Maybe I'm just ignorant of metal in foreign languages, but why do most metal bands have lyrics in English? Gojira is French, Behemoth is Polish, and all the Scandinavian bands...
Why are lyrics always in English?
- Thread starter stringy_
- Start date
It's a valid question - but I just wanna hedge my bets on this thread getting pretty ugly and anti-American before long...
Anyway, my thoughts are it's because English seems to have been established as the closest thing to a universal world language we have; if a Scandinavian, German, French, etc. band were to write lyrics in their own language, I would think the marketability in South America and Japan, for example, would be pretty hampered, at least compared to English. Personally, I really don't care very much at all about lyrics in songs, and since half the music I listen to has entirely unintelligible "English" lyrics anyway, I really wouldn't care if bands all started singing in their native languages - but unfortunately at this point I feel like the precedent has been set such that singing in one's own language is seen as something of a gimmick!
Anyway, my thoughts are it's because English seems to have been established as the closest thing to a universal world language we have; if a Scandinavian, German, French, etc. band were to write lyrics in their own language, I would think the marketability in South America and Japan, for example, would be pretty hampered, at least compared to English. Personally, I really don't care very much at all about lyrics in songs, and since half the music I listen to has entirely unintelligible "English" lyrics anyway, I really wouldn't care if bands all started singing in their native languages - but unfortunately at this point I feel like the precedent has been set such that singing in one's own language is seen as something of a gimmick!
Jarkko Mattheiszen
The FU guy.
Have you ever came to think that the metal bands with native language lyrics just don't get much publicity abroad? Maybe I misunderstood you, but it's pretty silly to assume there's no metal bands that write songs in their native languages. Here's some examples of Finnish metal bands:
http://www.myspace.com/nicoleband
http://www.myspace.com/stam1na
http://www.myspace.com/mokomamusic
http://www.myspace.com/rytmihairio
http://www.myspace.com/nicoleband
http://www.myspace.com/stam1na
http://www.myspace.com/mokomamusic
http://www.myspace.com/rytmihairio
K Odell
\=/Varnisher\=/
I think maybe he is referring to the more popular bands or more well known. But he may be talking as a whole. So in the end my post was neither informative or useful. Holla!
Stillborn
Scaly Manfish
Well, somehow, for me, and for some of my friends, I feel like french lyrics sound dumb... Everything sounds better in english, and to a point, in a foreign language (Dimmu Borgir have songs in norwegian, Rammstein in german etc...). So maybe norwegian lyrics sound dumb to most norwegians... There's also a great chance that I don't know what the fuck I'm talking about, although I do agree with Metaltastic post above.
I have a hard time believing that it's marketing, but then again I habitually talk out of my ass, so I could be wrong.
Yeah, that's why I prefaced my question by admitting my ignorance.
It was the "making-of" YouTube Behemoth clips that got me thinking this. Everybody's talking in Polish, but yet the lyrics are in English. Is it because Behemoth is bigger, and there's "pressure" to put everything in English? Hmm...
Stillborn
Scaly Manfish
Well I think it's fair to say that "most" bands (metal or not) want to have the widest audience possible... So it's just a logical decision to sing in english (according to me).
Jarkko Mattheiszen
The FU guy.
Yeah, but I was trying to say that a part of the reason a Finnish band (for example) gets succesful abroad is the fact that they sing in English. You think you guys would have ever heard of HIM or Nightwish if the lyrics were in Finnish?
Also, I have to say I know probably as many Finnish bands that write in our native language as I know ones that have chosen English.
slashvanyoung
Dopefish lives!
You're just reaching a much broader audience. It's that simple.
It's the exception when you're a band like - let's say - Rammstein or Sigur Ros and it's actually working as some sort of USP.
Like jhawke said, it doesn't necessarily mean these bands aren't around, but they're easily falling under the radar abroad. And to be honest, I don't have much desire to listen to a band singing Finnish (or every other language I don't understand) to begin with...
I think it's really a no-brainer... but what I do find interesting, is that many people I know (myself included) feel more comfortable singing in a second language (usually English).
It's the exception when you're a band like - let's say - Rammstein or Sigur Ros and it's actually working as some sort of USP.
Like jhawke said, it doesn't necessarily mean these bands aren't around, but they're easily falling under the radar abroad. And to be honest, I don't have much desire to listen to a band singing Finnish (or every other language I don't understand) to begin with...
I think it's really a no-brainer... but what I do find interesting, is that many people I know (myself included) feel more comfortable singing in a second language (usually English).
Fifth_Horseman
Watch out, it's sharp!
IMO English sounds better for lyrics than German.
*<- is a German*
I do, however, totally endorse the use of Finnish language in metal, especially as displayed by Ajattara. They could sing about warm nights at the beach, it would still sound like they are about to murder someone!
*<- is a German*
I do, however, totally endorse the use of Finnish language in metal, especially as displayed by Ajattara. They could sing about warm nights at the beach, it would still sound like they are about to murder someone!
abyssofdreams
knows what you think.
I'm glad it is. I think it is the best "singing" language. It can sound very soft or very aggressive...
and it is ear-pleasing to listen to. Plus a ton of other factors I'm too tired to list now
and it is ear-pleasing to listen to. Plus a ton of other factors I'm too tired to list now
Fifth_Horseman
Watch out, it's sharp!
+1, same for me and the vocalists in my bands.
And yes, it's a big advantage if alot of people around the world can understand the lyrics....
Chryst Krispies
Vanilla Gorilla
That's funny, cause some of my favorite songs they have are the ones in Italian haha.
The Unavoidable
jättebög
For me it's simply a case of all of my favorite lyrics being in english, so I choose to write in the same language as my inspirations. Besides, the english language has like 10 times as many words as Swedish, so it is a hell of alot easier finding synonyms and phrasings.
And also, these days almost everyone speaks english atleast to a certain degree, so it is simply a matter of reaching the biggest audience possible.
And also, these days almost everyone speaks english atleast to a certain degree, so it is simply a matter of reaching the biggest audience possible.
Erkan
mr-walker.bandcamp
I want the world to have a universal language. I think it's a good thing and I see no reason in being stubborn about it and trying to divide the world up even more than it already is. I don't care what language it is, as long as one language is the official world language, and it just happens to be english in our time. Therefore, I believe that people choose english so they can reach out to as many as possible. No point in expressing your deepest feelings in a language that is spoken by 200 people in an african village when you can do it in a language that is spoken/understood by 1/5 of the world.
