]

I am in the exact same position, in fact I can't even hear lyrics most of the time and people always think I am crazy when I tell them this

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Song lyrics are like another language to me. If I really concentrate I can sometimes make them out, but if I'm just listening to a song normally it all just washes over me.

Click to shrink...

I'm the same as you guys I can't understand lyrics most of the time. I first realised that with Disney songs as a kid. My sisters could sing them no problem and I was just saying gibberish lol.

I also have a hard understanding people talking to me in loud places (like bars or clubs for example). Ruined a couple of dates even. Pretty annoying.

 

[Sacrilicious]

I am in the exact same position, in fact I can't even hear lyrics most of the time and people always think I am crazy when I tell them this

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The audibility of lyrics depends on a lot of things - the genre, mix and your headphones/speakers all make a big difference.

Honestly, there are plenty of songs where the lyrics are fundamentally difficult to make out (again, really depends on the genre and artist) even when many others are crystal clear.

People who can't remember lyrics: do you ever read them? Or do you go by audio alone?

 

[Luvlaskan]

My partner is a lyrics sponge while I cant even remember the lyrics to my favorite songs. I'm pretty good at remembering melodies and stuff though. I have no problems whistling a song.

 

[Kain-Nosgoth]

Yup, and i also have trouble understanding what is said during a song most of the time

 

[The Silver]

That me. Doesn't matter how often or how many times I listen to a song, I'll never remember the lyrics besides the the hook.

When I listen to music I just get into a vibe where the words just become another instrument to me so I don't pay any attention to what is being said. Exception is like music videos with lyrics written on the screen.

 

[clearacell]

I try not to hear lyrics too much as I am more of a melody/chords guy... I usually can recognize a song within a second. Not knowing the lyrics makes the song feel fresher for a bit longer to me.

 

[Ravelle]

I usually don't even hear the lyrics to a song unless I actively make me listen.

Except for songs that play at bars we sing a long too often, I can sing Tenacious D's Tribute in my sleep.

 

[Necromanti]

It's rare that I do, and I'd probably have to look up the lyrics first. 90% of what I listen to is instrumental, though.

 

[Galkinator]

Yup. I remember the music itself way better than the lyrics. I can listen to songs for years and not really know what's said in them