Talk:Lyrics

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[edit] Lyrics on Wikipedia

Is there any reason why lyrics (and tabs) to songs couldn't be included in WP? An encyclopedia is a reference of information...and lyrics are information. ?? Brumpz 05:43, 17 June 2006 (UTC)

Simply because there are an infinite number of songs, and accurate lyrics are not always provided by the artist. This would create way more problems than it would solve, there is hardly a plus-side to having lyrics on WP.

At Wikimania 2006 there was some discussion about this. Since the RIAA has been known to go around attacking people, even though it seems legal and ethical (there was some debate, but still) to have the lyrics on Wikipedia, the risk is too large for the main project owners - WikiMedia Foundation. The community has responded with the creation of a non-affiliated sister-site, LyricWiki.org which holds over 200,000 songs already, has a growing community, and recently announced that it will be forming a non-profit organization to run the site and potentially fend off legal issues.

I'm surprised nobody has mentioned: lyrics are (unless very old or specifically released) copyright. This is why the RIAA has issues: I cannot understand on what basis anyone can say "it seems legal" to create a web site containing other people's copyright material. Ethical is another matter, but I don't think the law is in doubt. Notinasnaid 10:06, 17 October 2006 (UTC)

I was previously unaware of lyricwiki, and I think more people should link to it and/or point it out when lyrics come up in article discussion.. it would make one less upset that the lyrics aren't found in wikipedia.

Links to copyright lyrics in lyricwiki will be removed (by my interpretation of Wikipedia:External links). Of course it's fine for out of copyright lyrics. Notinasnaid 16:35, 18 January 2007 (UTC)

By the way, a current entry in http://www.lyricwiki.org/LyricWiki:Announcements seems to make it clear that they know they are infringing copyright and want to do something about it by signing deals with publishers. If they are able to pull that off it would be truly wonderful, and provide a solid basis for linking from every (applicable) song article. Notinasnaid 16:59, 18 January 2007 (UTC)

[edit] The article

This text supposes most lyrics are written after music has been composed, I've always believed lyrics are what starts a song and the music is only added later. Am I mistaken here, is it true that in most cases, lyrics come after the music.? --LAUBO 16:07, 19 June 2006 (UTC)

Laubo, unless I'm mistaken, I think it can go either way: a good lyricist can write words to music that is already written...and a good composer can write words to music that is already there. I think. Anyone have anything to add/subtract/correct on that?--ViolinGirl^♪ 16:21, 14 July 2006 (UTC)

Is there any reason that everything is bulleted? Alexrussell101 14:19, 24 September 2006 (UTC)

I fixed that. Some people spend too much time with Powerpoint, I think. Notinasnaid 15:42, 7 January 2007 (UTC)

[edit] lyric formula must pay omage to the truth, as in B. DYLANS lyric "All the truth in the world adds up to one big lie." How could truth be a lie? unless the act of engaging in truth pursues death, so omage as in lyric formula is healthier. Cons

"Hank to Hendrix" by N. Young as an historical analysis of the inspiration and warning in the omage lyric formula, if that could be said..