Best Ever Albums

Re: Does the title of a song affect the song?

JJKelsall — Thu, 2 May 2013 10:02:52 GMT

Author: JJKelsall

Posted: 05/02/2013 14:02

I wouldn't say that it affects the song exactly but to some people (myself included) it is going to be somewhat important. If you hear a song with a predictable title for instance, you might not be particularly inclined to listen to it, whereas if you get something a bit strange, something that makes you stop and think 'I wonder what that's all about' I'd think you're more likely to listen to that song. It's the same case with album art really; it's all about making the music seem interesting before you have heard it.

Re: Does the title of a song affect the song?

Anonymous — Sun, 21 Apr 2013 12:13:22 GMT

Author: Anonymous

Posted: 04/21/2013 16:13

Yes (see Stars of the Lid, A Winged Victory for the Sullen and Brian McBride song titles for more information).

Re: Does the title of a song affect the song?

Anonymous — Sun, 21 Apr 2013 10:59:47 GMT

Author: Anonymous

Posted: 04/21/2013 14:59

Song titles don't matter to me much.

Re: Does the title of a song affect the song?

Dingerbell — Sun, 21 Apr 2013 04:10:08 GMT

Author: Dingerbell

Posted: 04/21/2013 08:10

sethmadsen wrote:

Unless I absolutely love a song, I don't even bother looking at the song titles... and remembering them is even harder for me... like actor's names. Even songs I like, maybe not amazing, but I like, I often have no idea what the title is.

Same. When listening to music for the first time, I never look at what the songs are called. It's only really around five or so listens that I can match each song to their name.

Re: Does the title of a song affect the song?

RoundTheBend — Sun, 21 Apr 2013 03:34:57 GMT

Author: RoundTheBend

Posted: 04/21/2013 07:34

HugoHeinen wrote:

There's only one I get that feeling of, Hump de Bump by Red Hot Chili Peppers. I love the song, but the title, you know, you get a feeling you can't take it serious...

haha, that's the RHCP for ya... how about "Party on Your Pussy" as a song title for ya from the album The Uplift Mofo Party Plan.... EMI later changed it to "Special Secret Song Inside".

Re: Does the title of a song affect the song?

RoundTheBend — Sun, 21 Apr 2013 03:30:21 GMT

Author: RoundTheBend

Posted: 04/21/2013 07:30

Unless I absolutely love a song, I don't even bother looking at the song titles... and remembering them is even harder for me... like actor's names. Even songs I like, maybe not amazing, but I like, I often have no idea what the title is.

Having said that, there's never been an amazing song with a dumbass song title.

Re: Does the title of a song affect the song?

Anonymous — Sat, 20 Apr 2013 13:55:17 GMT

Author: Anonymous

Posted: 04/20/2013 17:55

There's only one I get that feeling of, Hump de Bump by Red Hot Chili Peppers. I love the song, but the title, you know, you get a feeling you can't take it serious...

Re: Does the title of a song affect the song?

SingingPeasant96 — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 02:57:14 GMT

Author: SingingPeasant96

Posted: 04/18/2013 06:57

Yes, but little..

Re: Does the title of a song affect the song?

EyeKanFly — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 00:39:40 GMT

Author: EyeKanFly

Posted: 04/18/2013 04:39

meccalecca wrote:

I'd like to defend the concept of "Untitled" songs. Outside the scope of lyrical popular music, there's a world of instrumental music. ambient, classical, jazz, whatever. The composers intend for the music to operate on its own without a title forcing imagery. it's actually the total opposite of pretentious. A name have give this kind of music false meaning.

I agree. I also think that sometime when songs are called "Untitled" it sometimes means that the artist genuinely thinks that the song shouldn't have a name (or couldn't think of one good enough). Jazz is a good example, though since that can really go either way (sometimes artists want to invoke imagery).

Re: Does the title of a song affect the song?

meccalecca — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 19:20:33 GMT

Author: meccalecca

Posted: 04/17/2013 23:20

Romanelli wrote:

I see albums added to the site with six tracks, all called "untitled". I have no interest in those tracks, because whoever wrote them doesn't seem to care enough to give his creations names. Take a minute and give them a title...it's your chance to call it anything you want to. Calling all of your songs "untitled" doesn't make you look cool...it makes you look lazy and unimaginative.

This is why people don't write books or make films and call them "untitled". Marketing is important, and the title is the best thing you've got when the music isn't playing.

Re: Does the title of a song affect the song?

Johnny — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 19:16:50 GMT

Author: Johnny

Posted: 04/17/2013 23:16

I wont give any examples but i think in the extreme case it affects

Re: Does the title of a song affect the song?

jstreets — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 19:13:57 GMT

Author: jstreets

Posted: 04/17/2013 23:13

I don't think it should affect the song in a negative way. A good song is a good song. It could enhance your understanding of it though.

