Song lyrics can be pure poetry, or they can be just plain stupid. I actually prefer songs in a foreign language, preferably one that I don’t understand at all. I like to hear the human voice, but I don’t want the words to ruin the music. Lyrics in English that are hard to understand are not the same for me as lyrics in a foreign language. I like the words to be clear, just not with words I recognize. There was a French song that I used to think was a love song until I learned enough French to understand it was about a man with a hat. Boring. Someone once translated my favorite Polish song for me, it turned out to be political puns that don’t really make sense in English. So I hunt for songs in Portuguese, Italian, German, Romanian, and Japanese. I enjoy opera and don’t really care about the story, just the sound of the voices and instruments working together.
With the Internet, Americans are getting exposed to more international music and they are joining me in liking it. People everywhere love American (and English) music, they have been fans since before the Internet. Admittedly, there are songs in English that I do appreciate. I like a good beat of course, I am part of the Rock and Roll generation. I like funny, clever, or satirical songs, too. I also love kid’s songs, they are lively and happy. I like songs that stick in your head, I know they bug most people but “It’s a small world after all.”