Re: Does the title of a song affect the song?

pearljammer13 — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 19:08:21 GMT

Author: pearljammer13

Posted: 04/17/2013 23:08

I actually made this thread a while back, and almost everyone said no. Still seems to be the prevailing opinion, though not entirely.

I think sometimes it can have a slight effect. My example was Mayonnaise by Smashing Pumpkins. It's a great song, but the title is ugly as hell and somehow makes the song just a little less perfect. Also the fact that is has nothing to do with the lyrics at all annoys me. The vast majority of the time, the title doesn't really affect my feelings on the song, but there are definitely times it does at least a bit.

Re: Does the title of a song affect the song?

GeevyDallas — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 18:13:57 GMT

Author: GeevyDallas

Posted: 04/17/2013 22:13

Romanelli wrote:

I agree with your closing point,although music shouldn't be made to be marketed,but in that respect a song title is extremely important if it is being marketed to the general public.

However the first part I disagree with you on pretty much everything.It's quite possible and I'd believe it to be the case in most situations that an album of all untitled tracks would be the artists way of trying to place no additional emphasis on certain tracks or their way of trying not to influence the way the fan interprets and enjoys the song or album,I would say they care more about their art if that was the case and not the other way around.The lazy and unimaginative part bewilders me also,surely someone putting out an album would have put so much love and care into it,that the act of adding titles to the tracks would be the least imaginative and time consuming process of creating the entire album.

Re: Does the title of a song affect the song?

thursdayeno — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 18:11:27 GMT

Author: thursdayeno

Posted: 04/17/2013 22:11

i would have never guessed the title of anything would really matter until i started submitting team fortress 2 videos to reddit.

i easily make the best videos, which nobody else in the world can do in their daydreams but i don't take any time to name them therefore nobody likes them.

Re: Does the title of a song affect the song?

Jackwc — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 17:51:44 GMT

Author: Jackwc

Posted: 04/17/2013 21:51

mooseboy101 wrote:

Most good songs recorded in the past 20 so years are Untitled so ya no

lol Mooseboy you're such a pretentious bellend.

Re: Does the title of a song affect the song?

Patman360 — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 17:51:21 GMT

Author: Patman360

Posted: 04/17/2013 21:51

Mercurydylan89 wrote:

The roar of the masses could be farts.

🥰

On topic, changing my opinion here, it seems song titles are more important than I first thought, you guys are making a good case for it.

Re: Does the title of a song affect the song?

Anonymous — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 17:45:52 GMT

Author: Anonymous

Posted: 04/17/2013 21:45

Romanelli wrote:

I agree. Albums with one or two tracks called untitled are ok though. For example, In The Aeroplane Over The Sea has an untitled track but it's an instrumental which links Ghost to Two Headed Boy Pt. 2 and it was later renamed 'The Penny Arcade in California'. Another example is What's The Story Morning Glory which has two untitled track. However both these tracks are around 40 seconds and have alternative names, The Swamp Song - Excerpt 1 and 2.

Re: Does the title of a song affect the song?

Romanelli — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 17:28:39 GMT

Author: Romanelli

Posted: 04/17/2013 21:28

I see albums added to the site with six tracks, all called "untitled". I have no interest in those tracks, because whoever wrote them doesn't seem to care enough to give his creations names. Take a minute and give them a title...it's your chance to call it anything you want to. Calling all of your songs "untitled" doesn't make you look cool...it makes you look lazy and unimaginative.

This is why people don't write books or make films and call them "untitled". Marketing is important, and the title is the best thing you've got when the music isn't playing.

Re: Does the title of a song affect the song?

Jasonconfused — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 17:18:46 GMT

Author: Jasonconfused

Posted: 04/17/2013 21:18

Puncture Repair wrote:

Yes.

The title of a song is essential in highlighting what the artist believes is a key moment in the song. When a song name is very well chosen it can very successfully bring forward a moment of the song otherwise potentially lost.

Would 'Losing My Religion' be as effective if it was titled 'Me In The Corner'? Both are equally legitimate song titles, but they centralize different key themes in the song. With the title 'Losing My Religion' instantly we consider the song to be widely about the loss of faith, whereas an alternative title could make the song seem more focused around the feeling of isolation.

Just an example, but I think a title has a very big impact, even if it's subtle.

Well said. �'�

Personally, I'm not sure it affects how I feel about a song, but I definitely like to take it into account, as well as the album artwork and album title and everything involved because it's part of the artist's creative process.